The moment you notice that mold has made its way in your bathroom, you urgently have to do everything to remove it as soon as possible. If, however, you have not experienced bathroom mold, you may need to inspect hard-to-reach damp areas. Most probably, you will find moldy areas in the corners of the bathroom, bathtub, shower, on bathroom tiles, and other places. As long as you do not let this go out of hand, this common problem is easy to cure and prevent. With knowledge on how to prevent mold in the drywall in bathrooms, your bathroom can be mold-free.
What are the common causes of bathroom mold?
Larry Vetter of Vetter Environmental Services says that bathroom mold occurs primarily because mold loves damp, dark, isolated spaces. There are moldy areas because of a lack of ventilation leaving your bathroom with lingering moisture. Another reason is that there are leaks in the toilets, sinks and plumbing pipes. Further, damp cellulose materials cause mold growth. These materials include paper products, rugs, wallpaper, grout, wood, drywall, and fabric.
Mold grows in the bathroom because of frequently running water in the bathroom basin, the bathtub, and shower. If the puddles of water are not dried out at once, mold grows easily. Further, if the water in the bathroom dries, it evaporates into the air which then increases the humidity. Humidity worsens the mold problem. Steam from the shower or hot bath makes the bathroom more humid so wet surfaces take a longer time to dry.
Tips on How to kill and How to Prevent Mold in Drywall in the Bathroom
The easiest solutions to kill mold are bleach, borax, vinegar, and ammonia. These are effective in removing mold from tiles, grout, the shower and bathtub, bathroom basin, and bathroom drains.
To remove mold from tiles or grout, scrub or wipe the area with some cloth. You can use bleach to kill the mold in the grout. You may need to give the moldy areas some good scrubbing with a toothbrush. After that, apply a sealer to the grout. If you find it impossible to remove the mold from the grout, remove it and replace it with some new grout. You can use a flat screwdriver to do this.
If mold is found in the shower and bathtub, you know for sure that grime from body oils and soap scum has been washed off and made its way to the shower or tub. This creates the food source that mold feeds on. To get rid of mold in these areas and prevent its growth, clean the moldy areas with your preferred cleaning product. Next, wipe the shower and tub dry to minimize leftover moisture. Another good idea is to buy plastic inserts for the shower and bathtub. These can be taken out and cleaned easily.
To remove mold in the bathroom basin because of soap scum and grime, clean it regularly just like how you manage moldy showers and bathtubs. For bathroom drains, remove mold by scrubbing it away with a brush or cloth. Take off the grate of your drain and scrub the mold growing inside the drain pipe. It is possible to unscrew the drain pipe if you have a hard time reaching the mold. Pour drain cleaner or a mold killing solution like vinegar or bleach to kill the mold inside the drain.
If you have mold caused by blocked bathroom drains, the only solution is to buy chemical products to unclog the drain. Blocked drains are caused by water that has been sitting in the drain, standing for long periods. If water does not drain as fast as how the water runs from the tap, then you know that your drain is clogged.
Another thing to watch out for in the bathroom is that mold can also get on objects you place in the area. These items can be shampoo bottles, beauty products, old soaps, and others. As long as you have objects that trap water, you can expect mold to grow and spread. For these cases, be sure you do not allow objects to sit on surfaces that are often wet. Store them in higher shelves so they keep dry during showering. Minimize objects in the bathroom. Remove all other extra objects that are not being used. If you would still want to keep them in the bathroom, regularly clean them separately.