It does not come as a surprise anymore if you happen to ask yourself once what causes black mold in toilet bowl. For the record, molds could grow everywhere as long as the environment provides enough humidity and moisture. However, the case may not be the same for black mold particularly in toilet bowls.
The Main Causes
Before heading on to the root causes of black mold in toilet bowls, one should first be knowledgeable in identifying a black mold. Unlike its name, it does not often appear as black, thus the importance of properly recognizing it.
Black molds could also come with the touch of orange or green. This article on how to identify black mold can serve as a helpful guide especially for starters out there.
1. Dark areas
Not only do black molds thrive in humid and damp environments. It could also make a breeding ground out of dark areas of your home. An example of which is your toilet tank and bowl. It becomes easier for them to multiply when they are kept out of plain sight.
2. Unattended wastes
It also appears to be due to poor hygiene practices. When you have been away from home and you happen to leave your toilet bowl with lingering dirt like feces and urine, it would consequently lead to mold infestation.
3. Poor airflow
Since toilet bowls are apparently a part of the bathroom, mold growth could possibly happen when it is placed in an area with poor ventilation. Although bathrooms are not used almost every hour of the day, it is still essential to maintain a smooth airflow to avoid high levels of humidity.
4. Water deposits
Mineral deposits could also work as a way for mold contamination to happen. The greater the amount of stagnant water in the tank, the more deposits occur and cause molds in the long run.
Oftentimes, the gravity of mold infestation relies on the type of water. For instance, hard water contains more mineral deposits than soft water.
5. Rusty water pipes
An indirect reason for molds to grow is the water supply from pipes. The rust on the pipes could eventually trigger condensation which then leads to breeding grounds for mold. Similarly, the cracks in bathroom fixtures could also create a conducive environment for mold growth.
6. Damaged water seals
Lastly, mold could also stem from broken water seals. This indicates that the area is suffering from a water leak underneath or from the inlet part. When this happens, mold could quickly thrive either below the water line or around the base of the toilet.
Black molds in the toilet bowl can often be found under the rim, below the waterline, or at the base/bottom. However, it happens due to a number of factors stated above. Thus, as a homeowner, there are several reasons you have to consider or look out for to prevent mold infestation.
Getting Rid Of Black Toilet Mold
First of all, you need to take safety precautions before coming in contact with molds. Clad yourself in protective clothing like gloves, a breathing mask, and some cleaning agents. For the latter, one may use the following: vinegar, borax, baking soda, and a cup of bleach.
You should also open the window to allow a smooth circulation of airflow and to avoid mold spores from contaminating the air. Also, as part of the pre-cleaning process, you must flush the toilet to clearly see the affected areas.
Afterwards, you may now add the drain cleaner. Then, apply some baking soda or borax on the bowl specifically on the waterline. Spray vinegar as well on the area and brush it gently with a hard brush or old toothbrush.
Now, leave the solution for about an hour. Lastly, when the time is done, scrub it again, rinse off, and add some bleach to the water. Leave the bleach in the toilet water for an hour.
To make the bleach more effective, pour a sparkling hot water then flush the toilet. If you are still seeing molds, just repeat the procedure all over again until you are satisfied with the result.
Preventing Black Toilet Mold
If you do not want to waste your time, effort, and resources, then it is best recommended that you should learn how to prevent toilet mold (particularly the black ones) from regrowing. Never leave waste unattended on your toilet. Make it a part of your schedule to clean your toilet at least once or twice a week using a scrub brush and a cleaning agent such as Concrobium Mold Control.
If you do not use your toilet often, make sure to flush it every other day to avoid molds from seeing it as an opportunity to breed. Also, do not delay fixing any bathroom leaks as the moisture can also lead to mold growth.
Conclusion
It is important to know what causes black mold in toilet bowl because not only do you want to keep your bathroom as clean as possible, you should also practice good hygiene. Ignoring mold growth is apparently not a way to do so.