In order to maintain a clean safe bathroom, you must first start off with the right materials. If your bathroom was not constructed with the proper materials in the first place, your war against mold will be all but lost before you even start.
There are two efforts that you have to consider. First, how do I keep the moisture in my bathroom to a minimum, and second, how do I make sure that the moisture that is left does not impact my bathroom cabinets.
The first is actually pretty easy. Make sure you have a good exhaust fan the goes directly to the outside. This will remove most of the steam before it can condense on any of the surfaces. Second, make sure that all seams and edges are sealed with a reliable kitchen and bath caulk. This will prevent water from dripping into areas that you are not able to clean.
The second step takes a bit more consideration. There are many different steps you can take, and the degree in which you do them will affect how much mold damage you will see.
It is important to have moisture resistant wallboard in any area that may be impacted by moisture. This is commonly referred to as “Green Board”. There are now many other options that have even greater resistance to moisture, but as moisture resistance increases, so does cost and ease of installation.
A paint that is designed for a bathroom should have a microbial inhibitor added as well as be scrubbable. You should never use a standard flat paint in bathrooms. Another good enhancement is to make sure you apply a good sealant primer prior to applying any paint.
Finally, the section of cabinets and shelves must take into account the inevitable moisture that will be found in bathrooms. Cabinets should be a high quality material that is sealed on all sides. The use of untreated pressboard in not usually a good choice in bathrooms. Wood that has been properly sanded and sealed will resist most mold growth.
The cabinets should be easily cleanable and all seams should be sealed. Once installed, the edges of the cabinet should be sealed to the wall. You can use a kitchen and bathroom caulk for this.
Finally, every surface in a bathroom should be cleaned regularly. By keeping all the surfaces clean, you will limit the amount of microbial growth that can occur.
Considering how vital it is to have the right products in your bathroom to start with, it would be wise to identify a reliable bathroom cabinetmaker or installer to help you with your selection and also with the installation. Their experience can prove to be priceless when you find your bathroom is easy to clean and maintain mold free!
BarrWood Cabinets http://www.KitchenCabinetsBlueRidgeGa.com has a wide variety of stock, semi-custom, and custom kitchen and bathroom cabinets for you to choose from. Take advantage of our free kitchen cabinet design class, and make your next project quick and easy. To find out more, please call us today at 770-737-4696.
