Exhaust fan blows bathroom mold away

August 29, 2008

My daughter lives in a rental house that has a mold and mildew problem in the bathroom. In addition to the grout in the shower tiles, it's also starting to show up on the painted walls and ceiling. What can be done to get rid of this mess?

If you've tried some mild cleaning products without much success, getting rid of mold may seem like an overwhelming job. But we think you can get through this on your own, unless the mold problem is of horror-movie proportions. In that case, you might want to call a pro.

The first step your daughter should take is to remove the mold. A solution of water and either vinegar or bleach is recommended. This should be enough on the tile area. The bleach should kill most of the mold, so the grout will again be white. You could also consider one of the products specifically made for cleaning mold.

The painted wall and ceiling area may need more attention. It's quite possible that the mold was already there, but was painted over so it wasn't visible when she rented the place. That is not a solution to a mold problem. The wall may need to be sanded down, re-textured and painted. There are paints that are made for the damper areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. If the mold is deep into the wall, the drywall will need to be replaced.

You'll want to use a respirator and gloves when you tackle this project.
Once you've removed the mold, it is likely to return unless the conditions that let it get started in the first place are remedied.

Turn up the heat

Mold needs moisture to grow and most bathrooms have plenty. High humidity that results from a hot shower or bath can cause condensation on walls and ceilings. Using an exhaust fan for one to two hours after the shower or bath is the best option, but opening a window will also do the job.

Your daughter might also want to turn up the heat in the bathroom while showering. This will reduce the amount of condensation on the walls and ceiling.

The key is to keep it as dry as possible. This means drying everything possible in that bathroom after showers and removing all damp clothes and towels as well.

Our final suggestion is to check the effectiveness of the exhaust fan. Long or angled duct runs and lint buildup on the grill of the fan are a couple of factors that can lessen its effectiveness. You can check the fan by placing a piece of toilet paper over the air intake. If the paper is held to the intake, the fan should keep the bathroom relatively dry if used regularly.