Why Are There Black Spots On My Bathroom Ceiling?

Why Are There Black Spots On My Bathroom Ceiling?Is your bathroom ceiling not as snow white as it could be? If you ask why are there black spots on my ceiling or if you've got a rash of black lurking somewhere, are you sure what the causes are? Do you know what you need to do to resolve that unsightly stain on your bathroom's character?We've put together all the information you'll need when dealing with black mold on your bathroom ceiling. Stick with us and we'll help you work out what the problem is, what the risks are and what to do about sorting the situation out.The Truth About That Stain So you've spotted something sinister on your bathroom ceiling and you're getting yourself into a bit of a panic. Well don't. The first thing is to work out what the problem is - it's easy, just see below, then find out what the risks are, see below below and finally work out how to deal with it, again, see below below below below.A Black Spot is a Black Spot Isn't It? Before you start reaching for the anti-fungal chemicals - always a bit dubious in their own right - spend a few minutes examining the situation in your bathroom a bit more closely. Black spots on your ceiling can be caused by more than one problem, each needing its own remedy if things are to be put right properly.Small black dots can be caused by corrosion.. Your drywall is attached to the ceiling and wall by a number of metal fasteners. Modern fasteners are coated to prevent corrosion - not so older properties though. Over time, in an older property with a damp bathroom (remember you heard the d word as we'll be coming back to this) and your metal fasteners can begin to corrode. When that happens the surface of your wall begins to discolor. If the black spots you have on your wall are uniform in shape and size, generally about ⅜ inch in diameter, you probably have corrosion issues. In a bathroom, moisture (see I told you we'd be back to this old chestnut) can indeed lead to problems with mold. If the stains are unevenly distributed and the sizes are irregular you almost certainly have an issue with mold. This is even more so when the concentration of spots is found in the corner, where ceiling and walls meet.How Dangerous Is Black Mold? If black mold is present, the key question, is black mold on my bathroom ceiling dangerous is the first to deal with. The discoloration is evidence that you have an infection of stachybotrys chartarum. It's a mold that grows on any surface that is porous, has a high cellulose content (that's wood, wood fibre and wallpaper to you and me) and is exposed to high levels of moisture (see - we're back here AGAIN). The perceived wisdom is that exposure to the mold does not pose a threat however the spores released by the mold can cause problems with breathing. However, wisdom, especially the perceived kind can be wrong. It is thought that concerns about the health risks can be traced back to the 1990s when black mold was linked to the deaths of two infants in Ohio. After extensive research no link was found but sadly the story had grown cold and the lack of link was not widely reported and the public was left with the belief that black mold was dangerous.Sorting Out Those Pesky Black Spots Getting to grip with your problem is, first and foremost, all about drying the air. If you don't sort out the humidity levels in your bathroom, the sports will keep coming back. Whatever the cause, you need start by installing a bathroom exhaust fan to remove the moisture. If you keep the air dry, you'll not see any new black spots and you can begin to think about dealing with those that are there.If your black spots are down to corrosion you need to wash the ceiling or walls with an oil based primer paint and then redecorate over the stains. If the corrosion on the metal fasteners is bad enough the drywall compound may crumble. In this case you will need to replace the fastenings and complete the job with a new drywall surface. Cleaning black mold on the bathroom ceiling also means starting by fixing the levels of humidity in your bathroom. Once the room has dried out, dealing with the mold itself is simple enough, using household rubber gloves, protective googles and a breathing mask thoroughly wash the affected area with a solution of strong household detergent.Avoid the temptation to use bleach and water as, believe it or not, this can encourage the growth of mold. If the area is larger than one square meter you might want to consider a professional contractor as the infection may need more specialist treatment.Spots Sorted?So now you know how to sort your spots with a few key ideas like these: Understanding the difference between corrosion spots and mold Reducing the humidity in your bathroomEffective cleaning with soap and water These few simple DIY steps will see you on the right path to a mold free life in your bathroom. If you've tested our remedies, we're sure you'll have solved your problem but we'd still love to hear how things went for you as you move to a new mold free existence.

Why Are There Black Spots On My Bathroom Ceiling? was first published to bathroomzz