ineedhelp

I have heard that black mold is terrible to have in your home. I am a new homeowner and I am not sure if I have it in my house but I am really worried because I didn't get that inspection. What should I do? Is mold really that harmful?

OneHandyGal

Yes, it's pretty dangerous stuff. I once saw a renovation show where a family couldn't live in their house anymore due to it. People can die from it. I know that black mold tends to grow in dark, moist areas and grows quickly. I'm sure it would be very easy to find information on black mold prevention.

If you are worried that you have mold in your home you can actually call someone to come in and test for mold. I'm not sure what that would cost. Good luck!

mamab

I agree with OneHandyGal. If you're concerned about mold, you can still have someone test for it. I'm not sure if there's someone who would just test for mold, or if you would have to hire a home inspector.

penguinmama

Someplace - I can't think who just now - was offering home mold checkers. It was essentially a Q-tip with some sort of chemical applied, and you swab around a likely area and then ... "develop" it somehow (another chemical? I don't remember now) and it tells you by color if there is mold present or not.

tater03

I have a question on this also. I know that black mold tends to grow in dark and places that have been exposed to water. At least this is what I have been told. But what about the corner of a room that is well lighted and has never been wet? I have mold that grows in one corner of one of my rooms. It does come off with bleach but would this be considered black mold? Thanks

eleet34

Well, from what I hear not all mold that grows in your is hazardous to your health. That is why it is probably important to get it checked out, not only to find out if you have mold, but also to find out if it is the dangerous kind.

I had black mold growing in my bathroom, but it wasn't bad for me. I got rid of it anyway.

As far as it growing on your dry and well lit wall, I would see if there is some sort of leak in that area that would allow water in the wall and cause the mold to grow.

roro

Well, for me any mold is uncomfortable. Even if it is not harmful to your health, just knowing it is in your house makes me leary of it. I had at one time a friend of the family baby-sit my first child alot while my husband and myself worked and I noticed that he was developing alot of colds and respiratory concerns, and I know it was due to the mold in her home. I even brought it up to his pediatrician at the time and he said that it was definitely a concern.

handystan

Not all mold is bad. Mold is all around us. It is what gets on your bread, makes cheese(blue cheese) and medicine(penicillin). Mold in large quantities is bad for your immune system. A little mode isn't bad. If you have a mold problem, you probably have something causing it. Maybe a leaky roof, a broken pipe in the wall, or not enough air circulation. As homes are made more and more air tight, mold growth will increase. If you have a well ventilated area with no real source of moisture and mold is growing very aggressively. You might want to have it tested. Mold can be removed with mixing 10:1 water and bleach.

eldragon

Actually, mold can kill you. Not that it normally does, but it can.

We almost bought a house once, but after our offer was accepted, it was taken off the market by the government because it had so much history of mold, it was a health risk.

And that's why all those houses are sitting vacant in New Orleans after Katrina, because of mold.

So, it's nothing to mess with.

palefrost

A trick i was taught was to spray some bleach on it and dry it out and that should kill it stone dead. but yea its dangerous stuff so be careful dude.