Signs of Mold in Your Shower

What is Lurking Behind Your Bathroom Walls?  

Have you ever wondered what could be hiding behind the walls of your bathtub or shower? Are there a few black spots in the caulk that have made you stop and wonder if there was more that you just can’t see? Maybe a few soft spots on the wall or a missing piece of tile or grout here or there that you have been putting off fixing? The truth is little things can lead to big problems in the bathroom like mold and mildew.  

Common Problems 

Mold and mildew are two of the most common types of problems homeowners see in their bathroom. Both are most often found in the caulk and the grout around tub and wall tiles. The problem with them is that they both can be signs of an even larger issue. If you have missing grout or caulking around your tub or shower, water is more than likely seeping behind the walls. This water seepage has the perfect environment to grow into a mold or mildew problem.  

Causes 

You are probably asking yourself how does mold or mildew end up in your shower? Both thrive in damp dark areas making your bathroom the perfect environment for it take up residence. Mold can be easy to spot on some places like the ceiling, bath fixtures, or grout but, it is harder to see when it slips behind the walls. The easiest way for it to start growing behind your walls is letting it seep in from cracked tile, caulk, or grout. Being behind the walls, the water never fully dries creating the perfect dark, damp, and warm environment where mold can grow.  

Signs of Mold in Your Shower 

How do you spot mold in your shower? There are a few common places in the bathroom that you can check for signs of mold. Keep in mind that what you see is not always mold but could be mildew. Both are signs of larger issues and should be addressed none the less. 

• Black spots in tile grout 
• Black spots in caulk around tub or shower enclosure  
• Black spots around baseboards touching the bath or shower enclosure  
• Black spots and clusters on your ceiling near the bathing area 

Dangers

Mold in the bathroom may be a common problem among homeowners, but it one that you shouldn’t continue to live with in your bathroom. Mold has the potential to cause serious health problems in both children and adults.  It can cause allergies, Asthma, lung infections, and a host of other issues and problems when not taken care of quickly and properly.  

Preventing Mold in Your Bathroom 

There are a few things you can do to help prevent the growth of mold in your bathroom. First you can increase airflow. This can be done by installing a bathroom fan. The fan will help with air circulation so that the warm damp shower air is not stagnant in your bathroom. The most important thing that you can do to prevent mold in your bathroom is making sure you do not have holes in your caulk or grout in your bathing area.  

Talk with a Professional 

If you currently have what looks like moldy grout or caulk, you should call a professional to come out and look at your bathing area. Caulk and grout are porous, and this could be a sign of a larger issue.   

If you would like to talk to a professional about your bathroom, contact MaxHome today. 

Talk to a Professional

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