What To Do If I Have Mold In My Apartment?

Can you live in an apartment with mold?

The state of California recognizes that the presence of toxic mold in a rental home or unit can lead to severe health problems in tenants, thereby violating the implied warranty of habitability.

Is mold in Apartment dangerous?

Why is mold dangerous? Left untreated, mold can really make you sick. Even if you don’t see mold in your apartment, spores can infiltrate your indoor air, causing breathing problems that mimic allergic reactions or bad colds — think itchy, burning eyes, a stuffy nose, and wheezing.

Can mold in apartment make you sick?

In some cases, mold in your home can make you sick, especially if you have allergies or asthma. Whether or not you ‘re allergic to molds, mold exposure can irritate your eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs. Here’s what you can do to combat mold problems, and take care of yourself and your home.

How do I get rid of mold in my apartment?

Scrub surfaces: Clean moldy non-porous materials and wood surfaces with a wire brush and wipe clean with disposable wipes. Then use a soft brush to scrub all surfaces with a mixture of a quart of water and half a cup of bleach. When you’re done, wipe—but don’t rinse—the surfaces so the bleach can kill the mold.

How do you know if mold is making you sick?

Symptoms of mold exposure may include headache, sore throat, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes and fatigue. In those with asthma, asthma attacks can occur. In those with impaired immune systems, serious infection can occur.

Is it safe to sleep in room with mold?

Because of the risks that come with mold exposure, it can be unsafe to sleep in a house with mold, particularly in the affected areas because you put yourself at risk of mold allergies. This becomes especially concerning if you are sensitive to the mold. When mold grows indoors, it can often be found in the bathroom.

Can black mold kill you?

The short answer for most healthy people is no, black mold won’t kill you and is unlikely to make you sick. However, black mold can make the following groups sick: very young people. very old people.

What does toxic mold look like?

Toxic mold can also have a grayish, soot- like texture, or a slimy, wet surface. In some cases, you may even notice furry orange or brown spots. If you find mold with any of these qualities in your home, don’t get too close, and call a professional right away.

How do I test for mold in my apartment?

You might have mold if you witness or experience any of the following:

1. A persistent musty smell.
2. You see black or dark green spots appearing on any surface.
3. You start having physical symptoms like sneezing, coughing, trouble breathing, itchy eyes, or skin rashes that (possibly) get better when you leave your apartment.

How do I get tested for mold toxicity?

A blood test, sometimes called the radioallergosorbent test, can measure your immune system’s response to mold by measuring the amount of certain antibodies in your bloodstream known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies.

When should you see a doctor for mold exposure?

If your cold or flu-like symptoms persist, it may be time for a trip to the doctor. Even if you aren’t aware that mold could be causing your issues, a doctor may be able to make the correlations between your symptoms and CIRS.

How long does it take for mold to affect your health?

These microorganisms can quickly fill the air and spread throughout your home, affecting more and more areas and endangering your health with every passing hour. Mold spores that start to colonize on surfaces within 24 hours become visible in about 18 to 21 days of the flooding.

Can you do a mold test on yourself?

Mold spores can be airborne in your home, and to test your air quality, you’ll need a product like the My Mold Detective Mold Test Kit. This kit comes with an air sampling pump, four air sample cassettes, and one surface sample, and it takes just five minutes to collect a sample from your home.

Will a dehumidifier kill mold?

So, to answer your question, dehumidifiers do NOT kill mold, but they do prevent it by reducing humidity. If you have a mold problem in your home, don’t wait. Remove the mold and stop the moisture source (leak, condensation, high humidity, etc.) to prevent more damage and costly repairs.

Does Lysol kill mold?

Lysol is a brand of disinfectant that makes a cleaning solution that will kill mold and mildew spores.