Allergy Or Asthma Flare
Certain species of mold release a harmful substance calledmycotoxin, which can trigger respiratory issues for those with allergies and asthma . Have you found yourself sneezing, coughing, feeling fatigued or blowing your nose no matter the time of year? It may be time to give the home a thorough inspection.
Have you been experiencing an increase in your allergy and asthma symptoms? Mold in your home may be the culprit. If you suspect that your home has a mold problem, it’s critical that you act fast. Trust the Experts. Trust ProClean. #MoldRemediation#MoldAssessment#MoldRemoval
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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.
Found Mold In Your Apartment Heres What To Do
Mold is something you definitely dont want. Heres what to do if you spot it in your living space.
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When you live in an apartment, there are certain challenges you might encounter. Noisy neighbors, for example, can make home life unpleasant, while a broken elevator can make the act of accessing your living space an exercise in breathlessness and sweat. But if theres one problem you really dont want to grapple with in your apartment, its mold growth. Here, well talk about what a mold problem looks like and explain what steps to take if mold shows up in your unit.
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Do I Need An Attorney To Help Resolve My Mold Dispute With My California Landlord
If there is mold in your rental home, you should immediately contact a skilled and knowledgeable California landlord tenant lawyer. They will be able to explain your rights and options, and help you file a lawsuit against your landlord in order to recover any available damages. Further, they will be able to advise as to when you are legally able to vacate the premises or withhold rent, due to the mold growth.
- No fee to present your case
- Choose from lawyers in your area
- A 100% confidential service
Where Mold Is Found
Mold comes in various colors and shapes. The villainswith names like stachybotrys, penicillium, aspergilus, paecilomyces, and fusariumare black, white, green, or gray. Some are powdery, others shiny. Some molds look and smell disgusting others are barely seenhidden between walls, under floors and ceilings, or in less accessible spots, such as basements and attics.
Mold often grows on water-soaked materials, such as wall paneling, paint, fabric, ceiling tiles, newspapers, or cardboard boxes. Humidity sets up prime growing conditions for mold. Buildings in naturally humid climates of Texas, California, and the Southern U.S. have experienced more mold problems than residences in drier climates. But whatever the climate, mold can grow as long as moisture is present.
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What Are The Health Effects Of Mold Exposure
Many molds can cause adverse health effects. Molds produce allergens, irritants and, sometimes, toxins that may cause adverse reactions in humans. A reaction to mold depends on how much a person is exposed to, the general health and age of a person and the persons sensitivities or allergies. The same amount of mold may cause health effects in one person, but not in another.
Exposure to mold can cause a variety of symptoms. Sensitive people who have touched or inhaled mold or mold spores may have allergic reactions such as a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, watery eyes, skin rash and itching. Molds can trigger asthma attacks in people who are allergic to molds, causing wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. A disease like pneumonia also may develop after exposure to mold, but this is uncommon.
How To Test For Mold In 6 Steps
Mold infestations can usually be seen or smelled, but they can also remain hidden behind walls or under carpets. Testing isnt necessary if you can see or smell mold that is confirmation enough to call a professional and begin the remediation process. Testing for mold in the house may be necessary if requested by a health professional or needed for legal purposes, such as a lawsuit with a landlord. Another reason to consider testing is if you arent able to see or smell mold in your home but are having unexplained symptoms associated with mold. Always follow the instructions provided with a test kit , but this is generally what to expect:
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Consider The Source Of The Problem
First, consider whether whatever has caused the mold to grow is something you can manage yourself. If you find mold in your shower, for instance, the solution could be as simple as cleaning it up and then cleaning your shower more frequently. But if the mold growth is the result of a problem like water damage, you’ll need to get your property manager involved.
Check Your Overall Health
Though invisible to the naked eye, mold spores floating around the air in your apartment can lead to and cause health problems. Even if you dont normally struggle with allergies, mold may be toxic to the body and can create breathing problems and skin rashes. A chronic cough that doesnt seem to go away with treatment could be a sign that the air in the home is contaminated. Skin conditions like psoriasis can also be associated with mold toxicity caused by water damage, and those whose bodies are struggling with fungus exposure may find themselves continually fatigued and weak.
Asthmatics may struggle more with moldy air, though anyone could experience wheezing and breathlessness. Children and older adults are especially susceptible to these health concerns. If you or members of your family find themselves constantly dealing with allergy symptoms or respiratory conditions, you may want to have the indoor air quality checked for the presence of mold growth. If you find that these conditions seem to improve when you are away from the home, it could be that it is your environment causing the allergic response.
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Your Tenants Have Allergy
Some molds, like black mold, produce mycotoxins, which can cause health problems in some people. While there is still much to be learned about the health effects of mold, researchers have found a link between indoor mold exposure and the following symptoms:
- Upper respiratory tract symptoms in otherwise healthy people
- Asthma symptoms in people with asthma
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis in people with that condition
- Development of asthma in young children
Mold may be present if your renters are complaining of hay-fever-like symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, rash, shortness of breath, or irritated eyes, skin, throat, or nose. Remember not everyone will exhibit these symptomsdont take the lack of these symptoms to be a sign that your property doesnt have a mold problem.
What Causes Brown Patches On My Turf Grass
The brown spot is promoted by high relative humidity during the day and a low temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Excessive soil moisture, persistent leaf moisture and/or high nitrogen levels increase disease severity. The leaf blades or sheath withered and formed circular patches inches to feet in diameter.
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Inspecting Your Apartment For Mold
In many cases, you can detect mold with a simple visual inspection. Unfortunately, mold often grows in sheltered areas that are not easily accessible. Mold is often the result of leaks, water damage or poor ventilation. Health Canada recommends looking for these common signs:
- Stains and discolorations due to moisture These may appear on floors, ceilings, walls, windows, carpets and upholstery.
- Noticeable odor The smell of mold can be described as musty or earthy. If you smell mold in your apartment, thats a sure sign that you have a problem.
Mold thrives in dark, damp spaces with poor ventilation. Common locations include bathrooms, attics, crawl spaces, poorly ventilated bathrooms, inside cupboards and around plumbing fixtures and pipes. It can also grow inside walls and above ceiling tiles.
Products And Tools Youll Need To Test For Mold In Your Home
The only thing you need to test for mold at home is a test kit. In addition to the ones previously mentioned, there are several options available:
- Pro-Lab Mold Test Kit: This kit includes three tests. Your sample can be tested for an additional $40 fee, with results delivered by e-mail or via the companys app.
- MoldCheck Multi-Test Kit: This kit includes supplies to perform ten tests, which is great for an entire home or monitoring an ongoing infestation. However, there is no lab testing option, so you will need to find your own if you need identification.
- ImmunoLytics Mold Screening Test Kit: Perform eight tests with this kit. Each plate can be tested for $33 each.
- My Mold Detective: If you are looking for a more advanced mold monitoring option, the My Mold Detective is a reusable air sampling pump that collects samples in just five minutes. The device comes with four sampling cassettes that can be tested in a lab for $35 each.
- My Mold Detective Additional Samples: The My Mold Detective can be used again and again, so order as many samples as you need to keep tabs on your mold problem.
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For More Information And A Free Mold Inspection
For more information and a free inspection for apartment mold, you can schedule an in-home consultation with a mold remediation professional. An experienced professional will identify all areas of mold in the apartment and provide written documentation of his or her findings. You can forward a copy of this to your landlord along with your request for him or her to arrange for mold removal.
There is no cost and no obligation to you. Dont sign anything agreeing to pay for mold remediation, though, unless you are prepared to cover the cost yourself. If you want your landlord to pay for the mold removal, just forward the information. To find qualified mold removal professionals offering free in-home consultations and inspections in your area, just follow the link.
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Mold In Your Apartment Problems Solutions And Prevention
If you suspect you have mold in your apartment, you may worry that your home sweet home has become a hazard to your health. What can you do, and whose responsibility is it to solve the problem?
Mold that concentrates on surfaces indoors can cause health problems, especially if you have a sensitivity like allergies or asthma. That’s why it’s smart to be alert for signs of mold, address mold problems quickly if you find them and take steps to prevent mold growth in the first place.
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What If Your Landlord Refuses To Take Action About The Mold
Ideally, if your landlord understands their legal obligations and has a desire to preserve their property value, they should be eager to handle it. But what if they refuse?
Unfortunately, some property managers may decide to hold the tenant responsible, while others may simply not wish to spend the money remove the mold.
Fortunately, there are several avenues to take should your landlord refuse to deal with the mold issue.
Most municipalities have departments you can contact for assistance. Your local public health department can log the case and put pressure on your landlord to deal with the problem. As well, the municipal property standards office is responsible for enforcing all by-laws pertaining to rental units, and they can arrange an inspection of the premises and, potentially, force the landlord to take action.
If all else fails, you may need to take legal action against your landlord. In Ontario, the Landlord Tenant Board of Ontario is responsible for conducting hearings and issuing rulings for or against landlords and tenants when there is a dispute.
If youre successful, the tribunal can issue a judgment ordering your landlord to fix the mold problem within a certain timeframe.
You can also speak to your insurance company if you have renters insurance. If you own a condo, consult with your condo board. But regardless if you do pursue these avenues, make sure you get proper legal advice so that you can protect your rights.
Who Should Pay For Getting Rid Of Mold That Depends
Steve Wagner, a real estate attorney and partner at the firm Wagner Berkow & Brandt , says he has seen a steady stream of complaints and lawsuits that involve mold, in both old and new buildings. “People are far more aware now of whats needed to remediate, and the danger of living in a building where mold isnt properly remediated.”
If you bought in a newer building with mold, you may be able to sue the developer in certain circumstances.
If leaks and mold are the result of design defects and exist throughout the building, the board may want to consider a lawsuit against the sponsor or developer. Those kinds of cases are expensive, and may not be cost-effective for an individual, says Wagner. That said, Wagner’s firm has successfully secured a multi-million dollar settlement for an individual client in a mold-related case.
If you’re renting, you shouldn’t have to pay to remediate mold, experts say. Learn more about filing a mold complaint with the city.
A cost-effective way of forcing repair or remediation would be through housing court. These lawsuits are available to owners or renters in co-ops or condos, Wagner says. An abatement of rent may be available under warranty of habitability.
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Are There Professionals That Perform Mold Cleanup
Yes. You can find professionals who perform mold cleanup by looking under Fire and Water Damage Restoration in the Yellow Pages of a telephone book. You also may search for professionals on the Internet. The Institute for Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification and the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration allow consumers to perform a search for their members online. The results of a typical search will include names of professionals, geographic location, and a telephone number.
Learn About Your Landlord’s Liability For Mold Problems How To Get Rid Of Mold And How To Prevent It In The First Place
By , Attorney
Mold is an environmental hazard that can cause concern among renters. Across the country, tenants have won multimillion-dollar cases against landlords for significant health problemssuch as rashes, chronic fatigue, nausea, cognitive losses, hemorrhaging, and asthmaallegedly caused by exposure to “toxic molds” in their building.
If you suspect there is mold in your rental unit, learn what to look for and when your landlord might be liable. Even better, take steps to prevent mold before it becomes a problemor clean mold up before it does become a problem.
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How To Test For Black Mold
Do you keep getting a whiff of something musty in your bathroom or basement? Afraid it might be mold? Learn about three of the most popular kits to test for mold at home.
Its no secret that damp areas of the home provide the perfect conditions for mold and mildew to grow. Whether your nose knows, or your eyes spy dark spots in strategic locations, you want to make sure.
Mold doesnt just eat away at your wood, wallpaper, or grout. Its spores get airborne and cause all kinds of health problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says enough evidence exists to link mold to upper respiratory tract symptoms like itchy eyes and runny nose to cough and wheeze in otherwise healthy people.
What Is Snow Mold & How To Remove It
If the snow melts in your yard but the grass is still covered in patches of white, you may have snow mold. Well explain what snow mold is and how to prevent it from affecting your lawn.
What do you do if the snow melts off your lawn and leaves white, gray, or pink patches behind? These are signs of snow mold, a type of fungus that affects grass in areas of the country that get a lot of snow in the winter. While its unsightly, its not the destructive force you might fear, and there are some simple steps you can take to keep it from infecting your lawn come early spring.
For help with preventing snow mold or repairing the damage it causes, we recommend TruGreen for all your lawn care needs. Fill out this easy form or call 1-866-817-2287 to get started.
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