Roof Leaks &
Mold Problems
Q. I'm
hoping you can help me regarding a mold problem in a home we are renting in
San Ramon, CA. When we first went to see it, It smelled a bit musty and
dusty and I was told this was due to being closed up for awhile. I didn't
see any signs of mold. We were told the place had a new roof and new
double-pane windows, which we thought was great. There are some black
stains inside the house on the wood frame below the windows and we were told
there had been leaks so double-paned windows were installed. I asked if it
was mold and he said no. Also, a built in air cleaner had been installed in
the heating unit. We thought this was a good thing. So we moved in on
July 1, 2003, opened the windows, had the carpet cleaned with a type of
cleaning that uses carbonated water, dries in about an hour or two, cleaned,
etc., etc. Still, the musty smell. The owner had moved into a "Senior"
retirement home, and the son was renting it out. He mentioned "roof leaks"
and a lawsuit, due to faulty roofing materials. He said this house didn't
have roof leaks. That sounded good. A few days go by, I cannot go into the
bedroom, cannot breathe in there. I have to sleep in the den. I think if
it keeps airing out it will be better. There is a good cross wind and so
all of the windows are opened. I am putting clothes in the closet and see
a stain on the ceiling. I poke it with an umbrella, plaster falls, there is
some sort of tape, which I pull, and underneath is dark stuff. This is not
good. Over the next day or two we find about "20" plastic air "odorizers"
in closets, cupboards, under sinks, in every room. Now I work at a
homeowner's association office and am getting quite an education about mold
and roof leaks. We tell our new landlord that we think there may be a mold
problem and want to get it checked out. I can't help but think that there
was a major roof leak here, the windows leaked, there is mold in the walls,
and/or inside the roof (it is a high roof with a space between the ceiling
the the top of the roof). I am beginning to think the water stains on the
wood below the windows inside the house is a black "mold". For all we know
there is mold in the walls, in the insulation, etc... I want to write to our
landlord and tell him I'd like to schedule a "mold inspector" to come out as
soon as possible and he should pay for it. Is he obligated to pay for
it? Can I do this? Does it sound like mold to you? We have health
symptoms that could be attributed to the presence of mold; sinus, bloody
nose, low energy, even the dog is having some symptoms. Different people
have come into the house and can smell mold, mildew, immediately. We have
mentioned to our landlord that we think there is mold. How could he not
know this? He has not offered to get someone out to check. [August
19, 2003]
A. The existence in the past of
serious roof water leaks means your rental house is very
likely heavily mold infested in most or all of your ceilings
and walls, making a big house-wide mold problem that has
resulted from the roof mold problem. Your family is suffering from
mold health symptoms
and you have also found visible
mold growth, and you
smell mold. If you need further documentation of the serious
health threat you are facing, use our do it yourself mold test kits to
mold test the air of the various rooms of your rental house, basement,
attic, and the outward air flow from each heating/cooling duct register.
What you are testing for is the possible presence of elevated levels of
airborne mold spores, which, if present, especially in comparison to an
outdoor control test, means your health is at risk.
Use do it yourself mold
test kits from a large hardware, home improvement, or safety store.
Hire a
Certified Mold Inspector
You will have to pay for your own
mold testing to document the
problem. When you have our mold lab analysis that documents a
serious mold problem in your rental house, you and your
attorney can pursue whatever legal rights you may have against
the landlord for damage to your health, mold contamination of
your clothing and personal property, and the expenses of
moving. If you expect the landlord to pay for testing, that
won't happen. Most landlords do not care about the health
damage of mold to their tenants. Thus, most landlords will not
spend the often substantial sums involved for professional
inspection, testing, and mold remediation. If you value your
family's health, move out as soon as possible. Do not move any
of your clothing or personal property without first mold
decontamination in accordance with the precise
instructions
provided in the
mold book
Do it yourself Mold Prevention,
Inspection, Remediation, & Testing Guide.
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