LESLIE: Lee in Wisconsin is having some mildew issues in the bath. What can we do for you today?
LEE: Yes, I have and I’m not sure if it’s mildew or mold because I don’t know the difference. But I have a couple of spots on the bottom of my window in the bathroom and after I shower I turn the fan on and open the window but I’d like to know how to get rid of them and how to eliminate them.
TOM: Well, it’s really a moisture management issue. Mold in the bathroom is pretty common. Usually it’s Cladosporium, which is a type of mold. Most people are not sensitive to that but it is pretty ugly and gross. So what you want to do is mix up a bleach-and-water solution and spray it down; let it sit for 5, 10, 15 minutes and then scrub it so that it goes away. And then what I would recommend you do is – do you have a bath fan? Is the bath …?
LEE: (overlapping voices) Yes, I have and I always run it after.
TOM: Yeah, the bath fan; is it on a …?
LESLIE: Well, you should run it during and after and, once you’re done with the shower, you should keep it on for 10 or 15 minutes more because that’s when you open the door and the real condensation starts to happen.
TOM: What you can do is install the bath fan onto what’s called an occupancy sensor with a timer …
LEE: Oh, OK.
TOM: … so that whenever somebody walks into the room, the bath kicks on – the fan kicks on and then it stays on for 10 or 15 minutes when there’s no …
LESLIE: However long you set it for.
TOM: When there’s no movement.
LEE: Well, I didn’t realize that you could do that in the home. I knew that they had that in restaurants or hotels but I …
TOM: No, it’s the same electronics; not that expensive. Very common and as easy to install as replacing a light switch.
LEE: Oh, I bet my husband could do that. He told me to use bleach and water but I didn’t believe him.
TOM: Well, you know he’s a smart guy, Lee. Give him a break. (chuckles)
LEE: OK, I will. (chuckles)
TOM: Alright. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT.
