A Pittsburgh woman contacted a local news station with reports of severe mold in her apartment, with growths so bad that it was making both her and her daughter sick.

The 28 year old woman, who asked to remain unidentified, spoke with Channel 11 reporter Timyka Artist. She told her that mold problems in her Ella St. apartment have gotten so bad that both she and her 11 year old daughter have been sick as a result. She went on to say that she no longer allows her daughter to stay in the unit.

The Allegheny County Health Department has been notified of the problem, and an inspection of the apartment revealed substantial mold growth in nearly every room, including the bedroom and kitchen. The woman says her landlord has done little to correct the problem.

"I'm a single mother. I pay rent on time, I'm never late. The least she can do is find a place that's livable for me and my daughter," she said.

When questioned about the problem, the landlord said that they had hired a local firm to apply a chemical treatment to the mold, but that they were unable to find the source of the problem.

The tenant says she has had enough of nothing being done and is actively looking for another place to live. The Allegheny County Health Department has given the landlord until June 14 to fix the problem or face an on-site inspection.

Mold is the most common side effect related to water damage, typically appearing within 48 hours of a water damage event. Mold contributes to the breakdown of your structure (as it tends to destroy whatever surface it grows on) as well as bringing all kinds of health problems with it.

Mold occurs naturally in outdoor environments; we encounter and even inhale mold spores almost every day, with no ill effects. When mold occurs indoors, such as this woman’s apartment, mold spores can be encountered in large concentrations. Inhalation of such can prove harmful.

Most reactions to mold are slight, usually resembling mild allergic reactions such as runny nose, watery eyes, coughing, and skin irritations. Mold can also trigger asthma attacks as well as other respiratory problems. Although uncommon, mold has been known to trigger more serious issues such as pneumonia, neurological disorders, lung disease, and in rare cases, even death.

It stands to reason that mold can be harmful. In outdoor environments, mold acts as nature’s recycling system, breaking down dead plant and animal tissue. Of course, inhaling large quantities of mold spores is going to produce some less than desirable results.

Many people spend money to have their homes tested for mold. This isn’t usually necessary. Mold presents itself as a fuzzy, greenish-black growth on walls, pipes, or even fabrics, usually accompanied by a musty or noxious smell. If you suspect that you have mold, then in all likelihood you do.

If you have mold, then what do you do about it? Many homeowners assume that if they kill the mold or remove the growth, then that is the end of it. This is a mistake. Mold must not only be removed, but the affected area must be properly treated to ensure that the mold does not return. This involves cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, but most importantly, the reduction of moisture and humidity. Reducing humidity to less than 50% will go a long way towards making sure that the mold doesn’t grow back.

For best results with your mold removal needs, contact Water Damage Local.com. We are available 24/7 and offer a complete range of water damage restoration services, including mold remediation, designed to remove the water, repair the damage, and return your home to its pre-loss condition.

For all your mold remediation and water restoration needs, call the professionals at Water Damage Local.com today.

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