THIS IS A HAMMER

Mold Is Hazardous to Home and Health

Q: For a few months now, I’ve noticed a mildewy odor in the downstairs bathroom. I keep the bathroom clean, and I even pour a cup of vinegar down the drains once a month, but the odor comes back. For now, I’m using an air freshener to mask the smell, but how can I locate and get rid of it? — Gaia M., Baton Rouge, La.

A: That mildew smell is most likely from mold growth. If you can’t visually locate a patch of mildew or mold in the bathroom, such as in lower corners of the wall or the shower, contact a plumber. It’s very likely that a water leak somewhere be...