Slight Mildew/Mold on the Shower Doors: Should I replace the door?

Question

My tenant has observed slight mildew/mold on the Shower doors. After applying the mold cleaners, the gasket on the shower doors is still showing discoloration and the tenant is concerned that it is Mold around that gasket.

The slight discoloration due to mold does not seem to be toxic , especially since I applied mold control liquids and bleach. I think Tenant should be ok with this effort. But tenant wants me to remove the entire mold.

What are the options to fix this? Handyman says we have to change the entire door because gasket is not sold separately. That sounds expensive.

Thanks
Gash

Bill Bell · Answer

I had similar experience with a moldy shower door for which tenant wanted resolved. Given all the channels and hard to reach spots to clean out mold (plus it was old), I simply removed and replaced with a rod and curtain. Rod and curtain is much easier maintenance.

Ned Carey · Answer

Mold is one of the most over blown issues out there. Bleach will kill the mold. Discoloration left over is the effect of the mold, not necessarily mold itself. Is this a new tenant or is or did the mold grow becuase of poor cleaning habits of the tenant? That is a point worth mentioning. You need to clean the shower doors and keep surfaces dry or mold will grow. That is the tenants responsibility. From a practical matter It is a negotiation with the tenant and a matter of how important to you it is to keep them happy. Even if the mold is gone, it is perfectly safe, and the problem originated from the tenant to start with, it may still be in your long term best interest to just replace the doors.

Account Closed · Answer

It always amazes me how everyone freaks out about mold. Most of the time it is just a non harmful mold or mildew and most of the time it is the fault of the tenant. A little cleaning would prevent almost every instance. It is funny how they go nuts over mold/mildew yet there is filth everywhere else in their house they don't seem to notice. I had a situation once where the tenants had their mattress directly on the hardwood floors and it developed mold/mildew on the bottom. They blamed me of course. When we went into the unit it was about 100 degrees (in the winter) and smelled like something had died in there. Every window was blacked out. I mean, what do you expect to happen in a place like that when you don't clean? I thick we offered to give them $50 to buy a new mattress and promptly evicted them when the opportunity presented itself.

Roy N. · Answer

We have been using Panasonic Whisper series fans (110 cfm+) for the past 2 years. We also wire them with the light switch but also install a humidistat w/ timer in parallel ... that way if the tenants shuts the lights out when leaving the bathroom after a steam shower, the fan remains running for 20-30 minutes or until the humidity falls below the preset threshold.

Justin Pierce · Answer

Gash,You're right. Your effort should be more than enough. I've dealt with mold many times in home renovation and flips. Here are the EPA Guidelines concerning mold. http://www.epa.gov/mold/cleanupguidelines.htmlShow this to your tenant and see if calms their concerns before you replace the door.Good luck

Roy N. · Answer

Only if they use it. By wiring it with the lights and using a timer and/or humidistat ($30), you will force the fan to be used {hence why myself and other champion the "whisper" fans} and better protect your property.

Gash Nag · Answer

Thanks every one. Its amazing how helpful this forum is to provide their expertise to rest of us. Ever thankful for all the replies and information you provided. I spoke to tenants about the same thing all of you suggested and they agree the discoloration and agreed to take measures to control this. I gave them one Mold Control liquid from Home Depot. The bathroom has the Exhaust fan. Though not directly connected to light switch, it is available and works great. -Gash

Dawn Anastasi · Answer

I don't have doors -- I had one rental with doors, and the door broke. So I took out the door. Now the tenant can use a rod and a curtain -- of their own cost.

Kimberly H. · Answer

Tell them that it is just discoloration left over from mold, and offer them the choice to keep the door as is, or to replace it with a curtain rod. And remind them of their cleaning responsibilities and to use the bath fan. In all of our rentals, we order $150 higher end exhaust fans that are quiet, and hardwire them to the main lightswitch so if the light is on, the fan is on. I can see why a tenant would not want to use a fan that sounds like an airplane taking off.

Colleen F. · Answer

I would say that if they are still uncomfortable and feel it could be mold (regardless of what you think when you see it) I would offer to replace with a curtain and rod. It is easier to maintain and eliminates the issue. Alternately if it is a higher end place you can put in something without the gasket.