Over the changing of the season, many problems can occur to your house. Extreme heat, low temperature, and humidity can do damage to several parts of the building.
Maybe, one of the most disturbing ones is the mold on ceiling. Not only it destructs the construction materials in long-term, but it also harms your family’s health. removing mold from bathroom ceiling.
As a living microorganism, a mold is a form of fungi that grows, eats, and reproduces. Unfortunately, to reproduce, it releases spores which can be harmful if it’s inhaled to the human’s body system.
It can cause problems like headaches, nausea, lung irritation, eye irritation, and allergic reaction—mostly because the spores would try to grow just anywhere it lands including the human body. Now we will talk about bathroom ceiling mold.
A. What Exactly Causes Mold?
To speak fact, mold spores are everywhere, even in the air we breathe. However, it would not grow unless it lands on the perfect medium and gets the right environment. In nature setting, the mold is present to help recycle decaying trees and plants.
The biggest size of the spores is around 40 microns, which means it is smaller than the diameter of one strand of hair. That makes spores are impossible to see with bare eyes.
While it may be beneficial to nature, it would create the same destructing and recycling effect when it grows on your house. First, most houses have woods as its bathroom ceiling and wall construction, which would be an ideal medium for the mold to grow. The condition might be worse if it has insulation system.
Secondly, mold spores grows in a humid environment and on shower stall. Therefore, if your house has a poor ventilation system, experience condensation due to the weather, or has had a problem with leaking recently, there is a high possibility of mold growing in the dark, damp corners. Mold on ceiling, bathroom, shower stall and basement are some of the common problem in houses.
B. Identifying Mold on ceiling
Bathroom ceilings are always wet, also poor air circulation. So it helps mold growth. Some mold grows on obvious part of the ceiling, but some others may be found in hidden areas. The mold usually creates brown and black spots and may form some pattern around the bathroom ceiling. Bathroom ceiling mold can happen, too, especially if you don’t have enough air circulation in it.
In another concern, black and brown spots on the ceiling do not necessarily mean that it is mold. Some circumstances like smoke traces and patterns of dust stain. To recognize the mold spores on ceiling, you need to look closely on the stain and identify some of these things:
1. Water Damage
Water damage and leaking create brown circular discoloration patterns on the ceiling. If there is water damage present, the possibility of mold growth is high. Look further on the loft or insulation system if the mold cannot be easily found on the ceiling’s surface.
2. The Surface of the Spot
Black, brown, and grey spots may not only be caused by mold. There are two types of mold on ceiling, the active and the inactive molds. The active ceiling mold would smear if you touch it with hands and feels slimy, while the inactive ones would rub off because it is dry. So you nees always to clean mold.
3. The Smell
If you have been in contact with any fungi, mildew, or mold before, you can sense a different smell. It is a combination of wet and rotten wood smell which is mostly musty and strong.
Read also: Why Mold Smells and How to Remove It
4. The Material it Attacked
Though mold can grow on wall and sheetrock, wood and other organic materials are their favorite medium to live. If you see that the woods on the roof are starting to rot, or the surface may be curled up, it would be one of the signs of mold presence.
C. Removing mold from ceiling. Cleaning process
Mold on bathroom ceiling can go undetected for a long time until you realize it creates serious trouble for your house. Here are some of the ways that you can try to treat it. Always use spray bottle, baking soda, cleaning solution and other things. It woll help you with cleaning mold.
1. Remove the Source of the Mold
As mentioned before, mold or mildew on ceiling grows on a dark and humid area. If the black spots are present on the visible part of the bathroom ceiling, the root of the problem may start from behind it. You need to check the ceiling and create the inappropriate environment for the mold.
Give the area enough sunlight or bright heat to inactivate the mold. Once the colonies died, it would be easier to clean, and there should be less possibility for the mold to grow back.
2. Clean the Affected Area
Cleaning the affected area involves using mold cleaner that is made from chemicals. However, you can use household items such as white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, bleach, and baking soda. Spraying the affected area with one of those solutions would kill the microorganism and prevent it from growing back.
On the surface of the area, the paint should be scraped off before you paint it. Directly covering the black mold on ceiling is not recommended as the trace of the mold pattern would still be visible.
3. Remediation
For the ceiling material that is hard to clean like drywall, you may want to consider another way: remediation. It is a process of mold removal in the ceiling and replacing it with the new one. Though remediation is more expensive than ceiling treatment, it offers a simpler way. Bathroom ceiling mold is rather dangerous.You can also do it with spray bottle and cleaning solution. Or try to use white vinegar, scrubbing brush, baking soda, warm water. It with help you with mold removal.
In some cases, remediation is the only option because the damage caused by the mold is too heavy. Also, it also assures that the mold is completely terminated.
If you decide to treat the mold by yourself, remember to wear full protection when doing the job. Mold spores can fly everywhere and affect your body. It is also recommended to open all ventilation when cleaning the mold on bathroom ceilings so that the spores would possibly float out of the house instead of landing on somewhere else inside.
In conclusion, remove mold on ceiling and other parts of the house can be done independently. The key is to protect yourself and the house from mold spores that are looking for a new place to grow. However, you can always call mold termination experts to do the job especially when the affected area is large or hard to handle. Please use all the ways of killing mold as quickley as possible.
Read also:
How long does it take for distilled vinegar to kill mold?
The length of time it takes for distilled vinegar to kill mold can vary depending on factors such as the type of mold, the extent of the infestation, and the concentration of the vinegar solution.
Does distilled white vinegar kill black mold?
Distilled white vinegar can be effective at killing some types of mold, including black mold, when used properly. Vinegar has acetic acid, which has antimicrobial properties that can help kill mold. To use vinegar to kill black mold, it is recommended to first clean the affected area with soap and water, then apply undiluted vinegar to the moldy surface and let it sit for at least an hour before rinsing with water.
Will vinegar kill mold permanently?
Vinegar can kill mold on contact, but it may not be effective at killing all types of mold or preventing it from returning. Vinegar has acetic acid, which has antimicrobial properties that can help kill mold, but it is not a long-term solution for preventing mold growth.
Can I leave vinegar on mold overnight?
It is generally safe to leave vinegar on mold overnight, as long as it is not causing any damage to the surface it is applied to. However, it may not be necessary to leave vinegar on mold for an extended period of time to kill it.
What type of vinegar is best for cleaning mold?
Distilled white vinegar is the most commonly used type of vinegar for cleaning mold. It is a mild acid that has antimicrobial properties that can help kill mold. When using vinegar to clean mold, it is important to use distilled white vinegar rather than other types of vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar, as these may not be as effective at killing mold. I
Is vinegar better than bleach for mould?
Both vinegar and bleach can be effective at killing mold, but vinegar is generally considered to be a safer and more environmentally friendly option. Bleach can be toxic and can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation if not used properly. It can also damage certain surfaces, such as fabrics and wood. Vinegar, on the other hand, is non-toxic and generally safe for use on most surfaces. It is also biodegradable and does not release harmful fumes or residues.
