PR 38154t
17 October 2016

 

Roger Bisby ofwww.skill-builder.ukdiscusses the problem of bathroom mould and how the Abacus Elements system helps eradicates it

For all those who think that bathroom mould is unavoidable in the British climate the fact that it rarely, if ever, exists in upmarket bathrooms is telling. You may think this is simply down to being able to afford a good cleaner but a lot of the things that cause mould are built into the bathroom at an early stage and they can just as easily be designed out.

Abacus Bathrooms has 30 years of experience in helping plumbers achieve better results and here are a few top tips for eliminating mould and mildew from your customer's bath or shower room.

Insulation

Mould is the direct result of condensation; airborne moisture condenses on cold surfaces. You can reduce or even eliminate cold surfaces with insulation.

Abacus' Elements insulated tile backing board instead of plasterboard or solid cement board, the surface temperature of the tiles is automatically raised to that of the room temperature and is therefore less prone to condensation. The insulated core also raises the 'U' value of the walls and floor and the polymer cement reinforced face provides the perfect surface for tiling.

Heating

Mould needs moisture. Underfloor or undertile heating will dry the floor and walls making it difficult for mould to gain a hold. You don't need a high level of heat but you do need an even spread so there are no cold spots.

Ventilation

Most of us keep a sharp eye on the heating bills and, for this reason, many people are less inclined to ventilate their bathrooms. Unfortunately, you really need to get rid of that airborne moisture as it is created before it has a chance to drift around and condense. A heat recovery fan will draw out the moisture but grab back 75% of the outgoing heat and these fans cost pennies to run. A 100mm fan is rarely sufficient for a bath or shower particularly if it contains a high pressure shower. If there is a roof space above the shower, think about installing a high powered 150mm fan in a duct.

Extractor fans can only work if you are replacing the air that is being drawn out. They can't work on a vacuum so, if you are not using a heat recovery system, think about increasing the gap under the door so you can draw in warm air from an adjacent room. That through flow of air is essential if you are to clear the moisture; this is now detailed in and demanded by the Building Regulations.

Humidistat

Don't rely on timers or human beings to switch the fan on. You really need an automatic system that detects moisture in the air and boosts the fan speed when the level is critical.

Cleaning

It is an unpleasant thought but mould and mildew feeds on the protein that is provided by what we wash off our bodies; mostly, dead skin. A quick spray and wipe down with an anti-fungicide is essential even if the silicone is claimed to be'mould resistant'.

If you take care of it, your new bathroom will remain in showroom condition for longer. For further advice on all aspects of modern bathrooms and the very latest design ideas visit www.abacusbathrooms.

For more detailswww.abacusbathrooms.com 

-ends-

With compliments
Alison Relf  
Taylor Alden Ltd.  
Unit 2 Temple Place  
247 The Broadway  
London  
SW19 1SD 
Tel: 020 8543 3866 
Email: alison@tayloralden.co.uk