New apartment seems mold-prone
October 16, 2014 9:15 AM Subscribe
I moved during the summer and have noticed that my new place seems to attract mold at a higher rate than other places I've lived. I'm wondering if these things should be a cause for concern, or if these are just normal things given the specific situations.
Here are some (hopelessly detailed) specifics:
-My kitchen dishrack. I use a dish towel laying flat on the counter, with a wooden peg dish rack. After a few days I've noticed mold growing along the bottom of the wooden rack. Obviously this set up does mean there is sitting water, but I used this same system at my old place with no issue.
-Soil. I recently repotted some plants with new bagged soil from a garden center. The new soil grows white fuzzy mold on top, though all plants with old soil or store-bought soil do not.
-Kitchen bathtub. The kitchen tub faucet leaks. For the first few weeks mold grew in the area around the leaked water. I've resolved this by cleaning it more often, with bleach, and obviously need to solve the actual leak itself.
-Toilet. When I first moved in a ring of mold would grow around the water line after a few days. This issue has since been resolved (I did a thorough clean, cleaned the tank, and put a Clorox tablet in the tank).
-Shirt in closet. Today I noticed one of my dress shirts hanging in my closet had mold growing on the armpits. I'm going to assume I put this in the closet when the armpits were still damp and left it there for a few weeks.
I am aware that each of these mold incidents have their own individual solution, so I'm not seeking advice on that. What I would like to know is if the sum of all these incidents together is significant; is there something about this place overall that makes it more mold-attractive? Is this a health risk? Is this just a series of normal things that shouldn't be any cause for concern?
I'd also like to mention that I've been getting unexplained hives for awhile, and the timing seems to correspond with when I moved. My doctor told me that mold usually causes respiratory issues rather than hives. I also have an appointment with an allergist in the coming weeks, and seem to get hives regardless of where I am (home, work, other people's homes, coffee shop, driving, etc), and regardless of where I wash my clothes (laundromat, parent's house) or what detergent I use. So there are perhaps dozens other explanations for the hives (moved from a very concrete-heavy area to a very tree-heavy area, have developed a food allergy, etc), and am currently working with doctors to explain it, but I thought it was worth mentioning.
Here are some (hopelessly detailed) specifics:
-My kitchen dishrack. I use a dish towel laying flat on the counter, with a wooden peg dish rack. After a few days I've noticed mold growing along the bottom of the wooden rack. Obviously this set up does mean there is sitting water, but I used this same system at my old place with no issue.
-Soil. I recently repotted some plants with new bagged soil from a garden center. The new soil grows white fuzzy mold on top, though all plants with old soil or store-bought soil do not.
-Kitchen bathtub. The kitchen tub faucet leaks. For the first few weeks mold grew in the area around the leaked water. I've resolved this by cleaning it more often, with bleach, and obviously need to solve the actual leak itself.
-Toilet. When I first moved in a ring of mold would grow around the water line after a few days. This issue has since been resolved (I did a thorough clean, cleaned the tank, and put a Clorox tablet in the tank).
-Shirt in closet. Today I noticed one of my dress shirts hanging in my closet had mold growing on the armpits. I'm going to assume I put this in the closet when the armpits were still damp and left it there for a few weeks.
I am aware that each of these mold incidents have their own individual solution, so I'm not seeking advice on that. What I would like to know is if the sum of all these incidents together is significant; is there something about this place overall that makes it more mold-attractive? Is this a health risk? Is this just a series of normal things that shouldn't be any cause for concern?
I'd also like to mention that I've been getting unexplained hives for awhile, and the timing seems to correspond with when I moved. My doctor told me that mold usually causes respiratory issues rather than hives. I also have an appointment with an allergist in the coming weeks, and seem to get hives regardless of where I am (home, work, other people's homes, coffee shop, driving, etc), and regardless of where I wash my clothes (laundromat, parent's house) or what detergent I use. So there are perhaps dozens other explanations for the hives (moved from a very concrete-heavy area to a very tree-heavy area, have developed a food allergy, etc), and am currently working with doctors to explain it, but I thought it was worth mentioning.
What you haven't mentioned is anything about where you are (did you move from Arizona to Atlanta? Or from one side of town to the other?), or what the ventilation is like, andwhat the moisture sources are compared to your old place (air conditioning? Somewhere with windows that don't open, how is that even possible, eww, a gas cooker, one of those stupid tumble dryers that don't vent outside, etc etc).
Also yes, dehumidifiers are magic, mine is running right now.
posted by Lebannen at 9:45 AM on October 16, 2014
Also yes, dehumidifiers are magic, mine is running right now.
posted by Lebannen at 9:45 AM on October 16, 2014
From friends' experiences, by the time you suspect your place has mold issues, it really has mold issues. But your area might be different. I'd ask others in your locale whether this is their experience, too, and if not, start trying to move.
posted by slidell at 9:56 AM on October 16, 2014
posted by slidell at 9:56 AM on October 16, 2014
Response by poster: I live on the East Coast and moved about 60km away, from a concrete-heavy area to a tree-heavy area, though I guess grass/trees would foster increased humidity and therefore a pretty different overall environment.
If interior mold-growth is due to overall humidity, great. That's the sort of thing I wanted to check: does this seem like a normal problem vs. a major You-Need-To-Move-Theres-Something-Wrong-With-Your-House problem.
I don't suspect the walls have mold, and for what its worth, one of my neighbours has lived happily in the house for 20 years.
posted by offrecord at 10:02 AM on October 16, 2014
If interior mold-growth is due to overall humidity, great. That's the sort of thing I wanted to check: does this seem like a normal problem vs. a major You-Need-To-Move-Theres-Something-Wrong-With-Your-House problem.
I don't suspect the walls have mold, and for what its worth, one of my neighbours has lived happily in the house for 20 years.
posted by offrecord at 10:02 AM on October 16, 2014
Is there an AC unit? That's a nice home base for many molds.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 10:11 AM on October 16, 2014
posted by Lesser Shrew at 10:11 AM on October 16, 2014
Best answer: Mold is everywhere and just needs the right conditions to grow, which would be humidity and lack of direct sunlight. You have to correct the environment. If it's the way you use the apartment, great you can change it. If the damp is coming through the walls and vents, move. Maybe ask your neighbor?
posted by zennie at 10:15 AM on October 16, 2014
posted by zennie at 10:15 AM on October 16, 2014
Best answer: Yeah, most of these individual incidents sound like what we call incidental or housekeeping mold -- aka there is a specific reason for the mold. However, the overall pattern does suggest you have high humidity, and I find the closet incident in particular kind of concerning.
In your situation I would probably buy a cheap hygrometer (measures the moisture in the air) to measure the humidity in your air. That will let you track how different actions affect the humidity in your space. I would also buy or borrow a moisture meter -- you stick it into the wall to find any wet or moldy patches, which is v. helpful if your mold is primarily on the inside of the wall (which is usually the case). Also, if you're in the lowest floor and have wall-to-wall, check for any wet spots -- sometimes they hide.
It is totally possible to have mold in the walls and not suspect it. When I moved out of my old apartment I found mold at the back of my closet -- it had been covered by storage and I didn't suspect anything.
Meanwhile, I'd also suggest the following ongoing measures:
1) If you have a bathroom exhaust fan and you're not running it, or you're not running it every time you use the bathroom -- get in the habit. Every time you go in the bathroom, turn the fan on. If you take a long shower, leave the fan running until the mirror isn't fogged up (or as long as you can if you take a shower and then leave for work).
2) Buy a non-porous (plastic) base for your dishrack. Ideally, get a non-porous dishrack as well. I am thinking of something like this -- they are cheap. They are not mold-proof, but they will be much more mold resistant.
3) Dehumidifier is the way to go if you find moisture in the air. If you find moisture in the walls, you need to go to your landlord.
4) AC units are great for keeping humidity and temps down during the summer, and both of those will reduce mold growth. Not as relevant now, but something to consider for next year (although of course you do have to make sure they are well-drained and don't become mold or bacterial sources themselves!).
As far as the hives go. Humidity build-up in an apartment can be a sign of poor ventilation, and poor ventilation can be correlated with a lot of other indoor air quality issues, like pet allergens (from a previous tenant), intake air from contaminated areas (e.g. dead seagull in the air intake, or infiltration from a neighbor's unit if they smoke or use air freshener), building material offgassing, etc. So it may be that your moisture problem isn't causing your hives, but something else related to the poor ventilation is.
posted by pie ninja at 10:41 AM on October 16, 2014
In your situation I would probably buy a cheap hygrometer (measures the moisture in the air) to measure the humidity in your air. That will let you track how different actions affect the humidity in your space. I would also buy or borrow a moisture meter -- you stick it into the wall to find any wet or moldy patches, which is v. helpful if your mold is primarily on the inside of the wall (which is usually the case). Also, if you're in the lowest floor and have wall-to-wall, check for any wet spots -- sometimes they hide.
It is totally possible to have mold in the walls and not suspect it. When I moved out of my old apartment I found mold at the back of my closet -- it had been covered by storage and I didn't suspect anything.
Meanwhile, I'd also suggest the following ongoing measures:
1) If you have a bathroom exhaust fan and you're not running it, or you're not running it every time you use the bathroom -- get in the habit. Every time you go in the bathroom, turn the fan on. If you take a long shower, leave the fan running until the mirror isn't fogged up (or as long as you can if you take a shower and then leave for work).
2) Buy a non-porous (plastic) base for your dishrack. Ideally, get a non-porous dishrack as well. I am thinking of something like this -- they are cheap. They are not mold-proof, but they will be much more mold resistant.
3) Dehumidifier is the way to go if you find moisture in the air. If you find moisture in the walls, you need to go to your landlord.
4) AC units are great for keeping humidity and temps down during the summer, and both of those will reduce mold growth. Not as relevant now, but something to consider for next year (although of course you do have to make sure they are well-drained and don't become mold or bacterial sources themselves!).
As far as the hives go. Humidity build-up in an apartment can be a sign of poor ventilation, and poor ventilation can be correlated with a lot of other indoor air quality issues, like pet allergens (from a previous tenant), intake air from contaminated areas (e.g. dead seagull in the air intake, or infiltration from a neighbor's unit if they smoke or use air freshener), building material offgassing, etc. So it may be that your moisture problem isn't causing your hives, but something else related to the poor ventilation is.
posted by pie ninja at 10:41 AM on October 16, 2014
Mold growing on your clothes is a sign the house, overall, is incredibly moldy/mold prone.
Can you move when your lease is up? Can you break the lease?
If you didn't have hives, I wouldn't say this. I had a friend coping with this 2 years ago and her problems with hives (and eventually respiratory issues) got worse an worse and worse.
Tons of doctors, but she ended up just taking OTC antihistamines.
posted by jbenben at 10:44 AM on October 16, 2014
Can you move when your lease is up? Can you break the lease?
If you didn't have hives, I wouldn't say this. I had a friend coping with this 2 years ago and her problems with hives (and eventually respiratory issues) got worse an worse and worse.
Tons of doctors, but she ended up just taking OTC antihistamines.
posted by jbenben at 10:44 AM on October 16, 2014
This sounds pretty crazy, something is definitely wrong with your apartment. Do you have air conditioning? If you do and have been using it and are still getting all this mold, get out. If your landlord refuses to break the lease call your county health department and your building codes enforcement
office.
If you have air conditioning and have not been using it, use it now, and get a dehumidifier too.
Are you in an area where the climate is likely to be hot and humid year-round? Is the building wood or block? Are you on the ground floor or in the basement?
posted by mareli at 10:58 AM on October 16, 2014
office.
If you have air conditioning and have not been using it, use it now, and get a dehumidifier too.
Are you in an area where the climate is likely to be hot and humid year-round? Is the building wood or block? Are you on the ground floor or in the basement?
posted by mareli at 10:58 AM on October 16, 2014
A little mold is usually not a problem, especially in the kitchen or bathroom. The amount you're finding is not normal. Start searching everywhere. Take pictures and then clean with bleach (and be careful of the fumes). Look behind the bed, in the back of your closet, the bottoms of your drawers, etc. Find the stuff before it goes crazy. Put silica gel in your drawers, bags, shoes. I don't mean to scare you, it's just frustrating and gross and better to get on top of it now.
You also need to contact your landlord and make them start investigating the root cause. I had a problem like this at my last apartment (which was damp and dark to begin with). They didn't take me seriously at first, but after it ruined most of my clothes and shoes I finally got them to investigate the plumbing. Turns out a pipe had burst under the building and water was flooded everywhere.
posted by radioamy at 11:39 AM on October 16, 2014
You also need to contact your landlord and make them start investigating the root cause. I had a problem like this at my last apartment (which was damp and dark to begin with). They didn't take me seriously at first, but after it ruined most of my clothes and shoes I finally got them to investigate the plumbing. Turns out a pipe had burst under the building and water was flooded everywhere.
posted by radioamy at 11:39 AM on October 16, 2014
Hi, I lived in an apartment that gave me hives. Started around when I moved in and no amount of drugs and doctors did anything other than hold them at bay until I moved. It could have been 100% in my head, but there you go.
Your landlord should take the amount of mold in your place very seriously. If they don't, perhaps the city will. If not, move as soon as you can.
posted by beep-bop-robot at 1:01 PM on October 16, 2014
Your landlord should take the amount of mold in your place very seriously. If they don't, perhaps the city will. If not, move as soon as you can.
posted by beep-bop-robot at 1:01 PM on October 16, 2014
Don't know about hives, but I have two dehumidifiers which I move around and one of these (rel. humidity plus temp. meters).
Home Depot or similar for the dehumidifier(s).
I live in N. Florida and the central air handler controls the mold well in the summer.
posted by lungtaworld at 1:24 PM on October 16, 2014
Home Depot or similar for the dehumidifier(s).
I live in N. Florida and the central air handler controls the mold well in the summer.
posted by lungtaworld at 1:24 PM on October 16, 2014
I missed the hives part of this question. Mold allergy can sometimes cause hives or rash. I think respiratory symptoms are far more common though. But if you've got mold in your clothes, there could be a link there. Improperly ventilated washers, especially front loaders because of the door gasket, can sometimes have mold in them as well.
posted by zennie at 1:44 AM on October 17, 2014
posted by zennie at 1:44 AM on October 17, 2014
This thread is closed to new comments.
Get a dehumidifier!
posted by rabbitrabbit at 9:44 AM on October 16, 2014 [1 favorite]