Bathrooms are often under ventilated and dark most of the day while being subject to heat and water vapor from the shower, sink and toilet. This creates a condition in which mold, mildew and fungus thrive. Other than just being unsightly, having little specks on the wall or shower is more than just an unclean nuisance, it can also lead to respiratory and other health conditions if not kept in check. Here’s 10 ways to make sure that the mold doesn’t start to grow in the first place!
Make Sure Your Exhaust Fan Is Working Properly
Exhaust fans can be an essential part of minimizing hot and humid conditions in the bathroom, but oftentimes they can be run and still leave you wondering if they’re really doing anything at all. Over time, fans can lose their power and not work quite like they did on day 1. If your fan is at least 20 years old, it’s time to get a new one!
Use The Exhaust Fan Effectively
If you’re going to go through the trouble to get a nice high-powered exhaust fan, you might as well use it properly! Make sure to run your fan while you jump in the shower and leave it running for at least 20 minutes after you turn the water off. If you have a tendency to forget, you can have a timer switch installed so that the fan will shut off automatically at the time you set it for.
Use The Right Paint For A Bathroom Environment
Not all paint responds to moisture the same, that’s why it’s important to choose the right paint for your bathroom. Butler Contracting recommends Sherwin Williams Resilience Paint. It’s formulated with exclusive MoistureGuard™ Technology for superior moisture resistance than that found in traditional latex paints and it’s made to withstand humid and moist environments. If it’s good enough to protect a beach front property, it will do well protecting the investment you’ve made in your home.
Use Large Tiles With Thinner Grout Lines
Contrary to popular belief, grout is not actually waterproof. While it is water resistant, it still allows moisture to seep through and create a space for unwanted growth to occur. One tip, if you’re remodeling, is to use larger tiles with thinner grout lines. This will make it much more difficult for moisture to find its way through.
Let There Be Light!
A common mistake in bathroom design is not providing space for natural light to come through. Consider including a carefully placed window in your bathroom remodel and make sure it’s large enough to get the job done. It’s also a good idea to leave the bathroom door open and keep the shower curtains open to expose all the wet surface areas to light. Mildew likes to grow in the dark, so a good way to prevent it from growing is to keep your bathroom well lit.
Fix All The Leaks
Little leaks in the plumbing, whether it be under the sink, behind the toilet or elsewhere can add to the overall moisture collected in the room and contribute to a mold-growing environment. Cut down on the moisture by checking your fixtures and making sure that all the joints and valves are sealing properly.
Use A Dehumidifier
A nice way to keep down the dampness in your bathroom is by using a dehumidifier. There are affordable units that can easily fit in your bathroom, however, you need to be careful not to get water in them and they might become an eyesore depending on the size of the dehumidifier you choose. This is a simple way to lower the chances of mildew from getting on your walls.
Don’t Leave Water On The Floor
You might be in a hurry to get ready for work after you step out of the shower, but that little bit of water left on the floor can make a difference. Mop up the water with a towel and make sure you don’t leave your damp towel in the bathroom. If you reuse a towel, make sure that your towel rack has enough space to effectively dry the towel. This will help the overall bathroom environment.
Get A Squeegee
Something that might sound like an extra chore you don’t need, but will help cut down on the moisture in the shower, is getting a squeegee and wicking off the water from the walls of the shower after you’re done. It’s a simple step that will really cut down on the time it takes for the water to dry naturally.
Use A Daily Shower Spray
A good step in mildew prevention is to use one of the many daily shower sprays on the market. They’re very simple to use and a pretty easy task to add to your daily routine. Simply give your shower a spray down with one of these products after you’re done taking your shower. The sprays are designed specifically to prevent any kind of unwanted growth from happening on your shower walls.
Call Butler Contracting For A Bathroom Remodel!
Maybe you’ve got a problem with mold and need to make a big change. Butler Contracting can help you design a bathroom layout with ample lighting, airflow and a properly sized exhaust fan for the size of your remodel. Call us at (844) 628-8537 or start the quoting process by sharing your vision with us online with our contact us form.
