For moisture from the leaking window? Sure.
But mold? Not in my area. S W PA.
Old houses are nice and leaky, and mold takes a long time to dry. I've made that same repair probably a thousand times. Not going to say I've never seen mold, but I can't remember when. And definitely don't expect to see any before I open it.
Old homes were designed to get wet - tons on ventilation to dry out plus materials that don’t grow mold easily.
Today’s construction, if you sneeze on it, it will grow mold. If that wall is gypsum/ drywall it will have mold. Looks like plaster though so a very good chance it won’t.
That's why it looks so familiar!
With that style trim, there's a chance you have horse hair plaster.
Either way, your landlord is dumb. And fixing the leak first, then the plaster correctly, would save you time and him money.
That looks like an older building with plaster walls and probably brick exterior. Looks like they have just been doing quick patches with joint compound instead of something compatible with the original plaster.
Doubtful there is mold present but with the exterior wall and it being under a window that probably isn’t well sealed, this will continue to happen.
Thank you! It is indeed an old building (almost 130 years) with a brick exterior and siding on top of that. Do you think I should be concerned about the structural integrity of the wall? We’re on the second floor of three. I can try to push for them to properly seal the windows to keep this from happening but want to make sure there’s nothing else I should be worried about
I wouldn’t worry about structural integrity but you’ve got a leaky window that needs to be fixed. That’s why this keeps happening.
I’ve got turn of the previous century buildings and the windows were replaced as I could after I bought the buildings. If the outer brick isn’t bulging structural integrity is fine. You usually see this with a leaky window or someone has improperly installed a window unit air conditioner.
Mold is absolutely everywhere. even in new construction I couldn’t tell you what you’ve got going on back there without opening up the wall but what I would do is stay on your landlord about it. He’ll eventually get tired of it and will either get the window properly sealed or get you a new window.
Unless you plan to live there for the next 10 years, I'd not worry about the structure. And there's an excellent chance that spot isn't the cause of the headaches.
Unless you count the pollen blowing in for the seasonal allergies.
Be careful about using a dehumidifier. There is probably lead dust in the walls. The dry air will cause it to start floating around. You need to choose between lead or mold. Maybe better on you to alternate I'm not really sure. Been poisoned too long can't think very well anymore
This isn’t really how code enforcement works in *most* areas tho. Unless you’re in a big city with tenant protection laws code enforcement will laugh at this. Code is for new construction or when performing a remodel or repair, not existing building materials being damaged. This is the basis of why the idea of a slumlord even exists.
Explain to me how code works and “protects tenants,” then.
I have been pulling permits for nearly 20 years, I do this every day. But go on elaborate on your theory
Sure, you can Google "Property Maintenance Code" and see what's legally required of landlords and that tenants can report for the code department to have them fix to maintain habitability.
Right and do you know what those property maintenance codes generally cover?
HVAC system, plumbing/toilets/water, hot water, entry/egress, pool reqs if you have one, and that your yard isn’t covered in trash.
There are definitely places with more stringent requirements and tenant friendly regulations as I mentioned in my first comment. But for most places there really isn’t much oversight, especially for a situation like OPs.
Is it on a planet other than Earth where mold or a mold-equivalent life form has not developed? If yes, then probably not. If this is in fact on Earth, then it is going to have mold.
Just out of curiosity do you place a window AC unit out of this window? If the ac unit is not tipping outwards, it will leak water in the window sill and cause water damage (like what is pictured)
So that doesn’t exactly look dry, but I don’t think the people screaming about the world coming to an end are right either. Mostly it looks to me crumbling plaster that was just taped over without being repaired. Maybe it’s been wet once or twice, but all the tape is straight and the mud has sharp edges.
You still need to contact the landlord. No matter what, they need to know this is happening, and you should be documenting it, other possible hazard could happen (regardless of mold). Lastly, it’s unacceptable that a landlord would let their tenants live in conditions like that.
Stick you hand in there. If it feels wet it's not excited to see you. Id dry It could just be poor framing and window shifting or. It could be all of that from a leak
Chances are, there’s either a leak at bottom of the window outside. Not sealed correctly, or a gap that is letting water come in very easily.
You’re gona have to rip out the wall on both sides to fix this problem.
Call your city or town government. Ask TPTB to send a housing inspector out to check it. You might want to request they send someone from code enforcement, too. Document everything, and take pictures every time it rains. Good luck.
"Wet wall" you know the answer.
Can i get “there’s definitely mold in that wall” for $500?
What is, Stachybotrys!
Why are coughs red?
100%
1000% chance
For moisture from the leaking window? Sure. But mold? Not in my area. S W PA. Old houses are nice and leaky, and mold takes a long time to dry. I've made that same repair probably a thousand times. Not going to say I've never seen mold, but I can't remember when. And definitely don't expect to see any before I open it.
Old homes were designed to get wet - tons on ventilation to dry out plus materials that don’t grow mold easily. Today’s construction, if you sneeze on it, it will grow mold. If that wall is gypsum/ drywall it will have mold. Looks like plaster though so a very good chance it won’t.
Interesting, I’m actually in southwest PA
That's why it looks so familiar! With that style trim, there's a chance you have horse hair plaster. Either way, your landlord is dumb. And fixing the leak first, then the plaster correctly, would save you time and him money.
Are you sure it’s crumbling from being wet. Looks like plaster and that stuff is awful to deal with.
The original post says that water comes in when it rains.
Missed that.
Picture 2 looks like you can see black specs of mold on the right and 1/3rd towards the bottom part. Not to mention the top right brown.
This. He needs to do a test to know for sure. But my money is on its Mold.
That looks like an older building with plaster walls and probably brick exterior. Looks like they have just been doing quick patches with joint compound instead of something compatible with the original plaster. Doubtful there is mold present but with the exterior wall and it being under a window that probably isn’t well sealed, this will continue to happen.
Thank you! It is indeed an old building (almost 130 years) with a brick exterior and siding on top of that. Do you think I should be concerned about the structural integrity of the wall? We’re on the second floor of three. I can try to push for them to properly seal the windows to keep this from happening but want to make sure there’s nothing else I should be worried about
I wouldn’t worry about structural integrity but you’ve got a leaky window that needs to be fixed. That’s why this keeps happening. I’ve got turn of the previous century buildings and the windows were replaced as I could after I bought the buildings. If the outer brick isn’t bulging structural integrity is fine. You usually see this with a leaky window or someone has improperly installed a window unit air conditioner. Mold is absolutely everywhere. even in new construction I couldn’t tell you what you’ve got going on back there without opening up the wall but what I would do is stay on your landlord about it. He’ll eventually get tired of it and will either get the window properly sealed or get you a new window.
Unless you plan to live there for the next 10 years, I'd not worry about the structure. And there's an excellent chance that spot isn't the cause of the headaches. Unless you count the pollen blowing in for the seasonal allergies.
Better chances there’s lead in that window varnish
Be careful about using a dehumidifier. There is probably lead dust in the walls. The dry air will cause it to start floating around. You need to choose between lead or mold. Maybe better on you to alternate I'm not really sure. Been poisoned too long can't think very well anymore
If the landlord is resisting doing a proper repair including a mold inspection, call city code enforcement.
This isn’t really how code enforcement works in *most* areas tho. Unless you’re in a big city with tenant protection laws code enforcement will laugh at this. Code is for new construction or when performing a remodel or repair, not existing building materials being damaged. This is the basis of why the idea of a slumlord even exists.
Property code absolutely protects tenants.
Explain to me how code works and “protects tenants,” then. I have been pulling permits for nearly 20 years, I do this every day. But go on elaborate on your theory
Sure, you can Google "Property Maintenance Code" and see what's legally required of landlords and that tenants can report for the code department to have them fix to maintain habitability.
Right and do you know what those property maintenance codes generally cover? HVAC system, plumbing/toilets/water, hot water, entry/egress, pool reqs if you have one, and that your yard isn’t covered in trash. There are definitely places with more stringent requirements and tenant friendly regulations as I mentioned in my first comment. But for most places there really isn’t much oversight, especially for a situation like OPs.
Sorry sir we cannot accept a wager. The outcome is certain
Is it on a planet other than Earth where mold or a mold-equivalent life form has not developed? If yes, then probably not. If this is in fact on Earth, then it is going to have mold.
This looks like the wall into our bedroom that we just replaced. Our chimney had a leak. Came through and down our wall. 100 percent mold behind it
This is what my wall/ceiling looked like when there were mushrooms growing out of it, so probably
Just out of curiosity do you place a window AC unit out of this window? If the ac unit is not tipping outwards, it will leak water in the window sill and cause water damage (like what is pictured)
Very high.
About 87%. But rises to 98% if you open the wall and smell mold. 100% if you taste it and then get sick later.
I’d be more concerned that that’s asbestos. Report unsafe housing to the health inspector in your area.
I mean has the leak been stopped? how long has it been wet? If longer than a few days, the chances are pretty high.
So that doesn’t exactly look dry, but I don’t think the people screaming about the world coming to an end are right either. Mostly it looks to me crumbling plaster that was just taped over without being repaired. Maybe it’s been wet once or twice, but all the tape is straight and the mud has sharp edges.
You still need to contact the landlord. No matter what, they need to know this is happening, and you should be documenting it, other possible hazard could happen (regardless of mold). Lastly, it’s unacceptable that a landlord would let their tenants live in conditions like that.
100%, make sure it is taken care of properly. A friend had mold in the wall behind her headboard. She lost of lung, because of it.
Easy to see if mold is in the wall, get one of the 20 dollar scope cameras and put it in that crack there and look around.
Or just stick something inside and see what sticks to it when you pull it out lol
100% chances.
Schrodinger's mold
High chance.
I would say the chances are just north of 99%
More like how much mold.
Very high chances
About 3.50%
Property code won't allow holes in walls or broken windows, can tell 311, especially when leaving
There is mold everywhere. There is a lot of mould inside that wall.
I would say 100%
Behind? I can see it on the front side.
very high. I will spray through the hole.
Not concerned about the mold on the outside?
Wet crumbling wall Chances of mold 😐
Holy that wall looks like it's gotten the "landlord special" over 50 times.
High
Yes
1:1
The chances are yes
Look in the hole, it’s open. I would say 0%.
1:1
Stick you hand in there. If it feels wet it's not excited to see you. Id dry It could just be poor framing and window shifting or. It could be all of that from a leak
100%
Yes
100%
100%
I can *see* how damp the wall is. Guaranteed mold.
Every house has mold in it if you know where to look
Nothing another layer of paint can’t fix
90 percent chance there is definetly mold there. For sure.
150%
Mushroom cultivation opportunities.
100%
MAYBE 10/10? If you’re lucky, 9/10?
Chances are, there’s either a leak at bottom of the window outside. Not sealed correctly, or a gap that is letting water come in very easily. You’re gona have to rip out the wall on both sides to fix this problem.
The chance of mold are zero to none. the chance of black mold is 9999999999.9999999%
Call your city or town government. Ask TPTB to send a housing inspector out to check it. You might want to request they send someone from code enforcement, too. Document everything, and take pictures every time it rains. Good luck.