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How to handle mold in my apartment? — Brooklynian

How to handle mold in my apartment?

brianathemusical
brianathemusical
edited November -1 in Greenwood Heights and Sunset Park
Last Sunday when I returned from vacation, I saw a yellowish circle of what appeared to be mold growing around a darkened spot on the wall above my bedroom window. It was only about four inches wide by maybe a half inch high. I cleaned the spot with hydrogen peroxide and it came off (but took the paint on the wall with it). Though I haven't found any more visible mold in the rest of my apartment, I am concerned that it exists and is making me sick. Over the last year or so, I have been sick at least once a month with sinusitis-like symptoms, but I went through a lot of testing and there is nothing medically wrong with me. I seem to feel better when I'm not at home. We are renting so I'm not sure how to go about testing for a problem. Should I get a testing kit myself or try to get my management to pay for it? If anyone has any advice on dealing with mold, I would be very grateful.

Comments

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    Brownstoner.com likely has a readership with answers you seek.
  • independent mind
    independent mind
    mold isn't pretty. So long as you are 'stuck' in the mold situation, the best thing you can do is tape some plastic sheeting over the area and make sure to keep your room air-conditioned (in order to keep humidity levels down). Sorry to sound all silkwood about it, but if you get spores in your lungs, and your immune system is compromised in any way, this can really put you out of commission. Good luck, and good for you for being proactive about it.
  • independent mind
    independent mind
    PS I actually saw mold test kits at 'save on fifth' on 5th ave and 8th st. Not sure if they work but if you need something to convince the landlord etc.
  • mountebank
    mountebank
    Mold test kits are largely a ripoff. Visible mold should always be cleaned up, it doesn't really matter what species the test tells you that it is. While many types of mold are ubiquitous in the environment and in outdoor air, pretty much any type of mold that is visibly growing in your living space could cause health problems.

    A consultant would check for wetness in the wall where you noted the mold using a conductive probe, often what you find is that the mold is growing on the back side of the sheetrock, due to a leak or moisture problem, and may not be visible from the surface.

    As a quick check you can try sticking a pin or hammering a small nail into the wall where you saw the mold, take it out and look carefully for signs of moisture, if the wall is still wet behind there, no doubt mold is present and the wall would have to be ripped out to correct properly.
  • pragmaticguy
    pragmaticguy

    If you have mold odds are it's behind the sheetrock and my guess is that water is coming in through the pointing or the brick. You can wash it with bleach, it's unsightly but really not dangerous. Advise the landlord that it's a possible health hazard for people with allergies (apparently that's you) and that it's excluded from his insurance policy under liability. He needs to point the bricks or for a cheaper fix, get some Thoroseal. Used that years ago on a house I owned. It's a silicone based liquid, goes on like paint, keeps water out very well. The mold may not stop growing and the drywall may have to be opened up to alleviate the problem.

  • MOD
    MOD

    PragmaticG is digging up the graveyard :mrgreen:

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