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Original poster

Mould. Is it dangerous?

11 replies

TinselInYourBum · 09/12/2009 15:47

We live in a rented house and I've just discovered mould in DS's bedroom. (He doesn't sleep in this bedroom, I was getting it ready for him to move into today when I discovered it)

It's also in the bathroom, and there's a small patch in th kitchen. All the mouldy rooms are at the same side of the house.

We moved here in July and the house had been freshly painted, I think the landlord probably already knew about it and just painted over it.

Am I right in thinking it can be dangerous to one's health? And that it can't just be cleaned away but the wallsw must be replastered?

Landlord is a lazy asshole and it will take much prodding for him to do anything about it.

OP posts:

Hullygully · 09/12/2009 15:48

Only when armed and savagely provoked.

Original poster

TinselInYourBum · 09/12/2009 15:50

Why thank you Hully - I feel reassured now

OP posts:

SantaClausImWorthIt · 09/12/2009 15:52

I think it can be dangerous, but I'm not sure how dangerous, or if it's only so if you have specific health problems.

You are right to be worried though and you should get your landlord to do something about it.

In the meantime, you can buy sprays that kill mould.

DontCallMeSantaBaby · 09/12/2009 15:52

Seriously, it can be dangerous, particularly when combined with existing respiraty conditions eg asthma. It gives off spores.

Hullygully · 09/12/2009 15:53

You are most welcome. Talk to it gently and feed it with damp and condensation and you will find it a true and loving companion.

Original poster

TinselInYourBum · 09/12/2009 15:58

Was thinking that, DontcallmeSanta and I'mworthit. DS is so snuffly already I am worried he will have asthma.

Good idea Hully!!

I think I will go upstairs and do just that.

It would be nice to have somebody else to talk to around the house.

OP posts:

mollythetortoise · 09/12/2009 15:58

it's not that great to have but I am not sure it's dangerous exactly - but might exacerbate asmtha and that type of thing.

It could be from an external fault e.g a broken down pipe/guttering or leak from somewhere - water ingress into the fabric of the building - the fact it is just on one side seems to suggest this. Go and have alook outside at that side of the house and see if you can spot anything obvious - it could be simple blocked guttering.

Or it could be condensation mould growth and ventilation is a good way to control. Windows open at night if at all poss and when cooking in kitchen to let moisture out. Windows open if drying clothes in daytime too.

Definately report to landlord though. It needs to be addressed ASAP.

AmazingBouncingFerret · 09/12/2009 15:58

We get mould in our bedroom, under the window. Sprays dont seem to work neither did the special paint.
Opening the window every morning and investing in a dehumidifier seems to do the trick though.
Its never made us ill and I would of thought I was at risk because I suffered from childhood asthma.

toja555 · 09/12/2009 16:24

I would assume mould is not very healthy and can cause asthma problems in a long run. If your landlord cannot afford to fix mould, ask to buy dehumidifier. It made a huge difference for us. It collects 5 litres of water from our bathroom in every 48 hours, but instead of being mouldy, wet and cold it is now dry and warm. Our best investment ever (dehumidifier, I mean).

mathanxiety · 09/12/2009 16:33

Plastering isn't going to fix the root of the problem. Mould comes when there's water getting in somewhere, and this is the problem that needs to be found and fixed. It can cause or aggravate respiratory problems like asthma, ruin furniture and carpets.

ChristieF · 15/12/2009 11:39

We have mould in our house. The black speckly stuff. Our house is half 1970 (Godawful) and half new. It's crawled off the walls and onto blinds and curtains. I don't think you can ever really get rid of it. It's a living fungus and likes cold, damp conditions, which is why it loves bathrooms. I wash it off regularly with bleach but it always returns. The only time we didn't have it was in a brand new house with efficient insulation in the walls and fab heating and no internal dampness in the air. I watch US shows with a builder who fixes other builders' cock ups. Over there they get in professional exterminators for black mould as they see it as a real health hazard. It can form colonies in the lungs apparently and infect other parts of the body. They treat it like we do asbestos. We put up with more substandard housing in this country. Houses may look great but they aren't fit for purpose.

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