How To Clean Mold From The Shower Ceiling

By: Licensed Mold Assessor Brad Fishbein

February 8, 2023

The main element needed to take a shower is water. Knowing that water is also the main ingredient for mold, the shower can be prime real estate for mold colonies to form.

While getting mold and mildew on the shower tiles and grout are quite common, the shower ceiling is also an area where mold can appear.

There is good news:

In most instances, mold on the shower ceiling is easy to clean and not toxic.

Throughout this article, you will learn how to clean mold from the shower ceiling in a few easy steps.

Remove Or Clean Bathroom Ceiling Mold?

Determining whether to remove or clean mold off the ceiling will come down to one thing:

Is there a leak?

Often times, mold found on the ceiling of the shower is just surface mold.Sometimes the mold is not even visible because it is white and not dense. It’s caused by condensation on the surface of the ceiling because a dew point is reached.

Think about this…

When you take a nice hot shower, what happens to the mirror?

It fogs because the steam caused by the hot water lands on the cooler surface, causing condensation. Well, the same thing can happen on the ceiling without proper ventilation. Tiny droplets of water can form and lead to mold on the surface of the shower ceiling. If the shower is built correctly and the ventilation fan is work efficiently, you can prevent surface mold from growing on the roof of the shower.

The type of paint used in the bathrooms may also affect whether mold stains will present itself above the bath.Latex paint will generally be able to host mold more than eggshell.

This type of mold or mildew that forms on the surface of the ceiling can usually be cleaned. When the shower ceiling needs to be removed due to mold is there is an actual water leak in the attic caused by:

• A roof leak • Leaking air ducts • Overhead plumbing leak • Etc. When the shower ceiling material is continuously getting wet from the attic space, the mold can effectively use the ceiling as “food.” When this is the case, the shower ceiling cannot be just be cleaned and should be removed.

Black Mold On The Shower Ceiling

Stachybotrys, which is the real name of black mold, will only grow on the ceiling of the shower if a leak is present. The surface mold on the front side of the shower ceiling due to poor ventilation will not typically be black mold even if it is black in color.

If a chronic leak is present above the shower, then yes, Stachybotrys can absolutely grow and cause issues to building occupants.

How To Clean Mold On The Ceiling Above The Shower

Cleaning mold along the front surface of the ceiling can be done in a few easy steps:

Step 1: Get a mild detergent or anti-microbial mold cleaner as well as a rag. Turn on the ventilation fan. Step 2: Apply the solution very lightly to the areas you would like to clean and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Do not soak the area. Step 3: Gently dab the affected areas with the rag.

The should be enough to clean mold off the shower ceiling.

If there are still stains, the area may need to be sealed with anti-microbial paint. Using paint with an anti-microbial additive can deter mold on the shower ceiling.

Conclusion

Mold on the shower ceiling is not considered dangerous if not caused by a leak. Ensuring there are no leaks above will determine the action taken to get rid of the mold above the bathtub area. If mold is adequately cleaned, it should not affect people in the home.

More than anything, surface mold along the ceiling of the bathroom can be an eyesore.

Meet the author: Brad Fishbein is an ACAC council-certified Microbial Investigator. In the fall of 2012, he became a Licensed Mold Assessor in the State of Florida through the Department of Business & Professional Regulation. Brad has helped homeowners with over 5,000 successfully completed Mold Inspections since 2009.

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