Post by Wetroom Materials
Mould is a type of fungi that thrives in warm, moist and poorly ventilated areas. When left untreated, mould reproduces rapidly through the spreading of spores. But where does the mould in wetrooms and bathrooms come from? The most common culprits are water leaks (generally from leaking pipes), insufficient tanking and also as a result of excess condensation. This is why mould is such a common occurrence in wet rooms and bathrooms if the incorrect installation, aftercare, cleaning and maintenance processes aren’t upheld. But what effect does mould in bathrooms have on our health? More importantly, how do we prevent and get rid of mould? Find out the answers in the post…
The unsightly appearance and smell of mould are the least of your worries, mould can actually have a serious impact on our health. Those with damp and mould in their homes are much more likely to suffer from respiratory problems and allergies, not to mention the negative impact it can have on the immune system. The allergens that mould produces can result in sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes and rashes, and in more serious cases can bring on an asthma attack.
There are certain individuals who are more sensitive to others to mould. These include:
If you or anyone using your wet room falls under these groups, staying away from damp or mould is crucial. But the question is, how do you prevent mould from occurring in the first place?
The most effective way to keep the growth of mould at bay is to ensure proper installation of the wetroom is carried out. A specialist wet room foundation installation company should be selected to ensure protection from leaks, proper wetroom drain installation and to make sure that the wetroom is tanked correctly.
When it comes to tanking, or waterproofing, a wet room many people fail to realise that the entirety of the space needs to be tanked correctly, not just the showering area. Similarly, weak seals between tiles make the perfect home for bacteria and mould. Water can get to just about anywhere, making it highly necessary this is carried out to a high standard to limit water damage and the growth of mould.
As we’ve mentioned above, mould grows in warm and damp environments, making wetrooms and bathrooms an ideal breeding ground. Ventilation (or ceiling fans) help to circulate air around the room, removing excess moisture and helping to prevent mould growth. As part of your wet room design and installation process, an extractor fan should have been installed to help aid this process.
Ensure that during, and for 30 minutes after your shower, this fan remains on to remove as much excess moisture as possible from the walls and ceilings. To make things easier, you can put your fan on a timer, so that it turns off automatically after 30 minutes. Not mould to see here!
These excellent inventions aren’t only amazing at keeping your shower screen clean and streak-free, but also help to avoid the build-up of excess moisture, which results in mould build-up. After your bath or shower, take the time to use your squeegee – it can actually reduce moisture in the room by up to 75%!
One of the best ways to keep the build-up of mould and mildew at bay is to give your wetroom a regular clean. Around once a week, make sure you wash towels and washcloths, mop the floor, clean the shower, bath and sink to keep mould spores at bay. If you’ve noticed that some mould has started to grow, purchase a dedicated mould and mildew cleaning product that’ll help get rid of it before it becomes a more troublesome job. You can find out more about the right aftercare and maintenance required for a wetroom here.
To find out more about our cleaning and maintenance kit for wetrooms, or to download a more detailed product maintenance instruction document, visit our wet room cleaning and maintenance kit page.
Tips for Creating a Masculine Bathroom
16th December 2019
My client bought a range of Wet Room Unislope Systems from our local retailer, Bathworks. We struggled to find anyone to come to site and take responsibility for the waterproofing until we came across WM | Wetroom Materials. They were willing to stand over their tanking system and more than helpful throughout all stages of the installation from site survey and room preparation to installation. A 10 Year no leak fully insured warranty gave me the confidence that we were dealing with a professional organisation. I would highly recommend these guys and will certainly be using them going forward.
Steven Quinlan | Director | Citius Limited
I have honestly found, WM | Wetroom Materials to be an easy and reliable company to work with. Whether it be a one wet room residential project, apartment block or a gym; they ensure there are no installation problems and we don’t have to worry about leaks. They take care of the specification and advising us on correct build ups and preparation. On a recent project we were able to buy their Unislope System from our bathroom show room retailer and they subsequently came to site to tank out the bathrooms. It was a time sensitive job and The Wet Room lads worked through the evening and into the weekend to ensure we completed the project on time.  I have no hesitation in recommending WM, they are a pleasure to deal with.
Noel Geraghty | Director/Founder | NGS Mechanical Services
In Bright Designs, we understand the importance of specifying a reliable waterproofing system for bathrooms. We have worked on a number of projects with WM | Wetroom Materials over the years and I can honestly say that their waterproofing installation service offers complete peace of mind for us and our clients. The WM Team are there throughout all stages of the project from site survey and specification to installation. More importantly they also give us a 10 year no leak guarantee. I also like the fact that they will handle communication with the client and contractors in terms of delivering a high-quality installation which allows me the head space to focus on other aspects of the build."
Alan Burns | Director/Co-founder | Bright Designs. B Arch, B Sc Arch, MRIAI.
