Mould Problem in Emergency Accommodation

[Deleted User]

I will freely admit that we have made this problem worse. My son is suffering from Hayfever very badly, constantly. I've been to the GP, he's on ventolin, piriton up to 6 times daily and he's just been given a tablet that's supposed to help with asthma triggers in case it helps with the hayfever. He feels ill constantly which is affecting his school performance and attendance, which is bad enough anyway (he also has ASD and the school are doing their best but their best I'm afraid just isn't enough - they say he has no chance of an EHCP because its only one per school and he's not bad enough). He's been sleepless coughing all night so I got a humidifier. Not something I wanted to spend £40 on but the medication wasn't letting him sleep.

The bedroom we sleep in (I sleep there as well, its two bed property and we were lucky to get that) already had black marks (not furry) on the wall at the back of the room and signs of damp when we moved in. I knew the humidifier wasn't going to help, but leave all windows in the place however cold it is open while he's at school. But it looks like there is actually a rising tide mark to the front of the bedroom as well now (which wasn't there before). If he's coughing when he gets home and the medication doesn't help, I turn the humidifier on in the lounge. Reluctantly. He's been sick a few times because of the coughing so I have to do something.

The problem is, as I feared, the mould is now becoming very apparent on the ceiling and walls in the bedroom. I suspect there's a roofing problem next door but don't really know. His social worker said this set of maisonettes often have damp problems. The tenants I've spoken to say 'x moved out because of the mould' over and over. Its a sink estate, full of people needing emergency accommodation like us.

I'm trying my best in a bad situation, but know I'm causing the mould to get worse. But I don't know what else to do. It looks like he's going to have to sleep in the lounge but that's hardly ideal, he doesn't sleep well at the best of times.

Any ideas anyone?

I'm going out to get some borax and will clean all the bedroom walls and ceilings down - it looks to be the best mould removal solution. I have to be careful as I have asthma too. Used bleach on a bathroom mould problem when I moved in and was really bad with the asthma, so that's not a choice.

The only problem is, I have all the windows open, no point in using the humidifier and I am sitting here with my son coughing constantly in the background. This last week he's always saying he feels ill (sick).

[Please note I made this post confusing originally by starting it off saying my son is Asthmatic. The asthma is an occasional response to a chest infection but because he was admitted as a young child because of it I guess I panic and associate the hayfever in my head with asthma. However what he has is Hayfever, not Asthma]

Winter_Phoenix

Bleach really is the best solution, and most anti-mould sprays contain it. However, if you can't use it because of health problems - I have in the past successfully used dilute Dettol on a damp (not wet) cloth to get mould off wallpaper, where bleach cannot be used. Might be worth a try?

theartfullodger

You have the option of appealing against the property you have been given on the grounds of "unsuitability".
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/homelessness/temporary_and_long-term_housing_offers_from_the_council/unsuitable_council_accommodation
Tricky but...

Suggest 'phoning Shelter about this, open weekends, 0808 800 4444 - see
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/how_we_can_help/housing_advice_helpline

Best regards

Person_one

I think you need to take your son back to the GP, he may well need to step up to the next level of asthma treatment.

If the humidifier is causing mould then its doing more harm than good so don't use it, just get him re-assessed so he's on the right medications.

pmlindyloo

This is a difficult one because of being in emergency accommodation and I know that you don't want to be in a B&B situation.

I do think that at the very least you should report the mould problems to the council and ask for help to deal with it.

Another link that may help:

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/health_and_safety/hhsrs

fashionvictim

Surley a de-humidfier run in the bedroom for a few hours to remove some damp, before bed would be better. And sleep with some air flow window very open slightly. Ensure he has his chest covered at night- PJ's & duvet

I know some times humidfiers are recommended for asthma but personally (as a suffer myself) I have never found it helpful to be in damp situations.

A de-humidfier can be brought in argos. I run one next to my drying washing and just outside my internal bathroom as was getting really bad damp in there. Solved it, run it about 1 hour a day.

Also avoid drying any clothes in the bedroom on bedroom radiators.

I don't know how old your son is but one of those once a day hayfever tablets might work better, taken at night. Only suitable age 12 upwards.

I agree bleach is best for mould or get some antibacterial wipes like dettol surface ones to use to remove it if you can't work with sprays. I used these in my bathroom with good results.

I am surprised the doctor hasn't given a twice a day preventative steroid inhaler. I would go back and ask.

Also could be as simple as the gutters need cleaning out. Not a massive job for landlord but if they are full of moss and leaves everytime it rains makes wall wet.

Good luck!!

missbiggles1

I'm sorry if I'm missing something but why do you need a humidifier?

Person_one

missbiggles1 wrote: »

I'm sorry if I'm missing something but why do you need a humidifier?

I know that you have experience of COPD, so you'll know that nebulisers can provide relief for shortness of breath. Some people buy humidifiers to try and provide the same sort of effect, but really if the symptoms are that bad then a review by a doctor or asthma nurse is what's really needed, pretty urgently in this case based on the description of the symptoms.

Especially if the humidifier is contributing to actively growing mould which is terrible for people with breathing problems.

marksoton

There's multiple problems here. The first being your sons welfare.

A&E, now. Right now.

Monday, in that council office and evidence everything. The property doesn't sound fit for purpose.

missbiggles1

Person_one wrote: »

I know that you have experience of COPD, so you'll know that nebulisers can provide relief for shortness of breath. Some people buy humidifiers to try and provide the same sort of effect, but really if the symptoms are that bad then a review by a doctor or asthma nurse is what's really needed, pretty urgently in this case based on the description of the symptoms.

Especially if the humidifier is contributing to actively growing mould which is terrible for people with breathing problems.

Obviously asthma and COPD are different but talking generally, some people with lung conditions do better in moist conditions but many do better in dry. In this wet weather I wouldn't think lack of humidity would be a problem, rather the opposite. I think the point of nebulisers is that they deliver medication with less effort rather than because of the moisture involved.

I totally agree that a medical review sounds as if it's needed rather than self help measures which may be counter productive.

pmlindyloo

It is very important that the mould problem is resolved as this article indicates that it can have an effect on certain illnesses.

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/Can-damp-and-mould-affect-my-health.aspx?CategoryID=87&

When this happens then the root cause of the problem must be identified as there are several possible reasons for the mould. (see my previous link)

The OP should not have to 'up' the medication or change the medication because of the unsatisfactory environment that they are living in, although, of course, help with the current medical situation is appropriate.

It is the environment that needs to be changed.

We have no idea what is causing the damp - we can only guess.

It needs investigating.