Our bathrooms are the center of cleanliness and hygiene in our homes. From soaking in the tub after a long day, to brushing your teeth after your morning onion bagel, your “throne” room should make you feel fresh and ready to take on everything in your busy schedule.
Unfortunately, this clean room can quickly become dirty and unsanitary since the natural moisture and constant flow of water creates the perfect breeding ground for unwanted germs and bacteria.
The ickiest and most harmful bathroom guest? Mold.
What Is Mold?
Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in a moist environment and reproduces through airborne spores. Mold is a very common organism that we come across every day in small doses. Once spores land in a wet area, they begin to grow into larger quantities that are harmful to our respiratory system.
The Dangers of Mold
As plumbers, we spend a lot of time in bathrooms of all shapes, sizes, and levels of cleanliness. So we feel it is our responsibility to let you know what the dangers are of unaddressed mold growth in the home. Some side-effects of long-term exposure to mold are:
- Watery eyes
- Wheezing/coughing
- Fatigue
- Nasal congestion
- Chest tightness
Get Rid of Mold For Good
Painting
The first step in setting yourself up for mold prevention is choosing the right paint. Even if you’ve lived in your home for 25 years, who doesn’t love a fresh coat of paint? Head to your local home improvement store and pick up a mildew-resistant paint. Then you’ll be free to take as many long, hot showers as you please!
Ventilation
It is essential that you use proper ventilation in your bathroom. Most, if not all, bathrooms are equipped with a fan to keep constant ventilation and airflow during a moist and steamy shower. Continue to let it run at least 30 minutes after your shower to help the walls and appliances dry.
In addition to the fan, feel free to crack open a window if your bathroom has one, or crack the door open if you’re home alone and aren’t worried about privacy.
Light
If the first greatest love of mold and mildew is excess standing water, it’s second love is darkness. Use any opportunity you can to open the shades and allow light to flood into your bathroom to scare away spores!
Maintenance
If you’re serious about keeping mold at bay in the bathroom, it’s important to keep up with regular plumbing maintenance. You should never ignore a leaking appliance as it will allow water to accumulate. As we know, standing water is a mold spore’s favorite place to make a home.
When you notice something off about your plumbing, give Patterson Plumbing & Heating, Inc. a call immediately to take care of it before it becomes a big problem!
Cleaning Up
The best way to keep mold away is to keep your bathroom clean.
Grout
The grout in your shower, tub, and sink are constantly being exposed to water. This porous material is very susceptible to mold. Be sure to give grout a good scrub every few weeks and reseal it every year.
Towels and Rugs
There’s an old riddle that goes: what dries while getting wet?
The answer? A towel. Your towels and bathroom rugs face regular water mopping and if they aren’t properly washed, they can become moldy. It is recommended that you wash these items once a week.
Shower Items and Accessories
When cleaning, don’t forget to give your shampoo and body wash bottles a good dry and clean every so often. It’s also a good idea to switch out your loofah or sponge frequently to avoid bacteria growth that can harm your skin.
Just Clean It All!
We know it’s starting to get a little repetitive here...but we really mean it: clean, clean, clean! Make it a habit to clean at least one item in your bathroom every day. This way, you won’t get too overwhelmed trying to tackle the whole room at once!
Get the kids in on the bathroom chores, too! Afterall, they use the space just as much and probably make more of a mess!
Plumbing Services in Pueblo, Colorado
A bathroom only works as well as its plumbing! At the first sign of a leak, call Patterson Plumbing & Heating, Inc. at (719) 496-4939 for your quick fix! You can also contact us online to schedule your service.