A recent documentary called Moldy is shedding light on the hidden mold problem in homes and the dangers it poses to our health. According to the film producers, mold is a big problem with more than half of homes having substantial mold issues. Unfortunately, our homes have lots of places that are the perfect environment for mold to thrive. If you are doing nothing to prevent mold then you are likely facing a growing problem.
Mold is a type of fungi. Fungus thrives in warm, damp, and dark environments making your shower a mold’s dream home. Without taking proactive measures to prevent mold in your shower, it’s just a matter of time before mold grows on the walls and/or ceiling of your shower. Keep reading to learn how you can get rid of nasty mold growth and protect yourself and your family from mold-related health problems.
Open a Window
Every time someone takes a hot shower in your bathroom, moisture fills the air in the room effectively covering every surface with condensation. It is essential to prevent mold spores from taking root on surfaces like your shower walls and bathroom ceiling by preventing excess moisture in your shower.
However, opening a bathroom window can be a double-edged sword. Mold spores travel through the air and will enter your home from open windows, land on a surface, grow, spread, and cause all sorts of nasty health problems. The good news – without an abundance of moisture and warm temperature the mold will not have what it needs to survive and never take root on surfaces in your shower.
When you are taking a shower and for some time after you should open a window allowing the moisture to escape. This is the single most important prevention measure you can take.
Ventilation Fan
Opening a window will certainly help air circulation, but a fan will really get the moisture-filled air out. Proper ventilation is the key to keeping your shower mold-free.
If you have a ventilation fan, run it properly during your shower and at least 20 minutes after a shower to circulate the damp air out of the shower and bathroom. If you don’t have a ventilation fan in your bathroom it is highly recommended that you install one.
Disinfect Often
For the most part, showers are lined with mold-resistant material, making it difficult for mold to take hold. But, many showers are tiled and the crevices between the tiles are where mold usually is first noticed. Use any household bathroom cleaner to disinfect and kill any mold before it has a chance to grow into an ugly menacing mess.
If you are already facing wide-spread mold growth in your shower there are cleaning products designed to remove mold. In some cases the mold has damaged the surface and renovation may be a better option to restore the shower to like-new condition.
Prevent Mold Before It Takes Hold
Make mold prevention a part of your cleaning and home maintenance. If you take steps now to prevent mold now it will never have a chance to cause damage to your home and your health. If mold has taken over your shower or any part of your home, hire our mold restoration experts to help you take your home back from these persistent invaders.