Black mold is one of the most persistent and dangerous substances a homeowner can handle. Not only is it possible to cause structural damage, but it can also do a significant amount of damage to one's health, particularly respiratory health. The problem is that sometimes mold can be difficult to locate.
Mold has many hiding places, but none are as tricky as the sink drain. If you have mold in your sink drain, you should waste no time getting rid of it before it spreads to the rest of your home. Here you will find everything you need to find mold in your sink and get rid of it for good.
Signs of Black Mold In Sink Drains
Visible Signs
One of the tell-tale signs of a mold infestation is of discoloration around the afflicted area. Mold often appears in black, green, or dark blue splotches. As its name suggests, black mold will lean towards the darker shade in terms of its appearance. If you're seeing pink mold around your bathroom, understand that this isn't mold, it's actually a bacteria called Serratia marcescens!
It must be understood that black mold may be harder to detect when it is in your sink drain. This is because water is regularly being flushed around that area, so there may be times when the visible signs of mold get washed away. If it's left to its own devices long enough, it will eventually become visible at the ring around the drain. Do not make the mistake of simply cleaning around the ring of the drain and assuming that the mold is gone. It merely means that the visible surface-level mold has been temporarily swept away.
Invisible Signs of Mold Growth
Not all signs of mold are going to be visible. Sometimes a sign of black mold will not be immediately apparent. However, if you are in your bathroom and smell a strong, pungent odor, you may smell black mold. It often smells like an old attic or a humid basement.
Be careful if you smell that musty smell, as it indicates mold spores in your bathroom air. Another invisible sign of mold in your bathroom is if you experience allergic symptoms when using that bathroom. If you take a vacation and don't have these symptoms using the bathroom at a hotel or a relative's house but you do when you're home, mold is a serious consideration.
Causes of Black Mold in Sink Drains
Numerous things can cause mold in a sink drain. Understanding the cause can help in finding the solution.
A Nasty Clog
One of the most common causes of black mold in a sink would be a nasty clog. A clog is where moisture can accumulate, paired with enough material to serve as nutrients for any mold that may grow. The worst part about a clog is that, if left alone, it will only get worse, and mold build-up will only get worse. The mold can eventually spread from the sink to other surfaces of your bathroom, and there is no telling where the growth will stop.
Moisture and Residue
One of the sad truths about mold growth is that all it takes for it to happen is for there to be a presence of moisture and nutrients for the mold to feed on. While a clog can certainly accelerate mold growth, the truth is that a sink that is left alone long enough can begin to produce it. Any time you rinse something down the drain, like soap, hair, food, etc, it can get stuck on the side or joints of the pipes and even if the sink doesn't clog, it's still full of nutrients for the mold to munch on.
How To Remove Black Mold From Your Sink Drain
Eliminate Existing Clogs
Not all mold in the sink begins with a clog, but it's a common source. Removing a clog from a drain is relatively straightforward, particularly if you have a snake or some plumbing experience.
The process for getting rid of a clog will differ depending on what it's made of and how big it is. Various things can cause a clog, such as fats like grease, starches like potato peels or other food, small objects, etc. You'll have to determine the type of clog you have and go from there.
Once you get rid of the clog, there's more to be done.
Use Vinegar To Disinfect
Surprisingly, white vinegar is one of the most powerful tools against mold growth in your sink. White vinegar not only kills mold, but it is also a well-known eradicator of the nasty, musty odor mentioned earlier. Often when you use vinegar as a cleaner, you would want to dilute it with water by 70%, but given that the vinegar is going directly into the drain, this step is not totally necessary.
Use An Enzyme Drain Cleaner
If you want to eradicate mold, utilizing an enzymatic drain cleaner like this industrial one or this one will do the job when vinegar can't. As the name implies, an enzymatic drain cleaner will eat away at mold and bacteria, effectively killing them. If this is the route you want to take, follow the directions on the cleaner to the letter. Regular treatment with a cleaner like this once a month or so will help prevent the mold from returning.
Don't Use Boiling Water!
You will hear that boiling water is the best solution. However, this advice is outdated and incompatible with most modern plumbing systems.
In many homes and apartments today, pipe components are made of PVC or PEX, which can warp or even melt when exposed to boiling water.
Even if your plumbing is metal, stick with the cleaning solutions mentioned above because heat-sensitive sealants in the joints may not withstand repeated boiling water treatments.
If you have to use hot water to flush a drain cleaner, you should know that PVC pipe is only rated to withstand around 140°F (60°C). While PEX can withstand up to 200°F (93°C), nothing but metal pipes can withstand water that is up to boiling temperature.
It's not a matter of “if”, it's a matter of “when” your pipes start leaking or even fail when treated multiple times with boiling water.
Remove The Drain Stopper
One of the most important things to understand is that each component of your sink drain will need attention to clean mold out. The best place to start is the drain stopper. Depending on the type of stopper your sink has, you may need to do some disassembly under the sink to get it free.
If it's time to replace your drain stopper, consider this two-in-one stopper/strainer from OXO Good Grips on Amazon. Twist to seal, twist to drain.
Clean The Drain Stopper
Cleaning your drain stopper should be pretty easy depending on the type that you have. Some come apart for easy cleaning. They can be cleaned with an old toothbrush or other scrub brush.
Clean The Ring Around The Sink Drain
You should perform the same process for the ring around the sink drain. Coat the drain with your cleaning solution and allow it a minimum of fifteen minutes to set up. Then scrub it with your soft-bristled brush, apply a rinse, and then dry it off.
Conclusion
If your bathroom stinks like mold, but you don't see any on your walls, it may be down in your drains. By following the steps outlined above, you can help eliminate a potential source of the problem. If you go through this process with all the drains in your bathroom and still have that characteristic smell of mold, you likely have another source and should call a professional to inspect it.
Products In This Post
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- The OXO Good Grips 2-in-1 Sink Strainer & Stopper works as a strainer to trap food scraps, and as a stopper to fill sinks with water
- Twist the tab to engage the stopper for hand washing dishes, twist again to quickly drain your sink
- Tough stainless steel withstands loads of dishes without staining, while the soft silicone underside won’t scratch sinks
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- Fits drains measuring as little as 3.07" and a maximum of 4.39"
