The biggest problem with mould and mildew build-up is the way in which by the time you notice there’s anything wrong, you usually find yourself in a pretty unfortunate situation. It’s the kind of thing that goes unnoticed until it gets to the point where the problem may be relatively advanced – rather than proactively looking for signs of black mould, most tend to wait until the problem is glaringly obvious.
On the plus side, regardless of how severe or unpleasant any particular problem with mildew may be, it’s usually easy enough to reverse things. Suffice to say however, it’s far easier to prevent things from getting detrimental in the first place, if of course doing so remains a feasible option.
What Causes Bathroom Mould?
In terms of exactly what it is that causes bathroom mould, the answer is of course excessive and lingering moisture. But in terms of the specific causes of this harmful moisture itself, the most common culprit of all is a lack of decent ventilation. Things like leaking pipes, cracked toilets, sink problems and so on and so forth can and often will lead to similar problems, if left unaddressed. Nevertheless, it is usually the somewhat invisible ‘everyday’ moisture that builds up and leads to mould build-up in those hidden places and corners.
Detecting a Mould Problem
As already touched upon, the key to winning the war against mould and mildew is to be proactive when it comes to detecting the problem in the first place. And it’s not always necessarily obvious when and where you have a problem – you have to make the effort to look for it. For example, it is a good idea to periodically check underneath sinks and baths, in the back of any storage units you may have in the bathroom and pretty much anywhere else the stuff could be hiding. It’s also important to remember that should you come across what appears to be a tiny and seemingly insignificant amount of mildew, ignoring it is never a good idea – you’re basically looking at just the start of things to come.
Preventing Mould
The easiest way to deal with mould and mildew is to prevent them from manifesting in the first place. Exactly how difficult a job this is will vary in accordance with the nature of your bathroom and your home as a whole. More often than not, it’s simply a case of improving ventilation in the bathroom which can be accomplished by leaving windows open after showers or baths have been taken, installing an extractor or simply placing a standard fan in a smart location.
You might also want to think about investing in an affordable humidity detector/gauge to keep in any damp rooms of the home, just to keep a close eye on exactly how humid things are both getting and staying. Last but not least, there are certain types of floor and wall coverings that are naturally more resistant to mould and mildew than others – largely anything with a smooth, water-proof surface that is in no way porous. And on that note, mildew-resistant shower curtains can also be an absolute godsend.