Getting rid of mold in bathroom

[lizzieb75]

I'm posting this under Healthy Living as I feel that having a mold-free house is part of healthy living.

We have mold growing on the part of the bathroom ceiling connected to the shower. Unfortunately, we don't have a fan in the bathroom to reduce the humidity that occurs when someone is taking a shower. I've checked out DIY Web sites on getting rid of the mold and preventing its return, but, honestly, DH and I are not DIY people. So, who do we call to take care of this? A roofer? Plumber? We really don't know.

[mlynn]

Apart from having a fan installed (your best course of action to prevent mold) you can wash the moldy celing with a bleach/water solution, which should remove the mold. Once the mold is gone, try showering with the bathroom door opened and keep a light on in your bathroom until the ceiling is dry after each shower.

HTH,
Mlynn

[tbb113]

I had a similiar issue. Fortunately, I rent so I called property management since I was afraid the mold would ruin the walls.

They inspected, had a painter come out and reseal my shower pan, repainted the bathroom (I assume put on something to kill the mold first) and I make sure that I shower with the window cracked (which during the summer is open all the time). So far, so good...but it has only been a few months. I also am using Tilex in the shower a few days a week.

[lizzieb75]

Thank you both for your suggestions. I'm going to try the bleach/water solution and see how that goes. Once we get rid of the mold, I like the idea of having someone come out and paint. I think I'll do some research on how much it would cost to have a fan installed. I would think that might help a little if DH and I ever decide to sell the house. Thanks, again!

[Vanessa]

Hi
Yes any bleacj bath solution will take care of mold. THen you can use Kiltz or in H Depot they have paints specially formulated for kitchens/bathrooms where theres more humidity. In our other house I started seeing mold dots and DH cleaned and painted and no more problems. If you don't have a fan in bath open a window?

[lizzieb75]

Thanks for the tip about the paint. I'll admit I'm a wuss when it comes to being cold :D so this time of year I don't think I'd open a window, but will definitely do it when the weather turns warmer. It's such a small patch that I guess DH and I could do this ourselves. Maybe we'll add "become DIYers" to our "To Accomplish in 08" list! :D

[sparrowgrass]

Be careful using about using too much bleach in your solution.

My bathroom ceiling is bright blue. When some mold appeared (no fan OR window!) I mixed a strong bleach water solution, and ruined the paint.:eek:

Tilex would probably work without damaging the paint, or just a tablespoon or 2 of bleach in a quart spray bottle.