This week we tackled a rental turn with some serious mold issues.  As is commonly the case, the bathroom ventilation was anemic and led to heavy mold growing throughout the damp areas of the unit.  The ceiling directly above the shower is shown below.  This bathroom could really benefit from an exhaust fan.



The mold likes to spread on pourous surfaces like tile grout and also on caulking.  The caulking throughout the unit had been blackened with spores.



  

  We started by washing everything down with TSP followed by Jomaxx Mold & Mildew.  The Jomaxx is a very strong bleach; wear a respirator or you will feel a little short of breath by the end of the day.  Don't forget, the Germans used chlorine gas as the first area effect chemical weapon!   Followed up the cleaning with oil primer and a top coat of Miller mold inhibiting Acrinamel.  All of the tile was also washed down in like manner and the caulking from the tub surround and pedastal sink was cut out and reapplied.
   

  This mess has been cleaned up but ultimately the only thing that will prevent this from happening again in the future is an exhaust fan properly installed by a licensed electrician.