What can I expect now that mold has been discovered in my apartment?

October 11, 2009 10:30 PM

What can I expect now that mold has been discovered in my apartment?

I left for the weekend and came back to nearly an entire (typical classroom-style) tile in my bathroom coated in a black substance and something growing up the side of the wall that has leafy mushroom-like black and brown fungi on it. Combined with the fact that it seemed like there was an excessive amount of water on the floor after my last shower, I'm beginning to think there might've been a leak that lead to some pretty interesting mold growth (I'm working on pictures if anyone is concerned about it at all).

My question is - what can I expect now? I know I should report this to my rental company tomorrow morning, but I would like to go into it having an idea of the consequences. Is mold easily bleached over? Is it something I should fix myself? Will they have to tear out an entire wall (as it looks as if it's growing underneath the wood panel walls and molding)? Will I be expected to temporarily relocate? Will I likely be held responsible for the repair costs? If so, would rental insurance cover it?

My lease says nothing about situations regarding mold, lead, asbestos, etc. While I know you can't tell me what my particular lessor will do, it would be good to have forewarning of what they CAN do, and what they might/probably will do. Has anyone had any experience with this before?

posted by semp to home & garden (7 comments total)

Mold is a very common problem, especially in bathrooms. Bleach is the general treatment.

Can you put some photos on photobucket/ flicker etc?
posted by at the crossroads at 10:58 PM on October 11

Here and here

Sorry I didn't host them before, I was waiting for access to my home computer. The mold is mostly like that, but it extends up a better part of the wall underneath my sink and along the floor molding. I tried to get better pictures but it's in a really awkward spot to reach. The thing that worries me the most is it's obviously underneath the wall/floor tile/molding and I have never seen anything like it before in my life.
posted by semp at 11:07 PM on October 11

Also - if bleach is the best solution is there any way to make sure it reaches those spots? And, I'm assuming I should, but should I still report it to my landlord?
posted by semp at 11:10 PM on October 11

Don't touch it. Definitely call the landlord in the morning.
This is a problem that takes much more than bleach to fix.
Don't worry. You won't be responsible for repairs.

If you have a higher resolution camera around, take more pictures.
I live in Indiana too (with my own mold problems) and I want to see this close up.
posted by at the crossroads at 12:28 AM on October 12 [1 favorite]

I really feel for you. My boyfriend discovered black mold in a storage closet that had eaten through the wall in places. The property management company came in, washed it down, and painted over it. He moved out two days later.

I would leave the entire job for the landlord. It is their responsibility to fix it and they MUST fix it. Make sure they get to the source of the leak, or this will happen again, and mold can be dangerous - the above situation I described wreaked havoc on our respiratory systems.
posted by futureisunwritten at 6:10 AM on October 12

Keep track of your health. If you start noticing that you're catching more colds than usual... or that they're more severe than normal... you need to find a new place to live. I had to move out of the most amazing apartment in the history of amazing apartments for this very reason.

The mold you have to fear isn't the mold you see. It's the mold you don't. Definitely get in touch with your landlord.

Best of luck!
posted by 2oh1 at 11:49 AM on October 12

Your photograph is very indistinct, but it looks like it features a large fruiting body (like a mushroom). If so, then you (or your landlord) have a very serious problem. You are lucky that it's not your own place - I'd seriously consider moving out.
posted by mr. strange at 2:04 PM on October 12