Mold Removal in Bathroom
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How do I remove this mold?
The mold growth on the underside of the toilet tank is due to condensation. This occurs warm, humid air in the bathroom interacts with the cool surface of the toilet tank. The more often the toilet is flushed, the more condensation you’ll see.
This can be prevented by running the bathroom fan more often. Ideally, replace the fan with a Panasonic WhisperGreen model. If you already have a working fan, consider installing a programmable timer switch.
The mold can be cleaned by scrubbing the area with a borax/water solution. If the area is cleaned regularly, mold growth is unlikely to reoccur, even if you continue to see condensation.
What could be causing this? It is not a roof leak and we recently replaced the fan bc we thought it wasn’t working well enough any longer.
Broad, sporadic growth like this is typically due to condensation. This can be caused by an ineffective/under utilized exhaust fan or missing insulation above the ceiling. Try running the fan 24/7 and see if the mold stops. At a minimum, run it for 1 hour after each usage of the shower. Note – the existing growth will not fade away with time, you’ll need to clean and repaint the ceiling. I recommend using a high quality exterior grade paint. These contain mildicides that help inhibit mold growth.
Paint recommendation? Exterior or bathroom high gloss?
I would use an exterior paint. They are designed to withstand constant moisture and include mold prevention compounds. When it comes to moisture issues, the glossier the finish the better. However, you shouldn’t need a full gloss finish. A satin or semi-gloss is sufficient.