Mold Questions from New Orleans Homeowners and Renters

Usually not in the 911 sense, but act within days. The urgent part is stopping the water and drying out, because the EPA says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. Move faster for large areas, mold after flood water, mold in the air handler or ducts, or anyone in the home with breathing problems.

Mold can cause allergic and irritant reactions such as a stuffy nose, coughing, wheezing or itchy eyes, according to the EPA and CDC. People with asthma, allergies or weakened immune systems may be more sensitive. If anyone in the home has symptoms, see a doctor. This site does not give medical advice.

Color doesn't tell you how risky a mold is, and the cleanup is the same either way: fix the water and remove the growth carefully. Any mold can bother people who are sensitive to it. Treat a large dark patch like any other large mold problem. See mold removal for how the work is done.

Often, if it is small. The EPA says homeowners can usually handle an area of less than about 10 square feet once the water problem is fixed. Scrub with detergent and water, wear gloves and a mask, and dry the area fully. In Louisiana, owners and tenants may do their own work without a license. Larger areas, mold inside walls or ducts, or flood water call for a professional.

Usually not. The EPA says that in most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is unnecessary. The plan is the same: fix the water and remove the mold. Testing can help when you smell mold but can't find it, when you need documentation for a dispute, or when you want a clearance check after the work.

An air test pulls a measured amount of indoor air through a collector, usually compared with an outdoor sample, to show what spores are in the air. A surface test uses tape or a swab on a stain to identify what is growing there. Fixr puts air tests at about $500 to $700 and surface tests at about $150 to $200. See mold inspection and testing.

Be careful with it. A free test from a company that also sells removal gives that company a reason to find a problem, and in Louisiana a remediation contractor may not also do the mold assessment on the same property. Quotes through this site are free, but lab tests cost money. If you want a test, hire an independent company.

Usually the landlord, when the cause is a repair issue. Louisiana's Civil Code makes the lessor responsible for necessary repairs (arts. 2682 and 2691), and mold from a roof or plumbing leak is commonly treated that way. Damage a tenant causes is the tenant's to repair. Put requests in writing and keep copies. This is general information, not legal advice. See mold in rentals.

Don't withhold rent without advice. Civil Code art. 2694 lets a tenant make necessary repairs and deduct the cost, but only after a demand, a reasonable time for the landlord to act, and for necessary, reasonably priced work. Talk to a legal aid office or a lawyer first. You can also ask the City of New Orleans through 311 how rental complaints are handled.

It depends. Flood damage goes to your flood (NFIP) policy, and wind, roof and plumbing damage usually goes to your homeowners policy. Mold coverage depends on the cause and your policy's mold limits. FEMA says NFIP policyholders must take steps to limit mold after a flood and should talk to their adjuster before signing a cleaning or remediation contract.