How to clean Mould from your Bathroom Ceiling
Unsightly mould growing on bathroom ceiling, wall and other surfaces is a major frustration in many Australian homes.
Mould growth is the result of too much moisture accumulating plus inadequate ventilation. Bathroom mould is it! It is a fungus that loves to grow in wet areas. It can grow on almost any surface of your bathroom, such as walls, shower, and grout.
We know water runs frequently in bathrooms, because of that the bathroom becomes moist and humid, which creates an environment that allows mould to thrive. So, when people don’t clean the surfaces or dry them off, mildew begins to form. If you don’t remove it asap, it develops to mould.
Mould is also frequently a seasonal problem associated with the wet months but it can also indicate bigger hidden structural problems in your property. We love the Aussie DIY approach to life and so we’ve put together this handy guide to mould cleaning tips you can try at home.
But remember mould’s favourite saying, “I’ll be back”.
So, if you really want to terminate mould once and for all it’s best to call in the experts. Mould Cleaning Australia: we offer expert professional mould removal and prevention services throughout NSW, Victoria, and Queensland.
What is Mould?
Mould is a type of fungi that are naturally occurring organisms playing a major role in the earths ecosystem.
Mould grows best in damp and poorly ventilated areas, and reproduces by making spores.
To know more about it, read our article: “What is mould?“.
Why Do I Have Mould On My Bathroom Ceiling?
The bathroom ceiling is sort of like a mould penthouse suite. It’s got everything mould needs to live a very happy and fulfilled life; moisture, warmth, and little air movement.
There are different ways to have mould on the bathroom ceiling.
Mould can appear on ceilings as a response of dampness, this is the most common reason and it’s caused by:
- Roof damage;
- Leak;
- Condensation;
- Bad ventilation;
- Etc.
However, mould growth is a big problem because mould usually spreads fast and that’s the reason to react immediately to prevent it if you notice stains in your ceiling.
CALL A SPECIALIST TO REMOVE MOULD FROM YOUR CEILING
How to Prevent Mould Growth
Prevention is definitely the best cure when it comes to mould. It takes a lot more work to get rid of mould once it’s got its foot in the door. To prevent the growth of mould make sure there is adequate ventilation.
That means use the fan or extractor whenever you have a bath or shower and open doors and windows after your shower. It’s also really worthwhile wiping down the shower walls after a shower to remove as much moisture as possible.
Don’t leave wet towels sitting around because they’re prime places for mould to grow. And don’t create more moisture than you have to. Avoid the use of unvented gas heaters; they create large amounts of moisture.
And ask yourself: do I really need that 10 minute shower? It’s just a thought. Ideally, room humidity levels should be 60% or lower.
If mould is already present simply removing the moisture may not be sufficient. Ironically, if you remove the moisture without getting rid of the mould the mould will release even more mould spores once dry. It’s a kind of mould survival response.
How to prevent Mould Growth on Bathroom Ceilings – Checklist:
- Avoid drying laundry;
- Inspect gutters and plumbing;
- Improve ventilation;
- Install insulations on your external walls;
- Inspect and throw out mouldy food;
- Perform regular checks in your house, even if you live in a rental property;
- Schedule frequent cleaning sessions with mould removal companies or hire a mould removal specialist to help you.
How To Clean Different Types Of Ceilings and Walls?
There are a number of different products you can use if you want to try and remove mould yourself. You might have to experiment with different products and you will probably have to repeat the application.
You will also have to use a lot of that magic ingredient: elbow power. But be careful because some scrubbers and chemicals can scratch surfaces. Even if these scratches aren’t visible they create marvellous places where mould can repopulate and spread.
Common Options
This will kill the mould and help remove discoloration but do a spot test in an inconspicuous place first.
Make sure the room is well ventilated and do not mix bleach with other chemicals such as vinegar, as the combination can be dangerous.
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How to Remove Mould From Ceiling?
It’s always a good idea to wear a mask when cleaning mould especially when you’re working on the ceiling because you don’t want to inhale those mould spores.
Also put on a pair of rubber clothes and some eye protection; even the natural products can potentially damage your eyes and skin.
It’s worthwhile putting down an old sheet or tarpaulin to cover fittings and floor surfaces that might be damaged by the cleaning products. It also makes tidying up easier.
How to Remove Mould From Bathroom Walls?
Wear rubber gloves, face mask and eye protection whenever you’re dealing with mould. Remember spot test before you attack any surface. Go easy at first as you don’t want to scratch surfaces and provide places for mould to hide.
Tiles and Grouting
Brushes (maybe even a toothbrush) are effective tools for getting rid of mould from those hard to reach places like between tiles and around mouldings or bathroom fittings.
If you’re having trouble with mould on silicone sealants around the shower, you may need to remove and replace the silicone as the mould cannot be removed from the silicone once it has penetrated within.
Mould Cleaning Australia use proven safe methods and materials to do the job properly and effectively.
Mould Resistant Paint
Mould resistant paints can be effective for ceilings if the mould has been killed first. Clean the area thoroughly with sugar soap and then paint.
It’s really worthwhile getting a free mould inspection report from the Mould Cleaning Australia team just to check the mould has gone.
If the mould is still there or the cause of your mould problem hasn’t been fixed then repainting will only be a temporary solution.
Our detailed free reports will let you know if all the mould is gone before you do repainting work. It will also outline how we can make your home mould free.
Permanent Removal of Mould
Getting rid of mould permanently is a two step process: fixing the problem that caused the mould and killing all the mould.
The DIY approach is generally only a temporary fix at best. At worst you could miss the signs of a serious leak or plumbing issue that could result in very expensive repair bills.
Those leaks can cause major structural damage without obvious outward signs except for the mould.
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