Bathroom Mold – Planning a Mold Free Bath Remodel

Everyone hates bathroom mold! Especially homeowners investing their money in new bathrooms. However, thousands of homeowners are hiring contractors who install…what eventually will be…a moldy bathroom.

We have successfully completed 150+ custom bathrooms using very detailed work plans and implementing modern technology construction products. Needless to say, the “Discovery & Pre-production Phase” is the key – as this is where you and the contractor SHOULD DISCUSS EVERY PRODUCT AND PROCESS TO BE — USED IN BUILDING YOUR NEW BATHROOM! A well planned project is a well run project. A fully informed customer is an honored customer.

The primary measure to avoid a moldy bathroom is this – If the correct products and processes are employed a bathroom will be a Lifetime Investment. If short-cuts are taken and traditional products are used, then it will be a short-term investment.

This comes down to the process and products chosen by the bathroom contractor to avoid bathroom mold.

I strongly advise of the following: 1) Use only non-organic materials. Meaning – use a faceless insulation only in the walls, use the Wedi system or Kerdi products for shower walls and pans (or a similar type product), use only mold-and-mildew resistant drywall (not “green board” – “green board” is NOT mold-and-mildew resistant), ensure that a 6-mil vapor barrier is used on exterior walls, etc.  2) Create separation between cold zones and warm zones – and wet areas and dry areas – by using a spray foam insulation and/or a faceless insulation along with a 6-mil vapor barrier that is sealed over every staple and seam.

I cannot tell you how many times I have seen mildew and bathroom mold that was reno’d less than 5 years ago.

Bathroom renovations are akin to restoring an old car. If all you do is repaint the body of the car, eventually the engine and other mechanical components are going to leave your nice shiny car…and you… sitting on the side of the road. Point being – make sure you take care of and know precisely what is going on behind the walls.

A third point would be – if you live in an old house and had the presence of prior mold or a mildewy smell in the old bathroom, be prepared to pay an additional 25% to 50% for unexpected structural “surprises” that are discovered during the demo or gutting process. If bathroom mold has infested into structure, be prepared to pay for additional structural carpentry or professional mold remediation – both of which can be very costly.