Hey fellas,So last month I had a large water leak behind the toilet that I was able to fix. It was so bad you could feel sloshy wetness all around the bed frame in the bedroom. We have since repaired the leak and the carpet has been dry.BUT, my girlfriend keeps getting really bad allergies which are quickly alleviated when she steps outside (and she is very sensitive, so being outside as a reprieve must mean something). This tells me that there is something IN the RV causing problems. I am assuming this is a mold problem underneath the carpet where the water was, and possibly the wooded areas where the water came from.How would I go about looking at this? I live in it, and don't have the money to get a place to live for weeks while Camping World (only reputable place near me) fixes it. Even then I've heard some damning things about their "repair" crew.Please help! I need to know what I can do. I am a DIY'er so can fix many things, just need a start. Should I rip up the carpet and scrub-a-dub dub? Should I burn it to the ground? This is infuriating, and the two air purifiers (each rated for a large room) can't even cleanse the whole RV.Thanks in advance!

I'd say a total ripout of flooring is in order. Mold is serious stuff.

Before tearing it out you will need a way to get good ventilation in and out. You'll also need a mold rated respirator.No way to live in it while mold work is going on.You could pick up a mold test kit in the paint department of HD or similar. They are probably under $10. You may not wish to send to a lab for testing, but the amount of growth in the petri dish will confirm or deny the presence of mold. Afterb that, if you want, you can send it to the lab listed on the paper and for about $50 they will tell what kind of mold and in what amounts.You can also PM questions if you want. I hold a FL mold remediators license.

Step one is pulling up the carpet, for sure. Possibly other furniture and flooring once the carpet is up and you can see the extent of the problem.One month probably isn't long enough for any structural decay to start, so clean with mold killing chemicals, treat with a preventative, then put everything back together. I'd probably throw out the carpet and replace while you're at it.Finally, a top to bottom detailed scrup/shampoo of the whole interior to kill any spores that you stirred up while fixing the problem.

What other things could cause this? Are you using any un vented heater or Candles? I remember when you repaired the water leak and you haven't been living in it very long have you? Just trying to start at the beginning of the story.

Thanks for the advice guys! I was hoping to not have to rip up everything, but looks like I can't prevent it. I don't have time for a mold test unfortunately, so will probably get right to the scrubbing. The lady is suffering because of it (since she works from there), and it needs to get done... She has some family coming up tomorrow, so she will likely stay with them while I get the brunt of the work done after I get home.Also, this is probably something that started before I bought the unit (which I am regretting because), as the leak stains appear to have been there before I bought the unit, I just didn't know what they were and the dealership said there were no leaks (of course, right?). Kinda got screwed there, but I don't think Xtraride covers leak damage, only the leaks themselves.

Mold?! | Good Sam Community

John_Joey
Explorer
Feb 13, 2015
The sky is falling the sky is falling. :E

You're right about asbestos, my FIL used it a lot when he would sweat pipes near wood. I'm sure it would have killed him if the cigarettes didn't get him first at 82.

Mold seems to be an ever present problem in humid Florida. Wonder how they survive. I think if you really looked hard at an RV that is used a lot you'll notice mold on the window frames. Wonder if they should be claimed as a bio hazard then prior to going to some consignment place for a cleanup and sale?
DiskDoctr
Explorer
Feb 13, 2015
What happened? Insurance.

Who has $50k to "Level 3 Hazmat Remediate" mold? Somebody won a lawsuit against insurance company, now many exclude mold on their policies.

Second thing, Flooding and the Media.

People built in Mississippi river bed, houses flooded (duh!), and then expected insurance to replace and remove every spec of dust, dirt, mold, etc.

Third thing, "Black Mold"

Dark, deadly, secret cause of all health problems, sneaks up on you at night, carries your children off into the forest...

Not saying mold isn't a bad thing, but if you believe all the hype, you'd never step outside of your padded rooms for fear a giant ball of blue ice from an airplane toilet is going to get you!

OP- Go to Home Depot, ask to see their mold removal products, and use them. Much better than bleach. Can be DIY with reasonable cost and precautions.
dockmasterdave
Explorer
Feb 16, 2015
"Who has $50k to "Level 3 Hazmat Remediate" mold? Somebody won a lawsuit against insurance company, now many exclude mold on their policies."

I agree that black mold is probably the only dangerous one, or at least the most common, dangerous one.
There are lots of people down here complaining of allergies and sickness that can, and have been, proven to be from black mold.
Perhaps this is the reason I suggested a simple, under $10 mold test from Home depot, about 2 pages ago.
Pretty cheap for a first step, then take it anywhere you want to go.
Saying " I don't know anyone who got sick, so it isn't real" is a pretty dangerous gamble, when you could find out for sure so easily.
There are an awful lot of people on here with no LEGITIMATE training what so ever, telling people to do stupid things. In my humble opinion.
Sorry for ever getting involved in this thread.

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