How do I stop mould in my bathroom.

There would be very few people around that have not had a mould issue in their bathroom area at some point in time. Due to the very nature of a bathroom being a wet area in constant use, bathrooms and mould issues go hand in hand.

Whilst the design and construction methods of bathrooms all vary dramatically, there are some common factors with all bathrooms that can lead to mould issues at some stage. By identifying and rectifying these issues we can then begin to get on top of our mould issues.

Some factors that can lead to mould in the bathroom area include:

• Poor ventilation.
• Water / plumbing leaks.
• Poor water proofing around the shower base.
• Missing tile grout.
• Inadequate regular cleaning.
• Water residue after use.

To stop mould growth in the bathroom area we need address and rectify the issues that are causing the mould in the first place.

 

 

Mould growth due to poor ventilation.

Inadequate ventilation is one of the leading causes for mould growth in bathroom areas, without proper ventilation to remove the wet air, condensation soon forms on the walls and ceilings increasing the moisture levels of these materials. With regular use of the bathroom these materials don’t have a chance to properly dry out and remain moist.

Similarly with the moisture in the air this also remains moist which in turn raises the relative humidity within the confined space of the bathroom. This increased moisture is creating the ideal microclimate for mould growth.

To avoid this issue is very simple – ensure you have a correctly working, powerful exhaust fan installed and keep the bathroom window open whilst using the shower or bath in the bathroom.

It is also a good idea to air out the bathroom as much as possible even when not in use, if it is a nice warm dry day outside leave the bathroom window open periodically this will allow fresh dry air into the bathroom and it will lower the relative humidity within the bathroom which will further discourage mould growth.

 

Attend to water leaks straight away.

Even the smallest water leak from a tap washer can lead to moisture issue very quickly, added to this are the common water leaks that often occur out of site inside the wall cavities. Bathrooms are notorious for water leaks from internal plumbing, if you do have a noticeable water leak have it fixed straight away.

A pipe inside the wall cavity can be leaking or dripping for a long period of time, being out of site you will never know about it. This is extremely common, so you need to be vigilant, we recommend having a plumbing inspection annually to keep on top of these water leak issues. Also keep an eye out for any signs of visible water damage.

 

 

 

Water proofing around the shower base.

There should be a watertight silicon seal around the base of the shower tiles where the wall tiles meet the floor tiles, if this silicon seal is in poor condition water can then seep through and into the wall cavity behind the shower itself.

After constant use of the shower day in and day out the moisture levels inside the wall cavity can build up creating the ideal environment for unwanted mould growth.

Waterproof silicon is readily available from all hardware stores, or your local handyman can properly apply this waterproof silicon seal to your shower recess area for you if need be.

Keep wall tiles and grout in good condition.

Tile grout that is missing or in poor condition is another avenue for water to penetrate through and into the bathroom wall behind, keeping the bathroom tiles and grout in good condition is an absolute must.

There are companies that specialise in tile and grout repair, if your tiles and grout are not up to scratch, we recommend you have these attended to stop unwanted moisture issues.

 

 Regular cleaning is a must to avoid mould in the bathroom.

Built-up soap scum, dirt and grime are all food for mould, this is why regular cleaning of the bathroom area is so important. Keeping the bathroom area clean is one of the best ways to discourage unwanted mould growth.

Don’t forget about cleaning on top of cupboard and up high on ledges, these areas tend to accumulate dust, and mould will always settle and feed on dusty services.

 

 

Avoid leaving water residue after using the bathroom.

Leaving excess water in the bathroom after use increases the humidity levels within the bathroom, which will lead to condensation and moisture on the walls and ceiling. Simply wiping down any excess moisture with a dry towel or microfiber cloths will dramatically improve this issue.

Leaving the bathroom dry and moisture free after use is vital for avoiding future mould issues.

 

Flood Fixers can assist if you need a little extra help removing mould from your bathroom in Adelaide!

Flood Fixers have many years’ experience with removing mould from bathrooms in Adelaide, our team know exactly what is required to effectively and permanently remove unwanted mould from your bathroom or any other areas within your property.

So, if you are struggling to get on top of your mould problems and you required professional mould remediation in Adelaide, please call our team anytime, we are more than happy to help.

The team at Flood Fixers Adelaide specialise in:

• Mould removal & mould remediation.
• Mould cleaning.
• Specialised bathroom mould removal.
• Mould prevention treatments.
• Mould assessments & inspections.
• Thermal imaging and moisture detection.
• Structural water damage drying.
• Water damage restoration Adelaide.

 

 

Please contact Flood Fixers today if you need help with mould remediation in Adelaide.