r/BeAmazed • u/CleanwithBarbie • 23d ago

Miscellaneous / Others The owner had depression and I cleaned her home for free

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102.7k Upvotes

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5.7k

u/CanIgetaWTF 23d ago

Homeowner has got leaky window seals, moisture behind the walls, and mold (and a lot of it) growing in the walls.

It's so awesome that you helped her like this. It would be great if she got some help with those leaky windows and mold.

I can't speak authoritatively on the specific effects it can have on her health or depression. But I think it's safe to surmise it's not good.

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u/robsteezy 23d ago

I’ve done water restoration work. No need to concede your point. I will confirm your comment with authority that your analysis is spot on and that wall and the wooden beams inside are rotted with black mold.

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u/Some_Air5892 23d ago edited 22d ago

Yes, absolutely.

I've had black mold in a few places I've lived.

In my very 1st apartment,right after moving in I called my landlord about a sink leak stemming from the disposal that looked like it had been a problem for a while. When I opened the cabinets they were completely rotten soft and covered in black mold.

The landlord sent their "handman" brother over who scoffed at me saying, "that's not black mold thats BROWN MOLD. if it was black it would be BLACK" (it was very much black AND blown in places all over). HE pour bleach on it, set my heater fan to "run" continuously and told me to leave it like that. The next month my electrical bill for a 1 bedroom ADU was $500 (which is $750 today).

I also had two urgent care visits for bronchitis and trouble breathing in the 5 months I stayed there.

edit: spelling

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u/Taberaremasen 23d ago edited 23d ago

As someone who also has extensive experience in mold remediation/water restoration, there is no such thing as a single unifying "black mold". Nearly every different strain of mold can appear black in color, as well as tons of other colors. White colored mold is probably the second most common, but I've seen green, pink, yellow, purple, brown, and shades inbetween. Black-colored mold is probably the most common, but black aspergillius is not the same as black-colored stachybotrys (the mold from the article written long ago that has everyone still afraid of "black mold"). Stachybotrys is also a lot more rare as it requires a more strict/unique set of circumstances to grow - I think I only ever encountered it like 3 times in my 10+ years in the industry.

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u/Objective_Ecstatic 23d ago

This guy molds! Ermm, I mean, in a good way!…

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u/Im_A_Fuckin_Liar 23d ago

I bought a box of Jello and I’m going to consult him!!

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u/Materva 22d ago

He does seem like a fun guy.

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u/DampCoat 23d ago

And do you this gu…

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u/crooked_toes9 23d ago

You’ve def seen it more than 3 times. Stachy and chaetomium very common after a water loss, particularly on wet drywall. One or the other if not both, always comes back on my labs from water loss projects.

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u/MeanTelevision 23d ago

What is the best way or worst way to remediate it or specifically -- did the way the person described, of bleach and electric fan, sound correct to you?

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u/crooked_toes9 23d ago

Remove and discard contaminated and wet porous materials such as drywall. Effectively dry remaining wooden supports. Clean and treat with a product like Benefect. Do not use bleach. And ideally, you would probably want a certified contractor to do a lot of jobs due to the fact that as you are removing stuff, you are disturbing spores and making them more airborne. Remediation contractors will have hepa filtered air scrubbers to reduce the levels of airborne mold spores during and following the remediation.

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u/MeanTelevision 23d ago

On a property I know of, they consulted with someone and they were going to scrub with bleach and set up a fan. The fan would just scatter spores, I'd think, although those can already float around on their own.

HEPA makes a lot more sense and sounds more professional and insightful for sure.

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u/mr_potatoface 23d ago

Sometimes people will bleach, dry, then paint/seal wood surfaces. That way even if you didn't kill all of the mold or brush all the mold off the surface, the paint will protect. It's not a perfect solution, but it's a cheap and generally effective solution. Most important thing above all else is removing the source of the water and making sure it doesn't come back.

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u/Taberaremasen 23d ago edited 22d ago

What this guy is correct. It is worth note that bleach does kill mold and can be used on non-porous surfaces, but dead mold still contains mycotoxins if not removed. Moldy sheetrock should come out, and the IICRC says you should either abrade mold out of wood, or apply high-strength peroxide and HEPA vacuum up the suds afterwards. Nowhere I worked used the peroxide, though, just stuff like Benefect.

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u/MeanTelevision 23d ago

Thank you.

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u/robsteezy 23d ago

I can answer for you. The old “bleach and fan” works more on surface level early stages. Mold this set requires removal of the drywall, sanding down the affected wooden structures. And then applying antimicrobial chemicals to the wood.

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u/MeanTelevision 23d ago

This is helpful. Thank you.

Taberaremasen can still reply if they wish also.

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u/robsteezy 23d ago

You’re welcome. Pro tip as somebody with tons of experience in this field, people think they can shirk paying a restoration company (which typically is covered by home insurance) and save themselves money bc their friend told them bleach will do the trick. That’s the wrong approach and will lead to the internal structure of your house being severely damaged beyond repair. Wood is porous, so water and microbial travel. Your best bet is reaching out to your insurance, seeing your coverage, and then getting an assessment from a mold remediation service.

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u/MeanTelevision 23d ago

Thank you for the added tips.

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u/esoper1976 23d ago

My grandfather asked me what I knew about mold either when I was in high school or college because I'm smart. I said not much except that it's bad news and you should hire a professional. Apparently one of the church owned buildings had a mold problem and he was hoping to help solve it. He bought some cleaning product like Tilex mold and mildew cleaner to take over to the building to see if it would work. He knew the church didn't have much money and thought this would be an inexpensive way to solve their problem. I'm sure they thanked him and then called the pros.

He got a pension from the church for being a pastor. If he died before my grandmother, she would keep getting it until her death because she had been a sahm and fully supported him in his duties. He had to have someone explain to him why it was not appropriate for him to put in his will that the church should stop sending the pension upon his death even if my grandmother were still alive. He didn't understand why that upset her so much, he thought she would be as happy as he was to save the church money!

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u/Steele_Soul 22d ago

I remember it from the one episode of Forensic Files with the couple that had a fucking mansion they had to evacuate once the husband and kid kept having strange health issues and they finally figured out the cause and the source. They had a leak underneath their refrigerator that they tried to get fixed but the insurance company or some other company kept putting it off and yeah, they lost their home and everything in it because of that shit. They go through the house some time after they had abandoned it and everything in that house was covered in mold. They sued the company that didn't fix their problem when they first called about it and I think they won. It's just devastating that that entire huge house and all the nice stuff in it was destroyed. I always wonder why they got that specific type of mold from something like that.

Then there was that portion of houses in Cleveland that flooded and their basements all had that strain of mold and it affected a lot of families.

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u/FawnZebra4122 23d ago

People often don’t realize that mold comes in a huge variety of colors and types, and what really matters is the moisture issue and proper remediation.

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u/Equal_Canary5695 23d ago

Pink and purple mold sound kind of pretty ngl

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u/Taberaremasen 23d ago edited 22d ago

Here's one of the moldiest things I've ever seen, featuring pink-colored mold. This was in the basement of a home that they used to run a daycare business out of.

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u/draz18 23d ago

Ive managed several mold remediation projects. Stachy was predominant mold species in several. But you are right, not all black molds are the same. Ive seen same aspergillum appear as pink, purple, white and black.

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u/joeyraffcom 23d ago

As someone with no mold experience, that’s mold.

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u/IntroductionFar8113 23d ago

Thanks for this! I'm an IH and have a lot of experience in this topic as well- perfectly stated!

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u/ProofMap8034 22d ago

Thank God you set the record straight on this because I didn't want to have to spend a long time typing

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u/naive-nostalgia 22d ago

Someone should tell that dude about black bears, which can be brown or blonde but are still black bears.

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u/Some_Air5892 22d ago

I was so annoyed. unfortunately when you are 20 and renting a cheap place in a bad part of town, they know you won't know nor do anything about that clear violation.

They also had their sex offender son registered to my address, which was a fun surprise when I googled my zip code.

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u/Unfilteredz 23d ago

Did you sue?

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u/Some_Air5892 22d ago edited 22d ago

no I was like 19/20ish, it was a very dangerous part of a dangerous city. I had a person get beaten to death outside that same kitchen window that week. I did not have the knowledge or money to do something about it.

Most of the time that is how situations like this happen, They know you do not have a better option or resources to get them to enforce stuff.

That electric bill fucked me HARD. It was nearly as much as my rent.

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u/Unfilteredz 22d ago

Gotcha, ouch

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u/JoMamaSoFatYo 22d ago

I had this same issue in my 3rd apartment. It only had two windows, but they were big, wall-sized ones. I was sick a lot with Bronchitis specifically, as well as occasional pneumonia.

The entirety of the sides of the windows, deep into the sheetrock, was thick with black mold. And I mean it covered the entire sides.

It took me posting to their Facebook page and refusing to remove it until they fixed the problem. They had to cut out the windows as well as portions of sheetrock out and replace it.

They then added an addendum to the leasing contract stating, and I quote, “There is no scientific evidence to prove there is a problem with black mold…” and required all tenants to sign.

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u/Some_Air5892 22d ago

Making you sign something like that sounds like it was just to make you feel like they didn't HAVE to do anything about it.

Depending on the state they still VERY MUCH do legally have to come and get rid of the mold.

Here is the state by state laws of mold and rental properties

https://themoldguyinc.com/know-your-rights-against-mold/

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u/JoMamaSoFatYo 21d ago

Yeah, I really thought about pursuing it further legally, but didn’t have the funds to do so. Thank God I finally got to leave that place a few years ago.

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u/Javad0g 23d ago

Adding some clarification as a plant/fungus person. Not all molds are the same. Yes, when we refer to toxic (still a misnomer) black mold we talk about Stachybotrys chartarum, but there are plenty of molds (black color included) that are not as toxic in the manner of Stachybotrys.

Not suggesting you want any mold hanging around inside the home on or inside the walls, however, just because we see mold does not always mean 'burn it to the ground'.

Thanks for letting me share.

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u/robsteezy 23d ago

Mold in the walls can pose several health risks, especially for individuals with allergies, respiratory issues, or compromised immune systems. The potential health risks include:

Respiratory Problems

• Wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath — Mold spores can irritate the respiratory tract, particularly in people with asthma or other lung conditions.

• Sinus congestion and irritation — Mold exposure can cause nasal stuffiness, sore throat, or sinus infections.

Allergic Reactions

• Symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, red or itchy eyes, and skin irritation are common in those sensitive to mold.

Asthma Exacerbation

• Mold can trigger or worsen asthma attacks.

Immune System Effects

• People with weakened immune systems (e.g., those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, or individuals with autoimmune diseases) are at greater risk of developing infections from mold exposure.

Toxic Mold Symptoms

Certain molds, like Stachybotrys chartarum (commonly called “black mold”), can produce mycotoxins. Prolonged exposure may lead to:

• Chronic fatigue
• Headaches
• Difficulty concentrating
• Dizziness
• Neurological symptoms in severe cases

Skin and Eye Irritation

• Contact with mold or its spores can cause rashes, itching, or irritation in some individuals.

Long-Term Health Risks

• Prolonged exposure, particularly in damp environments, can contribute to chronic respiratory conditions and mold-induced health risks.

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u/Javad0g 22d ago

thank you for being so.....precise.

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u/robsteezy 22d ago

I was too lazy to type. Thank ChatGPT for the quick answer and my copy and paste haha.

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u/Javad0g 22d ago

As retired IT, I have loved chat GPT since we saw it come to us a couple Novembers ago. As I explained to my students not just a month ago, "AI is of NO use unless you know what to input."

I find it a great tool for punching me out a quick workout plan for my Track and Field athletes, but it still takes the understanding of your 'profession' in order to actually compile the results you are looking for.

But good Lord do I love how it takes the busywork out of teaching and coaching.

Hey, thanks for letting me share and I do appreciate your response.

Take care

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u/robsteezy 22d ago

I appreciate your input. Be well friend 👍🏼

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u/bluegender03 23d ago

I too work in restoration and that wall absolutely is covered in mold.

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u/Zagadka06 23d ago

Agreed. I saw the "after" picture in the BA and wanted to tear out all the caulking for free, too. I've been an apartment manager for a long time at various places and seen it a hundred times. I can't fix the building itself (usually) but you have to get rid of that mold. (Then I saw the window pictures...)

Good on the OP. Did a nice service and a nice job.

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u/Putrid_Ad_7122 23d ago

What pictures are we seeing mould?

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u/BrAveMonkey333 22d ago

Don Tilman... is that you?

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u/WaffleTacoFrappucino 22d ago

the depression is probably caused by the mold

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u/Appropriate_South474 22d ago

Black mold doesn’t burn hot enough to melt wooden beams!

Glad she got some help

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u/TikiCatStix 22d ago

No need to concede your point, they’ve done it as well and so has many others.

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u/[deleted] 23d ago

I mean, it can kill you so it can definitely do anything else to affect mood, appetite, mental state, etc. There's no limit what happens to you when you're slowly being poisoned.

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u/ApprehensiveArmy7755 23d ago

It's not safe for her to sleep there. She may be depressed and sick from the mold.

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u/lapitupp 23d ago

There’s children there as well and their lungs are much smaller. I hope she gets help.

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u/Difficult_Affect_452 23d ago

And blood brain more permeable. Lord.

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u/PM_Me_Some_Steamcode 23d ago

And that mold can definitely contribute to the depression

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u/Floydthebaker 23d ago

I feel like I should say that, again, that mold could definitely be destroying her health, and mental state, especially over long periods of exposure, especially, because depression makes you spend more time at home indoors, especially, because depression weakens the immune system.

I love run on sentences and redundant information! 🤪

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u/Jubenheim 23d ago

And the depression would cause her to not care about cleanliness, contributing to mold growth.

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u/PM_Me_Some_Steamcode 23d ago

Really is a rough cycle and this help can help but it doesn’t break the spell

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u/ogclobyy 23d ago

I used to live in a 2008 Ford Escape that had a leaking sunroof, and before I moved in, I had to clean it out because the entire car was white shag carpet.

The previous owner let it sit for a year without noticing the leak, so it was just a literal petri dish.

Anyways, I couldn't tell if the mold was making me depressed or my situation lol.

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u/MeanTelevision 23d ago

Definitely could cause a malaise and confusion which could be construed as and/or worsen actual depression.

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u/Technical-Agency8128 23d ago

The mold could definitely be doing a number on her mood and everything else.

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u/SnowFall_004 23d ago

As someone who lived in a building with very low air quality, it was extremely rough on my mental health. (Already had issues to begin with)

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u/Katy_Lies1975 23d ago

I wouldn't enter that place and contact the local health department. The cleaning person is probably going to get sick

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u/BurtonLongBottoms 23d ago

Whereas this might seem cut and dry of a decision to you, that would displace this person from their home until they are forced to come up with the money to pay for it, in most jurisdictions. In others, they will clean it for you and then charge you that amount back, plus fees. Ans the owner is still displaced until they remedy it. That could mean homelessness for them.

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u/Adorable_Cricket_520 23d ago

Thankfully, not everybody is like you

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u/[deleted] 23d ago

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u/nononanana 23d ago

Agreed. Or if it enters the HVAC/vents so that it gets circulated in the air.

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u/UrUrinousAnus 23d ago

Yeah. Mold spores getting blown around is a much more serious problem.

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u/[deleted] 23d ago

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u/UrUrinousAnus 23d ago

Tell me more about how it feels. I've lost most of my strength and been very ill most of this year. I blamed it on alcoholism, but I was so ill at the start of this year that I couldn't clean I am now surrounded by mold. Maybe the consequences of me being ill are keeping me ill. I just gave up and accepted that I'm dying no matter what, but maybe I'm wrong. Do you get pins and needles a lot?

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u/[deleted] 23d ago

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u/UrUrinousAnus 23d ago

I think I might have more than one problem, then. Using what little strength I have left to clean up next time I have a good day might be worthwhile. I'll still be kinda fucked, but maybe not as fucked as I thought I was. I miss being able to walk fast all day long. The pins and needles fade a bit if I take a shit ton of vitamin B1, and I'm pretty sure my liver isn't completely fucked. Maybe I have a chance. The really weird thing is that I can sing better now, but I stopped smoking at the same time as I got sick.

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u/TheBonnomiAgency 23d ago

it can kill you so it can definitely do anything else to affect mood, appetite

"That can kill you."

"Nah, it just makes me hungry."

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u/MidnightShampoo 23d ago

Hey now tcktcktck there is not a tcktcktcktcktck evidence tck that mold tcktcktck does any of thistcktcktcktck. I speaktcktck this as definitelytck tcktcktck a human.

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u/Few-Mood6580 23d ago

Nah it wont kill you. It’s not good for sure. But it can get wayyyy worse.

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u/I-I2O 23d ago edited 23d ago

Not sure why this is getting downvoted other than as a result of the illusory truth effect.

Black mold is simply not Ricin and is, generally, no more lethal than diarrhea or the common cold — none of which any sane person really wants a whole lot to do with.

”How harmful is black mold?.
All types of mold can affect people who have mold allergies. However, black mold isn’t any more dangerous than any other types of mold.”.

So for children, the elderly, and the immuno-compromised, yeah black mold CAN be quite dangerous, and prolonged exposure can be significantly harmful to anyone, but it’s going to take some effort — like licking it directly off the walls — to start shutting down kidneys and the like.

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u/Some_Air5892 23d ago

That mold will absolutely causes SO many things, I've lived in cheap places full of housing violations throughout the rust belt, mold was the worst on me.

It restricts your breathing, causes fatigue and depression, causes histamine reactions, chronic illness, etc. There were times I would wake up in the middle of the night and (I am being extremely serious here) it felt like I was being strangled to death, i would try to pump my chest muscles and nothing would come in. All I could only manage was to crawl to the door, open it, to lay on my stoop outside trying to will oxygen into my lungs. My dog suffered as well.

THE ONLY fix was getting out of that place.

This looks like children live there as well. I am extremely concerned for the well being of all living in these conditions. I understand that this is not a circumstance anyone CHOOSES to be in if they had better options, but living in my car left me better than sleeping in that mold.

I would encourage this person, or anybody living with mold like this, to look into ANY other safer living situations options. I do know that there is very little resources that can help her but having kids can absolutely get her enrolled in many more programs than I ever qualified for.

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u/No-Engineer-4692 23d ago

I grew up in welfare housing in rich town New England and it’s still moldy and shitty. Nothing like OPs pictures, though. Hope you’re doing better!

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u/Taberaremasen 23d ago

Not saying OP shouldn't get the mold taken care of since the landlord is obligated to fix it, but there is no scientific evidence that inhalation of mold spores is toxic. The best they have is that some people might have "mold allergies" and a list of symptoms that may cause if true.

In my 10+ years working daily around mold with a bunch of gung-ho young males who refuse to wear their respirator, I've never heard of anyone getting sick from mold. As for the clients we worked for, I personally think a lot of the sickness they purportedly had due to "toxic mold" was all in their head.

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u/Newtonsmum 23d ago

As someone who has worked with pulmonology and respiratory therapy, please keep that incredibly uninformed opinion to yourself. I'll see you and/or some of those "gung-ho young males who refuse to wear their respirator" in clinic in a few years.

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u/Taberaremasen 23d ago

A quick Google search would easily inform you that what I said is factual, but I don't feel the need to prove anything to you, so feel free to fact check yourself if you care - wouldn't want to be uninformed, right?

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u/JoulesJeopardy 23d ago

You didn’t live in it. You were around it temporarily.

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u/Taberaremasen 23d ago edited 23d ago

I was around it (week)daily for 10+ years, though certainly not during every moment at work

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u/DumbgeonMaster 23d ago

My first thought after “Badass OP” was “I desperately want to replace that moldy wall, insulation, and clean their ducting.”

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u/EntertainmentGood996 23d ago

Hi - I saw the mold and grit. If you want, I can get good paint for not much money. (I'm a paint vendor in Boston)

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u/LucidComfusion 23d ago

They need to fix the issue first, then they can paint. You rock for trying to help!

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u/[deleted] 23d ago

[deleted]

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u/EntertainmentGood996 22d ago

Clean off the walls, use a primer that can deflect mold and mildew from returning, then two coats of a paint. Favorite color is Glidden Dover White.

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u/UrUrinousAnus 23d ago

Depending on the type of paint, and how badly the wood is rotting, it might still help a bit. A thick coat of gloss paint would at least seal the mold in.

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u/Runaway2332 23d ago

YOU made this crappy world shine brighter just now. THANK YOU for showing me I'm wrong and that good people do still exist...

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u/Pure_Test_2131 23d ago

Hello sent u a dm

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u/TechnoBuns 23d ago

I'm thinking it's the window AC unit that's causing it. The section that drips condensation while running seems to still be sitting on the inside and I don't see how it can possibly be installed correctly in that window.

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u/Sabi-Star7 22d ago

As someone who has an under window unit, I can confirm that it could be a contributing factor. My ac unit kept leaking INTO the apt & the apt downstairs. There is 100% mold throughout this entire apt building and possibly the whole complex. In order for me to even legally "confirm mold (even though it's quite obvious LITERALLY EVERYWHERE)" is pay for an inspector to come out (those expenses don't fall onto the scum-lord apparently according to the code enforcement). But I've been ultra sick from being stuck here until I can get a better place, which is proving to be difficult bc of said sickness on top of having an autoimmune condition😩. Bleach can only do so much, all these buildings need to be gutted down to structure and everything replaced but for the scum-lords that's just too much money and would raise the rent to even more astronomical prices (also not helping with the moving part).

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u/Superdooperblazed420 23d ago

I think homeowner has kids there as well :(

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u/RevolutionDull6699 22d ago

Looks like also possibly a cat): Can’t tell if that’s a litter box on 7 or if it’s a box with something rotting in it

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u/Sabi-Star7 22d ago

That's definitely a litter box.

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u/EveningVegetable8665 22d ago

Poor kitty :(( I really hope it doesn’t live there anymore 

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u/Superdooperblazed420 22d ago

Yes 100% a cat, can see the litter box full of shit. But those bunk beds look like kids bedding, I hope kids were nit living there. I had a friend growing up who's house was like the original pictures. I felt so bad for him.

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u/XandersCat 23d ago

I had a friend who always smelled bad in high school. I noticed but never said anything. I'm the kind of person that is sort of attracted to ppl that "need friends" you know?

I later learned as an adult what that smell was... She lived in a house like this. Poor thing it very likely wasn't her fault at all. But because of shitty parents (literally) she went through school stinking.

I think it gets into the clothes and it's a pet odor kind of smell. Hard to describe but I can smell it in these photos.

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u/Superdooperblazed420 22d ago

I had a friend like that named shane in like 6 th grade. Dude always wore dirty, BO smelling clothes and didn't seem like he showered often. We became good friend he was a awesome dude. But he never wanted to hang out or do sleep over at his place. I was super poor and also shy about my crappy house. But we always hung out at my place. After a year or so his mom invited me to sleep over against his wishes kinda. And I found out why. The house was a mess piles of junk of clothes. Washer and drier not even hooked up, kitchen full of rotted food and more junk. The only room in the whole house somewhat clean was his. He told Me that night all about his home life his depressed mom, his cop dad that's never home and checked out completely, how he has to clean his own clothes but they don't even have soap for clothes he would take hand soap from school and wash his clothes once a month in the tub. Kid was just being neglected. I told my dad about it and my dad basically took him in, would send me to school with extra food for shane. Would have him bring his a trash bag of clothes to school so we could wash them at our house, my dad was always awesome like that, even tho we were dirt poor he did what he could to help this kid out. Sadly he moved to another state when were like 13 and I didn't hear from again till he was an adult and reached out to me on Facebook. He is doing great now.

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u/XandersCat 22d ago

Aw nice to hear he is doing good. My mom was a teacher and she would take her kids shopping for clothes AND they had a laundry on site for this situation. It's tough though because that's still an adult intervening, they are children!

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u/Superdooperblazed420 22d ago

Breaks my heart, I have a 4 year old boy and not a single atom in my body would allow me to neglect him.

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u/DigSelect 21d ago

I have a mother just like that. We didn’t always have much but there was always an extra plate at the table for anyone who needed it. Bless you and your dad and I’m so glad to hear Shane is doing well.

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u/Fearless-Cookie-8999 21d ago

This broke my heart. Thank you first of all for looking past what other people would not of. And thank you to your dad for being such a beautiful soul x

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u/Superdooperblazed420 21d ago

My dad is my hero I'm 35 and still look up to him as my hero. He saved me from my abusive mom when I was 6. I had all kinds of behavior and violence problems from the abuse I was getting from mom and step dad. Somehow my dad took that all on by himself, and calmed my ass down. Taught me how to be a proper man, have empathy and to only use violence as self defense. He got remarried about 10 years ago and moved to the east coast, so I don't get to see hin often now. I want my son to know what a awesome dude his grandpa is, but sadly being 3000 miles away and hin retired means not many chances to vist.

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u/Fearless-Cookie-8999 20d ago

Not only does your son know his awesome granddad but now the internet does ( him from the UK) ❤️ thank you yet again for sharing your story and most of all for being the compassion that boy needed when you were both younger.

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u/Fearless-Cookie-8999 21d ago

Thank you for being her friend x

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u/esothellele 23d ago

Could you explain a bit more? I'm now nervous that my house has these things and that I'm going to wake up in 10 years with a $100k problem that insurance won't cover. How can I know if I have those things, and if I do, what is the approximate solution?

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u/jamminatorr 23d ago

Just FYI, your home insurance does not cover anything that falls under maintenance. Water intrusion from bad windows, foundation cracks, roof issues etc. Doesn't really matter if it ends up being expensive. Budget your money as much as you can to do preventative maintenance.

As for looking out for water issues, look for rotten wood around your windows, bubbly paint on the wood or drywall area, discoloration or staining etc. if you're really nervous about a spot, cut a square hole into the drywall and see what you see - drywall patching is super easy to learn and not that expensive.

3

u/FarplaneDragon 23d ago

Really important to look at the yard and water drainage and runoff. The more you can get water raining and running off away from your house to begin with, the better, and like the old saying goes "Water always finds a way"

2

u/esothellele 23d ago

your home insurance does not cover anything that falls under maintenance.

Yep, that was my point when I said "a $100k problem that insurance won't cover". I didn't mean that there was a risk that my insurance provider wouldn't cover it; I meant that it's the type of thing that home insurance doesn't cover.

Thanks for the suggestions, will look to see if I see anything. I'm guessing I don't have these problems, but good to know how to identify it.

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u/Sensitive_Ad_1271 23d ago

Just look at the pictures. Look under the windows. See all that disgustingness? Does your house have that? But even if it doesn't you can just look around your windows for moisture, warping wood, cracking silicone. If it doesn't look right do some research online and you should be able to get your answer. I promise you yours is nowhere near as bad as the persons in this picture otherwise you would know.

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u/esothellele 23d ago

Thanks for the suggestions -- yeh, I don't have anything that looks remotely like the stuff in the picture. I was initially thinking the disgusting walls were just a product of spills and whatever messes that had never been cleaned up, along with not having been painted in fifty years, but that all makes sense.

5

u/Historical-Gap-7084 23d ago

I lived in a house with a bad mold problem (unbeknownst to me), and I was constantly sick with upper respiratory infections of different varieties: pneumonia, bronchitis, acute sinusitis. For literal months I was sick with something constantly, with little relief. I'd get over one thing, only to get sick with something else.

Not one single doctor suggested all of my ailments might be due to a black mold problem. In fact, they started to believe I was faking it. No, I'm not coming into your office coughing up a lung for attention, Heather.

When we were cleaning up to move out two years later, I discovered black mold in a place that wasn't readily visible and a light bulb went off.

Two weeks after moving into our new place, I kid you not, everything cleared up and my mental state was so much better. I called my PCP and told her what I'd found out and how I was better after moving so she could have that on hand for the future.

2

u/Slagathor0 23d ago

I assumed it was related to the pitch of the sill, the AC and the bars on the window not allowing the AC to be mounted outside.

2

u/withagrainofsalt1 23d ago

Yeah they’re clearly poor.

2

u/hihelloneighboroonie 23d ago

My mind is boggled by the number of people just saying good job OP (and I've seen OP's posts before, she does good work). If you can't clean that mess off the walls, that means something. That's unhealthy.

1

u/Both_Painting_2898 23d ago

One step at a time

1

u/UrUrinousAnus 23d ago

Diluted bleach in a spray bottle is good for killing mold. Vinegar sometimes works, too, but you need unusually strong vinegar.

1

u/MarzipanMiserable817 23d ago

I have a friend who had mold in her room as a child and she got asthma from it. Running makes her airways shut. She will suffer from it her entire life.

1

u/Pickle_Rick110 23d ago

I came to say the same thing, mold is terrible for you to breath in, a wide range of different ailments it can cause too, negatively impacting your physical and mental health.

1

u/DLowBossman 23d ago

Either way, it's better than the dump she was living in.

No one is obligated to fix all her problems.

1

u/originalmaja 23d ago

Dampness and mold are associated with depression, yes

1

u/KouLeifoh625 23d ago

I wouldn’t say window seals, I would say they have an air conditioner draining right on Sheetrock/plaster lol

1

u/Difficult_Affect_452 23d ago

Especially because it seems like there might be children living there.

1

u/Consistent-Height-79 23d ago

It looks like they’re in the city, so most likely a landlord issue.

1

u/SuperSoakerLiker 23d ago

Why did you choose to address the mold before the backwards refrigerator doors?

1

u/arihelle 23d ago

mold wrecks your gut and gut wrecks your mental health. speaking from experience. they are 100% connected!

1

u/blueorangan 23d ago

how can you tell

1

u/casastorta 23d ago

On top of that, mattress in a moldy room is on the floor with no bed frame/no chance of ventilation. It’s a mold nest too.

1

u/hammockcomplexon3rd 23d ago

The flag that said Good Vibes Only whilst hung amongst a room of pure depression…

1

u/Lady_Wiccan_Wolf 22d ago

Depends on if they're the home owner or renting. If it's a rental getting the landlord to fix things can be a massive pain in the ass, and depending on the landlord, they'll jack up the rent when the next lease renewal happens due to "renovations and improvements raising the value of the unit."

1

u/Sabi-Star7 22d ago

You're absolutely right about the LL issue, as that's the issue I face with my scum-lord. And I can not wait to be able to gtfo here and finally not be "as sick" (as I still have an autoimmune issue), which the mold sit. Ain't helping but hurting even more. But once I do have the funds to move I'm surely hiring someone to test for mold (even though it's SUPER obvious) just to have a legality to maybe get help suing the complex for me having to live in these conditions. The day they were renovating the apt next to mine, they drug black mold throughout the hallway and down the stairs. I took pictures showed it to the code enforcement guy and he told me the only recourse I'd have was to get an inspector out (that I'd have to pay for myself) to test & verify the mold🙄🙄 (seems ZERO protection for renters). Not to mention, the health dept has been called to this complex 1000047283356473747428 times for NUMEROUS issues INCLUDING mold.....and been fined literal thousands of dollars for every building in this complex MULTIPLE times (how they haven't been condemned yet I'll NEVER know)....but I know one thing I can not wait to leave I'm tired of being sick, sick....

1

u/Earth7_being 22d ago

Maybe that's the root cause of their illness?

1

u/marmaladic 22d ago

I think she needs help herself first before anything though. :/

1

u/mbranbb 22d ago

It’s not the window seal. It’s the window AC unit. It needs to be tilted slightly towards the window for it to drain properly. Right now it looks to be draining back into the house.

1

u/Conscious_Balance388 22d ago

To speak on the effects of mold on mental health; this could absolutely be adding to the tenants poorer mental health condition.

1

u/jjjacer 22d ago

At least now with the home clean it might be easier to get someone in to look at fixing the mold/water damage/walls. I know when a house is messy it feels like you dont want anyone else to come in and see the mess.

1

u/jaime_riri 22d ago

Oh I thought it was from that ac tilted in

1

u/Randyman34 22d ago

When you’re so deep in depression, you can’t even conceive the idea of cleaning. My parents cleaned my place one time because I felt so overwhelmed. It helped immensely. Cheers to you for helping someone like this.

I’ve read a couple articles about how mold can lead to depression and other health problems obviously. Scary stuff.

1

u/ZEI_GAMES 22d ago

Aaand depressed again..

1

u/B3rry_Macockiner 22d ago

That’s from her running the window air conditioner on the bay window, not actually putting it out of the window. I can tell because I have seen people do this before.

1

u/CanIgetaWTF 22d ago

For sure. But there's mold on the exterior walls of the other rooms too. Zoom in to see the spots

1

u/Ucklator 22d ago

Especially since there are kids in the house.

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u/-MrBagSlash- 22d ago

She bought that for 450k in ny and that was at a hell of a discount

1

u/Global_Valuable_2691 22d ago

There actually is evidence that exposure black mold can cause depression

1

u/SnooAvocados3855 22d ago

Mold can manifest all sorts of adverse health effects with the change in air quality. Could be contributing to lethargy and what is manifesting as "depression"

1

u/Affectionate_Ant5426 22d ago

Is the mold in the 5th picture below the window? Never seen a mold so asking 😅

0

u/New_Amomongo 23d ago

I observed for many persons a lifestyle change and change of environment does help.

  • eating clean
  • sunlight exposure
  • sleeping earlier and longer
  • active calories of cardio, weights and strength via gym or sports
  • in-person social interaction with people who pull you up
  • avoiding vices such as but not limited to tobacco, alcohol, other controlled substances, gambling, whoring, etc

Doing the above daily for months on end will improve many people's mental health situations.

Not all can be helped in this way but trying the above may improve situations to many.

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u/[deleted] 23d ago

Cool, but a simple "thank you" would have sufficed. Smh