Korean Job Discussion Forums

[vortexy]

Hello,

What are the signs of mold in an apt? I have heard of people having serious problems with mold in their apartments. I am getting ready to rent an apt and I want to be aware of what to look for.


Thanks~

[nathanrutledge]

Cool, clammy feeling. If the place seems a bit more humid than it should, that's a good indicator that mold could be a problem. But there really aren't any signs to look for with mold. If you keep the place dry and the air moving, mold will not grow. Just beware, if you get a place that is humid, no air movement, etc, it just makes it that much harder to keep mold from forming.

[AsiaESLbound]

It smells musty and very annoying. You might be able to see it in a bathroom where it looks like black spots on the caulking sealer lining where walls and floors meet as well as around the fixtures. Use bleach in that case. Laundry can be another musty annoying problem where it requires hot water wash with some vinegar to remove the stinky musty moldy mildew. Laundry and public restrooms prove to be a musty issue in the humid Summer.

[Weigookin74]

I would say avoid places over 5 years old. The reasons some places in the past got mold was because of poor building quality of old buildings with no insulation and thin windows. When I lived in modern buildings that were insulated with thick windows and efficient heating mold was never a problem. Korea is a humid and damp place in both summer and winter. A properly built modern place keeps this out of your place. I speak as a man who has lived in moderninity and old crap. I've experienced both. If you've got the cash and can find a modern built place, go for it. (This is easier outside of Seoul or Gyeonggi do because of cheaper prices.)

[laguna]

Wallpaper that doesn't stick all the way on the wall is a sign of covering up mold.

It's very common in Korea.

[djsmnc]

If you can't see it, it's not mold

[InOtherWords]

I just got here 5 days ago, and I'm happy with my apartment's size as it is bigger than I expected. However, the apartment is a little old and the bathroom smells really bad and I suspect mold in the drain or something. I try to keep the windows open to move some air. Pouring some bleach in the drain seemed to help the smell for now.
I've heard black mold eats at the brain, so I'd like to get rid of it.
Aside from the bleach, I think I might try less toxic solutions like vinegar or tea tree oil.

[Troglodyte]

If you wash the walls with bleach then you have to air the place out. Otherwise the bleach isn't good for you.

[laguna]

[milspecs]

[AnsanAnswers]

Nasty smells emanating from drains is a common problem in Korea. My drain was so bad that I had to keep a cover in my shower when I wasn't using it.

If this continues to be a problem for you and you live in the Seoul area, drop me a line and I can put you in contact with my guy. He can set you up with a one-way plug that will keep the smells where they belong.

[computermichael]

[AsiaESLbound]

Vinegar works wonders against that musty smelling Summer time crud.