Mold Growth & What’s Causing It?

types of shower molds

Fact…Tile, Grout, And Mortar Beds Are Not Waterproof. Water May Be Settled Around The Drain With No Escape.

Could there be a more unpleasant sight than wanting to take a nice relaxing shower and seeing this? Not only is it ugly, but shower mold growth is also damaging to your home and your health! Shower mold growth is caused mainly by 2 things……water and heat!

When we shower we want to know that every drop of water is going down that drain, and if your shower looks like this then that is NOT the case. Black mold in a shower is damaging to the shower itself but also can be damaging to your lungs and overall health. What you’re looking at is a weak point where water has had the chance to sit, and the bacteria in it is allowed to grow! EWWW!

If your shower has a tile base then what’s happening is there is no pre-slope under the tile. The drain point is sitting higher than the surrounding area and water is able to sit there for months even years and grow which is why you may begin to see black, white, or even pink growth in your shower. Unfortunately, the shower was not installed properly and the only fix is to replace the shower floor with a properly installed base.

Tile is not waterproof. It is basically stone that is porous and has to have the chance to dry. Kind of like when you step in a puddle of water and your feet get wet, the shoe needs time to dry. This is why proper installation is key to long-lasting showers. Bathroom mold cleaner is only a temporary fix! If you have a tub and you’re seeing growth and mold in shower caulk where the silicone joint meets the surrounding walls, have the silicone removed and replaced immediately before further damage ensues.

Book a free consultation today to get a free inspection of your shower area and check for leaks, mold or damage. We carry the showroom to your home and include a lifetime warranty.

Identifying Types Of Mold In Showers

Molds come in three different classifications:

  • Allergenic: Causes an allergic reaction or asthma-like symptoms.
  • Pathogenic: Harmful to people with acute illness or compromised immunity.
  • Toxigenic: Dangerous or even deadly to everyone.

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to tell different kinds of mold apart. Black mold in showers could be Stachybotrys – the most toxic “black mold” – but it could be Alternaria or Aspergillus, two common household molds. You can have your mold tested to determine what variety it is, but the CDC recommends treating all molds as harmful. It’s best to remove and clean any mold as quickly as possible.

Steps To Remove Shower Mold

To Remove Black Mold From Hard Surfaces, Follow These Steps:

  1. Combine 1 part bleach with 2 parts water in a spray bottle and spritz the affected area.
  2. Let the solution sit for 10 minutes. The mold should start to fade away on its own, but if areas of stubborn mold remain, use a coarse brush (for larger areas) or old toothbrush (for smaller areas) to scrub the mold away.
  3. Rinse the surface thoroughly with water afterward. If you’d rather not use bleach, white vinegar or baking soda are good natural substitutes that kill black mold. Vinegar can be used just like the bleach. To Use Baking Soda: Mix it with small amounts of water to form a paste. Apply it to the mold, let it sit for 10 minutes, then use a brush to scrub it off. Other household cleaning products, including soap and water, will usually do the trick, too.

If there’s evidence of mold growing on the drywall or subfloor behind bathroom tile—the tiles appear to be askew or they move when you touch them—you’ll need to hire a professional to clean and repair that area.

To Use Baking Soda:

  1. Mix it with small amounts of water to form a paste.
  2. Apply it to the mold, let it sit for 10 minutes, then use a brush to scrub it off. Other household cleaning products, including soap and water, will usually do the trick, too.

If there’s evidence of mold growing on the drywall or subfloor behind bathroom tile—the tiles appear to be askew or they move when you touch them—you’ll need to hire a professional to clean and repair that area.

Shower Head Cleaning

Mold growth starts at the source…the shower head! Keeping your shower head clean can be a great preventative measure to keeping your shower spotless.

Prevention

  1. Stay Dry
    Moisture in the air can encourage mold growth, which is why bathrooms are often prime real estate for the stuff. Do your best to keep your bathroom well-ventilated by running an exhaust fan during and for several minutes after each shower or bath
  2. Keep An Eye Out
    Stay vigilant; mold infestations almost never go away on their own, and a small spot is significantly easier to clean up than a huge patch. Do remember that, while dangerous “black mold” (that is, S. chartarum) is always black in color, mold can actually come in a wide variety of colors, including pink, green, red, brown, dark blue, and white. If you see a discolored spot on the wall of your daughter’s bathroom, don’t assume that she just got careless with her strawberries ‘n’ cream body wash—grab your mold-fighting arsenal and prepare for battle! and leave the bathroom door open whenever you can. Launder towels, washcloths, and bathmats frequently, too. For added protection, you can even squeegee down tile and glass surfaces and towel-dry your sinks to remove excess water.
  3. Love Your Squeegee
    Sure, it’s a bit of an annoying task, especially when you’re rushed in the morning, but bathroom squeegees exist for a reason. In fact, taking a few seconds to run the squeegee on your tub, shower walls, and shower door right after washing substantially reduces the moisture in the room. Additionally, if you see water dripping from inside your bathroom window, squeegee and dry it with a towel to discourage condensation. 4. Fix The Leaks Bathroom mold doesn’t just come from the water in your shower or bath. Leaks can also cause moisture to accumulate and mold to grow. Whenever you see a leak or drip, don’t leave it to fix later. Fix it right away if you can, or call a plumber to do it for you if you need to. Waiting will only make things worse, especially if mold takes hold and starts growing. It’s a lot harder to get rid of mold than it is to prevent it.

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At Solace Showers, we've built our business on helping clients bring their wildest renovation dreams into reality. Contact us to book a consultation for your custom tile shower design. We look forward to working with you!