Excessive Mold In the Bathroom? Check for Leaks

Bathrooms are prone to mold, with most bathrooms having three or more water fixtures creating moisture. However, most mold can be easily controlled with regular cleaning and an exhaust fan when running a shower or bath. If you are constantly fighting pink, black or other molds growing in your shower, walls or behind your toilet, you may have a plumbing problem. When mold becomes excessive in your bathroom, it can be a sign of a plumbing leak.

Where to Look for Bathroom Plumbing Leaks

Most bathrooms are fairly small, so finding a plumbing leak should not be too difficult. However, you may be surprised that a leak can occur, but still is not obvious. Here are some common places leaks can form, creating excessive moisture and mold:

  • Under the sink. A small drip under the sink may not be enough to pool or puddle, but it can evaporate and cause humidity in your bathroom. Look for condensation on your sink’s pipes and any signs of water or moisture damage under your sink.
  • Toilet sweating or leaking. Does the tank of your toilet “sweat” or have condensation? You may have a toilet that has a slow leak or needs tank hardware replaced. Water around the base can mean the seal needs to be replaced.
  • Drips in the shower. Even a mild drip in your shower or bathtub can cause enough excess moisture to excel mold growth. Fix drips and leaky faucets with a call to your local plumber.

If you cannot find a leak, it is possible there is a slow leak in a wet wall that is not visible. Contact a plumber to find and fix any leaks to help protect your home and minimize your mold problem in your bathroom.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

5 Signs of Drain Pipe Problems

Every fixture in your home that uses water also uses a drain pipe. The water, debris and waste that goes down these pipes should safely exit your home into your sewer line, but that is not always the case. When a problem occurs with your drain pipes, you could have waste leaking or backing up into your home, or pests trying to get in. Here are five signs you may have a drain pipe issue in your home that needs an immediate inspection.

  1. Drain slow downs and backups. One of the most common drain pipe issue is a clog. Slow drains and backup are usually caused by interior drain clogs but could be a sign of sewer line issue as well.
  2. Mold and mildew. Have you noticed more mold and mildew in your home or on a wet wall? You may have a small leak in one of your drain pipes that is collecting moisture in your home.
  3. Pest problems. It only takes a small crack or hole in a drain or sewer line to give pests a way into your home. If you notice creepy crawlies coming up your drains, you may have a break in your drain line.
  4. Bad odors. Does a foul odor come from your drains? You should have them inspected to see where the odor is coming from.
  5. Water spots. Water spots on walls or ceilings is a bad sign. You may have a drain pipe or water line leak hiding behind your walls.

If you have any of these trouble signs, call your local plumber for an inspection. They can use a video camera to access the inside of your drain lines to find the problem quickly and offer a repair solution.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

Ways to Reduce Mold in Your Bathroom

Is there black mold around your bathroom window or pink mold around the edges of your shower or tub? Mold in the bathroom is common, but it can also be controlled. Excessive mold can be signs of too much moisture, plumbing problems or other issues in your bathroom. There are ways to minimize mold, protecting your bathroom surfaces and your family’s health.

Mold Loves Bathrooms

It is no mystery why mold is common in bathrooms. Mold spores thrive in moist, warm environments. A closed shower with wet walls or a steamy bathroom with no exhaust fan allow for moisture to linger and mold to grow. A few ways to control this moisture includes:

  • Wipe down showers and tubs after use
  • Don’t leave wet towels or clothing in the bathroom
  • Keep a working exhaust fan in the bathroom and turn on during baths and showers
  • Open windows to allow air circulation and moisture escape
  • Frequently clean tub, showers, sinks and other surfaces to remove mold spores

Another cause of mold issues is plumbing issues. A dripping sink faucet, leaking showerhead, condensation on the toilet tank or a leak in the pipes under the sink can add more moisture to the air. These leaks and drips keep humidity high 24/7, making it almost impossible to control mold problems. Repairing faucets and leaks can help minimize moisture, protecting your plumbing and home, while helping prevent mold in your bathrooms.

Mold can stain or damage your surfaces, cause health issues and make your bathrooms look unclean. Implement options to control the moisture in your bathrooms and fix plumbing issues to ensure your bathrooms are less prone to be invaded by mold.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(404) 973-2471

Preventing Mold In Your Bathroom

There are thousands of varieties of molds which can invade your home, especially your bathroom. Mold grows best in warm, moist environments, making your bathroom the ideal places to flourish.  Mold can stain your bathroom fixtures, plus can be a health hazard. Although there is no way to eliminate mold altogether, you can take steps to prevent its growth. 

Fortifying Your Bathroom Against Mold

There are several ways you can protect your bathroom and family against mold. The key is to reduce excess moisture and places for water to hide, which can lead to accelerated mold growth. By completing just a few preventative steps, you can greatly reduce the chance of having your bathroom become a Petri dish for mold spores. 

–        Wipe down showers and bathtubs after use. A quick wipe down of your shower walls and bathtub after each use will eliminate excess moisture. Educate your family about using their used towel to absorb the water left in the shower or tub after each use.

–        Fix drips or leaks. A dripping faucet or leaky bathroom pipe keeps moisture at a high level all day long. Call your local plumber to have these issues fixed, and reduce the moisture to prevent bigger plumbing problems down the road.

–        Grout and caulking. The grout around tiles and the caulking around the edges of your shower need to be maintained to reduce moisture seeping into cracks. Make sure your grout is properly sealed, and that caulking is sealing all seams.

–        Use your bathroom fan. An exhaust fan in your bathroom can reduce much of the moisture left in the air after a bath or shower. Make sure the fan is turned on during every shower or bath to remove the moist air. 

Preventing mold is much easier than trying to get rid of it once it invades your bathroom. With a few preventative measures, you can keep your bathroom clean and healthy, free from nasty, harmful mold.

Posted on behalf of Find Local Plumber