If you’ve noticed some unattractive spots appearing and spreading on your bathroom ceiling or grout, you have a problem that is more than just aesthetic in nature. More importantly, the sooner you take steps to remove and prevent mold in your bathroom, the better.

As you may know, mold grows quickly and can be very destructive to your home and harmful to your health.  Mold, for example, can cause severe allergy problems that can lead to asthma.

What’s the first step in getting mold out of your bathroom once and for all? Finding out how and why it got there in the first place. Let’s have a look at the most common causes:

Mold loves moisture and warmth. If your bathroom is not well ventilated, then whenever you use the shower it creates an excess of moisture – ideal conditions for mold to form and grow. Does your bathroom have an exhaust fan? Is it working properly?

Is there an attic space above the bathroom? If so, perhaps that’s where the mold originated and now has spread downward to your bathroom. A small leak in the roof could be the cause, as can can a loose connection in the wiring of your ceiling fan.

Once you’ve found and corrected the source of the moisture problem, you can treat the mold without fear of it returning. First, treat the moldy spots with a bleach-and-water solution. You can put the mixture in a spray bottle or use a sponge to apply it without oversaturating.

After treating the spots, it’s a good idea to repaint the ceiling to prevent mold from returning. You’ll need to use a primer first that has anti-mold properties, and then repaint using a specially formulated bath paint, the kind that will create an effective and lasting barrier.

At Boden Plumbing, Heating & Air, we’re experienced and ready to assist you in preventing and treating mold growth in your bathroom or anywhere else in your home. Contact us today and let us know how we can help.