Bathroom Mold – When to Hire a Mold Remediation Specialist?

Molds thrive in dark, humid, and damp areas. Bathrooms are prime real estate for mold. Conditions in the bathroom are ideal for mold growth. A typical bathroom contains many surfaces prone to condensation. These include ceilings, windows, and cold walls. Mold can quickly spread from your bathroom to other rooms.

Here are some tips to keep your bathroom mold-free.

 Use the Bathroom Fan 

Leave your bathroom fan running for 30-60 minutes after showering. If you don’t have an exhaust fan in your bathroom, get one as soon as possible. Before you buy a bathroom fan, make sure it is capable of ventilating the room.

A bathroom fan should replace the air in the bathroom about 7.5 times every hour to work effectively. The effectiveness of a fan is rated in cubic feet per minute, or CFM of air moved.

Follow these steps to calculate the CFM for your bathroom fan.

➢  Measure your bathroom: Use a tape to measure each wall’s length and height from floor to ceiling.

➢  Calculate its floor area: If you have a rectangular bathroom, multiply its width and length. If your bathroom has a complex shape, break the floor plan into simpler shapes. Measure them and add the area of every subdivision to get your bathroom’s total floor area.

➢  Calculate the total volume of your bathroom: Multiply your bathroom’s floor area by the ceiling height. If your bathroom’s ceiling does not have a uniform height, estimate the average ceiling height (somewhere between the maximum and minimum estimated height).

➢  Calculate the required CFM for your bathroom fan: To determine the required CFM for your bathroom fan, divide your bathroom’s volume by 7.5 (the right fan for your bathroom will replace the air in it 7.5 times in an hour).

Keep Your Bathroom Clean 

Dust can support mold growth. To keep your bathroom dust-free, wipe down surfaces with a dampened microfiber cloth once a week.

Clean your sink, toilet, and bathtub with an all-purpose cleaner. Let the solution sit on surfaces for several minutes before rinsing it down the drain or wiping it away.

Spray glass cleaner on a microfiber cloth and wipe your windows and mirror from top to bottom. Afterward, remove smudges and streaks left behind. Wipe down surfaces with paper towels to prevent moisture accumulation.

Curtain liners and bathroom rugs get wet frequently. Clean them and let them air dry every one or two weeks. Running your squeegee on your tub or shower walls right after washing can reduce moisture by up to 75 percent.

Fix Plumbing Leaks 

Leaks in your shower, bathtub or sink can cause moisture to accumulate. Unattended water leakage in your bathroom is likely to lead to mold and fungi growth. Whenever you spot a leak, fix it right away, or contact a plumber to repair them.

Do Not Keep Items in Your Bathtub or Shower  

Water can collect underneath the surfaces of washcloths, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash bottles, sponges, and loofahs, becoming a breeding ground for mold. Store these items in your towel closet or use a shower rack that allows items to dry completely.

Ventilate Your Bathroom 

When taking a shower, close your bathroom door and open the windows to disperse stale air naturally. If you do not have an exhaust fan or your fan is not effective, get a portable dehumidifier for your bathroom. Alternatively, you can install a dehumidifier as a part of your air conditioning system.

Always leave your shower curtain or door open after showering. This will speed up the drying process. Make sure there is at least a 1/2inch-¾ inch gap between your bathroom door and floor.

When to Call a Mold Removal Professional?

➢  The affected area is too big and widespread: If the mold colony is too big and widespread (area=/>10 sq.ft.), homemade solutions won’t cut it. If mold buildup is too big, there is a chance that mold spores have spread behind sub-flooring, drywall, and other difficult-to-reach areas.

➢  Someone in your family has an allergy or a compromised immune system: If someone in your family is allergic to mold or has asthma, you need to make sure your home is mold-free. An amateur (or an enthusiastic DIY with little or no experience with mold remediation) will treat just the symptoms, not the root cause. An experienced mold removal pro will diagnose the problem and come up with a sustainable solution.

➢  There are hazardous materials present: If your mold remediation project involves handling hazardous materials such as asbestos or lead, hire a licensed contractor.

➢  Mold has caused structural damage: If mold has caused structural damage, it makes sense to hire a pro to make necessary repairs.

Benefits of Hiring a Mold Remediation Specialist 

➢ They use specialized tools and equipment to remove mold.

➢ Mold remediation specialists bring decades of experience to the table. They are trained to handle different types of mold safely.

➢ They use effective mold remediation techniques to prevent future problems.

➢ Your mold remediation specialist will come up with a plan to control and reduce potential spread.

West Coast Fire & Water is a top-rated water damage restoration company in Marin County. We do not just remove mold from home surfaces but stop them from coming back. To schedule a cleanup, call (415) 417-0483.