I live in an apartment in a old house. The mold smell in the air is horrible exspecially after it rains. Help?

Question

I once read that the alergines you breath in the air can contribute to feeling weak all the time. I think that the mold smell in the old apartment I live in may be some cause to this. Is there anything I can do? I can't move so I need some alternative solutions. I have a low emune system already and I know this smell contributes to my feeling weak all the time. Thanks

Answer 1

I used to have a similar problem when I originally bought my house--a very old house. The dehumidifier is definitely a tremendous step in the right direction. I ended up also buying a good air cleaner. The one I have is a $300 or so Oreck model and it has taken the mold and bad air smell out completely. My place smells almost sterile at this point--completely clean and crisp. You're looking at a combined total of around $400-500 for a decent de-humidifier and air cleaner. You might want to politely ask your landlord for a little help in defraying the cost. Don't skimp by buying a cheap air cleaner, either, as you will realize very quickly that you get what you pay for. And make sure that you keep the filter clean. In the meantime, get yourself some Claritin. Good luck!

Answer 2

We used to live in an old apartment that had mold really bad. Along with a dehumidifier, you will need to get a clean air machine. One with removable filters. I bought one(a Hamilton Beach, True Air, about $55), about a week after using it the mold smell was gone, and it takes the mold spores out of the air. Good ventilation is key to the solution, but it sounds like there may be mold in the walls. Moving will be your best bet, but if it's not possible, then go with the dehumidifier, and clean air machine.

Answer 3

the allergens in the air do contibute to feelin weak along w/ a long list of other health issues, incl. runny noses, stuffy noses and other respiratory problems generally starting in the sinus cavity, and spreading from their considering most of the air that is breathed is done through the nose and the sinus's kinda act as a filter and trapping the allergens. As far as not being able to move, sorry to hear that. since you cant,hopefully you've got an cool landlord/owner, you need to let them know that there is a problem w/ the air quality in your apt. and ask what they are willing to do about it, at the same time i'd contact your local dept. of health and have your apt . inspected. the source of the mold needs to be located and the cause repaired. then all the surfaces in your apt.(walls,ceiling, countertops, cabinets inside and out,doors etc.) need to be thoroughly cleaned w/ a bleach solution to kill the mold spores. if you have carpet and pad on the floors they need to be replaced mold spores can get trapped in them especially the pad and cleaning the carpet alone will not kill the spores under it in the pad, the floor under also needs to be bleach washed. you mentioned a weak immune system ,w/ that in mind w/ all the bleaching that needs to be done i' would do the cleaning w/ open windows, but avoid turning on fans until after everything is sanitized and dry(the fans can lift the spores and set them airborn increasing the odds of inhalation). along w/ the use of a de-humidifier you may want to invest in an air ionizer or air purification system. i also have an answer to your follow up question regarding the use of humidifiers and de-humidifiers. worse case you wind up suing your land lord to get him/her to take care of the situation. ultimately its their property and their problem. and if they rent it out they have a responsibility to you to provide a clean safe and healthy invironment to live in. best of luck to you!!! The following is an instant message between my sis and my self regarding the health issues associated w/ mold. hey bro sorry I missed your call, it was shower time
[e-mail]: tis ok just answerin another mold question
joyfulheart1225: oh ok
joyfulheart1225: your going to be a specialist
[e-mail]: i've been dealin w/ mold abatement fer a few yrs now
joyfulheart1225: oh ok
[e-mail]: i must admit your my inspiration
joyfulheart1225: well thanks I think
[e-mail]: i have enough respiratory problems w/out dealin w/ what you have to
joyfulheart1225: its more in my head than in my lungs I am afraid
joyfulheart1225: although my lungs are sensitive the danger lies within my brain
[e-mail]: dear sis the sinuses aint nothin more than a filter that traps the unwanted things we breath thats why we get runny noses. one of the responses to her q. is from a lady that suffers memory problems associated w/ mold poisoning
joyfulheart1225: exactly the brain
joyfulheart1225: my problem is that my brain will go from the mold before my lungs do.
joyfulheart1225: from the mold growing in the sinus its affected my brain cells
joyfulheart1225: the longest anyone has lived with it affecting their brain is 10 years. People have had their brains go while they were at work or on the way to work, it just happens
joyfulheart1225: I have very deep burning within my brain that feels like someone is stabbing me with a hot knife. Or feels as though someone has poured hot oil over my head but deep within
joyfulheart1225: thats why I am supposed to keep a copy of my mri with me just in case the worst case senario happens, they can compare results
joyfulheart1225: I know that my thinking and speaking is slower
[e-mail]: the lady w/ the question says she alredy suffers from a weak immune system and states that she cant move from her apt.
joyfulheart1225: it does give you a weak immune system
joyfulheart1225: its not just black mold either. Its breathing any kind of mold over a period of time, its all deadly
[e-mail]: i know mold is mold and mildew is just another form
joyfulheart1225: exactly all a very serious health threat
[e-mail]: you might be surprised as to how many questions there are in the yahoo questions regarding mold and not really that many people that really know how to deal w/ it
joyfulheart1225: I am not surprised at all, because people are only taught about black mold, not anything else being a threat to their health
[e-mail]: the thing is they dont know if its black or not they just know its mold or a moldy film
joyfulheart1225: still all equally dangerous
[e-mail]: and they want to know what can be done about it
joyfulheart1225: I would say leave it all behind, throw it out, move out and start over. Hopefully with their health in tact. They can replace things, just not their health. You can't buy new lungs or a brain.
[e-mail]: the bad thing is the most common way of dealin w/it can be toxic as w/
[e-mail]: well
[e-mail]: bleach can be fatal
joyfulheart1225: yep thats why I say its best to just to lose the emotional side of being attached and just get rid of anything that is pourous, anything that mold cells can live in because they can lay dormant for years and years. Your not safe with it so unless its wood and sealed, or glass dishes, or silverware it has to go
joyfulheart1225: when I had to take all my stuff to the dump it was hard, I did not cry until I heard my Christmas decorations being crushed in the compresser.
joyfulheart1225: I could not donate anything because the doctor said its to dangerous people may be allergic and not even know it. Everything had to go to the dump.
joyfulheart1225: thanks for being a mold warrior, it can help alot of people
[e-mail]: i hope so w/ your permission may i copy and paste this to my answer
joyfulheart1225: sure any time
[e-mail]: great tanks

Answer 4

Definately get a dehumidifier, and tell your landlord that there is a mold problem. You'll also need to find out where the mold is and get it cleaned out, preferably with something like bleach. If it's in the carpet, rip the carpet out and scrub down the floor well before you install new, or get area rugs.

Good luck!

Answer 5

you should move.
but there is also a paint that can help lock in the mold and moisture as a temporary solution, since you are putting your health lower on your priority list than this lame apartment...
the paint is called Zinsser BIN shellac base primer sealer.
it creates an odor barrier.
there is also a product that consists of crystals which dehydrate the air.
they are sold at home depot near the paint section. (sorry I can't remember what they are called, I have permanent brain damage from mold exposure that effects my memory)

PS. work on those priorities of yours... staying in the mold is BAD for your health!

Answer 6

You could try getting a dehumidifier that helps take the moisture out of the air so the mold shouldn't be as bad.

Answer 7

I'm not an expert on mold, but I do know that certain types of mold can lead to major health problems. The only suggestion I have is to talk to your landlord.

Answer 8

A Dehumidifier MAY work, though not guaranteed. My family and i struggled with the same problem and its hell. Look to have it professionally taken care of though that my not cure the problem... If you live in an apartment, talk to the owner/landlord and see if they can help, afterall it is partially their fault. If all else fails...(and i know u said u couldnt) u may need to move if its really effecting you that much

Answer 9

If you rent - you can ask your landlord to get you a dehumidifyer - that will help to get the humidity out of the air and start to feel better right away. If its REALLY bad - you can have serious breathing problems from living in that space. You can always talk to your doctor or call your local health department if the landlord refuses to help.

Answer 10

You need to tell your landlord and have it professionally cleaned b/c it is a serious health hazard.If you can see visible mold there is a product you can buy at carpet cleaning supply places called Microban that works well.