How To Prevent Any Future Mold
You can often prevent mold from growing in your apartment in the first place. Here are a few tips to keep it from gaining a foothold:
- Keep the air moving. Open windows when weather permits. Use portable or ceiling fans to keep air circulating.
- Use ventilation fans. Always use the fan in your bathroom and above your stove to vent moisture out of your apartment.
- Keep humidity low. Air conditioners and heaters can help control humidity. You can also use a dehumidifier if necessary.
- Clean up any moisture problems quickly. If something like a spill or an open window during a rainstorm drenched part of your apartment, use fans and ventilation to dry everything thoroughly.
- Use mold-killing cleaners and clean regularly. Keeping your bathroom clean and dry is the best way to prevent mildew growth.
- Don’t store wet towels or clothing. Hang damp items up to dry before putting them into a hamper.
As worrisome as mold seems, in most cases, it’s possible to avoid mold growth. When searching for a new place, be sure to read Rent.com apartment reviews to find the perfect rental and avoid any problematic properties. Before you move into a new apartment, inspect it carefully for signs of damage that could lead to mold.
Once you’re moved into a new place, keep it well maintained. A clean, dry and well-ventilated apartment is usually a mold-free apartment.
Signs Your Rental May Have A Mold Problem
- 5 Signs Your Rental May Have a Mold Problem
Mold can be a serious problemit can cause health issues, it can be difficult to detect, and it can be expensive to remove. Although not all molds are dangerous, the Centers for Disease Control advise that the best practice is to remove mold upon its discovery. In addition, the implied warranty of habitability requires landlords to keep their rental properties free of health hazardsand a toxic mold infestation falls into that category.
Clean Up Small Mold Patches On Organic Surfaces
According to the EPA, you can clean mold from organic surfaces yourself if the affected area is smaller than 10 square feet . Cleanup techniques will vary by surface type.
Mold on fabrics and other soft surfaces may be hard to remove completely, so consider replacing the damaged item. For example, if your bathroom throw rug has significant mold growth, it makes sense to replace it with something you can wash and dry regularly.
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Call Professional Mold Remediation Services
Even if you have done your part and didnt find anything, it doesnt guarantee your air quality is fine. Consider calling on the services of Mold Remediation to conduct a thorough test of the air in your apartment. Using sensitive equipment, the air or surfaces within your home will be tested for the existence of mold. This equipment can also identify which type of mold is present, as there are different remediation processes for each type.
Samples of the air may be taken with a spore trap, where a large volume of air passes over a sticky surface that catches spores. The strong the air current that passes over the trap, the greater a sampling is taken. The trap is evaluated by a professional laboratory, leaving you with an accurate idea of what you are up against. There are mold test kits that can be done your own, but for the best results, leave mold testing and analysis to the professionals.
Broken Washing Machine Hose
“We get a lot of these,” Gross says, squarely placing the blame on cheap rubber washing machine hoses. Those are the ones that break, as opposed to the less-than-$30 stainless-steel-wrapped hoses you can buy at Home Depot that almost never leak.”
Treatment: For minor damage, the removal of moldings and drilling of holes to promote air circulation and drying, for a cost of about $1,200-$5,000.
If mold has already set in, a full-scale remediation would entail removing the flooring and base moldings, cutting the sheetrock walls up two feet around the perimeter of the room, then treating as described below. Price: $8,000-$12,000.
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Identify And Prevent Mold Growth Problems In Your Apartment
Understanding how and why mold can grow in your apartment, as well as knowing how to identify a potential problem is critical to avoiding the negative health effects of mold exposure.
If you do suspect a problem, contact your landlord as soon as possible and inform them of your concerns. The earlier you identify a mold infestation, the easier it will likely be to deal with. And if your landlord refuses to take action, consider contacting your municipal health department, property standards office, and legal action to get a fast resolution.
Ferro Canada is a leading environmental services company specializing in mold testing and removal. If you have mold growing in your commercial or residential building, contact our C.R.A.S.H Team and speak to an expert today.
Safely Clean Small Patches Of Mold And Seal Off What You Cant Clean
While you wait for repairs, you can clean small patches of mold with a mild solution of bleach and water. If youre sensitive to mold, ask someone else to do the cleaning.
If the mold has spread to other household items, like curtains or rugs, its best to throw those items away. If you have receipts for anything you have to throw out due to the mold, save them. And if you need to buy anything for the clean up, save those receipts too. You may be able to get your costs reimbursed by going to small claims court.
Whatever you cant clean should get sealed off with plastic bags, or tarps, and duct tapethis can help prevent mold from circulating in the air. Mold in your apartment is actually a symptom of a bigger problem: extra moisture, caused by things like leaky pipes and poor ventilation. If the moisture doesnt get addressed properly, mold will keep coming back.
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Addressing Moisture And Mould In Your Home
Health Canada considers indoor mould growth to be a significant health hazard. The word mould is a common term referring to fungi that can grow on building materials in homes or other buildings. Damp conditions and mould growth in homes increases the risk of respiratory allergy symptoms and exacerbate asthma in mold-sensitive individuals. It is important to know how to identify, address and prevent moisture and mould in your home.
People living in homes with mould and damp conditions are more likely to have:
- eye, nose and throat irritation
- coughing and phlegm build-up
- wheezing and shortness of breath
- worsening of asthma symptoms
The level of concern depends on the extent of mould, how long it has been present and the sensitivity and overall health of the residents. Some people are more susceptible than others. For example, infants, children, the elderly and those with health problems such as breathing difficulties are more at risk from mould and dampness.
Any respiratory health concerns should be discussed with a physician if you suspect that these could be caused by poor indoor air quality. Your physician is best suited to determine if your symptoms may be related to environmental factors or some other underlying cause.
Health Canada recommends controlling dampness indoors and cleaning up any mould regardless of the type of mould presentFootnote 1.
How Long Does A Landlord Have For Mold Remediation
The tenants duties are to send a written complaint and notify about mold via e-mail or any other ways to accelerate the mold inspection process.
After a tenant informs the landlord about mold issues in the renting house or unit, the landlord must answer to the tenant and fix the problem within 30 days from the day that this notification is received. If the landlord doesnt respond, then the tenant has the right to complain. The tenant can ask the court that forces the landlord to do mold inspection & testing and provide a place for the tenant or pay for a temporary place to live during mold removal.
Some tips for landlords liability for mold :
Generally, landlords are responsible for mold remediation when they dont pay attention to these factors includes
1- The mold issue hasnt been caused by tenant behavior
2- The tenant notified the mold problem so, the landlord didnt get a proper response
3-Tenant immediate payment of the rent at the time of request for mold testing and removal.
Here are some tips for landlords to avoid double mold issues :
1-They should have regular mold inspections to prevent mold issues.
2-They should use mold experts for mold removal or testing if its necessary.
3- Every jury has their own opinion different from others. So landlords should always be aware of updates about rules and laws in their area.
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Common Places Where Mold Hides
Mold needs two things to thrive: moisture and some amount of darkness. Places where moisture is frequent or excessive are prime spots for mold growth, especially if those places don’t have a lot of exposure to light.
Here are a few places where mold can lurk. But keep in mind that mold can grow anywhere indoors given the right conditions.
Check The Humidity Levels
The third step is to check the humidity levels in your home. High humidity levels are a common breeding ground for molds. You can check the humidity levels in your home by using a hygrometer or a humidity meter. Hygrometers can be bought from most hardware stores and they are very affordable. Humidity meters can also be bought from most hardware stores, but they are more expensive than hygrometers.
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Document The Problemand Keep Track Of Your Communication With Your Landlord About It
Take photos of the mold and any other sources of moisture. You should also save copies of any communication you have with your landlord about the issue, in addition to the Letter of Complaint. Save copies of any emails, and take screenshots of your call log and text messages. For phone calls, write down the date, time, and what was said. This documentation can help later if you have a problem getting repairs made, and need to go to housing court with proof of the requests youve already made.
Make sure you are also calling 311 to submit formal complaints to the city if you live in private housing, or call the NYCHA Customer Complaint Center if you live in public housing. NYCHA residents also have the option to to add more pressure to your request at 1-888-341-7152. Additionally, any tenant can call the NYC Department of Health at 311, or the DOHs Office of Environmental Investigations at 212-442-3372.
What’s The Difference Between Mold And Mildew
According to the EPA, mildew refers to certain types of mold or fungus, but it’s often used as a catch-all term. The science gets a bit technical, but here’s a simple way to think of it:
- Mold: Mold thrives on organic materials such as cardboard, wood, drywall, upholstery and fabrics.
- Mildew: Mildew is found on hard surfaces such as shower walls or vinyl window frames.
Both mold and mildew grow wherever moisture is present and both can create the same health risks.
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Who Is Responsible For Dealing With Mold In Apartments
As of 2016, there are no federal laws in the United States regarding mold and landlord/tenant responsibilities. A few states have laws related to this subject, including California, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey and Texas. Some cities also have relevant laws, including San Francisco and New York City. Even if you live in an area without laws addressing the subject of apartment mold specifically, though, in all states landlords are expected to provide a habitable rental unit. If mold is making your apartment unsafe to live in, your landlord is responsible for fixing the problem.
In general, landlords are responsible for mold remediation if mold results from something the landlord is responsible for repairing. For instance, if a leaky roof leads to mold growth, the landlord would probably be responsible for removing the mold as well as repairing the roof. Tenants are not typically responsible for roof repair and therefore they arent usually responsible for removing mold that results from a leaky roof.
You should consult an attorney if you need legal advice about a specific situation.
If you have renters insurance – and we recommend all renters purchase insurance for their own protection – it may cover the cost of some of your belongings if they are ruined by mold. It will depend on the specific coverage your policy provides and on the cause of the mold. Contact your insurance agent if you have questions.
How To Find Mold In An Apartment
Only a test can prove the presence of mold, but there are several signs that show you may have a mold problem. The most obvious is brown, black, gray or green spotting on surfaces in your home. Mold often grows in hidden places, like on the backs of cabinets or cupboards that stand against a wall, in the corners of walls, and in crawlspaces, attics and inside cupboards that contain plumbing pipes. If you suspect your apartment has a mold problem, check these and other places in your home that are in shade and allow little air movement. Other signs of mold include a wet, musty odor and water damage or water stains. Asthma, headaches and skin rashes are some symptoms that a mold infestation can cause, but mold doesn’t always cause health problems. Some people are more sensitive to mold than others.
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What Are Your Tenant Rights
Most cities and states do not actually have tenant laws that actually require landlords to inspect their rental units for this type of fungus. However, most tenant laws do require landlords to provide safe and sanitary places for tenants to live. With that, any type of fungal infestation may fall under those tenant laws, thus requiring landlords to address such problems in a prompt and professional manner.
If you did not cause the fungus to crop up and grow in the rental unit, you are not obligated to get rid of it. The landlord must either remediate the problem on his or her own or hire a remediation company to come in and clean it up for you.
Persistent Cough Or Cold
Have you been fighting a cough that just wont seem to go away? Prolonged exposure to mold mayexacerbate respiratory illnesses, like persistent or recurring bronchitis and pneumonia. The first line of defense is to consult with your doctor for treatment and to rule out any other underlying illnesses. If there are other indications of a mold problem in your home, this must also be treated by professionals promptly and comprehensively.
Are you suffering from a pesky cough or cold that just doesn’t seem to go away? Mold in your home may be to blame. To treat the problem promptly and comprehensively, call the experts at ProClean Pensacola at 484-8500. #MoldRemoval#MoldRemediation#PersistentCough
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Fungus In The Furniture
Mildew is attracted to moist leather and wood, and mold particles are more likely to be retained in porous materials like upholstered furniture and foam. Frequently inspect thefibers of your furniturefor any discolored spots, fuzz or spores.
Does your furniture seem a little funky? Mold particles are attracted to porous materials like upholstered furniture and foam. Be sure to inspect the fibers of your couches and chairs for any discolored spots, fuzz or spores.
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Gently Poke The Surface With A Sharp Object
When mold is still just mildew, it is relatively harmless to the home.
Besides being hard to clean, it does not pose any structural risk to anything within the home.
However, once mold has moved past the mildew stage, it can start to penetrate the structure and cause rot to occur.
Tenants should be aware of how to test for mold progression so that they will know whether or not rot has started to occur in their apartment. If it has, then they can take the proper steps to stop it before it gets too serious.
A simple way to find out whether or not rot has started to significantly set in is to take a screwdriver or a similar sharp object and gently poke the surface where the suspected mold is located. The proper reaction should be that the wall remains firm and does not receive any damage.
However, if the wood feels at all soft or crumbles even slightly, then this is a very bad sign.
Once this happens, it is very likely that the mold fungi have significantly set in already and started the rotting process.
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I Have Mold In My Apartment And My Landlord Wont Address The Situation Can You Help
IDPH does not have the authority to enforce codes that define and protect indoor air quality. We can provide information and recommendations to you and your landlord for addressing the mold, but we cannot require your landlord to implement the recommendations that we provide. In fact, we often refer citizens back to an enforcement entity within their local government, such as a Department of Building and Zoning, for assistance since some mold problems may result from building code violations. Persons in incorporated areas should contact their city government while persons in unincorporated areas should contact their county government.
