Preventing Mould Growth in Your Bathroom

When it comes to home-nightmares, rot and mildew taking over your house is pretty high on the list. It’s also not uncommon. In rooms with high humidity and water use, like laundry rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms, it’s not unusual for undetected water damage to allow mould growth. Fortunately, there are numerous steps on how to prevent mould in bathroom, and here are just a few.

Check for Drips.

Your shower curtain, glass wall, or otherwise is designed to keep water in the bathtub or shower and away from the walls and floor. But sometimes these tools don’t work as well as they should. Water can escape to drip or stream into puddles. If the shower or tub is used regularly by multiple family members, it’s likely the puddle never has the chance to evaporate. The floor can stay damp for hours. Prevent rot by keeping an eye out for any pooling around the shower or tub. It’s also a good idea to regularly check under your sink and around your toilet for any signs of water damage.

Use a Fan.

The fan in your bathroom may be noisy and make the room cold, but it also vents all the hot steam out of your house. If that moist air is left trapped in the bathroom, the walls and floors will slowly absorb the humidity over the day. To take root, mould only needs humidity levels to be above 60% for 24 hours. If your household has more than a couple people and the fan isn’t run, that’s plenty of moisture to allow mould growth.

Choose Tile.

In rooms with both high humidity and risk for spills, it’s a good idea to use tile. Tile is extremely durable and sheds water. As long as the grout and the seals between the tiles and your tub, toilet, and sink are well maintained, there should be no opportunity for water to sneak beneath your flooring to the subfloor below.

Fix Leaks.

One of the most important defences against mould is ensuring your plumbing is in great shape. Even small leaks will slowly cause water damage and allow moulds to grow and spread. Remember, you don’t need to see a leak to know it’s there. Your nose will be able to detect mildew, even if the leak is hidden from sight. Pests, like ants or small flies, are also a good indicator that flooring, ceiling, or walls may be rotting.  If you’ve found a leak anywhere in your home, or you suspect there may be a leak, you’ll need to contact a Calgary plumber at Plumbing Paramedics. We’ll be able to diagnose whether the water is coming from a damaged pipe, a problem with your roof, or somewhere else entirely. We’ll explain the options available to you and give you our best recommendation.

Mould and water damage are problems we wouldn’t wish on anyone. Which is why our team of Calgary plumbers is here to help. Whether you’ve found a leak or need a recommendation for preventing water damage, give us a call today.