The bathroom is one of the most common places in a home to find mold. A dark discoloration in the corners of your bathroom or green or orange marks in places may be signs of mold. This will lead to some questions. Why is there mold in my bathroom?
Mold grows in bathrooms due to the higher levels of humidity where mold and mildew thrive. Poor ventilation in a bathroom is a key factor in the reason behind mold buildup. When the fan is not turned on or working properly during a shower or hot bath, moisture creates a prime environment for mold.
The look of mold and mildew in a bathroom is not only icky, but it can also be a cause for concern.
Why Is There Mold in My Bathroom?
With so much water activity happening in a bathroom, it only makes sense that humidity and moisture would be a potential concern.
Mildew can form when surfaces aren’t cleaned or dried properly and can become moldy if it isn’t removed.
Showers that are left stagnant can lead to mold growth, and this is why many people have difficulty keeping them clean. Mold loves hiding in cracks and corners, as well as between tiles.
Hidden pipes in walls or under sinks can also leak slowly, allowing water to pool and creating perfect hiding spots for mold colonies.
Common Causes of Bathroom Mold
- Lack of proper ventilation leads to a moist environment
- Leaking toilets, sinks, and other plumbing pipes
- Damp areas within a bathroom that are porous, such as drywall and grout
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Types of molds commonly found in bathrooms include:
These molds are usually dark brown or green, with Stachybotrys (the most dangerous type of mold common in bathrooms appearing almost black. Penicillium can sometimes have a blue or green tint to it.
Mold is unsightly yet generally not a serious concern. Some people find they are allergic to mold, and those suffering from asthma may have an asthma attack when exposed to mold.
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Mold can cause mild symptoms such as a sore throat, runny nose, or coughing in people who have been affected.
Although over-the-counter remedies can often relieve symptoms of an allergy attack, more serious cases may require medical attention.
To prevent allergies, minor adjustments can be made to keep mold and mildew under control.
Why Is There Mold on My Bathroom Ceiling?
Mold can create quite a stir when it’s found, especially when the mold is nestled up against a white ceiling. How did it get up there? Why is there mold on my bathroom ceiling?
Mold is found on bathroom ceilings due to the high humidity that is created by the water activity in the bathroom. When a ventilation system is not running properly or not being used, steam accumulates on the ceiling of the bathroom. Moisture on a porous ceiling is an ideal place for mold to thrive.
Mold spores can be found everywhere. If your ceiling is damp, mold spores will attach to your ceiling, and the mold fungus will begin to grow.
The ceiling mold is mainly black but can also appear in gray, green, or white. Because of the high moisture content, it is a problem in bathrooms. While you can’t avoid getting your bathroom soaked, here are some ways to prevent mold growth on your bathroom ceiling.
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Tips for Addressing Mold on a Bathroom Ceiling
Let’s take a look at some tips for tackling mold on bathroom ceilings.
Kill the Mold and Cover it with Paint
Bathroom ceilings are usually painted in light colors such as white, beige, or neutrals. After addressing the mold, you will want to hide it.
After applying a chemical treatment to kill the mold, touch up the discoloration with paint the same color as the ceiling.
Insulate the Ceiling
Temperature changes are the most common cause of mold growth on bathroom ceilings. Condensation is more likely in cooler ceiling areas, such as crown molding, metal fasteners, and ceiling beams.
Insulating the ceiling makes it warmer. This decreases the surface area that can be used for condensation and reduces mold growth.
If you are skilled enough, you can insulate your bathroom yourself. Fiberglass is an option.
Check the Extent of the Damage
There may be more to the mold you see on your bathroom ceiling than meets the eye. It is unlikely that there are additional molds on the ceiling’s top side.
Although likely that the mold on your bathroom ceiling is due to the humidity in your bathroom, there can be other causes. Water leaks coming from above can also be the culprit of bathroom ceiling mold.
Ghosting
The mold on your bathroom ceiling could actually be smoke, dust, or soot. These black specks, also known as ghosting in the industry, look like mold.
Ghost marks are not spiraling but appear straight to match your ceiling beams.
Roof frames are much colder than other ceiling boards. Smoke and soot particles can stick to your roof frames when you cook or smoke in your bathroom.
Ghosting can be difficult to remove – you may end up painting over dark areas.
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Why Is There Mold in My Toilet?
Even if you haven’t experienced any water damage or moisture buildup in your home, you may still see mold in your toilet. But why? Why is there mold in my toilet?
Mold grows easily and quickly in a toilet due to the presence of water in the toilet bowl and in the toilet tank. Mold needs a wet, moist environment to flourish, and toilets are common breeding grounds for mold fungus.
If you have ever seen a black line around the water level of your toilet, that is likely mold. Mold can easily spread so it is important to clean out the toilet immediately and often.
Mold can grow on many surfaces. It is most common when the surface is left to become and remain damp.
Mold can grow in any room of the house as long as it has had contact with moisture. This could be from the outside, plumbing issues, or high humidity.
Because there are many places and ways for moisture to accumulate, bathrooms are especially susceptible to mold growth.
The bowl and tank of the toilet are always half-full of water except for when it is being flushed. They are also naturally at room temperature and have darkened areas, especially when the lid has been closed.
These conditions are ideal for mold growth.
Toilets that are not used often and not flushed frequently are more susceptible to developing a mold problem than those that are flushed several times per day.
To prevent mold spores from growing into larger problems, toilets must be cleaned frequently.
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How to Clean a Moldy Toilet
Don’t panic if you find mold in your toilet. Toilets are made from glazed porcelain and can be cleaned with common household cleaners.
However, it is important to understand that mold must be killed and removed completely to prevent further growth.
- Begin with a reliable pair of rubber gloves.
- Flush the toilet to get rid of as much water as possible.
- Clean the toilet bowl using mild household bleach cleaner and a toilet brush or a rag for loosening the mold. Repeat until the mold is gone.
- Let the bleach sit in the bowl for between 15 and 30 minutes. Ammonia products are not recommended, as they emit toxic gases.
- Flush the toilet bowl and clean it one more time.
- Use a bleach solution of one part water and one part bleach, or a commercial disinfectant or mold killer. Scrub the bowl with a toilet brush, then flush again.
You can also pour distilled vinegar into your toilet tank to remove mold. Let it sit for between 20 and 30 minutes.
Bleach can corrode the tank’s plumbing, so it is best to use vinegar. You can flush the tank several times and scrub the inside as necessary.
Continue this process until you are rid of all mold.
Clean the rest of the toilet. Let the toilet sit for a while before spraying the bleach or disinfectant solution on its exterior and seat.
Use a damp cloth to wipe the toilet clean. Then use water to wash it again. Use a paper towel to dry the toilet.
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Toilet Mold Prevention
Mold in the toilet can be avoided by taking preventative measures. Regular cleaning of the bathroom, including the toilet, is recommended.
Regularly use anti-fungal sprays. To prevent mildew and mold growth, you can use borate (Borax), in your toilet. You can find it in any grocery store’s laundry aisle.
Reduce the moisture level in your bathroom by taking steps. A shower fan with a vent to the outside can be used during baths or showers.
Open a window, or use a dehumidifier if you don’t already have one.
It is important to repair any plumbing leaks immediately.
5 Ways to Get Rid of Mold in a Bathroom?
There are several ways to get rid of mold in a bathroom, and we’ve covered just a few below:
1. The Nose Knows
Although it might be indicative of mold, the smell could also indicate that your bathroom is not properly ventilated.
To find the source of the smell, inspect the corners, ceilings, doors, windows, and walls.
Once you have a good idea of where the smell is coming from, you can determine if it’s mold or just spore accumulation. To test if the smell disappears, open the windows and turn on the fan.
Consider installing a dehumidifier or fan if you don’t already have one. You should choose a fan that is quiet and efficient but still flows continuously. This will help you avoid persistent dampness or musty odors.
2. Install a Ventilation Fan
If you do not already have one installed in your bathroom, you need one.
Install a bathroom fan with a time connected to the bathroom light fixtures. The fan will automatically turn on when the bathroom light is turned off.
A constant-flow fan is a good investment if the bathroom is frequented and used by more than four people. The fan runs continuously throughout the day, making it more efficient for bathrooms with high traffic.
These fans can be set to intermittent timers so that they will always turn on and off. It can be either speed-based or moisture-based and will turn on or off depending on how humid the bathroom is.
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3. Use Mold Spray
You can try home remedies such as vinegar, baking soda, and bleach for mild cases of bathroom mold. Spraying a solution on the mold will usually kill it. Mold sprays can be toxic, so make sure your bathroom is ventilated before you start.
Some cleaning products can be toxic when mixed together, e.g. ammonia or bleach. Also, note that ammonia and bleach can be damaging to ceilings.
A good choice is to use 2 cups hot water with 1/4 cup vinegar and 2 tablespoons of borax.
Before you spray your anti-mold mixture, scrape off any existing surface paint. It should dry naturally. Don’t rinse off.
4. Use a Dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers are wonderful for any room in your home when humidity is a concern and ideal for bathroom use.
A relative humidity tool can help you determine how humid your bathroom is. A dehumidifier is a good investment if the bathroom is too humid.
The dehumidifier lowers humidity in the bathroom which solves mold problems. To conserve electricity, you can set the timer for the dehumidifier.
You should make sure that you only buy models made for bathrooms. This is an electrical appliance so you run the risk of electrical appliances getting wet.
Bathroom-specific models have wiring that is hidden and is better sealed to prevent water contact.
5. Upgrade Your HVAC
Your HVAC system should be upgraded to include dehumidifiers, better ventilation, and other improvements.
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Sources
Trina Greenfield, Author
SmackDown Media LLC
LinkedIn
About the Author:
Trina Greenfield, the owner of SmackDown Media LLC, is passionate about providing information to those interested in the air quality in and around their homes. Trina writes content about things she’s passionate about, such as safe, in-home air, educational platforms for children and adults, as well as all things family-related.
