Water, Water Everywhere

Water makes things wet, and wet materials can lead to rot and mold. It seems like common sense, but when it comes to our buildings and building materials, we need to ensure this does not occur and stop it before it starts. The bathtub and shower stalls are the most critical locations to focus on typically since they see the most splashing of water and flexing of building materials. 

Start With an Inspection

Often, the tub and shower are together as one unit. If you have two separate fixtures, the same information applies, but double the inspections. The tub flexes in place, even though it's made of steel or acrylic. The wall tub surround can be made up of acrylic, panel board, or tiles. These wall elements don't move much. There needs to be a flexible barrier system at the joint between the tub and the wall. This system will stop the water from gaining access to the dark recesses behind the walls. This barrier is often a simple seam of caulking. Inspecting the caulking should be carried out on a relatively regular basis. If you can get a fingernail behind the caulking, that means that water can get behind as well, which means that you could have a water issue behind your walls. If your caulking is looking loosey-goosey, then change it out.

I recommend zero VOC caulking, of which there are more and more brands becoming available at building supply stores. Removal of the old caulking is easy with specific tools or plastic scrapers. The old caulking must be removed before applying the new caulking.

Use a Squeegee

So what is the best way to inspect and protect? It's actually at the end of each shower or bath. Wipe down the walls after each shower, regardless of the type of wall system you have. A $2 squeegee will take most of the water off the walls, prevent that build-up of mold and yucky stuff on your grout work and caulking, and reduce the likelihood of failure. So it's a no brainer! 

How does the mold on the grout form? It arises after you turn the shower off. Why? There is no longer any momentum for the water on the walls to run down, so it goes slowly. The water moves so slowly that it stops when it hits the caulking and doesn't have the momentum to keep going into the tub. The water then sits there with some soap scum and skin cells, and it's a little party zone for mold—and that's what takes hold. By wiping down the walls, you remove the water that can help create that habitat. And, more importantly, you are using a chemical-free method to control mold in the bathtub.

Moisture Control in the Bathroom

Once you have tried to limit the water from remaining on bathroom surfaces, it's essential to recognize that moisture is in the air too. How can you control that? Read on.