How do I get rid of mold in my apartment walls?

Scrub surfaces: Clean moldy non-porous materials and wood surfaces with a wire brush and wipe clean with disposable wipes. Then use a soft brush to scrub all surfaces with a mixture of a quart of water and half a cup of bleach. When you’re done, wipe—but don’t rinse—the surfaces so the bleach can kill the mold.

What is causing mold in my apartment?

Wet walls, ceilings and floors attract mold. And mold can cause serious structural damage, as well as health issues and allergies. “The main issue in apartment buildings is that water travels downward,” says Robert Weitz, founder of RTK Environmental. Under these conditions, mold begins to grow within 24 -48 hours.

What causes mold to grow in an apartment?

Mold Caused by Tenant Behavior. The liability picture changes when mold grows as the result of your own behavior, such as keeping the apartment tightly shut, creating high humidity, or failing to maintain necessary cleanliness.

How much does it cost to get mold out of an apartment?

Treatment: If, for example, your upstairs neighbor’s toilet or shower overflows into one room of your apartment, your ceiling and walls would be affected. Professional water remediation—which involves drying out the area behind the wall to prevent mold—costs about $1,200-$4,000.

What to do if you find mildew in your apartment?

Like mold (pictured), mildew is troublesome and should be immediately removed. Keep your eyes and nose open to signs of mildew in your apartment. In many cases, tackling mold and mildew should be left entirely to the professionals. It’s important that the job is done right the first time, to ensure a proper and safe remediation.

How can you tell if your apartment has mold?

Odor: One of the first signs that mold might be present is a wet, musty smell or the smell of moldy, wet building materials. These indicate a moisture problem that can lead to mold; it doesn’t necessarily mean you have mold. Spots: Black, gray, green or brown spotting.

Is it normal for mold to grow in an apartment?

It’s common for mold to grow in households around the world and its growth indicates there is a moisture problem. Not only does mold develop in houses but it also develops in apartments.

How are mold spores introduced into an apartment?

Nearly every surface of an apartment and its furnishings are covered with microscopic mold spores which are unavoidably introduced through door openings, human or pet transfers and ventilation. Mold spores lie dormant until moisture activates growth.

What causes mold growth on wood backed wall?

Moisture which has accumulated on window sills may leak into wall cavities causing hidden mold growth on wood and paper backed wallboard. The concept of condensation is important. Condensation occurs when moisture suspended in the air (water vapor) “condenses” into liquid water on a cool surface.