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Roof Leaks &
Mould Problems
[August 19, 2003]
Q. I'm
hoping you can help me regarding a mould problem in a home we are renting in
San Ramon, CA. When we first went to see it, It smelled a bit musty and
dusty and I was told this was due to being closed up for awhile. I didn't
see any signs of mould. We were told the place had a new roof and new
double-pane windows, which we thought was great. There are some black
stains inside the house on the wood frame below the windows and we were told
there had been leaks so double-paned windows were installed. I asked if it
was mould and he said no. Also, a built in air cleaner had been installed in
the heating unit. We thought this was a good thing. So we moved in on
July 1, 2003, opened the windows, had the carpet cleaned with a type of
cleaning that uses carbonated water, dries in about an hour or two, cleaned,
etc., etc. Still, the musty smell. The owner had moved into a "Senior"
retirement home, and the son was renting it out. He mentioned "roof leaks"
and a lawsuit, due to faulty roofing materials. He said this house didn't
have roof leaks. That sounded good. A few days go by, I cannot go into the
bedroom, cannot breathe in there. I have to sleep in the den. I think if
it keeps airing out it will be better. There is a good cross wind and so
all of the windows are opened. I am putting clothes in the closet and see
a stain on the ceiling. I poke it with an umbrella, plaster falls, there is
some sort of tape, which I pull, and underneath is dark stuff. This is not
good. Over the next day or two we find about "20" plastic air "odorizers"
in closets, cupboards, under sinks, in every room. Now I work at a
homeowner's association office and am getting quite an education about mould
and roof leaks. We tell our new landlord that we think there may be a mould
problem and want to get it checked out. I can't help but think that there
was a major roof leak here, the windows leaked, there is mould in the walls,
and/or inside the roof (it is a high roof with a space between the ceiling
the the top of the roof). I am beginning to think the water stains on the
wood below the windows inside the house is a black "mould". For all we know
there is mould in the walls, in the insulation, etc... I want to write to our
landlord and tell him I'd like to schedule a "mould inspector" to come out as
soon as possible and he should pay for it. Is he obligated to pay for
it? Can I do this? Does it sound like mould to you? We have health
symptoms that could be attributed to the presence of mould; sinus, bloody
nose, low energy, even the dog is having some symptoms. Different people
have come into the house and can smell mould, mildew, immediately. We have
mentioned to our landlord that we think there is mould. How could he not
know this? He has not offered to get someone out to check.
A. The existence in the past of
serious roof water leaks means your rental house is very
likely heavily mould infested in most or all of your ceilings
and walls, making a big house-wide mould problem that has
resulted from the roof mould problem. Your family is suffering from mould health symptoms
and you have also found visible mould growth, and you smell
mould. If you need further documentation of the serious health
threat you are facing, use our do it yourself mould test kits
to mould test the air of the various rooms of your rental
house, basement, attic, and the outward air flow from each
heating/cooling duct register. What you are testing for is the
possible presence of elevated levels of airborne mould spores,
which, if present, especially in comparison to an outdoor
control test, means your health is at risk. For do it yourself
mould test kits, visit:
Mould Mart For a Certified Mould Inspector,
visit:
Janitorial and
Sanitation
You will have to pay for your own mould testing to document the
problem. When you have our mould lab analysis that documents a
serious mould problem in your rental house, you and your
attorney can pursue whatever legal rights you may have against
the landlord for damage to your health, mould contamination of
your clothing and personal property, and the expenses of
moving. If you expect the landlord to pay for testing, that
won't happen. Most landlords do not care about the health
damage of mould to their tenants. Thus, most landlords will not
spend the often substantial sums involved for professional
inspection, testing, and mould remediation. If you value your
family's health, move out as soon as possible. Do not move any
of your clothing or personal property without first mould
decontamination in accordance with the precise instructions
provided in our book Do it yourself mould Prevention,
Inspection, Remediation, & Testing Guide
[
Mould Mart
]
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