The Popular Toilet Trick You Shouldn't Always Rely On To Detect Bathroom Mold

Finding out there's mold in the one area of your home designated for cleaning yourself can be nightmare fuel. But, given that the humidity and poor ventilation in your bath area makes it ideal for mold growth, it is necessary to be on the lookout for those pesky fungi. There are many methods for detecting mold in your bathroom, and a popular one, weirdly enough, involves your toilet tank. However, this trick is not a foolproof method of inspecting for mold because of the basic mechanisms of your tank.

This widespread toilet trick claims that a great way to check for mold in your bathroom is by looking for some in the toilet tank. If there's mold there, you most likely have a major mold problem somewhere in your home. And if there isn't, then the mold issue is minimal or nonexistent. The logic behind this is that the lid of the tank is heavy and manufactured in a way that makes it difficult for mold spores to get in there. So, if you do see any type of mold growth in your tank, it's a good indicator that there is a colony nearby pumping spores into the air. While it's true that finding mold in your toilet tank is a good enough reason to suspect mold elsewhere it your bathroom, the absence of mold growth in your tank doesn't mean there is no mold in the vicinity.

Aside from the heavy lid of your tank, there are still two other factors that could kill mold spores off before visible growth is seen. One is the constant flushing action of the toilet. It wouldn't give the spores enough time to thrive, which is why mold grows better in the stagnant water in the tanks of unused toilets. The second is the chlorine in tap water. According to the EPA, more than 1 in 5 Americans use water treated with chloramines, a disinfectant that contains chlorine and ammonia. It is added to kill bacteria and prevent mold buildup in pipes. Chlorinated tap water typically won't allow mold to grow, especially in a place like a toilet tank where the water doesn't stand for so long and there is little air supply to allow the chlorine to evaporate.

Therefore, it is possible to have mold buildup in your bathroom that doesn't show in your toilet tank simply because that environment isn't ideal for it. If you suspect mold for any reason but don't find any in your tank, don't be relieved just yet. Even if you can't seem to find the location yourself, you'll be surprised at the unexpected places where mold might be lurking in your home.

Aside from this toilet trick, there are other signs that could indicate a possible mold problem in your bath area. A major sign on that list is visible mold. If you can see those streaks of fungi anywhere, then you don't need any toilet tank to tell you to start figuring out the easiest ways to clean mold. Another pointer is if your bathroom is always damp or has excessive condensation that causes wall damage. In this case, consider investing in a good vent in your bathroom to keep it mold-free.

Ants are also good indicators because they have no business in your bathroom unless there is moist wood for them to build their nests. If your floor feels spongy or soft underfoot, that could mean rotting wood, too. A musty or earthy smell is another key sign you shouldn't ignore because of how harmful mold spores are when inhaled. Mold exposure can cause health symptoms like allergies, skin issues, or respiratory problems. If you notice any of these signs, you should hire a mold inspector to check for possible contamination.