Awfully annoying and not sure what to try next

[addjunkie]

not welding related at all, though using silicone is said to be like mig....

Right two bathrooms with showers, one shower sealed with expensive 10 quid a tube bathroom silicone, mould has appeared and wont scrub off with bleach
The other sealed with the cheapest out of a multibox from tool station, same mould similar too same time frame, though that shower gets less use.

So what do i use next....this does my head in as redoing it is such a pain...

Opinions please

 

[Welderpaul]

White vinegar and/or bicarbonate of soda. Worked a treat on ours. Plenty of scrubbing!

 

[Burdekin]

Take it out and redo it.

 

[Shox Dr]

Keeping the shower dry after using it is the best way to keep mold at bay.

We have a strict rule in the house; The shower must be wiped down after use. We use a window squeegee first then a microfibre cloth to get the rest off. That rule has been in place for 15yrs now and because of it I've had to replace the silicone around 3 times.

So sorry I can't help you

 

[Paul.]

Dettol mould and mildew remover, in a green spray bottle.
Dont expect instant results though it may take a week or so of daily treatment before you see an improvement. Then use it regularly as a cleaner to keep it from coming back
http://www.dettol.co.uk/products/see-all-products/dettol-mould-mildew-remover/

 

[Parm]

Keeping the shower dry after using it is the best way to keep mold at bay.

We have a strict rule in the house; The shower must be wiped down after use. We use a window squeegee first then a microfibre cloth to get the rest off. That rule has been in place for 15yrs now and because of it I've had to replace the silicone around 3 times.

So sorry I can't help you

This is exactly what I do

I've used some good silicon, it's the evo stick stuff. It's very good. Never had to change it

I also a Karcher steam cleaner once ever two months to clean the glass tiles and silicon

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Take it out and redo it.

This, for a 'proper' fix.

 

[Toleman]

Dow Corning sanitary sealant. Never had a problem with it.

No nonsense silicone profile tools. Wastes a lot of silicone but spot on profiles. Pump your bead round and make sure it's well into the corner and covers at least your finished profile size - doesn't matter what it looks like. Spray down with soapy water and wet the profile tool. Run the tool round with even pressure and wipe excess frequently onto a piece of card and use a wipe on the tool.

Always work from the floor to the ceiling as the water spray stops the silicone sticking.

Unless you silicone for a living, you won't get a better job

 

[addjunkie]

I have the tools and dont have a problem getting a good look, its just it doesnt seem to last.

The room is always warm as all the underfloor heating pipes run under there, but think a larger fan might help as the ceiling is vaulted so the fan is well away from the damp area.

Think the white vinegar and steam might also help espescially when our holiday lets are finished.

 

[brightspark]

extractor upgrade (I put a 6" in the bathroom and it helps a lot)
Also bethroom door closed during showers, open afterwards, windows upstairs also, leave fan to run on for a good bit
Biggest thing is ventilation, the average 4" extractor fan doesnt cover a shower, especially a frequently used one

these3 speed inline fans work a treat and on 4 inch duct as for the silicone cut it out and re do it with mold resistant silicone not the cheap crap http://www.i-sells.co.uk/manrose-mf...-performance?gclid=CPGSz4rc6NQCFUFmGwod-BkDcg they work best if the intake grill is in the shower its self above the spray head

 

[Toleman]

Warmth incites mould growth when humidity is high, sounds like you need more extraction but bear in mind that you need a source of intake air also to replace the moist air with, otherwise the extractor is no use



I have an Xpelair VX150T with a 6" to4" reducer connected to 4" ducting ( http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Xpelair-VX150T-6-Inch-Extractor-Fan-with-Timer-/222115054189 )
Previous fan with some ancient Vent Axia Centrifugal 3" fan...surface mounted and horrifically noisy and completely ineffectual...

Cut 10mm of the bottom of the door.

 

[dobbslc]

HG mould spray from B&Q is very good in our shower when the silicon gets mould on/in it. But the reason it gets there is because it stays damp to long...

 

[addjunkie]

Think you folks are right lack of air circulation. The ceiling is vaulted so the fan is a long way from where it needs to be. Cant get above it either. Think maybe another through the wall directly above the shower may be the way forward.

 

[Pete.]

not welding related at all, though using silicone is said to be like mig....

Right two bathrooms with showers, one shower sealed with expensive 10 quid a tube bathroom silicone, mould has appeared and wont scrub off with bleach
The other sealed with the cheapest out of a multibox from tool station, same mould similar too same time frame, though that shower gets less use.

So what do i use next....this does my head in as redoing it is such a pain...

Opinions please

I went through all this as well as leaking shower tray and cracking tile grout. In the end I fixed it with one of these and never looked back.

http://www.browneshealth.co.uk

 

[cumbriasteve]

Our shower grout and silicon was beginning to look a touch grotty, undiluted bleach heavily applied with a brush and left for 12 hours, until it is washed away the smell is a bit overpowering but it worked a treat.

Once it has had the major bleach attack a monthly spray with 50/50 diluted bleach and left for a few hours keeps it right.

 

[rtcosic]

When I had our house built in 1989 I specified a Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery system, which runs continuously. My wife insists on the showers being wiped down with a window squeegee after use.

The one in the main bathroom used by our 3 sons for over 20 years still has the original 1989 shower and silicone etc.

No mould. No condensation on bedroom windows in the morning or kitchen/utility room windows when cooking or washing.

In the house we sold we were plagued the black mould on all internal walls at external corners or behind furniture against external walls. Kitchen and bathroom could never be kept clear of it whatever we did. No mechanical ventilation anywhere, only open the windows.

So I am certain it must be related to damp and lack of ventilation rather than the grade of silicone used.

If you check recommended minimum ventilation rates something like 10-20 air changes per hour for shower rooms. A small bathroom of say 2mx2m would need 2x2x2.3 x say 10-20 air changes = 90-180m3/h

The poxy little nominal 80m3/h fans typically fitted in new builds are only suitable for 1mx1m toilets not bathrooms.

Fan needs to run on for a LONG time after shutting off the shower to clear the room. 20 minutes is rarely enough - an hour or more is need.

Don't forget to shave the bottom of the door or otherwise provide plenty of fresh air inlet.

I have fitted in-line fans of around 160m3/h nominal capacity in the loft with intake immediately above the shower enclosure and run-on wound to 'maximum' in both sets of parents bathrooms and they don't report problems with mould growth. Fans from Screwfix so nothing special

 

[marlinspike]

Lakeland do some sprays that get good reviews.

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/around-the-home/cleaning-products/bathroom-and-shower/mould-remover/

 

[addjunkie]

Mmmm ventilation, I think it is a cheap fan, but sadly due to the vaulted ceiling will be difficult to fit anthing that wont fit in the existing hole.

The room is 10 x12. When I decorate, which since weve been back in the hous after the rebuild 3 years should be soon well soonish maybe, we shall see how much longer I can put off.

Think an extra in the wall, directly above the shower will sort it, a geet big fast fandago 6 incher, power to it could be messy though.

 

[ukracer]

HG mould spray from B&Q is very good in our shower when the silicon gets mould on/in it. But the reason it gets there is because it stays damp to long...

Thats what we use in our 5th wheel. Plus one for that.

 

[Lufbramatt]

I mix bicarb of soda into a paste with some hot water, apply with an old tooth brush, give it a scrub, leave it 10 mins then rinse off.