Pink Mold

Pink is a subtle, calming color but that’s not the case when it is the color of the mold festering in your home. Pink mold is downright foul and can have negative impacts on your health when not treated. Got pink mold growing in your home? Read on to learn more about it and how to get rid of it.

Slimy and scummy, with coloring that ranges from pink to slightly orange, pink mold can be found lurking in the wet places of your home. Many think that because it is considered to be mold, that it is a fungus, but pink mold is actually caused by the bacteria serratia marcescens. It is most often found in the toilet, sinks, shower stall, bathtub, and sticking to plastic shower curtains.

Pink mold feeds upon soap residue left behind when you clean, enjoying a diet of fat and phosphorus that is found in many soaps you use to clean yourself and your home. Pink mold may look like a stain or rust to begin with, but as it grows, it takes on its slimy persona. This type of mold is airborne so you will most likely have to manage it for a lengthy period of time before you can actually get rid of it.

Prolonged exposure to pink mold can be highly dangerous, especially to the elderly and to those who have a compromised immune system. Pink mold can cause a slew of health issues like:

For large areas of pink mold or if you have a compromised immune system, it is best to call in a professional who is trained to deal the removal. If you only have small spots here and there to clear, you can clean it out yourself by following these simple steps:

• Put on your personal protective gear first! This includes heavy duty latex gloves, goggles, and preferably an N-95 respirator mask. It is also recommended that you wear clothing that covers up your arms and legs to prevent mold and cleaning chemicals from getting on your skin.
• Make a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water.
• Scrub the moldy area good with a sponge.
• Rinse the scrubbed area thoroughly with hot water.
• Give the moldy area a secondary scrub down if necessary.
• Throw away the sponge or cleaning rag after scrubbing the mold to ensure you completely eradicate the pink mold from your living quarter.

As mentioned earlier, pink mold is an airborne bacteria that is hard to get rid of. The first step to getting rid of the problem is to manage it so that you do not provide it with its ideal living conditions. After taking a shower or washing up in the sink, spray the areas with a solution of vinegar and water, and then ventilate the entire room. Cleaning your toilets regularly with the same vinegar and water solution should control mold from forming there as well. Also, be sure to check for leaks and condensation around and below the toilet bowl.

If you have discovered a large area of mold within your home or business or have health concerns that may be aggravated by trying to clean the mold yourself, you should seek the help of professionals. When you call for a mold remediation team, they will inspect the mold and test it so they know exactly what they are dealing with. At this point, your mold remediation team will come up with a plan to isolate the bacteria, clean it, and complete any necessary repairs and maintenance needed to ensure it does not come back.

At Twin Home Experts, we are professionally trained to get rid of mold so you don’t have to. Our mold remediation team is available 24/7 to combat your mold emergencies. Whether you have been impacted by severe water damage or have a stubborn bathroom mold situation, we are here to help. Contact us today so we can come up with a mold remediation plan for you!