black mold under the bathroom tiles?

Question

We rent a home that was built in the 60's, and from apparent years of coats of paint on the bathroom ceramic tiles, the paint just kept chipping and peeling off, and getting everywhere, especially in the tub when my daughters would have their baths. We tried several different methods of paint removal, but there were too many coats, and it just barely came off. Our landlord agreed that we could remove the tile, and put up a tub surround. In beginning of removing the tile, we came to realize that all of the sheetrock was damp, and all along about the bottom foot or so of it was rotten, and crumbling into mush, and some parts of it had a black color to it. A little bit further into the project, i began to feel physically ill, almost to the point of vomiting. We've lived here a year, and i have noticed that mine and my daughters allergies seem to be getting worse also. Should i be concerned that this IS black mold? Does the entire bathroom need to be torn apart?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

It could be dangerous. Everyone reacts to mold differently. One thing is common though is the nausea and headache from working on mold jobs. You probably are in way over your head at this point. Go back to the landlord and tell him what you got, or read this to him.
Very possibly its Stachybotrys and may need to be tested and remediated. The people who remove it, are in full PPE for their protection and so that it doesnt spread into other areas like other rooms or your lungs. 
Close the door to the bathroom and dont go in there. If you or the landlord can plastic that room off, that would be the best thing. Then call a restoration company to get it out. They will know--hopefully--the proper way to remove it and not spread it to other areas.
Typical procedure is; contain area, set up negative air, don the PPE, remove the affected areas, grind the studs, clean up with HEPA vac, change to air scrub mode, wipe down with proper materials, call in for mold post remedial clearance. Should come back favorable unless there is more work to be done, or still stray spores floating.  
Dont just let someone come in and wipe it and call it good!!!....Sorry to break it to you, but the paint may have lead and the drywall/joint compound/floor tile mastics/linoleum and vinyl floor tiles may more than likely have asbestos.

Anonymous · Answer

This same thing happened to me. It was in my daughters bathroom in her house. Originally someone glued tiles over regualr sheetrock and it molder and destroyed her wall. I tore out everything and put some greenboard which is waterproof sheetrock up and retiled it with 12 by 12 floor tiles on the wall. It was easy and came out beautiful. Mold will make you very sick if you don,t get rid of it. I personally wouldn,t get something to treat the mold. I would tear everything out and do it over right then you won,t have to worry about mold again. It isn,t as hard as you think and with the proper tools you can do it by yourself except some help with the sheetrock.

Anonymous · Answer

It may not be the toxic black mold that's really hazardous, but even if it isn't you should probably see about getting it removed. Your landlord is responsible for this; ask her/him to get a professional to take a look. Meanwhile you can try spraying any mold you see with bleach; that works for the mold in my own bathroom.

Dave87gn · Answer

yes, you have mold, everything has to be taken out, the sheetrock and moldy wood...by a mold expert
you can get very ill from this

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black mold under the bathroom tiles?

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