Honestly, I get where you’re coming from. Those automatic door bottoms are cool in theory, but with floors that uneven, they’re probably just gonna drag or leave gaps anyway. And yeah, a little airflow isn’t the worst thing—especially in a bathroom. Sealing it up too tight can actually trap moisture and make mold worse, not better. Sometimes “fixing” stuff just creates new problems... I’d rather have a draft than a musty bathroom any day.
Sealing it up too tight can actually trap moisture and make mold worse, not better.
You nailed it. I’ve seen folks over-seal bathrooms thinking it’s helping, but then they’re dealing with peeling paint and funky smells a year later. Sometimes a little draft is just what the room needs to stay dry. Just make sure your exhaust fan works—that’s the real MVP for keeping mold away.
Just make sure your exhaust fan works—that’s the real MVP for keeping mold away.
Couldn’t agree more about the exhaust fan. I always thought sealing up all the cracks would be the answer, but after tearing out some old caulk and seeing the mess behind it... yeah, not so much. The fan’s honestly been doing more than any fancy “sealant” job I tried. I even started running it a bit longer after showers, and it’s wild how much less damp the place feels.
I do get a little paranoid about drafts though—like, is it letting in dust or stuff from outside? But you’re right, a little airflow goes a long way to keeping things dry. Kinda funny how the “lazy” approach (just running the fan and not sealing every corner) actually works better than overthinking it.
Still learning as I go, but this makes me feel less like I’m missing some secret trick. Sometimes simple wins out.
Keeping Mold Away Really Is About Airflow
You’re spot on—airflow beats obsessively sealing every gap, at least in my experience. I used to think the same way: more caulk, less chance for water to sneak in, right? But after managing a few rentals, I’ve learned that a good exhaust fan (and actually using it) does more to keep mold at bay than any “perfect” seal job. It’s wild how much difference just running the fan for 20-30 minutes after a shower makes.
About the drafts—yeah, I get the concern. But unless you’ve got a huge gap somewhere, most bathroom fans are designed to vent out moisture without letting a ton of outside air or dust back in. If you’re worried, you can check if your vent has a backdraft damper (most do). That little flap keeps outside stuff from blowing in when the fan’s off.
Honestly, it’s easy to overthink this stuff. I’ve seen folks spend a fortune on fancy anti-mold paints and sealants, but if the air’s not moving, none of that matters much. Sometimes the “lazy” fix is just the smart one.
Couldn’t agree more with the “sometimes the ‘lazy’ fix is just the smart one.”
I used to shell out for all those fancy mildew-resistant caulks and paints, but honestly, just getting everyone in the house to run the fan after showers made the biggest difference. There’s something satisfying about a simple solution that actually works. Plus, less scrubbing for me... which is always a win.if the air’s not moving, none of that matters much.
