How to Tell if Your Apartment Has Mold, and What to do About it

As a renter, you expect your apartment to be a comfortable and safe space. However, certain issues can arise, such as the growth of mold. This problem can be harmful to your health and can damage your belongings. In this article, we’ll discuss the signs of mold in apartments and what you should do if you detect it.

What is mold?

Understanding the difference between mold and mildew is key when you think you have a problem. While you don’t want either in your apartment, you’ll have an easier time getting rid of mildew. Mildew and mold are both fungi. Unlike mold, mildew grows only on surfaces. Mildew is usually white or gray, though it can turn black as the fungus grows. If you find mildew, you can contain the situation with some thorough cleaning.

Mold is typically fuzzy and can come in numerous shades, including green, white, yellow, and black. Mold embeds itself into materials, which is what makes getting rid of mold infestations difficult. A mold infestation can result in infected areas, such as sections of flooring and walls, needing physical removal.

Signs of mold in an apartment

Watch out for these signs of mold in an apartment:

• Musty odor: If you notice a musty smell in your unit, it could very well come from mold. Check for further signs. Even if you don’t immediately see anything obvious, a moldy odor means you’ll want to investigate more.
• Dirty spots: Mold is not always visible, but people can mistake it for stains like soot or dirt when it is. Remember that mold can come in various colors, sizes, and shapes, so don’t just assume you’re in the clear if that strange spot isn’t black. A small mold spot could mean you have more mold lurking behind your walls or in other areas.
• Leaks: Because mold needs moisture, a leak in your unit may lead to mold. Mold often exists around pipes in front of and behind walls. If you have a leak, get it fixed right away, and check for mold signs after. The top causes of mold include leaks from another unit, clogged PTAC units, and broken washing machine hoses.
• Condensation: Again, lots of moisture creates the right conditions for mold. Condensation collects when a lot of moisture exists in the air. High humidity can make condensation even worse, and by extension, the conditions for mold growth even better.
• Flooding: Likewise, flooding often leads to mold. Even if the flood occurred a while ago, you might have mold that grew undetected and is just now showing itself.
• Allergic reactions: Mold can cause allergic reactions, including sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and skin rashes. If you experience any of these symptoms, especially when you are in your apartment, it could be a sign of mold growth.
• Respiratory problems: Mold spores can trigger respiratory problems, such as asthma attacks or difficulty breathing. If you have respiratory issues that worsen when you’re in your apartment, it’s crucial to check for mold growth.

If any of these issues exist in your apartment, you should start addressing them with your landlord right away.

Check for mold if you are suffering these health issues

In addition to signs around your unit, like odor, water damage, and spots, mold can impact your health. Common reactions to apartment mold include respiratory health issues like asthma, though sometimes it can also lead to skin rashes, irritated eyes, and headaches.

Allergy symptoms

If you can’t kick allergy symptoms like red eyes, sneezing, and a runny nose no matter the season, the problem may lurk inside your home. Mold growing in your unit can cause severe allergic reactions if you touch or inhale it, especially if you have a mold allergy. If you have allergy symptoms that seem worse at home than when you’re outdoors, you’ll want to inspect for a mold problem.

Headaches or memory problems

When you have mold, mycotoxins present a big concern. Mycotoxins come from toxic mold strains and can cause serious health issues. Symptoms of exposure include:

• Difficulty concentrating.
• Dizziness.
• Headaches.
• Memory loss.
• Short attention span.

As with the allergy symptoms that non-toxic molds can cause, these symptoms can mean mold exists in your unit if they get worse when you’re at home.

What to do if you find mold in your apartment

You should act immediately if you discover mold in your apartment. Notify your landlord right away, and consider asking them to turn to a professional mold inspector. Mold tends to grow in concealed places, such as behind appliances or walls, and professionals have the right equipment to detect it.

Once you or a mold inspector has detected a problem, your landlord should address the problem right away. They may clean the mold themselves or hire someone to do it. Properly sealing barriers and preventing further leaks, spills, or floods, then replacing, removing, or bleaching affected areas can solve the mold problem. However, toxic mold may require a professional mold removal service. Black toxic mold can pose a danger to people, and it can easily spread if it is not properly handled.

If you find mold on your personal property, you can discuss that damage with your landlord. However, depending on the terms of your rental agreement, you may need to replace your personal items. You may send a claim to your renters’ insurance company.

How to prevent mold in apartment:

Frequently asked questions

Mold growth in apartments can cause serious health problems and property damage. It’s essential to know the signs of mold in apartments and how to prevent it from spreading. Control humidity levels, proper ventilation, address water damage, clean regularly, and check for leaks to prevent mold growth in