There are specific environments in which mold and mildew really thrive. Usually, this is anywhere that is dark and damp. At first glance, you likely don’t consider your bathroom to be dark and damp, but if you think about it many bathrooms usually don’t get much natural sunlight and between the shower, bathtub, sinks, toilet, and steam there is plenty of moisture. All this makes your bathroom the perfect breeding ground for both mold and mildew.
The unfortunate news is mold and mildew aren’t just unsightly but can cause significant damage and even health concerns over time.
It’s important to know how to spot signs of mold or mildew in your bathroom and to know how to get rid of them.
5 Signs You Have Mold or Mildew in Your Bathroom
1. Visible Mold
This is the most obvious sign- visible mold- but You may be surprised how many people let visible mold grow and spread without doing anything to stop it. The unfortunate truth is mold usually starts growing underneath surfaces so by the time it becomes visible, the problem is likely already greater than it appears.
The most common types of bathroom mold have a gray, black, or dark brown appearance and a down-like or wooly texture. However, other common household molds can be green, white, blue, or black, and they may be fuzzy or slimy looking.
2. A Musty Smell
Because mold so often starts growing in unseen places, sometimes a smell is your first sign of mold growth. When mold spores decompose, they emit a smell. It’s stale or earthy. If you notice a constant musty smell, even when your bathroom is clean and dry, you probably have mold, a hidden leak, or both.
3. Ants
This is a lesser-known fact, but ants are drawn to moist areas, especially moist wood. If you start to notice ants in your bathroom this could be a sign mold is growing underneath your tile or floorboards.
4. Soft Spots on Your Bathroom Floor
Oftentimes those with mold notice a difference in their flooring. As you walk through your bathroom you may notice some areas feel softer than others, this could be attributed to you having rotting and molded subfloors. This can be caused by a hidden leak or even water overflow or splashing around showers and bathtubs over time.
5. Wall Damage
Crumbling plaster, loose or cracked tiles, discoloration, blistering paint, or gaps in the caulk or grout are signs of water damage. Any one of these may indicate mold growth beneath the tiles or drywall.
Severe water damage may cause the walls to appear warped or the tiles to be loose enough to move when touched.
Call in The pros- Mold Remediation in Springfield, Ohio
The good news is, when caught early, small amounts of mold can be cleaned with common household cleaners and a bit of elbow grease. However, if you are seeing many of the signs above it could indicate you have a bigger problem.
To ensure mold does not continue to come back and to ensure your own safety it is best to call a professional in Mold remediation near Springfield, Ohio to address the issue at large. At Reliant Restoration our team is standing by to not only clean visible mold but address all unseen issues to relieve your bathroom mold and mildew issues once and for all.