Mold is the last thing one wants to detect in the bathroom. It’s often the reason for a bathroom remodeling too. When things get out of hand and mold spread cannot be controlled, it’s best to tear & build than struggle with the monster.
Naturally, when the bathroom remodeling company does all the job and you are alone with the new vanity, the fresh walls and floor, the exquisite shower cabinet, you want to enjoy. And you want to keep enjoying for a long time, without – ever, if possible, bump into mold again. Don’t you?
To prevent mold, you need to think your bathroom remodeling through as thoroughly as possible. Should we start with that – and will see about the things you can do after the bath reno later!
Have you given the bathroom ventilation some thought?
This is crucial. A bathroom without good ventilation is condemned to go through eternity with mold ruling. One of the first things to talk with your bathroom renovation contractor is the ventilation solutions. If there’s already a ventilation system, make sure it works okay or do the necessary repairs. If not, invest – if possible – in a powerful vent system to exhaust steam as fast as possible when showering.
Having a window in the bathroom is equally important. You just need to make sure you open it when you are done with the shower to let the room dry. A big window also means a bright bathroom. That’s also good if you consider that mold builds up in warm, wet and dark environments.
What kind of bathroom floor and wall will you go for?
Most renovations involve bathroom floor tile installation. Tiles are excellent solutions for bath floors, walls too. That’s due to their high resistance to moisture. But they have one big disadvantage, the grout. This is their Achilles’ heel. Where should you focus on? Grout sealing. Or avoid tile & grout altogether and go with concrete, or other seamless surfaces.
Have you chosen your bathroom vanity yet?
Another major consideration is the bathroom materials. You need resistant materials – even for the vanity and any furniture in the bathroom. The thing is that high moisture ruins susceptible materials and if mold builds-up, it also spreads fast and feeds on organic materials – the very ones that they are prone to damage due to humidity.
Who’s your bathroom remodeler?
Mold builds-up in the bathroom due to the increased moisture but also plumbing problems and leaky toilets. While such problems are not entirely avoidable over the years, it’s good to know that everything is properly installed from the beginning. The quality of the bathroom renovation combined with the quality of the materials used will lead to a mold-free bathroom for a longer time.
What to do to keep the bathroom mold-free?
Assuming your bathroom renovation contractor has just completed the job, it’s now your turn to do anything in your power to keep this part of the house mold-free. How can you manage that?
Although we’ve said it before, let’s say it again. Mold builds up when there’s lingering moisture and there’s lingering moisture when there’s poor (or no) ventilation, a plumbing problem, and wet organic matter. How to avoid all that?
• Let the vent run while you are in the shower and leave it running until the steam fully exhausts.
• If there’s a window in the bathroom, do open it. Crack it even as you take your shower to enable steam to exhaust fast.
· Don’t leave wet bath robes and towers around. Keep the bathroom clutter-free, especially when it comes to soaked clothes or anything wet.
• Fix any problem with the shower, toilet, sink – don’t let water leak and moisture set in.
• Once in a while, clean the grout. A brush will do. It’s also wise to seal grout occasionally.
