If your shower isn’t properly sealed, you’re at risk for mould and mildew growth. Mould not only looks terrible in your shower, but it’s also a health hazard.
It can be a challenge to recognize mould in a leaky shower. Is it “just” dirt? Or is that black stuff in the corners of your shower a growing patch of mould. Without immediate action, a small amount of black mould quickly grows into a more significant issue.
You never want black mould in your shower. Here’s how to recognize it and what to do about shower mould.
What is Black Mould?
Black mould is a dangerous strain of mould. You can find different types of mould growing in damp, dark places. However, black mould is one of the most harmful to human health.
It’s dangerous enough that our government and health officials warn the public about the harmful effects of black mould. The negative health effects of black mould include:
- Respiratory problems
- Allergic reactions, including watery and itchy eyes, sneezing, coughing, and a runny nose
- Memory loss
- Skin irritation
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Mould-induced asthma
- Lung infections
To prevent these mould-related health problems, it’s critical to recognize and remove mould right away.
It’s a Fungus
Mould is a type of fungi, which means it’s alive and growing unless completely removed from an area—spores and all.
Mould grows wherever dark, damp conditions go untouched. It doesn’t take much moisture to encourage mould growth. The humidity and warmth in your shower are enough to make a nice home for black (or “toxic”) mould growth.
You don’t have to touch mould for it to affect your health. When you see mould, you can trust that mould spores are in the air you’re breathing. When mould gets into your lungs, it can create health problems throughout your body.
Mould Loves a Leaky Shower
If you see cracks in your tile grout, those areas are perfect locations for mould to grow. Even after your tile dries, moisture can sit in those cracks. It’s a perfect breeding ground for mould.
What Does Black Mould Look Like in the Shower?
At first, black mould can look like dirt. You might think you just need to scrub a little to remove a layer of dirt or soap scum. However, as you scrub, you might notice that the “dirt” isn’t going away easily.
It could be mould growth.
Black mould looks similar to other types of less-toxic mould. To be clear, you don’t want any type of mould growing in your shower. No mould is good for your health. However, black mould will be tougher to remove and prevent from returning.
When you spot discolouration in the grout around your tiles, you’ll soon notice it’s spread to more places in your shower. You can also see black mould around your tub, attached to tiles, and on your shower curtain. If left untreated, black mould can eventually spread to the walls and ceiling.
Black mould truly is “black.” You’ll see dark spots that gradually grow across the wall. Walls absorb moisture and make an excellent home for mould.
How Do You Get Rid of Mould?
At the first signs of mould, clean your shower thoroughly.
If the mould in your shower isn’t black mould, you can clean it yourself. Start with an anti-fungal cleaner. Since mould is a fungus, you need a cleaner that kills the fungus. Bleach on its own or common shower cleaners might reduce the mould you can see, but they won’t kill the fungus and its spores.
Vinegar is often effective against “everyday” mould. Be sure to rinse your shower surface between cleaners to avoid toxic fumes. Use bleach or other grout cleaners to remove stains left behind by the mould.
Be sure to wear a mask when cleaning mould from your shower or tub. Don’t risk hazard to your lungs by breathing in mould spores or bleach fumes.
Black Mould Requires Special Care
Black mould can require removal by a professional to make sure the shower is completely clear of mould spores. If the mould in your shower seems especially stubborn after cleaning, call a professional to remove the mould.
If you don’t want to risk prolonged exposure to any kind of mould, an expert can test the mould in your shower before you move forward with the most effective way to clean it.
Mould Isn’t Welcome Back to Your Shower
It’s critical to remove all mould and spores before taking measures to prevent the mould from returning to your shower. Any lingering growth or spores will start a new crop of mould—even if your shower looks clean.
Cracked grout and a leaky shower base will produce more mould without repair. Take a stand and make sure your shower never extends another invitation to mould again!
Waterproofing Prevents Mould
Waterproofing your shower or tub tiles helps prevent mould from growing again. After the mould is gone, call a professional to strip away bad grout and apply fresh grout between tiles and around tubs.
But, that’s only the first step. Tiles and grout are porous surfaces. Mould loves to make itself at home on porous surfaces.
Block mould’s access to your tile and grout with the right sealer. Ultra Bond Sealer provides waterproofing for your shower without removing any tiles. You don’t need to renovate your shower to make sure mould never returns!
Let Us Protect You From Shower Mould
Black mould or just “every day” mould should never live in your shower. Even if you clean regularly, shower mould can grow in your warm, humid shower.
Our Ultra Bond Technology uses a combination of exclusive tools, products, and procedures to target and stop leakage points in your shower. We make it difficult for mould to find a place to grow.
Let us protect you from shower mould! Contact us for more information about how we can help.