Bathroom Mold Dangers & What You Can Do About Them: Our Complete Guide
Acremonium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Cladosporium – do you know what these are? These are types of molds that are usually found in the house. These are fancy-sound names but did you know that they can wreak havoc to the health? Their mere presence in the house could mean big health problems to you. Many of these molds emit spores that when inhaled, can be toxic, sometimes even lethal.
Why Do Molds Appear?
Molds are microorganisms that thrive in moist or damp environments. This is why it is very common to see in the bathroom. The bathroom is a conducive place for molds to grow in because of the excess moisture in the air brought about by the water you are using and the steam you are producing through the heated water. When there isn’t enough ventilation in the bathroom, the moisture can linger and then cause molds to appear.
They don’t discriminate. They are not just found in the bathroom. They can be found anywhere where there is excess moisture. They can even be found in the kitchen under the sink or in the laundry area. As long as there is a water source, there is a chance that molds can appear.
“But I keep my bathroom dry!”
You can argue that you keep your bathroom dry by having good air circulation and wiping the surfaces dry. Why then do you still have molds issues?
This might not be an obvious problem but a problem that could be happening behind the walls of your bathroom. If there are leaks on your pipes, the water could get on your bathroom walls and then cause molds to appear.
Effects of Bathrooms Molds to the Health
What exactly are the bathroom mold dangers you need to be wary of?
Upper Respiratory Problems
Mold spores are considered by our body as foreign invaders. When they enter our system, our immune system goes into a fight and flight mode. Our immune system rallies in order to fight these mold spores that we have inhaled and this response could produce adverse reactions such as wheezing, coughing, sneezing and many other allergic reaction symptoms. Recent studies even say that children exposed to a moldy environment could end up suffering from asthma.
Skin Irritation
When the molds get in contact with your skin, you could develop skin irritation in the form of rashes. People with sensitive skin, to begin with, can be more susceptible to this problem.
Long-Term Effects
There have been some studies that link molds to the prevalence of many health problems such as poor memory functions and trouble concentrating. It doesn’t manifest right away but the regular exposure to molds can bring about these long-term health issues.
It may also cause anxiety and depression. Living in a house riddled with molds can also cause insomnia and confusion, especially if the molds are the toxic kind.
How to Stop Molds from Appearing
Keep in mind though that you can do something to stop the molds problem from worsening. Here are the things you can do to make sure you contain the molds problem in your bathroom:
- Check for leaks.
As mentioned earlier, one of the reasons why molds appear is because of more moisture in the air. If there is more moisture, there is a higher likelihood of molds growing. If you can’t see visible leaks, get the help of a plumber to check and inspect for leaks that could be hiding behind the walls. Have these leaks fixed right away.
- Make sure your roofing is in good condition.
The leak might not happen within the bathroom but could happen to the exterior of your home instead. For instance, if you have damaged roofing and that damage causes roof leaks when it rains, the water could get in your home and cause water damage. The water damage will eventually cause molds issues.
Check your home’s gutter as well. If the gutters are not cleaned and they are filled with dead leaves and branches, rainwater might not drain out effectively. Have your roofing system checked and maintained by a professional before the start of the summer season or even before the winter season in order to prevent leaks.
- Make sure your bathroom has a good ventilation.
Air it out by opening doors and windows. If you have an exhaust fan, turn that on after using the bathroom in order to prevent the moisture from staying in the room.
- Buy a good dehumidifier.
A dehumidifier helps solve molds problems by drawing the excess moisture in the air. Since molds can thrive in a dry environment, you can use a dehumidifier to keep bathroom air conditions dryer.
Consider the size of your bathroom. Since dehumidifiers come in different sizes, you would want to make sure the one you pick has the capacity that suits your needs. Also consider how much humidity problems you have. If you have severe molds issues and this keeps on coming back, you might want to consider getting a dehumidifier with a bigger capacity.
A dehumidifier also has programmable functions that will let you set the humidity you prefer. That way, you can prevent the machine from drying up the air too much. You still need to get a good amount of moisture in the air in order to stay comfortable.
The easiest way to get yourself sorted out with a capable unit is to read our expert reviews of bathroom dehumidifiers and get the low-down on which models are the best buys!
- Use paint that can inhibit molds production in the bathroom.
These products actually exist. You can look for them and use them to paint the walls of your bathroom. You can also paint cabinetry with these products.
- Choose bathroom accessories that are resistant to molds.
If you are going for a shower curtain, opt for those that have breathable materials, so that excess moisture will not stick to the surface. They should have waterproof functions. Avoid picking flimsy wood materials as well as they are not just prone to molds but also to rotting problems.
These are the things that you can do to make sure that your bathroom or your entire home is impervious to mold formation.