[nestegger]

Our cat, Tigre, has been scratching excessively and losing fur for a year. He was deemed allergic to fleas but not improving with weekly flea treatments so the vet did more allergy tests. Tigre is also allergic to dustmites, mildew and mold, specifically cladosporium, aspergillis, and penicillium. Obviously, if they're in his blood, they're in our house. I've heard that coalminers take canaries down in the mines and if something happens to the canary, it alerts them to trouble. I guess our little cat is our canary. We're about to embark on some extensive home improvements but I want to address the mold issue first. We have to replace a leaking shower drip pan and I'm afraid of what will be behind the wall when the tile is removed. Reading about mold for several nights has been informative but alarming. I don't know how to determine the seriousness of our mold and would appreciate any suggestions from the knowledgeable folks on this board. Thanks.

[moldguy]

Sorry to hear about your cat. Major kudos though to your vet for their knowledge about, and desire to look into, mold sensitivity in your pet.

The best thing you can do in your home is to get a mold inspection by a certified mold inspector. If the cost seems prohibitive, consider the amount of money you've spent on your cat to date, and, about the potential damage you could be doing to your own health with an issue that is hidden and toxic.

There are lots of things you could be doing, but they are all speculative until and unless you find out that you have a mold problem.

By the way, those genus of molds your vet said your cat is responsive to are all found in varying concentrations in the outside air. Although it doesn't mean that you don't have a problem in your home because your cat is allergic, it doesn't mean you do have one either.

Test it!
_________________
CIAQT, CIAQI

[nestegger]

Moldguy, thank you for responding. I wish you were in Florida (always lots of moisture and humidity here). I will try to locate an inspector in the area (only a mold remediation company is in the phone book, no inspectors). A burning question in the meantime though. I mentionned the water pan needs to be replaced in the shower. On the wall by the tile is a dark and thick vertical line of, I guess, MOLD. As soon as we saw it, we stopped using the shower, so at least it's not still moist. The question is whether to try to clean the wall myself (how?) or leave it for an inspector to inspect? The vet recommended getting the air conditioner ducts cleaned, but I guess you'd wait to do that until after bathroom situation is resolved. Even though the topic of mold isn't enjoyable, I've enjoyed reading your helpful and humorous posts.

[moldguy]

I have an idea: If you have a remediation company in the phone book, call them and ask for a referral. I would caution against using the remediation company if they do their own testing, but, perhaps they know of a good, honest, certified, testing company.

I think that eventually you'll want to get your ductwork cleaned, so the vets advice seems pretty good. And with the knowledge that you already knew this (as written in your post), you are on your way to becoming an inspector! Seriously, I wouldn't get them cleaned until after you understand if you have a mold problem and the extent of it.

Whether to clean it or leave it is a million dollar question. Very difficult to answer. You could leave it and the inspector will be able to get a more representative sample. Yet, if you leave it, you have the issue of the (possible) mold right there, and you know it.

Also, as long as the mold stays wet, and therefore colonizing, it doesn't sporate a whole lot. But, when it dries out, the spores are released. So, this is another double-edged sword for you and your situation. I wish there were a cut and dried solution for you.

Can you seal off the room from the rest of the house? In the event it is mold, and if it dries out and begins to sporate, at least if you have that room isolated you will protect the rest of the house. This may seem drastic, so let your conscience be your guide.

And, thanks for the comment about the posts. I'm glad you seem to "get it".
_________________
CIAQT, CIAQI

[nestegger]

Thank you for the ideas, Jim. I'm calling that company tomorrow. Unfortunately it may be too late to seal off the bathroom because this happened some time ago. Not knowing what to do, I put off doing anything (I plead ignorance). So my little (possible) mold patch has probably been merrily sporating and proliferating undetected throughout my house. This is all so disconcerting. Getting on it TOMORROW. Thanks again.

[nestegger]

Hello, moldguy. Well, my quest to find a mold inspector yesterday was
fruitless. Of the two mold remediation companies in the phone book, one didn't call back and the other is the owner of a carpet cleaning service who is also a mold remediator. The "inspection" is free and you buy the service. He's in Tennesee getting his certificate renewed. You would think the mold business would be booming in Florida (where it's rained almost every day for two months) but an inspector is hard to find. I checked your website, of course, but you don't have an associate in Florida. I called "byebyemold.com" (George Hatcher) but haven't heard from them. I also called the Health Dept and the man I talked with suggested getting a contractor and finding out what's behind the bathroom wall, getting rid of it, and THEN testing after you think you've removed everything, to see if you got it all. It's very confusing and time keeps passing as I contemplate the mold spores in my home.
My husband isn't interested in spending hours reading articles about mold and, while he recognizes that mold isn't good for our health and we need to do something about it, he seems to think that if you live in Florida you're going to have roaches and mildew and he doesn't worry. He did read the government epa guidelines, which state you can handle less than 10 square feet yourself, which he's considering trying. The thing is, isn't what's visible the tip of the iceberg? I keep reading that it's HIDDEN.
I have another question for you. You had suggested closing off that room. Should I close the AC vent in that room to try to prevent spores from wafting into the air conditioner? Or would that just make the room more moist and conducive to growth? Also, how long do spores keep sporating? Continuously? I'm going to try to wash it off the wall and hope not to stir things up too much. Sorry for being so long-winded but there are few people who want to talk about mold. Thanks for your help!

Terry