A few weeks ago, an On Top of the World homeowner came to the customer service department with the concern that mold was growing in her master bedroom closet. Since On Top of the World has state licensed mold inspectors on staff, we arranged to go out and take a look. Our findings are a lesson on required routine maintenance that most homeowners seldom do.
When our inspectors visited the home, the mold-damaged drywall in the master bedroom closet had already been cut out by the homeowner. However, the mold growing on the inside wall was still visible and the floor inside the wall was still wet. How did the water get in the closet to begin with? Suddenly, it became clear...the master bathroom shower is on the other side of the closet. When we inspected the shower, the first thing we noticed were the cracks in the grout along the bottom of the wall and the corners. That's where the water was coming from! The shower water was leaking through the cracks in the grout, saturating the closet wall and floor behind the tile and ultimately fostering mold growth. It's known that mold needs moisture to grow so even though the closet wall can be repaired, if the cause of the leak in the shower is not fixed, mold will continue to appear.
This problem can happen in any home where tile, grout and caulk protect a sub wall. The solution to keeping your shower water tight? We recommend a bath and tile caulk be applied to the corners and base of the tile all around the shower or tub at least once per year. To properly apply new caulking, the old caulking should first be removed. Bath and tile caulking is available at Lowe's or Home Depot. So when you're done reading this blog, get up and check the grouting in your shower to see if it needs caulking. It will prevent mold from growing inside your home and it will also save you money!
Robert Colen is the Warranty Supervisor for On Top of the World Communities.
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