Is this dangerous?

[x-kirsty-x]

This kind of black mold?

I just wrote a huge post ranting about my landlord, but I guess the only thing I wanna know is if this is a health risk? It's all around the kids' bedroom window, and we have to keep washing it off with bleach.

Excuse the woodchip wallpaper - I refuse to decorate until this is sorted out

 

[Bloom]

I have no idea but hope you get it sorted.

 

[muppetmummy]

our old council flat was covered in that stuff, it's annoying cos even when you wash it off it keeps coming back. Even mould killers didn't work. I don't know if it's a health risk though

 

[Storm.]

we have that in our kitchen and hallway, its normally caused by damp, i dont think its bad, just try and keep the rooms aired and keep wiping it away not much will kill it which is sooo annoying

 

[babyblonde]

We keep getting this round our windows - I think it is because they are metal frames and not double glazed and they get a lot of condensation on (causing the mould I assume!)

I don't think it is dangerous - if it is it sounds like a lot of us have some serious cleaning to do

 

[Becky&Willow]

we have this in our bedroom in one corner from floor to ceiling and around our window there is some in our living room aswell dont think it is dangerous but like others have said bloody annoying it makes our bedroom really cold when the rest of the flat is toasty warm.

 

[larisa]

my mum had this in my sisters bedroom who has asmah (cnt spell it lol)
and they hasd to sort it out straight the way becuz she had asmah x

 

[sam96031]

we had this in our old house but there is a paint you can get that gets rid of damp and covers the stains really well it was the only thing we found that worked, i don't think its unhealthy

 

[melissa5317]

We have this in our bathroom around the shower b/c even with the door open the ceiling is too low in there. It's caused by damp, which isn't such a big deal in areas that you would expect to BE damp. You can get rid of it and try to keep it away by washing with a tea tree oil solution every so often. Obviously this won't fix the source of the problem but it'll keep it off your walls, anyway. Hope you get it sorted!

 

[Babylicious]

it's quite common to get it around the windows, like it has been mentioned you can get the paint to treat it (get you landlord to pay) if any of you has a weak chest/asthma, kick up a fuss

 

[x-kirsty-x]

Thanks girls, good to hear it's not harmful. I just wondered cos I know certain types can be toxic

The house has damp patches on a few of the walls, especially in the kids' room. The brickwork around the outside of their window needs fixing cos it's leaking through there.

The landlord had somebody out to look at it at the beginning of November and he promised he'd have it sorted by the beginning of this month.

But we've never heard a word from him since then, and now I've found out that he's been abroad since the 2nd December. I think he's back today but I don't wanna ring him first, I want to see if he bothers to contact us

 

[poochielove]

We had this and have just recently move because of it (landlord would do nothing about it). It was behind the bed, built in wardrobes (ruined so much stuff in the wardrobe) on all four walls and we also had to clean the entire bedroom with bleach AT LEAST once a month. It got worse and worse and in the end we had to sleep downstairs as my and OH both have asthma. His got really bad and was having asthma attacks at night. He went from having very mild asthma so be careful and keep complaining!

 

[Babylicious]

My dad house used to be full of mould, in winter the walls would be dripping wet.

 

[daftscotslass]

Do you have blinds by any chance? The mould round our window was as bad as that and we found out it was worst when the blinds and window were shut most of the day (which they are in the winter) as the damp from condensation was getting trapped between the windows and the blinds.

I hate it, I was out with the bleach and this stuff - http://www.wickes.co.uk/Cleaners+Meths/ ... nvt/600297. Tis fab at stopping it coming back.

 

[lmrcpr]

I've got mold like that in my bathroom.

 

[x-kirsty-x]

Do you have blinds by any chance?

Yeah we do, and I have a really bad habit of leaving them shut

The window in that room always gets really bad condensation too, so we've started using a dehumidifier and it's helping.

Now I just need to remember to open the blinds

 

[Jollypops]

What is mould?

Moulds are fungi, a group of very common organisms that also includes mushrooms and yeasts. Moulds are generally found in nature and are carried indoors from the outside. More than 270 species of mould have been identified in Canadian homes.

Moulds can grow indoors in wet or damp areas, including wallpaper, ceiling tiles, carpets (especially those with jute backing), insulation material, wood and drywall.

What are the health effects of mould?

Most common types of moulds are generally not harmful to healthy individuals. However, exposure to mould can cause reactions depending on overall health, age and the amount of time an exposed person spends in the home.

The elderly, pregnant women, infants and young children, people with allergies, chronic respiratory illness and/or chemical sensitivities and those with weakened immune systems are most likely to experience health effects from mould.

The most common health problems associated with exposure to mould are:

* Eye, nose and throat irritation
* Runny nose, sinus congestion, frequent cold symptoms
* Increased asthma attacks
* Allergic reactions

Anyone experiencing any of these symptoms should consult a physician.

How can I prevent mould from growing in my home?

Control humidity

* Avoid excessively high and prolonged humidity/dampness in the home.
* Limit the use of humidifiers. When using a humidifier, follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions.
* Limit the number of fish tanks and indoor plants as these can raise the humidity level in your home.

Proper ventilation

* Turn on exhaust fans, particularly when bathing, showering, cooking and doing laundry.
* Open windows when weather permits.

Control moisture

* Repair all leaks and plumbing problems.
* Thoroughly clean and dry water-damaged carpets and building materials. Discard material that cannot be cleaned and properly dried.

What should I do if I have mould?

Small areas

Small areas of mould can be cleaned using a household cleaner. A small area is fewer than three patches, with each patch less than three feet by three feet in size.

* Scrub the area with detergent (preferably an unscented detergent).
* Sponge with a clean, wet rag and dry quickly and thoroughly.

Always wear personal protective equipment, including a disposable dust mask (3M 8210 or equivalent) and household rubber gloves, when using any cleaner or chemical.

Larger areas

Areas of mould larger than three patches (each patch more than 3 feet by 3 feet in size) should be cleaned by professionals. Professional help can be found under Environmental Services in the Yellow Pages.

In all cases, the underlying cause of water accumulation or prolonged high humidity must be corrected or mould will continue to grow or reoccur. Regularly inspect your home for signs of moisture problems or water damage (musty odours, condensation, and discoloration).