Page 1
Page 1
Started By
Message

Mold knowledge needed: UPDATED

Posted on 3/10/14 at 10:53 am
Posted by BuckeyeFan87
Columbus
Member since Dec 2007
25239 posts
Posted on 3/10/14 at 10:53 am
So I currently am in the process is building a home(and should be moved in by early summer) and currently rent. I live in a fully finished basement and the other day, went to move my mattress only to realize the bottom was covered in what appeared to be black mold.

I instantly threw that bitch away, but now I want to know if that's common or if that points to the entire basement being a mold playground. FWIW, I'm currently still living like a college kid and had the mattress directly on the floor(didn't want to put together my be frame until I move into my home), but as stated, there is carpet down. I don't wet the bed nor do I spill things on my mattress on a normal basis.

Mom has me paranoid and is freaking out, which leads me here for some unbiased information. I really don't want to have to move twice in the next few months, but I also don't want to die.

I have noticed a few health things pop up lately, which I'm contributing to the mold, but I'm just needing to know if the mattress mold would be directly linked to moisture issues in the basement, or if that's semi-common for memory foam mattresses.
TIA.

ETA:
So, behind my dresser I found this gem. Would like to add this to my evidence.

What started as this(which I took a photo of the day I moved in)


Has since turned into this






Guy said "Well, at least it just looks like water damage at this point, but this spray should kill any mold if there is any there! Then we'll have someone come replace this piece of wall panel for you!"

"Uh... those black dots look like mold to me. And does that magic spray go through walls? Because my common knowledge is telling me that if mold is making its way through the wall, it's probably thriving inside of it. Not to mention we've lived here two years and that leak was clearly painted over before our arrival."

Management of my complex is supposed to be calling "today or tomorrow"
What should be my next move? Does that appear to be mold in the new photos I posted? And am I dying?
This post was edited on 3/11/14 at 9:36 am
Posted by JasonMason
Memphis
Member since Jun 2009
4654 posts
Posted on 3/10/14 at 10:54 am to
Sorry about the aids. Prayers sent.
Posted by pointdog33
Member since Jan 2012
2765 posts
Posted on 3/10/14 at 10:58 am to
Anything sitting in a moist basement is going to mold/mildew. Probably just mildew, but you can get it tested by home inspectors.
Posted by Kadjin
edge of the basin
Member since Oct 2013
1251 posts
Posted on 3/10/14 at 11:02 am to
mattress directly on carpet in a basement?

You don't have a mold problem, you have a lack of experience problem (partially solved now ) and an overreacting mom. Time will take care of the experience problem, nothing you can do about mom.
Posted by Chili Davis
Wichita, KS
Member since Nov 2010
815 posts
Posted on 3/10/14 at 11:19 am to
Basements tend to be mold playgrounds. You need to let the owner know that there is a water issue somewhere in the basement. You can't have mold/mildew without water. There likely wasn't a vapor or water barrier put down under the carpet when is was installed. Carpet will just wick the moisture away from the concrete and your mattress wicked from the carpet. You could request that the owner test it and you could take that info to your doc/allergy expert to have them evaluate it. You could pay to test it yourself. I would say that you will likely be in your new house by the time that process shakes out. How bad are the health issues, if you don't mind me asking?
Posted by BuckeyeFan87
Columbus
Member since Dec 2007
25239 posts
Posted on 3/10/14 at 11:20 am to

^^ is sort of what it looked like, only there was a lot more under mine.
Posted by PanhandleDawg
Navarre Beach, FL
Member since Mar 2011
5441 posts
Posted on 3/10/14 at 11:25 am to
You are going to need a self-draining (to outside or nearby plumbing drain) dehumidifier for your basement to resolve the moisture problem. They don't add that much to your electricity bill to operate, but well worth potential long term cost of removing mold and mildew.

Good luck.
Posted by BuckeyeFan87
Columbus
Member since Dec 2007
25239 posts
Posted on 3/11/14 at 9:36 am to
Update bump
Posted by Post It Bandit
Boutte
Member since Mar 2008
3038 posts
Posted on 3/11/14 at 9:42 am to
Damn son.
Posted by SuzukiGoat
Atchafalaya Basin
Member since Jan 2014
1086 posts
Posted on 3/12/14 at 1:01 am to
Mattresses need to breathe.

Fact.

Either a box spring or a platform bed with slats.

Without that, they get moist and can mold.

As for your mold, a mild bleach solution and a fehumidifier will do wonders if its just surface crap.
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 1Next pagelast page
refresh

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitterInstagram