Condominium Flooding Mold Problems
Q. We are owners of a condominium which
about 3 weeks ago was subjected to a flood of water from an overflowing toilet in the suite
above ours. The owners couldn't figure out how to get the toilet to stop, so it kept
flooding for quite a few minutes. Water poured down through several routes: our smoke
detector, inside a wall from where it then flowed out to both on top of and
(apparently) underneath our newly installed "wood" laminate floor, and through the vent in our
bathroom. The restoration company that was called in by the condo mgt. said everything looked
OK and saw no reason to do any restoration work. However, subsequently, we have been
noticing an extremely noxious sour odor that seems to be getting worse each day. We also
haven't been feeling very well - very achy and tired - and are wondering if there is a hidden
mold problem that could be, at the least, causing the bad odor and, at the worst, making us
sick. As there is no visible sign of mold anywhere, we are wondering if there is a way
to test for mold without having to actually tear out drywall? Also, do you have any
other recommendations? [March 20, 2004]
A. One way to detect
hidden mold
growth inside walls and ceilings is to turn off the appropriate
electrical circuit breaker, and then remove the plastic electrical switch
and outlet cover plates. Using a small fan that has been thoroughly
cleaned [blades and housing] with rubbing alcohol, tape one of our
opened do it yourself mold test kits to the fan so that the fan air flow
directly impacts on the sticky surface of the mold test kit. Then place a
stand of some kind to hold the fan in place for 15 minutes to draw air
from the gaps around the uncovered electrical outlets and switches. You
want to line up the mold test kit directly with the outlet gaps so that
the fan draws air from inside the wall and then directly impacts that air
on the mold test kit. Then seal the mold test kit, and
properly mark it as to testing location, your name, property address, date
of testing, and testing method [fan air test]. You can watch for mold growth
over a 7 day time period in the mold test kit, or send the kit to a lab for
mold laboratory analysis right away or after the 7 days. You would use a
separate mold test kit for each hole that you are drawing air out of. You
need to clean the fan blades and housing after every separate test location
is completed. You can do the same procedure to test ceilings, by
disconnecting the screws holding up the ceiling light [letting it hang by
the electrical wires]. In addition, you will also want to mold test the air
of each room, attic, basement, crawl space, and the outward air flow from
each heating/cooling duct register for the possible presence of elevated
levels of airborne mold spores, in comparison to an outdoor mold control
test.
Use do it yourself mold test kits
available from a large hardware, home improvement, or safety store. As to
the flooring, and likely, mold growth beneath, you need to drill several
well-spaced testing holes into the flooring in several areas to conduct
multiple location fan tests. You should also visit
Mold Inspection
for additional mold investigation suggestions.
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