My Apartment Feels Like a Jungle!

[josterha]

Hi,

We have had a sudden upturn in temps here in Chicago. I think it is actually above freezing. I notice that when that happens the humidty level suddenly jumps up. In colder temps it's hard for me to keep 45% RH; however, when I came home tonight, there was an almost visible cloud that erupted from the door as I opened it. It is no 72% and got up to 80% during the day! Now it feels cool and clammy. But it is a nice change from the dry, dry cold.

I'm going to share something really gross with you. I have some exposed brick walls in my apartment, which are all the walls that are on the outer shell of the building. I did not realize how much moisture is absorbed by these bricks. My bed is close to this wall and a few pillows fell behind the head of the bed between it and the wall. I pulled the pillows out - they were wet and covered in mildew and mold! I was mortified. No wonder my allergies were kicking up lately! I learned that I need to be a lot more careful with these humidifiers - and the pillows! Just wanted to share (largely because no one else would understand).

John

[Angurek]

LOL...mine does too.

With all the cold fronts we've been having, I've been keeping them indoors. A lush jungle of orchid foliage greets me whenever I come in.

But anyway, I understand when it comes to the mold thing. Whenever I heat up my house during cold snaps, water condenses on my balcony window and runs down. Needless to say, mold grows on the bottom part of the walls closest to the window. It's gross.

[stefpix]

spray some water and bleach on where mold grows?

[RosieC]

I used to have a similar problem where I lived previously. We seemed to be constantly cleaning it up, but it took a while before we realised it was there as the main place was between a sofa and an exposed brick wall.

[Austinerd]

Hello, I'm glad someone is discussing the mold issue. It has been a relatively chilly winter here in central Texas, and in my bedroom I have 2 warm-mist humidifiers and a big orchid rack with grow-lights. The orchids are happy, but water has been condensing and dripping down the sliding-glass doors in my bedroom and seeping into the carpet. I am beginning to find mold on the walls and carpet. I'm not sure what to do.....maybe hang a clear shower curtain around the orchid rack?

[josterha]

Hi Austinerd,

An easy way to enclose your orchid rack is with a plastic painter's dropcloth that you can get at the hardware store for about a dollar. I know exactly the problem you are having. I started getting mildew spots on my ceiling above my humidifier. Since I placed the drop-cloth over the racks and also enclosed the humidifier, no more spots.

John

[Austinerd]

Hi John,
Thanks! I actually already wrapped a shower curtain around most of the rack, leaving some fairly broad openings for ventilation, also a fan blowing into the works. Will put the humidifier inside (after I clean it) and see what happens. Hope it doesn't get too warm in there.
Dan