mold question!! help!

kdelace Posted: Jun 02, 2004 07:01 PM

mold question!! help!

i live in a lower level apt in long beach- not exactly as low as a basement but a little below ground level. anyway, because of the heat and humidity, ive noticed some mold in our closet in the bedroom, were it is very moist...its even on the shoes!!!! besides buying a humidifier, what else can i do? its only in the bedroom closet. it is very moist in here..its wall to wall carpeting and sometimes its so humid the rugs seems damp....

MrsTC Posted: Jun 02, 2004 07:52 PM

Re: mold question!! help!

you might need to get professional help on this ....mold is serious and could be dangerous. I would try bleaching but if that didn't work, I would get professional help.

Ever since I saw Extreme Home Makeover where they tore down a house due to mold - I think differently of it!

Karen H Posted: Jun 02, 2004 07:53 PM

Re: mold question!! help!

You may need de-humidifiers in a few rooms if it's that bad. Moisture is getting in, and has no way to get out. There is something called Damp-Rid I think that also absorbs mosture. It's a bucket of stuff and I think you take off the lid and put it in damp areas, like a closet or basement, but you can't use that alone, you definately need to remove the moisture from the air. Open windows whenever possible, and use window fans to circulate the air. Personally, I'd consider moving, because if mold is that bad it's not something you can fix easily. Check out HGTV.com and you might find more info - I know they've had some bad mold shows on that one that does the home inspections.

philby Posted: Jun 02, 2004 09:41 PM

Re: mold question!! help!

I find it odd that extreme home makeover and HG tv are mentioned in reference to mold! Anyway, mold is a big bad wolf in dwellings below ground level that can be potentially dangerous in extreme cases. I do not think that is your situation though based on what you posted. You may want to try an air conditioner to keep the temperature down, therefore reducing the moisture content in the air.

Danielle&Scott Posted: Jun 03, 2004 11:26 AM

Re: mold question!! help!

You need to purchase a dehumidifier. Danielle and I will be living in a basement apartment and right now we have one going at all times. It gets very moist down there....That is why you are getting mold....

halloweenbride04 Posted: Jun 03, 2004 03:24 PM

Re: mold question!! help!

OMG! Nearly my entire shoe collection was wiped out due to mold last summer. We live in a basement apartment and although it didn't feel humid in there I noticed some mold on the walls in my closet and when I pulled everything out I found it had attacked my shoes, the ones I didn't wear regularly. It had also attacked tupperware that was in the back of our cabinets, some winter clothing and the carpet in the closets. After throwing alot of stuff away, we wiped down our walls and cabinets with a bleach solution and shampooed our caprpets and the landlord bought us a dehumidifier. I was told that you can buy silica gel (like those packets that come in shoe boxes) from craft stores.

kdelace Posted: Jun 03, 2004 08:24 PM

Re: mold question!! help!

i appreciate everyones help. its only in one concentrated area and its not that bad. i think a dehumidifier and a good scrub will do. Its not anywhere else in the apt. I will definately be purchasing a dehumidifier this weekend. If anyone else has any more tips, please let me know. Thanks!

Valentinegirl Posted: Jun 04, 2004 06:37 AM

Re: mold question!! help!

Hey Kristi! I run a dehumidifier at least 3x a week in my apartment. It always has water in it when I get home, so I would leave it on as much as you can. It keeps my whole apartment very dry.

MrsTC Posted: Jun 04, 2004 07:09 PM

Re: mold question!! help!

Posted by philby

I find it odd that extreme home makeover and HG tv are mentioned in reference to mold! Anyway, mold is a big bad wolf in dwellings below ground level that can be potentially dangerous in extreme cases. I do not think that is your situation though based on what you posted. You may want to try an air conditioner to keep the temperature down, therefore reducing the moisture content in the air.

why is it so odd?

pschica Posted: Jun 05, 2004 11:39 AM

Re: mold question!! help!

i'd say try scrubbing it down and getting a dehumidiifier but also keep close watch - if it grows back or you feel any differetly def. have someone chekc out your home....mold can hide between walls and in places you can't see too and in many cases go unnoticed but lead to health probs with serious side effects in adults and children if it gets out of control!

Karen H Posted: Jun 05, 2004 12:35 PM

Re: mold question!! help!

Posted by MrsTC

Posted by philby

I find it odd that extreme home makeover and HG tv are mentioned in reference to mold! Anyway, mold is a big bad wolf in dwellings below ground level that can be potentially dangerous in extreme cases. I do not think that is your situation though based on what you posted. You may want to try an air conditioner to keep the temperature down, therefore reducing the moisture content in the air.

why is it so odd?

I wondered that too...

HGTV has a show where they do home inspections, like you have done before you purchase a home, only these people were having it done to find the source of the mold problem. The woman said she discovered it when she didn't recognize the 'fuzzy slippers' in the back of the closet, only to realize they were shoes covered with mold! They had problems with moldy clothing stored in drawers under the bed and other areas too. They looked for leaks in the windows, ceiling, pipes, etc. to find the source of the moisture and advise what would need to be done to eliminate it.