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Mouldy bedroom

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  • 27-01-2015 11:58am
    #1
    ceecee14
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 215 ✭✭


    Hi I moved into a new house about 2months ago and have been slowly getting sick ie coughing, runny nose, headache and generally not feeling well.
    The other day I moved my bed and found the floor soaking wet with black mould. Would this of caused me to get sick or is it just the time of year for it?
    I have a 4 month old baby sleeping in the same room as me so I'm obviously a bit concerned.


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    #2
    fussyonion
    Registered Users Posts: 7,818 ✭✭✭fussyonion


    Are you renting privately? If so, contact your Landlord and get him to sort this out. Mould is caused by dampness and it seems like in your case it's rising damp; coming from under the floor, or it could be a sewage pipe problem.

    Move out of that bedroom with your baby and sleep in another room while the LL sorts it out, or if you haven't got another room, try and stay with a family member. Mould is extremely dangerous for you and especially your baby.


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    #3
    ceecee14
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 215 ✭✭ceecee14


    fussyonion wrote: »
    Are you renting privately? If so, contact your Landlord and get him to sort this out. Mould is caused by dampness and it seems like in your case it's rising damp; coming from under the floor, or it could be a sewage pipe problem.

    Move out of that bedroom with your baby and sleep in another room while the LL sorts it out, or if you haven't got another room, try and stay with a family member. Mould is extremely dangerous for you and especially your baby.

    Thank you for your reply. I will move bedrooms today. Yes it's privately rented. I will talk to the landlord about it thanks


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    #4
    Mrs OBumble
    Registered Users Posts: 25,680 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    fussyonion is right - you need to get your LL to sort the mould out, it can be dangerous for you and bad for the house too.

    But we can't tell if it is the mould or something else that is making you sick: Especially with a young baby in the house, there are lots of possible causes. You really need to see your doctor about it.


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    #5
    fussyonion
    Registered Users Posts: 7,818 ✭✭✭fussyonion


    Yes I agree. It would be no harm to get checked over by your doctor, you and the baby. Hope you get it sorted.


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    #6
    Bob24
    Registered Users Posts: 10,905 ✭✭✭✭Bob24


    Mould is definitely not good, move to another room if possible.

    Short term fix: you can kill the mould with a spray called mouldx (there might be others, but that one works for me and is better than simply using bleach as some people would recommend).

    More importantly you need to identify the cause and get your landlord to address it if it has to do with the building.

    Possible options would be rain water infiltration through a wall or the roof, or some leeks in the plumbing.

    It could also be something linked to what you do in the house: for example if you are constantly drying clothes indoor, having hot showers with a lot of steam going through the apartment, never opening the windows, not heating the place properly.
    But if you are saying the floor is wet this would tend to point towards some kind of leek.


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    #7
    ceecee14
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 215 ✭✭ceecee14


    Ya I was supposed to go to the doctor today but I have no transport so will go see him as soon as I can. I really feel awful so don't want to get worse or pass it to my daughter. Thank you everyone for the replys


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    #8
    ceecee14
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 215 ✭✭ceecee14


    Bob24 wrote: »
    Mould is definitely not good, move to the another room if possible.

    Short term fix: you can kill the mould with a spray called mouldx (there might be others, but that one works for me and is better than simply using bleach as some people would recommend).

    More importantly you need to identify the cause and get your landlord to address it if it has to do with the building.

    Possible options would be rain water infiltration through a wall or the roof, or some leeks in the plumbing.

    It could also be something liked to what you do in the house: for example if you are constantly drying close indoor, having hot showers with a lot of steam going through the apartment, never opening the windows, not heating the place properly.
    But if you are saying the floor is wet this would tend to point towards some kind of leek.

    The only thing I can think of is there is no extractor fan in the kitchen. The house is open plan, I open all the windows when cooking but it doesn't do a very good job but it seems to be only my bedroom that has the wet floor and mould, all the other rooms are fine. It is a room at the back and sun never shines in the window.


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    #9
    percy212
    Registered Users Posts: 1,077 ✭✭✭percy212


    Call your landlord today. Mould can cause serious health problems. Your baby should not be sleeping anywhere near that room. Take lots of photos just in case you need to prove the existence of the mould in the future.


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    #10
    Outkast_IRE
    Registered Users Posts: 7,515 ✭✭✭Outkast_IRE


    Obviously medical advice cannot be given on this forum.

    I will say that i was in a similar situation as yourself, with similar symptoms that culminated in me having an allergic reaction to the mold and feeling my throat tightening up and having difficulty breathing.

    This ceased very shortly after moving out of the place, if your LL wont sort the mold problem then look at moving. Your health is not worth taking chances with.


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    #11
    Bob24
    Registered Users Posts: 10,905 ✭✭✭✭Bob24


    ceecee14 wrote: »
    The only thing I can think of is there is no extractor fan in the kitchen. The house is open plan, I open all the windows when cooking but it doesn't do a very good job but it seems to be only my bedroom that has the wet floor and mould, all the other rooms are fine. It is a room at the back and sun never shines in the window.

    Is the floor wet along a specific wall or in several areas within the room? If one specific wall, what is behind that wall? - other room? Bathroom/kitchen with water point? outside? If you touch the wall itself, does it feel wet?


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    #12
    Marlay
    Registered Users Posts: 189 ✭✭Marlay


    ceecee14 wrote: »
    The only thing I can think of is there is no extractor fan in the kitchen. The house is open plan, I open all the windows when cooking but it doesn't do a very good job but it seems to be only my bedroom that has the wet floor and mould, all the other rooms are fine. It is a room at the back and sun never shines in the window.

    Hi, if the floor is actually wet then I wouldn't think steam from cooking is the issue, water must be getting in or leaking from somewhere. Was the bed against an internal or external wall?


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    #13
    ceecee14
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 215 ✭✭ceecee14


    Bob24 wrote: »
    Is the floor wet along a specific wall or in several areas within the room? If one specific wall, what is behind that wall? - other room? Bathroom/kitchen with water point? outside? If you touch the wall itself, does it feel wet?

    It's on a specific wall behind that is my back yard. I haven't went out and examined the wall yet but will. Bathroom and kitchen are good bit away from the room so I don't think they are problem. The wall inside behind the bed is visibly wet.


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    #14
    ceecee14
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 215 ✭✭ceecee14


    Marlay wrote: »
    Hi, if the floor is actually wet then I wouldn't think steam from cooking is the issue, water must be getting in or leaking from somewhere. Was the bed against an internal or external wall?

    It's an external wall. Ya and if it was the steam the whole house would be mouldy but it is just my bedroom.


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    #15
    percy212
    Registered Users Posts: 1,077 ✭✭✭percy212


    Mould is an URGENT repair. Your landlord has 5 days max to resolve the problem. http://www.threshold.ie/advice/dealing-with-problems-during-your-tenancy/standards-and-repairs/
    Call today and keep notes on your discussion.


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    #16
    ceecee14
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 215 ✭✭ceecee14


    Thank you for the link will get on to my landlord ASAP


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    #17
    Bob24
    Registered Users Posts: 10,905 ✭✭✭✭Bob24


    Definitely sounds like water infiltrating through the wall then.


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    #18
    ceecee14
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 215 ✭✭ceecee14


    Bob24 wrote: »
    Definitely sounds like water infiltrating through the wall then.

    Would this be hard to fix? Will I have to move out for repairs to be done?


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    #19
    Bob24
    Registered Users Posts: 10,905 ✭✭✭✭Bob24


    ceecee14 wrote: »
    Would this be hard to fix? Will I have to move out for repairs to be done?

    I'm not a specialist but I think it depends.

    Had a similar issue in an apartment. The issue was actually not with the wall itself but the roof terrace above us whic is letting water flow into the wall (but as water goes down most of the mould was at floor level).

    In the case aside from cleaning the walls there was no work required in our place.
    The tricky part was to get the management company to accept there was an issue and deal with it.


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    #20
    ComfortKid
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,169 ✭✭✭ComfortKid


    Start looking for a new home. Sounds like a structural problem. Major repairs needed.


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    #21
    ceecee14
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 215 ✭✭ceecee14


    ComfortKid wrote: »
    Start looking for a new home. Sounds like a structural problem. Major repairs needed.

    It is impossible for me to look for a new home. I simply can not afford to move unfortunately. I'll get on to the LL and see what has to be done.


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    #22
    percy212
    Registered Users Posts: 1,077 ✭✭✭percy212


    Your LL must fix the problem. If you have to move out, your LL should pay for your accommodation while repairs are completed. If you are unsure of your rights you should call Threshold (previous link) for advice. If your health or the health of your child has been compromised you should get the advice of a solicitor.


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    #23
    Marlay
    Registered Users Posts: 189 ✭✭Marlay


    ComfortKid wrote: »
    Start looking for a new home. Sounds like a structural problem. Major repairs needed.

    Or the Landlord could just get someone to check the guttering and/or downpipes for a problem first. Which would not be a major repair.


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