Mould grows almost anywhere although it is particularly fond of places that are dark and moist. This is why you predominantly find mould in bathrooms, kitchens, and in underfloor spaces.
If you have mould then you have excess moisture in your home and this can damage the structural components of your property. Mould can also be dangerous to your health, especially if you already suffer from allergies.
You need to take steps to prevent mould growth:
Get A Plumber
Bathrooms are generally moist environments which encourages the mould to grow. But, mould in a bathroom can also indicate you have a leak and this excess moisture is creating the perfect habitat for mould spores.
The first thing you should do to eliminate mould growth is contact an emergency plumber. They will be able to assess all the plumbing n your bathroom and across your home. They can locate leaks and fix them, even if they are inside the walls.
Stopping leaks will help to dry out the bathroom and make it less hospitable to mould. Of course, the plumber may find no issues but it is an important starting point.
Ventilation
Warm air is capable of carrying much more moisture than cool air. That’s why warm bathrooms, and other areas of the house, will suffer much more from mould than other areas. The air in the bathroom is warm and moisture is introduced while it is being used in the space, particularly when showering.
The most effective way to eliminate this warm and moist air is to replace it with cooler and drier air.
- Fans
The most effective approach to reducing moisture content in the air is to add a fan. This will either pull air in from outside or push the warm bathroom air out. In both scenarios, cooler air is guided into the bathroom, reducing air temperature and lowering the moisture content.
Fans are easy to fit and effective.
- Windows
If you don’t want to add a fan then you must shower and use the bathroom with the window open. This encourages airflow, helping to push the warm and moist air out. Of course, a window will need a little help from the breeze outside or the air temperature outside being lower than inside.
The best approach, if possible, is to use a fan and open your window, especially when you are showering.
Dehumidifier
If you find that the bathroom appears to stay moist even when you’re not showering and there appear to be no leaks, you should invest in a dehumidifier.
This sucks the moisture out of the air and collects it in a chamber. Depending on the unit the water may be disposed of outside the house or you may need to empty the chamber periodically.
It’s an effective way of lowering moisture content, even if it’s just while you’re working out what causes the excess moisture.
Let Things Dry
You probably use a loofah in the shower and various cloths or sponges when washing. It’s critical that these items are not left on the side after being used. They will be full of water, they need to be hung so that the excess water can drain and the item dries out.
Leaving them on the side encourages mould growth as you increase the moisture level in the bathroom.
Ideally, these items should be hung in the sunshine as this won’t just help them dry, the UV rays will also help kill any bacteria.
Wipe It Down
One of the worst things you can do in the bathroom is to step out of the shower and leave it. This means there is moisture across the walls and it will sit there for an extended period, encouraging mould to arrive.
Instead, as soon as you’ve finished showering, use a squeegee to wipe the surfaces down, effectively removing as much moisture as possible and reducing the risk of mould growing.
Leave The Shower Open
Most people already do this but it is important to leave the shower curtain or door open when you’re not showering. It encourages air circulation which decreases the likelihood of mould appearing.
Don’t forget, if you have a shower curtain you should wash and dry it regularly. The same is true of your towels. Hanging them damp in the bathroom adds to the moisture levels. It’s also not hygienic. You should be washing your towels every two or three days. That helps your health as well as reduces mould in the bathroom.
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