Mold can create health hazard in your home

There are thousands of known species of molds. With names such as stachybotrys, penicillium, aspergilus, paecilomyces and fusarium, mold can sound like a deadly plague. In reality, molds are a natural, beneficial part of the environment. Some are necessary to create antibiotics, cheese and other things we need and depend on.

However, mold in your home can be anything but beneficial. A small amount of certain types of mold can create a foul odor. In large amounts, certain types can be a health hazard.

Mold spores are everywhere. They need moisture to grow, and mold seems to grow best on water-soaked materials such as carpet, wood and cardboard. Houston’s humidity can be enough to keep some types of mold happy, but when you can smell mold in an airconditioned apartment, there’s usually something else going on. What to do about it

First, identify the moisture source. Mold inside a wall, for example, can mean a small leak in a water pipe or an air-conditioning condensate drain. No amount of Clorox will solve the problem unless the moisture source is addressed. Always notify the property manager in writing if you suspect a mold problem. Be as specific as you can. If the moisture is something you can address yourself, do it. Be careful where you have potted plants and pets’ water dishes. If you spill water, clean and dry the area where it was spilled.

Once the moisture source is addressed, mold disappears with relative ease. A chlorine-based cleaning product (like Clorox) makes short work of most mold and mildew.

Occasionally, a serious mold infestation on or — especially — inside a wall is more than a sponge and a bottle of Clorox can handle. There are companies that specialize in mold remediation. After a long-term leak or a flood event, your apartment manager may need to call in reinforcements.

If there’s a dispute over mold you absolutely cannot resolve to your satisfaction, call 311 and ask for the City Health Department’s Indoor Air Quality Section, which has inspectors who can insist that the property owner remediate a severe mold problem correctly.

If you have questions regarding mold or other issues related to apartment living, contact the Houston Apartment Association at 713-595-0300.