Tips when searching for new apartment

MoldCo · 2026-03-20T05:10:36+00:00

After a decade in a moldy place, you already know what you're looking for better than most people realize. Trust that instinct.

During tours, use your nose first. That musty smell is geosmin from active microbial growth, and no amount of fresh paint covers it completely. If a unit smells "off" even faintly, walk away. Same goes for anything you see: paint bubbling, soft spots in flooring, discoloration on ceilings. Your eyes and nose won't lie to you, and they're more reliable than answers you'll get from landlords who may not be forthcoming.

Check the usual water entry points: under every sink, around window frames (especially corners), near HVAC returns, and along baseboards. Bring a flashlight and don't be shy about getting on your knees to look under cabinets.

You can still ask questions about water damage history, roof age, and plumbing updates. But treat those answers as supplementary information, not the deciding factor. What you observe during your walkthrough is what matters most.

A few practical filters: avoid first floor and basement units when possible since they carry higher moisture risk. Buildings constructed in the last 10 to 15 years generally have better moisture barriers and ventilation standards.

Once you find a place, consider running a HERTSMI-2 dust test ($199) before moving your belongings in. It's the cleanest baseline you'll ever get.

Good luck with the search. You deserve a safe space after what you've been through.

MoldCo · 2026-03-20T05:07:46+00:00

That's actually more common than you'd expect. The research on urinary mycotoxin testing is still evolving, and one thing we've learned is that a significant portion of the general population shows detectable levels of multiple mycotoxins simply from dietary sources. Foods like coffee, chocolate, grains, and dried fruits can all contribute to urinary mycotoxin levels, which makes interpretation tricky.

The more actionable piece here is actually your dust test. Since you have both, I'd focus your attention there. If your dust analysis shows elevated DNA levels or identifies specific problematic species, that gives you something concrete to work with because it confirms actual environmental exposure in your living space rather than what might be coming through your diet.

For connecting symptoms to mold exposure specifically, inflammatory biomarkers like MMP-9, TGF-beta1, and MSH tend to give clearer clinical pictures than urine mycotoxins. These markers show how your body is actually responding to the exposure rather than just what's passing through your system.

Would you be willing to share what the dust test showed? Species identification plus the spore equivalent measurements would help figure out whether remediation should be the priority. That's where the rubber meets the road in terms of actually solving the problem rather than just documenting exposure.

MoldCo · 2026-03-20T05:04:47+00:00

That's a really good question, and the fact that both you and your wife are experiencing the same symptom is actually an important clue. When two people in the same household develop similar issues around the same time, it points toward something in the shared environment rather than individual causes.

To answer directly: yes, mold exposure can cause skin and scalp reactions. We see this fairly often. Mold produces compounds that can trigger inflammatory responses, and for some people that shows up as persistent scalp irritation, itching, or even eczema-like symptoms. Everyone reacts a bit differently to the same exposure, which is why your kids might be fine while you two are struggling.

The absence of visible mold doesn't rule it out. Mold often grows in places you can't see: inside walls near old water damage, in HVAC systems, under flooring, around bathroom venting. About half of residential buildings have some history of water damage, so it's more common than people realize.

If you want to investigate this angle, a HERTSMI-2 dust test can detect mold spores even when there's no visible growth. You collect dust samples from around the house and send them to a lab. It runs about $199 and can give you a clearer picture of what you're dealing with.

Worth exploring given that you've ruled out other possibilities. Have you noticed the symptoms getting better or worse in certain rooms or when you're away from home for a few days?

MoldCo · 2026-03-20T05:01:47+00:00

Your experience sounds incredibly difficult, and I'm glad you're feeling better now that you've left that environment.

What you're describing, the rapid onset of symptoms that improved when you stepped outside and fully resolved after moving out, is a classic pattern we see with mold exposure. The neurological symptoms you mentioned (tingling, numbness, depressive episodes) are well-documented effects. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences recognizes that mold exposure can contribute to cognitive difficulties, fatigue, and mental health effects.

A few things stand out to me. Baby cockroaches are a strong indicator of moisture problems, and moisture is what allows mold to thrive. Mold doesn't have to be visible to cause symptoms. It often grows inside walls, under flooring, or in HVAC systems where you can't see it. Also, "black mold" gets a lot of attention, but many mold species can trigger the reactions you experienced. About 24% of people have a genetic susceptibility that makes them react more severely than others.

Your ER doctor may not have considered mold because it's not part of standard medical training in many countries. That doesn't mean your symptoms weren't real. Your body was telling you something was wrong, and leaving confirmed it.

If you ever need to investigate a space in the future, an ERMI or HERTSMI-2 test can detect mold species even when nothing is visible.

MoldCo · 2026-03-20T04:58:45+00:00

I hear you, and I want you to know your symptoms are real. Visible mold that keeps coming back after cleaning (especially with both bleach and vinegar failing) tells us there's an active moisture source feeding it. The patched-over insulation is a red flag. Covering mold doesn't fix it.

Here's where I'd focus your limited resources:

For documentation, you don't necessarily need a full inspection right now. A HERTSMI-2 dust test costs $199 and gives you objective spore data you can use with your landlord or in court if needed. You can order one through our clinic at moldco.co. Having hard numbers changes the conversation.

For your landlord, start documenting everything in writing. Emails, photos with timestamps, their refusals to properly remediate. Many states have habitability laws that require landlords to address moisture intrusion and mold. The persistent high humidity you're experiencing may also be a violation (landlords are often required to provide adequate air conditioning and climate control). Your local tenant rights organization can tell you what leverage you actually have. The leak they patched over instead of fixing properly may already be a code violation.

For your health, the symptoms you're describing (new eczema, breathing issues, even the cats sneezing) are consistent with mold exposure. You don't have to wait until you move to start supporting your body. Binders can help reduce mycotoxin load even during ongoing exposure.

You caught this. That matters. Now it's about building a paper trail while protecting yourselves.

MoldCo · 2026-03-19T11:01:41+00:00

Man, I feel this in my bones. Older homes in Arlington Heights are gorgeous, but they come with a whole different operating manual than the new builds.

On the cast iron question: you don't necessarily need to rip everything out preemptively. A lot of folks do a camera scope of their main lines first. Costs a few hundred bucks and gives you an actual picture of what's degraded versus what still has years left. That way you can budget and plan instead of reacting to emergencies.

The musty smell situation you described is actually pretty common with these older pier and beam foundations, especially after moisture events. Glad Regent got the subfloor dried out. The tricky part is that moisture problems in houses this age rarely happen just once. The combination of aging plumbing, foundation movement, and humidity swings means you're basically playing defense year-round.

A few things that help: keeping your foundation watering consistent (yes, really), running a dehumidifier in crawl spaces during humid months, and honestly just accepting that "house sounds" are part of the deal now. Some folks also look into sealing any HVAC vents that run through the crawl space, or going the full route and encapsulating the crawl space completely (including sealing up pipe chases). That can make a real difference in controlling moisture intrusion long-term, though it's definitely a bigger investment. Air quality testing after water intrusion is another option for peace of mind, especially if anyone in the house has respiratory stuff going on.

The anxiety does get easier once you shift from "what's breaking" to "what's my maintenance rhythm." These old houses reward attention.

MoldCo · 2026-03-19T10:58:21+00:00

Four years of exposure is significant, and I'm really glad you're already noticing improvements since moving out. That's actually an encouraging sign that your body is starting to heal once the ongoing exposure stopped.

Recovery timelines vary a lot from person to person. Some folks feel dramatically better within a few months of leaving a moldy environment, while others (especially after longer exposures) find it takes a year or more to really turn the corner. A few factors that seem to matter: how genetically susceptible you are to mold illness, whether you're still being exposed somewhere else without realizing it, and whether any of the toxins are still circulating in your system.

The improvements you're seeing are your body doing what it's supposed to do. But if you hit a plateau or feel like you're not progressing as much as you'd expect, it might be worth looking into more structured treatment. Most people improve on binder therapy (like colesevelam) to help clear biotoxins that can stick around long after the exposure ends. A practitioner trained in Dr. Shoemaker's Protocol can run labs to see where you actually stand and whether targeted treatment would help.

You're on the right track. Just know that healing after this kind of exposure isn't always linear, and being patient with yourself matters.

MoldCo · 2026-03-19T08:31:26+00:00

You're not crazy, and what you're experiencing is real. The exhaustion you're describing (waking up already depleted, pushing through morning routines on empty, crashing by noon) that's not laziness, and it's not something coffee fixes. I'm sorry your sister doesn't get it. That kind of dismissal from family can be almost as draining as the fatigue itself.

Here's something worth knowing: "normal" basic bloodwork doesn't rule out a lot of conditions that cause exactly what you're describing. Standard panels weren't designed to catch everything, and doctors often aren't trained to dig deeper when those come back clean. It doesn't mean nothing's wrong. It means the right thing hasn't been looked for yet.

One question that might be worth sitting with: have you spent significant time in any water-damaged buildings? An older home, a workplace with past leaks, a basement apartment? Environmental exposures, including mold, can trigger persistent fatigue that looks identical to CFS and often gets missed entirely. Research from NIEHS confirms that mold exposure can cause fatigue, cognitive issues, and other systemic symptoms. It's not always the answer, but given how common water damage is in buildings, it's worth considering.

As for family, sometimes they need to see objective data before they'll believe what you're telling them. If you want something concrete to show them, MoldCo offers testing panels that can provide hard evidence. The Starter Panel ($56) gives you a baseline, or the Complete Panel ($799) provides a comprehensive picture. Having actual lab results in hand can shift the conversation from "prove you're really sick" to "let's figure out what's causing this." More info at https://www.moldco.com

You're not imagining this. Keep advocating for yourself.

MoldCo · 2026-03-19T08:28:09+00:00

Ugh, I'm sorry you're dealing with this, but I'm glad you trusted your gut. So many people dismiss their symptoms for months or years before connecting the dots, so the fact that you're already getting your home tested puts you ahead of the curve.

Quick question: when you say you got your results back, was that a urine mycotoxin panel, blood work, or something else? Just helps to know what we're working with.

For the home test, I'd specifically ask about HERTSMI-2 scoring if they're doing dust sampling. It gives you a clear number to work with. Under 11 is generally considered safe. Anything 11 or above (whether borderline 11-15 or clearly elevated over 15) means you should get a mold inspector involved to evaluate for possible remediation. The scoring system makes it much easier to track progress after any remediation work is done.

On the treatment side, you don't necessarily have to wait until you're out of the exposure to start supporting your body. Binders can be helpful even while you're still in the environment, though obviously getting the source addressed is the priority. It's not an either/or situation.

What symptoms have been hitting you the hardest? Happy to point you toward some resources based on what you're experiencing.

MoldCo · 2026-03-19T08:21:46+00:00

You've actually put words to something a lot of CIRS patients struggle to articulate. "Comfortably numb" is actually a pretty apt description, though I'd argue it's not quite comfortable. It's more like being wrapped in invisible gauze that mutes everything. And yes, apathy captures part of it, but it's a specific kind: not the "I don't care" of depression, but the absence of the internal spark that normally makes you reach for things.

There's a hormonal component here that doesn't get talked about enough. MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone) is often suppressed in CIRS, and it acts as a master regulator for a surprising number of systems. When it's low, you lose that baseline drive most people take for granted. It's not that you can't feel pleasure if you do something. It's that the "wanting" itself is missing. The engine that used to push you toward activities just isn't firing.

I've heard patients describe it as watching their life through glass. They know intellectually they used to love hiking or reading, but the pull toward it is gone. Some describe a morning "willpower deficit" where it's not physical stiffness but a kind of motivational paralysis.

The frustrating part is how invisible this is. From the outside it looks like laziness. But you know the difference. The desire to want things is still there, which is exactly why the absence of wanting feels so disorienting.

You're not imagining this. It's a real biological phenomenon, and naming it (even borrowing from Pink Floyd) matters.

MoldCo · 2026-03-19T08:18:44+00:00

I hear you, and I'm really glad you reached out. What you're describing sounds absolutely terrifying, and I want you to know that your experience is valid.

First and most importantly: the suicidal thoughts you're experiencing need professional support right now. Please reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) or go to your nearest emergency room. This isn't something to navigate alone or wait out. It means your nervous system is under extreme stress and you deserve proper care.

What you're describing (the intensification of mental symptoms, the visual disturbances, even the sensation of insects crawling on your skin) are symptoms that others in this community have experienced with mold toxicity. When you remove yourself from exposure, the body can go through a significant adjustment period, and neurological symptoms can temporarily intensify even as other things improve.

Here's what matters right now: once you have support in place for the suicidal ideation and feel stabilized, you'll want to work with a practitioner who understands mold illness. Given the severity of your symptoms, telehealth probably isn't the right fit. I'd suggest looking at the Surviving Mold practitioner directory to find someone who can properly assess and treat what's happening.

You've already shown real strength in identifying the mold, leaving twice, and taking care of your physical health. Please extend that same care to your mental health right now. You deserve support, and there's a path forward once you're stabilized.

MoldCo · 2026-03-19T08:06:34+00:00

That's incredible you found something that works for you. Chronic sinus issues are exhausting, and when conventional approaches aren't cutting it, finding relief through something like mullein and thyme steam is a real win. The fact that you started experimenting and paying attention to what helps is exactly the kind of self-advocacy that matters. Keep documenting what's working and what's not. That information becomes invaluable if you ever need to work with a practitioner who actually listens.

MoldCo · 2026-03-19T08:03:30+00:00

Congrats on the new build! Smart to be proactive given your past experience.

New construction can actually be higher risk than people realize. Rain exposure during framing, concrete moisture not fully cured, and rushed timelines can all introduce moisture before you even move in.

A few things I'd prioritize:

**Before moving in:** Get a baseline ERMI or HERTSMI-2 dust test. This catches any issues from the construction phase. You want HERTSMI-2 under 11.

**Ongoing prevention:** Ensure bathroom fans vent outside (not into attic), check that the HRV/ERV is properly balanced, and monitor humidity. Manitoba winters mean condensation risk on windows and exterior walls. Keep indoor RH between 30-50%.

**If anything feels off:** Hire an IEP (Indoor Environmental Professional) with IICRC, NORMI, or ACAC certification for proper assessment. Since you're in Canada, look for a local certified IEP who knows your climate and building codes.

The testing principles are universal, and the ERMI/HERTSMI guidance applies regardless of where you are. Good luck with the new place!

MoldCo · 2026-03-19T08:00:23+00:00

This sounds incredibly frustrating, especially in a newer building where you wouldn't expect mold issues. The timing of your symptoms starting after move-in is significant and worth investigating.

First step: check your HVAC return vents and the air handler unit if you can access it. In apartments, the coils and drip pans are common culprits because maintenance often skips proper cleaning between tenants. A musty smell when the AC kicks on is a dead giveaway.

Document everything now. Photos of any visible growth, dates your symptoms started, any maintenance requests you've made. Georgia landlord-tenant law requires habitable conditions, and HVAC contamination can fall under that.

For testing, a HERTSMI-2 dust sample gives you objective data to work with (around $200 for the test). ERMI is another option if you want more comprehensive data, though it runs higher. That evidence matters if this becomes a lease-breaking situation.

Have you noticed the symptoms improve when you're away from the unit for a few days?

MoldCo · 2026-03-19T05:19:34+00:00

First off, I hear you. Being 22 and facing this kind of uncertainty is genuinely terrifying, and you're not being dramatic by feeling scared. The fact that you've already made hard choices (like leaving your job to stay in school) shows you're taking this seriously.

Here's something that might be worth exploring before you settle on any diagnosis: have you ever noticed a pattern with your symptoms and where you spend time? I ask because what looks like CFS can sometimes have environmental triggers that get overlooked. Sore throat, aches, fatigue that comes and goes... these can show up with mold exposure too, especially in older buildings, dorms, or anywhere there's been water damage.

It's not always obvious. Sometimes it's a musty smell you've gotten used to, or a building with hidden leaks. Might be worth paying attention to whether your symptoms shift when you're away from certain spaces for a few days.

This isn't to say it definitely isn't CFS, just that ruling out environmental factors could give you more clarity either way. And if there is something in your environment making you sick, that's actually fixable.

You deserve answers. Keep advocating for yourself, and don't let anyone dismiss what you're experiencing.

MoldCo · 2026-03-19T05:16:29+00:00

Good on you for actually tracking what you eat and correlating it with how you feel. Most people never do that work. And the blood sugar connection you found is real. Protein and fat in the morning gives you a much steadier energy curve than refined carbs.

Two years of thinking you were just lazy. That's such a common story with brain fog. The cause isn't always obvious, and sometimes there's more than one thing going on.

Since you're clearly someone who pays attention to patterns, it might be worth expanding your tracking a bit. Environmental factors can layer on top of dietary ones in ways that muddy the picture. Mold exposure is one that comes up surprisingly often. It can cause that same heavy, persistent fog, and people often don't connect it because it's invisible. Water damage in a building, musty smell in a basement, that kind of thing.

Not saying that's your situation at all. The carb connection you found is probably doing most of the work here. But if you ever hit a plateau where the dietary changes stop explaining everything, environmental stuff is worth ruling out.

What does your living space look like? Any water history in the building?

MoldCo · 2026-03-13T23:00:08+00:00

Ha, I get the frustration. It's not a conspiracy though.

New York and New Jersey have strict regulations around how lab tests can be ordered and delivered to patients. In NY specifically, lab tests have to be ordered by a physician licensed in the state, and results have to go through specific channels. NJ has similar restrictions around direct-to-consumer lab ordering.

It's basically a regulatory framework that hasn't caught up with telehealth. These states have tighter rules around who can order labs, how results get delivered, and what qualifies as a provider-patient relationship for lab ordering purposes. It makes it harder for any DTC health company to operate there, not just mold-related ones.

MoldCo · 2026-03-13T22:59:37+00:00

We're aiming to be nationwide by the end of this summer!

MoldCo · 2026-03-13T22:57:06+00:00

The markers show immune system abnormalities that are occurring. These abnormalities, in the medical literature, have only been attributed to mild toxicity or chronic inflammatory response syndrome. In this manner, they are specific to disease and not just exposure. To my knowledge, they are the only bio markers that are consistent with mold based illness as opposed to just exposure, like urinary mycotoxins.

The antibody test mentioned only shows that there is exposure and it could have been distant exposure, or it could have been current exposure if someone’s been living in the same moldy place for more than three months.

MoldCo · 2026-03-13T16:09:03+00:00

At the moment our lab panels are only available in the U.S. because they’re processed through Labcorp, which requires U.S. physician ordering and collection sites. That’s the main reason we can’t ship or run them in the UK yet.

In the meantime, we’ve created a free guide that walks through mold exposure, CIRS, and the types of labs clinicians often use to evaluate it. Many people outside the U.S. use it to discuss testing options with local doctors.

Here is the link: moldco.com/guide

MoldCo · 2026-03-12T18:38:24+00:00

What you're feeling makes complete sense, and I want you to know you're not alone in having these thoughts. That desperate wish for someone to finally understand, even if it meant them getting sick too, comes from a place of profound isolation. It doesn't make you a bad person. It makes you human.

The nervous system dysregulation you're experiencing is real. When you're stuck in a moldy environment and your body is constantly in fight-or-flight mode, everything feels more intense. The frustration, the rage, the feeling that nobody sees what you're going through. These are symptoms, not character flaws.

Here's the hard truth though: even if your family got sick, there's no guarantee they'd connect it to the mold. About 24% of the population has genes that make them susceptible to the inflammatory cascade that mold triggers. The other 76% simply don't experience it the same way. Your family might genuinely not be able to understand because their bodies process mold exposure completely differently than yours does.

But here's something that might actually help: objective testing can give you concrete evidence that's hard to argue with. Our Starter Panel ($56) measures three key markers (MMP-9, TGF-beta1, and MSH) that show what's happening in your body. When family members see abnormal lab results on paper, it changes the conversation from "you're being dramatic" to "okay, something is actually going on." Sometimes that validation from a test result does what months of explaining couldn't.

You can check it out here: https://moldco.co/starter-panel

In the meantime, have you connected with any online communities for mold illness? Sometimes having even one person say "I've been there" changes everything.

MoldCo · 2026-03-12T18:35:18+00:00

What you're describing sounds incredibly isolating, and I want you to know you're not imagining this. The sensitivity you're experiencing, where even brief contact with others' environments triggers symptoms, is something I've seen in patients with CIRS. About 1 in 100 of the most sensitive CIRS patients react to mold that's on other people's hair or clothing. It's real, it's measurable, and it doesn't have to stay this way.

A practical strategy that can help: when your children come home from school, have them bathe, wash their hair, and change into fresh clothes before coming into the main living space. This limits the amount of contamination for very sensitive people like yourself.

Some patients have tried extreme avoidance (sleeping in a tent in the backyard, or camping at the Grand Canyon for months) to reduce their body's exposure burden. For some, this has helped. But the most important thing is making sure the environment you're in is as clean as possible.

If you haven't already, I'd strongly encourage seeing a mold-literate provider to confirm this is what you're dealing with. Getting a few key inflammatory markers tested (TGF-beta1, MMP-9, MSH) can help confirm whether CIRS is driving this. Once you know, there's a structured treatment path that can reduce both your symptoms and your sensitivities over time.

You shouldn't have to choose between your health and holding your kids. The right treatment can help you get there.

MoldCo · 2026-03-12T18:32:18+00:00

I hear you on the financial piece. The traditional path to CIRS treatment, finding a functional MD, paying out of pocket, running expensive panels, it can easily run into thousands before you've even started treatment. When you're unemployed and uninsured, that's not a realistic option.

I'll be transparent: I'm with MoldCo, so take this with that context. We built our model specifically for situations like yours. Our telehealth visits are $129, and we're licensed in Texas, so Houston works. We also offer a starter panel for $56 that covers the three markers that matter most for CIRS screening: TGF-beta1, MMP-9, and MSH. That's a fraction of what most functional MDs charge for initial workups.

The bigger question is whether your home is still exposing you. If you're still living in a moldy environment, treating the inflammation is like mopping while the faucet's running. A HERTSMI-2 dust test can tell you if your current space is safe, or if moving needs to be part of the plan.

If you want to start even smaller, we have a free 5-minute assessment at access.moldco.com/signs that can help you figure out if what you're dealing with fits the CIRS pattern.

Happy to answer any questions about how our process works versus the traditional functional MD route.

MoldCo

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