{"id":15831,"date":"2013-08-20T09:24:42","date_gmt":"2013-08-20T15:24:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress-367309-1145705.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=15831"},"modified":"2013-08-20T09:24:42","modified_gmt":"2013-08-20T15:24:42","slug":"bath-renovation-mold-mildew","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sustainablog.org\/articles\/bath-renovation-mold-mildew\/","title":{"rendered":"Renovations Done Right: Tips for Dealing with Sticky Situations and Substances"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"bathroom<\/a><\/p>\n

Editor’s note:<\/strong> As firm believers in making the most of existing products, materials, and structures<\/a>, we firmly support your efforts to renovate your current home. But make sure that you’re not extending the problems you already have: Chris Long of Home Depot provides some “baby steps” for dealing with mold and mildew in a bath renovation<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

We all know that labor is one of the largest costs of home renovation. Of course, the way to eliminate that is to do the work yourself. But when you’ve decided to perform a DIY renovation in the bathroom, what do you do when you run into hazardous substances or toxic materials?<\/p>\n

After all, any time you have water or moisture, you have the potential for mold or mildew, and plumbing that was improperly installed (or subsequently un-cared for) can be a breeding ground for nasty substances in and around your pipes and surrounding walls.<\/p>\n

But don’t discard your do-it-yourself attitude just yet! By taking the proper precautions (and yes, sometimes calling in the pros) and following appropriate safety guidelines, you can still have solid plumbing and the bathroom of your dreams.<\/p>\n

Here’s a closer look at some of the bathroom bandits you might encounter and some best practices for kicking them to the curb for good.<\/p>\n

Murky Mildew<\/h3>\n

Although the term is often used interchangeably with mold, the two are separate and distinct species. The one connection they do have \u2013 other than both being members of the fungi family \u2013 is their preference for warm, moist spots to take up residence.<\/p>\n

In the bathroom, mildew is most commonly found in showers, toilets, bathtubs and sinks; if caught early, mildew is usually easy to remedy with household cleaners and a scrub brush. For that no-so-easily rectified problem, we need to move on to a more serious culprit.<\/p>\n

Monster Mold<\/h3>\n

Let’s dive right on in and discuss the #1 problem where plumbing and pipes transporting water are concerned… the bad boy of the bathroom: the dreaded mold.<\/p>\n

Characterized by black and green spots that can start as little dots and spread to something with web-like tentacles that looks like it emerged from a bad horror flick from the ’60’s, once mold starts to appear, you need to act immediately.<\/p>\n

And act immediately you must because the longer you wait, the more your body and health can end up paying for it. For instance, some of the health problems caused by mold include allergy issues like:<\/p>\n