Mold and other bacteria in old house harmful to my children?

Question

I'm going to visit family soon and have a toddler and an infant who will be going with me. My parents house is old OLD, like 1890's old! On one side of the house, a room is severely damaged by water coming thru the roof and mold and who knows what else has started to grow in the room. They've blocked off that part of the house by closing the door of the room next to it.The rest of the house is very old, no central heat and air units but molded and rotting wood, water damage and leaks in parts of the house that haven't been repaired. My sister is 8 mo. pregnant and hasn't had any complications, I lived there up until two years ago and took my then infant to visit less than 4 months ago with no complications. I THINK it should be okay, but what I'm wondering if there is some type of service that would go out to my family's house to inspect and make sure there's nothing in the house that could make my two babies sick. Does anyone know WHO I would call to have go out there before we visit?

Answer 1

Very Good Question!

Hi, I'm a building contractor and I was actually required to study the mold problems in new construction. This was required as part of my continuing education to keep my license.

I'm no expert, however, I can tell you that some molds can infect your lungs and grow inside your body (lungs and very deadly). Mold is usually safe as long as it remains wet. When the mold spores dry out is when it's flyable and dangerous.

If the mold is still moist kill it with bleach even though some molds are harmless. Don't risk the fact you could have black mold.

Just a quick example of how mold has affected the Construction business. In 1997 my liability insurance was $300.00 per year, and becase of the mold problems today it's about $8,000.00 per year. Sad but true!

Answer 2

mold can be harmful to your allergies and more but your not moving in so a visit will not harm them and do you really want to put your family thru the process of a health inspection because it could be long and there could be serious fines involved if they found to many problems they could even condemn the house and force your family to vacate would you be willing to do that to them take a tent and some camping gear and sleep outside

Answer 3

Most mold and bacteria are harmless to humans. There is a very tiny percentage of the population that is allergic to mold, and there is only a very tiny percentage of molds are toxic. If no one in your familly is sick, then you and your kids will be fine.
The threat from mold is greatly overblown.

Answer 4

get a mold test kit to see if the mold is dangerous.
the state you live in may have some free resources available to help you in determinating wether the air quality in your home is compromised by mold, mildew, and bacteria. it's worth checking out

Answer 5

They sell mold test kits at local hardware stores.
Unless you or your children are prune to allergies or lung infections there's really nothing to worry about if its only a short visit. Extended exposure might open the door to infections. Consider a dehumidifier if you plan on staying a long time.

Answer 6

mold is vary bad a person could get sick.look in the phone book there are many service companys who deal with mold.

Answer 7

It sounds like there would be no quick fix to this situation, short of complete renovation. I wouldn't take my children into that environment. I would be particularly concerned about respiratory problems. Could you stay with another relative or at a motel? Good luck, I can tell this could be a sensitive problem.

Answer 8

if mold was going to kill you, I would be dead. Only hypochondriacs have mold issues.