Bathrooms are the most common area for mold to start. Once it does, it can be difficult to get rid of. Here are some Landlord Tutor tips to prevent bathroom mold.
An Introduction to Bathroom Mold
Bathrooms are so prone to mold because mold grows best in a moist environment that is filled with organic material such as dust, dirt, water damage, etc. Showers and baths can also cause the bathroom to get wet pretty quickly as it is a small, enclosed place.
Getting them to dry can be difficult, even if you have a window in your bathroom. Residents would not want to open it up, especially with the New England weather that would have them freezing if they kept that window open.
Tips to Prevent Bathroom Mold
Mold growth does occur over time, and could be a safety issue in the long run. Removing it can be expensive and difficult to solve, so the best thing to do is prevent them. Here are two tips you can use to prevent bathroom mold.
1) Install fans in your bathroom.
We install bathroom fans, the type that has to be vented outside. We don’t recommend installing the fan on the ceiling as there is only a little bit of space between the ceiling and the joist. You have to vent it all the way up.
To ensure that we vent out the air properly to the outside, we drill through the walls. That is not always possible in every building–such as those made with brick– but any good property manager should be able to make it work.
We also coordinate with our electrician to make sure that the power is there and that your residents can easily turn the fan on and off. We also look out for any gaps or holes so that rodents or pests will not get in.
2) Use IAQ paint.
Some condo associations won’t let you install fans in your bathroom. So what we do instead is use a special paint referred to as IAQ (Indoor Air Quality). Aside from having a wide range of colors to choose from, this kind of paint is mold resistant.
At the end of the day, landlords must prevent molds on their property so that residents don’t get sick or sue. Self-managing is also an option, but most probably you don’t have the right equipment, experience, or knowledge base to resolve it.
It would be best to entrust property issues such as bathroom mold to professionals, for your safety and that of your residents.
The Landlord Tutor Promise
Among his many licenses and affiliations, Jarrett Lau is a mold remediator. If you or anyone else you know is looking where to learn how to prevent and resolve issues like bathroom mold, join the Landlord Tutor community and sign up here.
