Does your Southbury, CT Bathroom Have a Mold Problem?

2/20/2019 (Permalink)

An unnoticed small leak behind a toilet bowl can cause a cause a big mold problem to Southbury area homes.

Moisture? Check. 

Darkness? Check. 

Heat? Check. 

Porous material? Check. 

When it comes to mold growth, the environment in a bathroom checks all of the boxes.   

It is indeed the most common place that mold is spotted in residences. In fact, most bathrooms have some traces of mold. It is not a statement about the cleanliness of a house but rather just the nature of bathrooms themselves.  

There are ways, however, to minimize your risk of mold growth in the bathroom.

Keep your eyes open for: 

• Inadequate Ventilation: Be sure that the exhaust fan in your bathroom is in good working order. The steam created by hot showers and baths requires an exit route. Without one, all of the moisture from the water collects on the walls and ceiling of your bathroom. 
• Leaky pipes: Pipes can leak under the sink as well as in the walls and go unnoticed, which allows mold to grow unchecked. Behind the walls, mold has all of the elements of life- water, dark and porous materials to grow on.  
• Water leaks from shower doors and toilets: Is your shower door is malfunctioning and allow a little water out on a regular basis? Or maybe your toilet has a slow leak. Perhaps the kids splash water out of the tub that doesn’t get wiped up immediately. These can all allow the water to seep under the molding and into the walls and floor boards.  
• Shower Tile: Inside the shower is a very common place for mold to grow due to the moisture and soap present. While mold might begin to grow on them, with vigilance this can typically be cleaned up by a homeowner.  

The good news is that not all bathroom mold is toxic and not all bathroom mold requires professional mediation. Mold that is isolated to non-porous materials such as shower enclosures can be often be cleaned with water and mild detergent.

Mold that is found behind walls and on porous materials such as wood and sheetrock, however, requires professional remediation.

If you find mold in your bathroom, give the mold remediation team at SERVPRO of Southbury/Torrington a call at (203) 267-6262 to schedule a consultation.