Fungus, among Us - How Do I Properly Get Rid of This?

starbearer on 18/06/2020 - 19:06
Last edited 18/06/2020 - 19:06

Hi All,

We discovered today that the ceiling of one of the rooms of our apartment had this. Initially we thought its water leakage, on closer inspection it was a powdery substance, most likely mold. I took a few disinfectant wipes and completely rubbed it off. However, I'm wondering what could be the cause of this and how do I properly treat it? Also if it looks toxic?

Based in Melbourne, south east, about 5K from the nearest beach, if that helps. Its not an old apartment building by any means, built maybe 3 years ago. There's no water leakage as such. However, the room does open into a balcony through a set of sliding windows (double glazed) which are usually closed, especially now in winter. Didn't notice anything like this last winter.

Thanks for your help!

Home & Garden

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 18/06/2020 - 19:37
    +1

    Called mOlD

    Can be sanitised with 60/40 water to vinegar solution.

    Usual causes are condensation from….moisture!

    Ensure place is properly vented to remove moisture and avoid recurrence in future

    • starbearer on 18/06/2020 - 19:43

      Thanks, that confirms it. Too cold to keep the place vented.

      I'll probably get one of those moisture absorber things from Bunnings.

      • [Deactivated] on 18/06/2020 - 20:26
        +1

        Best bet would be to crack a window or door to let the place ventilate over the day, those moisture things just suck

      • oscargamer on 18/06/2020 - 21:33

        Those absorber things are a waste of money (unless in a sealed space - which a room is not)

  • Lexus101 on 18/06/2020 - 19:54
    +1

    You can use Vinegar as suggested or Bleach with Water mixture (50/50). Wear gloves and soak a rag with the bleach water mixture and dab/clean the moldy area well. This should remove the mold on your ceiling.

    However, it seems you have a moisture problem in this room. Buy a container of "Damprid" to absorb excess moisture in this room. When the Damprid changes from solid crystal to all liquid, then it's time to throw it out and get another container. Best to place it in a corner of the room away from pets and accidentally knocking it over. Bunnings sells Damprid $4.95 300gm bottle.

    However, if the mold persist after you take all precautions, then you have to assume it may be a leak from upstairs.

    Good Luck…Mold is not something you want in your home.

    • starbearer on 18/06/2020 - 22:17
      +1

      Yep, got something similar to DampRid (different shaped container, but contains Calcium Chloride) will use to collect excess moisture. Also planning to use Selleys mould killer over the area.

  • Ghost47 on 18/06/2020 - 20:11

    Mix vinegar and water. Can't remember the ratio but maybe 4:1 or 3:2. Bleach only removes colour from mold it doesn't kill the mold, so don't bother with bleach.

    Spray the mold every now and then (like a few times a day), the mold will absorb the solution and die, then it will wipe off very easily.

  • Traveller107 on 18/06/2020 - 21:56
    +1

    That looks like water leak from above. You can try and remove the mould but it's gonna keep coming back unless you get rid of the leak.
    There may be pipes above those spots or could be a whirlybird letting water in a bit during rain or just a faulty roof installation. Do you know what's up there?
    Considering it's a newer apartment it should still be under warranties. Cheers!

    • starbearer on 18/06/2020 - 22:13

      Its the ceiling of our apartment and there is another apartment above us. I replaced a downlight once in this room and the area was filled with cotton like substance. Yea you could be right about the water pipes and one of them may have a leak, but the area I wiped wasn't damp at all.

  • coblos on 19/06/2020 - 09:29
    +1

    Do you have an unflued gas heater?

    "An unflued gas heater produces lots of C02, together with all the water vapour in the air, condenses on the wall, and then the C02 feeds the mould.

    "Hot air holds a lot of moisture, and at night when the air cools down, the moisture condenses on the walls. The water is then available for mould.

    • starbearer on 19/06/2020 - 10:59

      nah, no gas heater. Reverse cycle AC which can be used as a heater in another room.

      But your comment got me thinking. We do cook with gas and there could be water vapour which condenses near the windows (the windows get fogged up when we cook). There is an exhaust which we always turn on to get rid of the steam. May look at that closely next time.

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