OT: Mold Question with pics

[paramount]

On Sunday night DW and I notice a really bad smell coming from the shower area. I start pulling back the carpet (yes, carpet in a shower area – original with the house) and immediately realize that the smell is coming from the carpet and what’s underneath the carpet.

So I start peeling back the onion to find the following:

[img_assist|nid=16827|title=Mold 1|desc=Mold 1|link=node|align=center|width=466|height=349]

Other than repairing the obvious, is there cause for concern from a health perspective (as opposed to a hypochondriac perspective)?

[spdrun]

Kick whoever installed the carpet in the scrote.
Then kick yourself in the same spot, repeatedly, for not removing the carpet upon purchase.

Carpeted bathrooms = worst building idea ever. I’d recommend a match and some kerosine.

[paramount]

[quote=spdrun]Kick whoever installed the carpet in the scrote.
Then kick yourself in the same spot, repeatedly, for not removing the carpet upon purchase.

Carpeted bathrooms = worst building idea ever. I’d recommend a match and some kerosine.[/quote]

I was assured by my home inspector that everything was dry, no problem.

We’ve only lived here for just over a year – it’s been on my list and moving to the top but I just never got to it until it became an issue as you can see.

[Coronita]

If in doubt, get a few mold test kits from a realiable place. And if you’re really not sure, hire a person to do it.

Aside from the visible damage, you also need to check the nearby walls wood for dry rot damage.

Is this your rental or your primary..

If primary, it’s a nice time to replace with flooring you and your spouse like (other than carpet or wood)

[paramount]

This is my primary property.

If this was my rental property I’d be in big trouble – thankfully while I’m not aware of any mold at my rental I still had them sign a mold addendum.

This mold looks nasty – I’m definitely having it tested.

[Coronita]

[quote=paramount]This is my primary property.

If this was my rental property I’d be in big trouble – thankfully while I’m not aware of any mold at my rental I still had them sign a mold addendum.

This mold looks nasty – I’m definitely having it tested.[/quote]

I’m no expert, but actually, it doesn’t look that bad too me (I think I’ve seen worse)…

BUT, take a few precautions…
Don’t try to stir up the air in the bathroom.. Don’t turn on the vent/heater/fan…

If you feel inclined to clean up, don’t use a vacuum.. I think if you want, get some bleach, and take a paintbrush and brush a few coats of bleech on the visible area…Do it a few times…Oh, and don’t forget to wear a mask…

Let it air dry… When he bleach dries, get a scrapper/puddy knife and gently scrape the crap into a nice plastic back that doesn’t have holes. Wear a mask….

I have one of these for *light* automotive/sanding work I do outdoors…It also works for mold I believe.

[XBoxBoy]

[quote=paramount]
Other than repairing the obvious, is there cause for concern from a health perspective (as opposed to a hypochondriac perspective)?[/quote]

Unfortunately yes. However the good news is that if you are not already suffering from mold issues you probably aren’t going to be too badly affected.

Own personal story: My wife and I rented a house in 2007 that had mold. Within a couple weeks my wife was having chronic chest pains and difficulty breathing. (Particularly at night) After a number of trips to the doctor we found she was allergic to mold. The doctor suggested she stay out of the house for a couple weeks see if things improved. Needless to say moving out of your house for a while is a logistics nightmare. She spent several weeks living at friends and hotels, gradually getting better while we broke the lease and found a new place to live. (Who would have known that you would get sick from a house?)

So a couple recommendations I have:
1) When cleaning up this mess, be sure to wear a respirator.
2) Remove all signs of mold. Don’t just get “most of it”
3) Fix any leakage of water from the shower to the floor.
4) Don’t allow anyone who has lots of allergies near this mess, and if you find yourself developing breathing problems, get away!
5) Consider hiring a mold expert to clean, dry out the area and make necessary repairs.

Hopes this helps,

[Author]

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