Mold is not only frustrating and unsightly, but it can be hazardous to your family. One of the most common places to find mold in a home is in your bathroom shower. This area is constantly exposed to heat and moisture from the shower head, encouraging mold to grow at a rapid rate. Here we will explore some causes, cures, and cover-ups for bathroom shower mold, courtesy of Maryland Tub & Tile.
Causes of Mold in a Bathroom Shower
What causes mold in the shower? Why does mold build up so quickly here? Mold grows best in warm, moist climates. Bathrooms are ideal locations because of steam from the shower and frequently running water. Even after you’ve finished taking a shower or bath, there are puddles of water on the edge of the tub that you most likely don’t wipe off. When these evaporate, they add moisture to the air and give the mold even more fuel.
Kitchens have fairly consistent water usage as well, but they are usually more ventilated than a bathroom. A kitchen may be open to the living room and dining area, where a lot more air can come in to dry off the water. A bathroom is a secluded room that usually has the door shut. All of these elements make it perfect for mold growth.
Signs of Mold
Mold is usually visible in the shower. It will show up in the grout or around the edges of the tub. If mold is growing inside the walls, it may not be easy to detect at first. You can get a mold detection system to find airborne mold spores. Most people will start to have difficulty breathing in areas with high mold volumes.
Preventing Mold Growth in the Bathroom
The best way to take care of mold is to prevent it from growing altogether. After taking a shower, use your towel to wipe down the walls of the bathroom shower and the inside of the tub. Start from the top and work your way down. You may not be able to get the surfaces completely dry, but the water that remains will evaporate quickly.
If you have a fan in the bathroom, run it any time steam builds up. This will also cut down on the moisture in the room to prevent mold growth. If you do not have a fan in the room, leave the door open once you leave the bathroom so the steam has somewhere to go. Close the shower curtain so the water can drain off quickly, and avoid using the shower again until the first round of water has evaporated.
Getting Rid of Mold in the Shower
Bleach has long been used in mold removal, but recent studies show that bleach actually makes mold worse. It may get rid of mold stains in tile grout, but it will not get rid of the mold spores. In fact, the liquid from the bleach may encourage the mold to grow even faster in the future. Simply put, do NOT use bleach to clean shower mold.
You can buy specialty mold cleaners for tile from any home improvement or general supply store. A good household remedy to use is simple baking soda. Mix it with water until it forms a paste, and then apply that paste to the areas where the mold lives. Let it sit for 15 minutes to an hour, depending on how dirty the grout is. Spray the area down with water and scrub off the mold thoroughly. Wipe the tiles dry when you’re done, and follow the steps above to prevent future mold growth.
Covering Mold Stains in a Bathroom Shower
Mold stains are tough to get rid of, even tougher than the mold itself. We’ve seen people clean their grout time and time again without ever truly getting rid of the mold stains. You could re-grout your bathroom tile, but that is a tediously process that usually has mixed results.
The best way to cover mold stains in a bathroom shower is to get the tile refinished. With tile refinishing, the grout lines are covered by the same coating as the tile, so the grout itself cannot absorb moisture like it used to. Traditional grout is a tight, porous line that acts like a sponge for mold. Tile refinishing covers this and transforms the look of your shower for the better. The process is quick, affordable, and excellent for mold prevention. Best of all, the new shower walls are extremely easy to clean, leaving little maintenance for you in the future.
If you are interested in tile refinishing or other bathroom remodeling solutions, contact Maryland Tub & Tile to schedule a free quote with one of our experts. We look forward to working with you!
