A steamy shower at the end of the day can be the most sought-after thing for you. It relaxes your tired muscles, promotes good sleep, and helps you wake up fresh the next day. Did you know this good bedtime habit could be affecting your bathroom walls? Due to the lingering moisture, the walls face mildew issues. The problem intensifies if this specific room lacks proper ventilation. What should you do then? Don’t even think about dropping your bathing habit. It cannot fix this long-term problem. You cannot avoid morning showers, or, for that matter, no one else. Instead, your focus should be on enhancing your bathroom’s environment and making it safe so that you can avoid allergy and respiration risks caused by the fungus.
There are plenty of ways to fix this issue. For instance, you can paint the walls with mildew-resistant colors to stop their growth. Or some paints come with mildew-resistant additives to give them an additional protective layer. You have many options to safeguard your private space. Let’s learn about them quickly.
Ventilation
This wettest corner of the house suffers high humidity levels as you use steamy showers, sinks, and toilets. If there is any leakage, it fosters a more humid environment. Of course, replacing fixtures like sinks and faucet is simple. Nowadays, you get the perfect sink for any bathroom, and there is no shortage of taps. Plus, the affordable range, stylish designs, and ease of installation make your decision simple. But jobs like improving ventilation in the bathroom can feel too much. Foul smell, chipping paint, and peeling wallpaper due to mold and mildew can frustrate your mind. And the thought of bearing another cost can bog you down, while the issue is easy to fix.
Windows in bathrooms can save most of your worries. But some bathrooms may have a different provision. In that case, vent fans can be the right solution. They can push the moist air and odor out, refreshing the inside ambiance. Again, you get multiple varieties in this fixture, such as ceiling box fans, fans with lighting, fans with light and heater, wall-mount models, etc. Your cost will depend on the style of ventilation fan you pick. Simple features affect your pocket less than anything with bells and whistles. Think of a fan with a motion sensor, for example. However, the ones with heating capabilities can be worth trying. They can keep cold air out and warm air in. Something with lights can also be a stylish addition.
During fan shopping, you must pay attention to its size. According to experts, a 100 square feet bathroom can do well with a 1 CFM (cubic feet per minute) fan. However, larger bathrooms with a shower, toilet, and jetted tub will need a 200 CFM fan. Most bathrooms feature this configuration. Hence, it can be convenient to guess what your bathroom needs. Remember, enclosed shower areas will need a separate fan.
Dirty grout line
Mold can appear in and around the shower area on the grout lines of the tiles. It can be black. Mildew sticks to the porous nooks or favorable surfaces like silicone caulk. You can replace the caulk with a non-silicone variety to resist mildew growth. To remove the older caulk, you need a utility knife and run it over the line from top to bottom. Residues can be manageable with scrapers and razor blades. Make sure you remove mold from the tile grout before adding the fresh caulk. Instead of soap and water, you can rely on bleach for the best results. Spray the spots with this solution and leave them for some time. If stubborn, you may use a grout brush to eliminate the fungus.
Or vinegar can help because of its acidic content. It will inhibit the growth of mold and mildew. You can mix water and vinegar in equal quantities and spray generous amounts on the affected parts. Let the solution settle for thirty minutes before scrubbing it away with a brush and warm water. Sometimes, you may have to repeat this method to knock out mold. Some homeowners vouch for tree tea oil – two teaspoons of this in one cup of water can be enough. If the bathroom has a window, open it for some fresh air. You should eliminate the strong smell of tea tree oil and vinegar. These solutions will not work on severe mold problems. You may need to buy professional cleaners.
To your knowledge, grout can be the breeding ground for mildew. If you want freedom from this, clean the grout lines after every few weeks and reseal the grout lines once a year to help them avoid moisture issues.
Leakage
During bathroom cleaning, you may be diligent with areas like the shower and sink. However, small drips can escape your attention. Look for them around the toilet and under the sink. The tiny drops can invite mildew and worsen your bathroom’s atmosphere. Also, fix the area where you see leakage. Replace or repair pipes and other relevant sites.
Darkness
Fungal and bacterial growth require darkness. After taking a shower, it is best to leave the lights on for some time. Open the curtains also to allow air circulation.
The bathroom is a place to refresh your energy and prepare for the next day. But you cannot feel revitalized when the environment doesn’t feel safe and healthy. Make sure you infuse this space with all the right things to ward off moisture and unwanted matters like mold and mildew. You already know these growths are not suitable for your well-being. People with breathing issues and allergies can be more vulnerable. So, spend some money on this area. It indeed increases your work. Still, it’s a critical area that you must consider. When it goes unchecked, you risk your and your bathroom’s health. Later, the expenses can be higher, something you may not appreciate. Therefore, find out if there is any mold problem in the bathroom. You have to do something about it.
