My Bathroom Ceiling Has Black Mould Growing on It. What Should I Do?

Few people are familiar with Stachybotrys Chartarum. That said, we all know what black mould looks like. They are one and the same and can appear in any area where moisture is present. That’s why often a bathroom ceiling has black mould. All the steam created by showers and baths provides the ideal situation for the mould to grow and flourish.

Window-mould-bathroom
Bathrooms provide the perfect breeding ground from black mould due to the high moisture level.

If you have spotted the first signs of black mould growing on your bathroom ceiling, it’s important to tackle it as soon as you can. If left untouched, it grows and spreads. Not only does it look unsightly, but it can also be harmful to health. Allergic reactions and infections are a possibility. Don’t assume you’re safe if you are fortunate enough to enjoy good health either. Everyone can be affected by these mould spores.

 

Find out what the cause is first

 

There are two potential causes for black mould appearing on your bathroom ceiling:

 

It could be caused by a leak

This can occur in a downstairs bathroom that has pipework running above the ceiling. It could also occur in an upstairs bathroom if the roof above has sprung a leak.

 

It could be caused by excess condensation in the bathroom

This is often the most common cause. If the bathroom is not adequately ventilated following a bath or shower, it becomes damp. Mould is then far more likely to grow on the ceiling, which remains cooler in contrast to the steam caused.

 

If you’ve got a leak, you should get it fixed as quickly as you can. Once the leak is resolved, the source of mould is removed. You can then treat the mould to make sure it does not reappear. If there are no leaks and the mould is caused by condensation, be sure to properly ventilate your bathroom after you have used it.

open window black mould in the bathroom
Leave the window open for 30 minutes to allow airflow and for the moisture to leave the room.

Leave open a window for half an hour or so after a bath or shower, to allow the excess moisture and steam to disappear. You should do this even in winter; close the bathroom door to ensure you don’t lose much heat during this process.

 

How to get rid of black mould

 

Before you begin, make sure you wear a proper mask and protective goggles. It’s very easy to breathe in the spores and that’s not something you want to do. If the mould is severe, it’s best to call in professionals.

protective mask
Alway wear a mask when cleaning mould. If in doubt hire a professional

How to prevent it from occurring in future

 

Ventilation is important as we’ve seen. However, you can also fit PVC ceiling panels that stand slightly proud of the ceiling. These not only look good; they provide good insulation properties. The ceiling cladding is designed to prevent black mould from occurring since the conditions that create condensation are removed from the situation.

 

Even if you treat and remove black mould in your bathroom, there’s a chance it will eventually return. By opting for PVC ceiling cladding, you never need to worry about black mould again.