Preventing Mold in Your Bathroom

The room in your home that is most closely associated with moisture is the bathroom. Unfortunately, this also leaves your bathroom as the room most closely associated with mold growth. Moisture is to mold, what wood is to fire -- a source of life that keeps it growing bigger and stronger. By eliminating the moisture in your bathroom, you are lowering the risk of mold growth and creating a safer environment for your family. Let’s take a look at some tips for keeping your bathroom mold free.

Squeegee Your Shower

The moisture that is left on your shower walls has to go somewhere eventually. Usually, it evaporates into the air and causes a more humid environment inside your bathroom. Removing this excess moisture after you shower can help remove 75% of the moisture that supports mold and mildew growth. A squeegee’s rubber edge is usually used to clean windows, but it can be equally effective in the shower.  

Stretch Out Your Curtain

Whether it is your shower or a friend’s (hopefully a friend’s), we have all seen the little spots on the inside of a shower curtain. These spots show early signs of mold growth but they can easily be avoided by stretching out your curtains after every shower. This will help break up moisture build up and stop mold before it starts!

Run Your Exhaust Fan

You have one for a reason, use it! You should run your exhaust fan for about 15 minutes after every shower to remove excess moisture from the air.

Seal Your Grout

The grout that seals your tile floors will not last forever. You should reseal your grout lines every year to ensure they remain waterproof.

Putting these tips to use can help reduce the risk of mold growth in your bathroom. Doing them just once is not enough. You should work them into your normal bathroom cleaning routine and continue to maintain a mold-free bathroom!

Looking for more information about maintaining a clean and healthy bathroom? Connect with Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter on Facebook and Twitter! Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit us on the web to learn more about our services.

How to Reduce Allergens in the Bathroom

May is National Allergy/Asthma Awareness Month. Itching, sneezing, runny nose - there’s nothing more irritating than those pesky allergens that creep inside your home. One of biggest problem areas in the house? It may surprise you, but your bathroom is the number one spot. Why? Because moisture makes it easy for allergy-producing molds to build up. So take action and protect yourself from allergens with these five tips: 

Clean up. Wipe down surfaces daily, starting with sinks and countertops. Next, tidy up the shower. With all the humidity that accumulates after a hot shower, you’ll want to prevent mold from building up. A mildew-fighting spray or bleach solution can scrub away the growth of fungus in minutes.

Clear the air. Pollen, dust, and pet dander are three of the major allergy triggers that you definitely want to fight off. Indoor air circulation can blow these airborne allergens around the house, making you more irritable. Try an air cleaner with a HEPA filter to trap harmful particles in the air.

Reduce humidity. Combine a hot shower with poor ventilation and you have yourself a mold and mildew problem. Not only that, but moisture alone creates a “breeding ground” for allergens. To combat the issue, keep humidity 50 percent or less and toss your damp towel in the washer/dryer.

Remodel. There’s a number of strategies you can implement to reduce allergens in your bathroom with a simple remodeling plan. Replacing carpet with tile, wood, or vinyl can tame sneezing by eliminating dust and other allergens that stick. When looking for new decor, select washable rugs and clean them often. Do you have wallpaper? Rip it down for a coat of fresh paint to prevent mold growth.

Fix Leaks. A leaky pipe or toilet can cause water to seep into drywall and insulation, and damage your floors and walls. It’s important to keep up on bathroom maintenance to prevent potential problems that can bring on more allergy discomfort. Fix plumbing leaks before mold and mildew sneak up on you.

For more home improvement tips, turn to Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter. Need help fixing a leaky pipe? We provide leak detection and repair services across Long Island. Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information.