I've been living in my new house for about 6 months, and I just discovered what seems to be black mold under the old caulk in my shower stall. Initially, I noticed a small area with mold, but after removing the caulk, it looks like the entire bottom of the stall is affected. Should I be worried? Do I need to tear out the whole shower stall to clean it properly? I also added a picture to help show the issuea little better. Thanks in advance for the help!
2 Answers
It's tough to say from the pics, but it looks like it could be mold on the caulk. I'd definitely recommend removing all the old caulk and cleaning the area thoroughly. Once you've done that, you can assess the situation better. If you find more issues, you might need to consider replacing the shower stall, but hopefully, just a good cleaning and new caulk will do the trick! Also, keep an eye on the overall waterproofing in your bathroom.
I see a lot of mentions of mold, but some of that fibrous material might not be organic. It can be really confusing. I suggest poking at it with something to get a better look—make sure to wear a respirator for safety! If it seems flimsy, it could very well be mold. If it's more firm and resistant, it might just be insulation material. Either way, cleaning is key before putting anything new down.
Nice advice! If you find it’s mold, consider calling in pros for a better deal. Safety first!
Totally agree! Just make sure you use 100% silicone caulk when you reapply. It's really important for preventing moisture issues.