Mold growing in my apt... what to do?

Question

I live in a recently built ground floor apartment with concrete walls. Somehow, despite the walls not being constructed of sheetrock or something susceptible to mold, condensation builds and mold keeps coming back. I have tried bleaching everythunf. Any tips in killing this killer mold?

Irish53 · Answer

you need a dehumidifier. The walls should have been water proofed when built. This is something your landlord needs to do

Lucid Designs · Answer

What Irish53 said. If the landlord/management company chooses to not do something about this, you have a potential lawsuit on your hands. Mold is a serious thing.

Loribeth · Answer

Contact your landlord. The cost of eradicating the mold is their responsibility. Concrete is very susceptible to mold because it holds moisture. Since the mold is already there, it will take more than a dehumidifier. The landlord will have to hire a company to remove the mold, then a dehumidifier will be needed for prevention. Also, if you have carpet, mold you can't see may be growing in there also. There are serious health issues involved with mold, so don't wait to contact your landlord.

Irish53 · Answer

Are the windows double glazed? If the condensation is coming from the windows they were not installed correctly. There should have been a barrier sealing the space between the windows and the cement walls. Where are the water pipes? Do they get wet themselves ? Did the cement cure properly? Was it mix with too much water that it now needs to dry itself out?

Pat · Answer

If you live in a part of the country where there is a deep frost line it is possible that frost is melting and seeping into the walls. Only time will help that problem resolve. I know this one from experience. As to the mold try a product called Wet & Forget then prime your walls with Kilz and repaint. Good luck.

Irish53 · Answer

What someones job tittle is has nothing to do with this. Nor should it dictate how intelligent they are. I pack out groceries in a supermarket and I don't consider myself stupid. Some one did something wrong which is why you now have this to deal with. There should have been both a rubber barrier and and caulking to seal the windows. You might have your dad install an exhaust fan.

Darla · Answer

Perhaps it was built too tight, with not enough ventilation. Of course the dehumidifier helps, but you may need to have a bathroom-type vent fan added. Or there may be mold in your heating/ac system. Have the mold eradicated first, then try to get rid of the excess moisture.

William Tillis · Answer

If there was not a vapor barrier installed under the concrete slab, moisture can come from the floor level and up the wall.Moisture can also enter from the top of the concrete lintel.It may be subject to outside air and the moisture that comes with it.There are products that will cause walls to repel water but don't prevent the intrusion of moisture from outside sources. When I built my home, I live in Florida, I chose to use tar as my waterproofing.It did the job.As I can't see your building, it is difficult for me to recommend a specific cure.

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

I would be out of there pronto. There is a serious health issue here. It's not up to you to solve the problem, or wait while contractors/landlord spend time trying to. Lease or no lease, you have a valid reason to move and get your security deposit returned. It is up to you to be proactive re your health.

Janet Brewer Gruhala · Answer

The concrete should have been sealedbefore and after.  Get out of that place because you can be seriously affected by the mold, and don't  get me started on black mold!  Notify building management and get a good attorney you are in for a battle!!

Adrienne Z · Answer

check your drain tiles. make sure they are not clogged and water is backing up against your foundation. Had that problem that resulted in water seepage, mold, mildew - had to throw everything I owned out. I fixed the drain tile problem, then remortared all of my foundation bricks on the outside and now I am fixing everything on the inside. I have no more seepage, no more mold, the mildew smell is disappearing and all is well with the world.

Grangerite · Answer

Dehumidifier

Mcgypsy9 · Answer

You need to have your parents contact the builder and let them know what is going on. If they don't fix the problem, tell them you are contacting a lawyer. Hopefully they are reputable and will resolve the issue but if not contact a lawyer!!!!

Mcgypsy9 · Answer

Oh I didn't realize your parents did the work, so no matter, just because they are bright people doesn't make them carpenters! If they are that bright did they get a permit to do this work? No matter. Have someone licensed look at it!!!!

Lorna Reed Jean · Answer

First it should be the apartment complex who fixes it. Second it you want to get rid of the mold you need to remove the material used that has the mold on it front and back meaning the wall and the studs if mold is growing on that. Second spray that area with mold fungus killer. Then re-do everything. It might be better to have a reliable contractor do the work. Because then if you still have problems they are liable.

Maureen Walker · Answer

Your parents (who are your landlords) should obtain a diagnosis from a State Licensed Home Building Inspector; better still, from someone specifically qualified to assess a mold situation. (Not a good idea to hire someone who will benefit financially from mold remediation, but better than nothing, if it's unavoidable.) Google to discover your expert.

It's very likely that some defect in construction methods will be thus revealed. 
Your parents would then be able to present a copy to the builder and insist that he either fix the defects himself; or pay the bill of the qualified person whom your parents choose to get it fixed; or be subject to a lawsuit. Whoever fixes it, the original builder should not be freed from his obligation until your expert has re-inspected and pronounced the work to be good. He should also pay for Mold Remediation by a Licensed company, when all is done. (Your bleach is only attacking the surface; not the root cause.)

Sources of moisture I have come across in the course of my career include negatively sloped landscaping around the foundation; external downpipes discharging too close to the foundation; absence of moisture barrier to obstructing moisture rising from the ground through foundation or through base of wall; plumbing leaks above or adjacent to your apartment level; poorly installed window frames; inadequate venting of the attic causing condensation. Also I once found a clothes dryer that had been vented into a ventless attic, where a completely new roof totally failed in 10 years as a result. Moisture of any kind, is a building's enemy!

Personally, I enjoy a B-Dry basement, which was already installed when I bought my 50-yr-old house. It really works. They are expensive but are guaranteed for the life of the HOUSE and add value at sale time.

If the building of your apartment was done by a non-professional, it will be more difficult to get financial recourse. Licensed professionals are subject to State laws about warranties for various systems. Google all that in your State.

If the apartment was built without obtaining a permit, it will have missed out on several inspections which are intended to catch construction errors at the start.
People sometimes have tried that route in order to avoid an increased tax assessment. Trouble is, it comes back to bite them when things like this happen, or when the house goes up for sale and the Title Insurance Company requires a No-Violations Letter from the Town Building Department!

An apartment in such a condition, could not be fairly rented to anyone, let alone 'allergic you'. Until it is professionally cured, it will be a nightmare for the Owners!

Marci N · Answer

MOVE!!! Mold is what triggered my sarcoidosis. It can make you very sick and kill you even.

Marci N · Answer

Oh i just read they are your parents...you are going to need help from some one who does it for a living. And it will probably be a serous expensive fix. But mold can really mess you up. the house I lived in that had mold we had me get seriously ill, my husband died as did our roommate. and I lost 3 of 5 cats in 4 months time. Of course none of it can be pinned on the mold (except my lungs) but it just seems too coincidental.

Nancy · Answer

First, go get a dehumidifier and start using immediately.  Second, treat again with bleach and let dry.  Then use KILZ (paint) to cover anything that might have been missed, and then use waterproof paint.  And if that doesn't permanently solve the problem, you REALLY need to leave for a healthy environment!

Cheryl @ Artzzle · Answer

If this is an apartment; you are a renter ... make the owner fix it and ASAP. It's his problem and/or the builder of this new unit. Somebody should have an inspector come in to evaluate any dangers from that particular mold. Be aware, if you are renting, and you attempt to fix or repair something and it goes wrong ... you can be held responsible and financially accountable from that point. Good luck (from a former real estate agent).

Karon Nelson Roberts · Answer

You Are A RENTER!! You Are NOT Responsible for this problem. The landlord and the Builder/Contractor MUST fix this problem. Move Out NOW!! Either just until problem is fixed, or permitly. Mold can/will cause health problems, and you lease has been broken when you first seen it. Remember if you try to fix the problem, you can be held responsible for any and all damages. The Landlord and Builder is Responsible for this issue

Mold growing in my apt... what to do?

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Mold growing in my apt... what to do?

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