Mould in shower and bathroom: what causes it?

 

Even with consistent cleaning, as time goes by it’s easy to have at least a bit of mould accumulate in your shower. It’s true that some corners and lines in the grout can be hard to reach. It’s also a fact that it can be difficult to find enough time to scrub away at shower walls when mould appears with life’s busy schedule.

So, what can you do? Read on to learn about why mould loves to grow in your shower and what you can do about it.

Lingering moisture: a top cause of mould in the shower

Mould loves moisture. Since your shower presents a humid environment every time you turn it on, it’s almost a consistently perfect home in which mould can grow.

Mould feeds on dust in the air and other microscopic organisms in your environment. Basically, it loves any organic matter it can get its hands-on and will reproduce by releasing tiny spores into the surrounding air as soon as it does.

A warm, wet environment like your shower makes for easing living when it comes to mould. In fact, mould reproduces so readily in this environment that it only takes about 48 hours for it to appear.

Types of Mould in Your Shower

It may come as a surprise but there can be all kinds of mould living on the walls behind your shower curtain. These can potentially include Penicillium, Cladosporium, Trichoderma, Aspergillus, and more. Some of these moulds can cause dangerous health problems if they build up to a certain level of contamination and if you’re exposed for long enough.

Asthma, infections, tiredness, and sometimes even depression have been linked to mould exposure. If you’re suffering from irritated eyes, a sore nose and throat, and wheezing, have your home checked. You want to make sure you deal with any presence of the spores in your home swiftly.

How to Get Rid of Mould in Your Shower

Thankfully, mould isn’t something you have to live with permanently in your home. You can eliminate the chances of mould growing in your shower by spotting it and eliminating it through the help of an expert shower repair technician. Keeping your shower dry and clean will go a long way, so make sure you call us should you find any shower leaks.

Mould can cause black spots to accumulate on the ceiling, as well as spotty pink and black on wooden surfaces that stay damp. Check for black or yellow mould in your shower grout by looking for discoloured surfaces. Once you’ve located the mould, mix 1 cup of bleach with two cups of water and spray the mixture onto the affected areas. Let it sit for about 5 minutes and then wipe it away with a clean, dry cloth.

Baking soda can also be used to scrub the mould away by working it into a paste with warm water or adding it to your bleach solution. Apply the paste to the affected region for a couple of hours and then wipe it clean.

How to Prevent Mould from Growing in Your Shower

The best way to get rid of mould is to not have it appear in the first place. With a shower that’s sealed properly and a bathroom that has adequate airflow, mould should stay away. This involves rebuilding your shower to provide waterproofing that’s up to code, using modified epoxy and waterproof grout, as well as a high-quality waterproof sealer.

At Leaky Showers, we have over twenty years of experience. Our fully trained and professional team offers years of experience and guaranteed workmanship. No one does it better!

Contact us now to arrange for a free pressure test, along with your quote, and keep your shower, and yourself, healthy.