What are those black dots on your bathroom ceiling?

You work hard to keep your bathroom cleaned and sanitized for the health and well-being of your family. No matter how hard you work at cleaning, there eventually comes a time when you'll look up and see blacks dots on your ceiling or appearing on the tile in your shower. These black dots are almost always mold or mildew. 

It's always challenging to keep mold and mildew out of bathrooms and kitchens. These rooms tend to see mold and mildew more often because of the water usage in these spaces, and in the case of the bathroom, they don't always have the best ventilation for drying out the moisture. Here's your guide to everything you need to know. 

Are mold and mildew in your bathroom common?

As soon as you realize that you have mold or mildew in your bathroom, you might wonder if it's an indication that you aren't cleaning often enough or well enough. Bathrooms are a magnet for mold and mildew. It isn't your current cleaning habits, but there are improvements that you can make to reduce the chances of seeing mold and mildew growth. 

It's very common for bathrooms to see mold and mildew growth. Other common places to see mold and mildew growth around your home include the kitchen and laundry room. Mold and mildew enjoy moist, warm places to grow. Some of the most common mold and mildew that you'll find growing in your bathroom include:

• Aspergillus
• Penicillium
• Stachybotrys
• Cladosporium

Stachybotrys is the mold that you typically think of when you hear black mold. You may find little spots of mold and mildew growing in your bathroom or an entire colony hiding out behind your toilet. 

The trick is to be diligent when looking for mold and to act when you find it. In some cases, you may want to hire a professional to remove the mold, especially if you uncover a large colony, or if it's the dreaded black mold. 

What causes mold in your bathroom? 

When you first see mold in your bathroom, your first reaction might be that there's something wrong with your cleaning. While there are things that you can do to lower your chances of getting mold, your cleaning routine is probably quite good. Mold doesn't require dirt and grime to grow. Here are a few of the common cause of mold in your bathroom:

• Lack of ventilation.
• Water leaks or excess moisture.
• Dark places and long shadows.
• A source of food, but not in the way you think of food. Mold can feast on wood and other surfaces. 
• Plenty of oxygen.
• An optimal temperature in the low 70s with some but not too much humidity. 

Mold exists almost everywhere in the outside world. So how does it find its way into your bathroom? Mold colonies release spores into the air, so they can grow, reproduce, and spread. 

When you're out and about in the world, working, running errands, walking the dog, and more, you always run the risk that a spore will land on you, your shoes, clothing, pets, and other family members. You bring these spores back into your home with you without ever realizing it. 

Is mold in your bathroom a health threat or life-threatening?  

Yes, mold in your bathroom and other places in your home can negatively affect your health, and in some cases, mold can present a life-threatening situation. You worry about your family's health and safety all the time from a random car accident to checking the fire alarm in your home once a month. 

When you find mold in your bathroom or anywhere else in your home, you need to take it as seriously. Here are a few of the ways that mold can affect the members of your family:

• Breathing issues
• Congestion
• Wheezing
• Irritation of the lungs
• Eye irritation
• Skin rash
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Death

If you have young children or an older family member living in your home, they might be more susceptible to the health effects of mold. Someone with asthma will also see more effects more quickly and pronounced than someone without asthma or other breathing issues. 

While mold is common in bathrooms, you need to take its appearance in your home seriously. You don't want to let small pockets of mold turn into larger more threatening colonies, especially if it's black mold. If you want to try and get rid of mold yourself, there are a few things you can try, but it's a serious situation. It's always a good idea to hand it off to a professional mold removal service. 

What are some signs of mold in your bathroom? 

Sometimes, mold and mildew appear in your bathroom in very obvious, easy to see places. Other times, it's crafty and finds out of the way places to hide in this small space. When you see mold, you need to begin treating it right away. 

But what about the mold that you can't see? How do you find or even know it's there? Mold and mildew offer some signs even if you can't visually see it. Here are a few of the most common signs of mold in your bathroom:

• Cracked, warped, or buckled material can be a sign that mold is causing this damage.
• An earthy, musty scent that's mildly distasteful. 
• Physical symptoms in yourself or other family members from the list above. 
• Sources of moisture without a lot of light.
• Continued growth or a dark spot getting larger.

If you suspect a spot is mold, you can always test it by adding a drop or two of bleach. The bleach will cause mold to become a few shades lighter. If this happens, it's time to act now. 

At AdvantaClean, we understand the danger that mold presents to you and your family. We're ready to help you remove it from your home. Contact us with any other questions or schedule an appointment today.