Is the red "film" on my shower head mold, bacteria, or mildew? Is it harmful?
Question:Occasionally I get this red film on my shower head, sink sprayer and today I found it on the pump for my dogs water fountain. I don't find it in the bathtub, or sink or anywhere else like that. Just places where the water runs out. It seems to pop up overnight. It wipes right off, I'm just curious of what is is and if its harmful?
Answers:
I agree with the two answers it could be one of the two, just keep it wiped off with a cleaning towel with bleach dilute with water. I know this sounds crazy but when you wipe it dry use a bit of WD40 on a dry rag to wipe dry after you disinfect. WD40 is a good water repellent. I use it all the time on sinks when wiping dry chrome too. Wd40 is good for water build up too.
It's a good chance that it is Pityrosporum rubrum, the fungus that causes athletes foot. That is extremely common in wet places like you are describing. I would advise you to clean those areas with bleach on a regular basis.
Could be as simple as rust. If there is galvanized steel pipe in the water supply lines, when water sits in the pipe for a period of time it starts to rust. Then when you turn on the water, it comes out the faucet.
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