What is causing your bathroom mould, and how do you remove it?

What is bathroom mould, and how do I identify it?

Your bathroom is often the most humid place in your house, and without proper ventilation, it could lead to some serious health effects on your family. Bathrooms are a great place for mould and mildew to appear and thrive. Bathroom mould can not only look awful but can be dangerous to your health if left to its own devices. So how do you identify bathroom mould, and what health issues can it cause?

How can you identify bathroom mould?

It is generally relatively easy to notice mould appearing in your bathroom, as long as it’s in an easy-to-see place. Bathroom mould is generally dark or black in colour and appears as little spots grouped closely together. Bathroom mould can often start on your ceiling or around your tiles and bath/shower area. But what happens if your mould is appearing in places that you don’t often check, for example, behind your toilet or the panels of your bathtub? That is why it’s important to ensure good ventilation and cleaning routines in your bathroom. 

Health issues caused by bathroom mould

Bathroom mould can produce substances that may cause an allergic reaction, irritate your skin and body and can also produce toxic products. If someone is to touch or inhale mould, this could lead to an allergic reaction and, in some serious cases, an asthma attack. 

Left untreated, mould can be the cause of many breathing-related concerns and ongoing health conditions. Bathroom mould can also weaken your immune system leaving you vulnerable to other health issues. 

Common causes of bathroom mould

There are many reasons why mould can occur, but generally, it is due to excess moisture. Common causes include: 

• Leaking pipes 
• Rising damp from basements 
• Roof or window frame damage 
• Condensation 

In new homes, mould can also appear if the home is still drying out and is not being ventilated correctly. It is for this reason that new build developers will often tell you to leave the window vents open all year round to help with good ventilation and support the drying out of walls and plaster. 

Bathroom mould is often caused by failing to have a fan on or a window open for an optimal amount of time when you are taking a hot bath or shower. The steam from the hot water will rise, and with nowhere to go, it will cling to mastic, the walls and the ceiling. Continued lack of ventilation will lead to bathroom mould. If you do not have a window in your bathroom, we recommend using your fan or having a bathroom fan installed by our plumbing team so you can keep your bathroom well-ventilated. Keep the window open or your fan on for at least 30 minutes after you have used the bathroom. 

It’s time to banish that bathroom mould for good! 

If you have noticed bathroom mould, its important that you get rid of it fast and keep it away! For that reason, we recommend finding out why your mould is appearing. If it’s as simple as you or your family members not opening a window or turning on a fan whilst using the bathroom, we recommend you make this change immediately to prevent further bathroom mould from popping up. If your issue is not as simple and you are unsure of the cause, get in touch with Three Counties Plumbing, who will be able to visit your home and identity any issues as well as resolve them in a timely manner. 

Once your bathroom mould cause has been identified and resolved, it’s time to clean away that mould and keep it gone for good! If it’s a manageable amount, you should be able to remove this yourself with little issues; however, if you already have existing health conditions or the mould has taken over your bathroom, you may wish to get a professional in to help you. 

Cleaning your mould – products to use

We recommend using either a strong mould cleaner such as HG Mould Remover or creating your own mould remover cleaner that you should use regularly. To create your own mould remover, you will need: 

• Spray bottle 
• 200ml White vinegar 
• 200ml water

If your mould remover smells strongly of vinegar, you can add some drops of essential oils to reduce the smell. For extra difficult mould stains, we recommend rubbing in some baking soda along with your remover to create an abrasive mixture. 

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Frequently Asked Questions | Plumbing Team | Three Counties Plumbing and Heating

Leave your bathroom issues to Three Counties Plumbing

Bathroom mould is a huge problem in the UK, with hundreds of thousands of households dealing with it each year. It is the result of dampness and condensation, which can be caused by a number of factors. The most common cause of mould in bathrooms is a leaking roof. But other causes include a lack of ventilation and a lack of insulation. In fact, any problem that causes a build-up of humidity or condensation can lead to mould in bathrooms.

Mould is unsightly and can be a health hazard, so it is important to deal with it quickly. If you have noticed any dampness or mould in your bathroom, it is time to get in touch with us. Three Counties Plumbing is one of the leading plumbing and heating companies in Buckinghamshire. We have a reputation for getting to the root of the problem and fixing it for good. We have years of experience in dealing with all types of bathroom issues, and we always deliver superb service.