What exactly is this?

@AmbiePam (92802)
United States
October 18, 2023 3:44pm CST
Is this simply black mold? You are looking at a portion of my bathroom sink. Half of it looks like this. It was a week after I first moved in when I noticed a black muck was appearing in my bathroom sink. They should have replaced the sink, but instead they just cleaned it to keep it looking good enough until I signed the lease. Else, I would not have accepted this particular apartment. Long story short, I no longer use this sink at all now. I used to pour a bottle of bleach over the sink, and it would keep it white for that short period of time. Now, bleach barely makes a dent. Some of what you see in the picture could be scraped off (and I have), and some cannot be scraped off. Scrubbing the thing does not work either, long term. The pipes are not backed up, and nothing else in my apartment has that gunk. So, is it simply black mold? It’s disgusting. The only reason why I let it go this long before bleaching it is because I want a picture to show the inspector, and wanted to make sure she saw how bad it could get. What do you guys think (besides it being gross)? *For those asking why I don’t just make them replace the sink; it does not work that way in most low income apartments. They do not care if you live there. If you leave, they will just replace you with some other (literally) poor soul.
28 people like this
32 responses
Valerie J. Routhieaux
@just4him (317089)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
18 Oct 23
If it is black mold, the inspector could fine the landlord. Black mold will make you sick.
7 people like this
Amber
@AmbiePam (92802)
• United States
18 Oct 23
The inspector saw it once, and asked me why I hadn’t cleaned it up. She didn’t get upset because the complex had left it there for me to deal with; she thought I should have found a solution. Since I know how bad black mold is, I assumed it was something else because I thought she would have spoken up on black mold. It’s worse now though, so I’m going to try getting her attention with it again. So you DO think it is black mold?
4 people like this
Valerie J. Routhieaux
@just4him (317089)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
18 Oct 23
@AmbiePam Yes, I think so.
3 people like this
Amber
@AmbiePam (92802)
• United States
18 Oct 23
@just4him Thank you, Valerie.
3 people like this
Heather Echola
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
19 Oct 23
I would scrape a sample for the health department. I am sorry you have this going on and cannot leave.
7 people like this
Amber
@AmbiePam (92802)
• United States
19 Oct 23
Do you think the health department would test it for free?
5 people like this
Vicki, #1 Creek Girl
@1creekgirl (41445)
• United States
19 Oct 23
@AmbiePam I would think they would test for free, but you need to get it checked as soon as possible!
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (218926)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Oct 23
That's a good idea. With a mask on, of course.
Marie
@Tampa_girl7 (50262)
• United States
19 Oct 23
Oh my, that looks like a laboratory experiment.
4 people like this
Amber
@AmbiePam (92802)
• United States
19 Oct 23
It really does.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (218926)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Oct 23
I hated smelling like a fetal pig for days.
1 person likes this
Lenore Plassman
@sallypup (61155)
• Centralia, Washington
19 Oct 23
I am open mouthed. I wish I could help you in some way.
2 people like this
Amber
@AmbiePam (92802)
• United States
19 Oct 23
I appreciate the sentiment. I'm embarrassed to show people, but I figured if someone knew, they might be able to tell me how to finally get rid of it.
2 people like this
Amber
@AmbiePam (92802)
• United States
19 Oct 23
@sallypup The faucet drips incessantly, but the water never reaches the part that has turned black. I told them they are wasting water, but they just don't care.
2 people like this
Lenore Plassman
@sallypup (61155)
• Centralia, Washington
19 Oct 23
@AmbiePam I hope you find a solution soon. I wonder if a part of your plumbing is leaking?
2 people like this
Fleur
@Fleura (30404)
• United Kingdom
18 Oct 23
That is horrible, I've never seen anything like it! Looking at something like this though, does suggest it is black mold
https://www.servicemasterbyzaba.com/blog/black-mold-growing-in-bathroom/
www.servicemasterbyzaba.com
https://www.servicemasterbyzaba.com/blog/black-mold-growing-in-bathroom/
2 people like this
Amber
@AmbiePam (92802)
• United States
18 Oct 23
@Fleura There is a housing inspector who examines low income apartments that declares them safe and livable; that is the inspector I’m talking about (she comes yearly). She saw a portion of my sink with the black stuff, but she told me I needed to do a better job of cleaning. I told her I used to use bleach, but it no longer works. Thanks for the link; I’ll go take a look.
4 people like this
Fleur
@Fleura (30404)
• United Kingdom
18 Oct 23
Is there some kind of health inspector you can ask for help? Is that who the inspector is?
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (340216)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Oct 23
@AmbiePam Would it help to clean it and take a photo with the date on it then future photos as it becomes more and more gunky. Then she couldn't say that you weren't cleaning it. I hope you can find a solution. It's awful that you have to live with this.
2 people like this
April
@thislittlepennyearns (62529)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
18 Oct 23
Since we've worked in that area, working on houses and stuff. It doesn't really look like black mold. It looks like a fungus.
4 people like this
Amber
@AmbiePam (92802)
• United States
18 Oct 23
I guess that makes more sense. Do you know how to get rid of it for good? I’ve kept this picture on my phone for awhile, and I keep hoping someone will tell me how to rid myself of it once and for all.
1 person likes this
April
@thislittlepennyearns (62529)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
18 Oct 23
@AmbiePam Yeah when you text me, I'll shoot you some instructions!
3 people like this
Jim Bauer
@porwest (91075)
• United States
19 Oct 23
Black mold is a fungus. The stuff in her sink does not look like black mold. But the stuff on her vent certainly does.
1 person likes this
much2say
@much2say (55662)
• Los Angeles, California
19 Oct 23
What in the world is that? The kind of black mold I've seen is like black charcoal marks . . . not beany like this . Is this stuff "hard"?
2 people like this
Amber
@AmbiePam (92802)
• United States
19 Oct 23
A lot of it is soft, but some is hard. What about the picture I’m including now. What does this look like?
3 people like this
Amber
@AmbiePam (92802)
• United States
19 Oct 23
@porwest I’ll make a call today then, thank you.
2 people like this
Jim Bauer
@porwest (91075)
• United States
19 Oct 23
@AmbiePam NOW, I'd say black mold. Call the city!
2 people like this
LK2018
@Letranknight2015 (51969)
• Philippines
19 Oct 23
Better have some professional get rid of it.Before it causes you to get sick. I think management should deal with it.
2 people like this
Amber
@AmbiePam (92802)
• United States
19 Oct 23
They just won't, but perhaps someday I will get a manager that takes action. That would be a relief.
1 person likes this
DE
@DaddyEvil (137259)
• United States
19 Oct 23
I'm sorry you're having to live with that. I've never seen anything like it and am happy I haven't! I know Oklahoma doesn't have any laws about mold in apartments or houses... so you won't get help to clear it up. I hope somebody here can help you with the problem. Good luck!
2 people like this
Amber
@AmbiePam (92802)
• United States
19 Oct 23
Thanks, I really hope you don't encounter it either.
2 people like this
DE
@DaddyEvil (137259)
• United States
19 Oct 23
@AmbiePam You're welcome. In Missouri, if I encounter something like that, by law, the landlord has to fix it.
3 people like this
Amber
@AmbiePam (92802)
• United States
19 Oct 23
@DaddyEvil Thank goodness.
2 people like this
Vicki, #1 Creek Girl
@1creekgirl (41445)
• United States
19 Oct 23
Oh, Amber, if that's mold, your health is in danger! Report it to your local health dept sanitation officer. I'm very worried about you!
2 people like this
Amber
@AmbiePam (92802)
• United States
19 Oct 23
I don’t think I know who that is, but I’ll look it up. I thought for sure the inspector at Section 8 would object, but she didn’t even blink. Try not to worry. I spend a very small amount of time in there.
3 people like this
Amber
@AmbiePam (92802)
• United States
19 Oct 23
@porwest Oh yeah, if it’s on my vent I know I’m going to be affected. I was just talking about the bathroom in this reply. I had convinced myself the vent wasn’t black mold.
2 people like this
Jim Bauer
@porwest (91075)
• United States
19 Oct 23
@AmbiePam Doesn't matter if you spend a lot of time in there. If it's on your vent it will likely spread those spores into the air and eventually it will get into your other vents and spread throughout the house.
1 person likes this
MARILYN
@Marilynda1225 (82789)
• United States
18 Oct 23
It probably is black mold or something just as serious. I hope you can get it replaced and that they don't continue to ignore it.
2 people like this
Ruby Hawk
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
19 Oct 23
Mold is dangerous to breath. Your health might be in jeopardy. It might be best to keep it scrubbed off with bleach. Be sure to wear a mask and rubber gloves.
2 people like this
G
@freelancermariagrace (28050)
• Philippines
19 Oct 23
I'm sorry that you are currently having issues with your unit. It resembles black mold and is harmful to your health. Black molds can cause rashes, headaches, and other health issues. Hopefully, your landlord will take action.
2 people like this
MrsJ
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
18 Oct 23
Yuck! Having lived in low-income housing I am familiar with the reality!
2 people like this
Amber
@AmbiePam (92802)
• United States
18 Oct 23
Then you understand. People who live in regular apartments don’t understand why I don’t “insist”. You can’t insist on anything in low income housing.
2 people like this
snowy
@snowy22315 (180824)
• United States
18 Oct 23
It looks gross whatever it is. I suppose it is black mold. I seem to have just a little bit of mold in my sink..the faucet needs to be replaced in there. I keep cleaning it and it keeps returning.
2 people like this
OceanTiara
@RebeccasFarm (89873)
• Arvada, Colorado
19 Oct 23
Mold, sludge mold even..I dont care what anyone calls it..its deadly as well. And yeah, you know I totally get it, I understand.. It is so sad we are subjected to such conditions. Something many will not understand why it won't be fixed. Those dirty sods should be reported..same here in this place..Health Dept and Code Enforcements..do nothing.
1 person likes this
Amber
@AmbiePam (92802)
• United States
19 Oct 23
It is such a foreign thought that one could complain to the manager, and the manager would actually act upon the concern. You and I are experts in inaction by now.
1 person likes this
OceanTiara
@RebeccasFarm (89873)
• Arvada, Colorado
19 Oct 23
@AmbiePam Yes we are. And I am quite fed up with people who question our efforts, instead of recognizing inaction by scumlords. Your vents are clear evidence also and housing not acting on this..HUD..that seems illegal for them not to. But we know how that goes.
1 person likes this
Ebenz
@writerjo (2540)
• India
19 Oct 23
@AmbiePam I think you captured it closeup . I remember in some magazines I have been seen like this type of photos & the editorial department will give prizes for the correct answer. Have a Good Day.
1 person likes this
Amber
@AmbiePam (92802)
• United States
19 Oct 23
Yes, I got a closeup picture of the right side of the sink in hopes one could make out the portion where the gunk is “plump”. I thought that might provide a clue.
1 person likes this
Ebenz
@writerjo (2540)
• India
19 Oct 23
@AmbiePam I think this is an unique thing , I hope it should be sorted out very soon by the apt persons . The Landlord is fully responsible, he must take keen interest to give remedy for you .
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (218926)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Oct 23
No clue. Call the previous whatevers and have them fix it immediately.
1 person likes this
Amber
@AmbiePam (92802)
• United States
19 Oct 23
I have lived in this apartment for 14 years. The managers know, maintenance knows, the inspector charged to keep low income housing tenants safe in their apartments knows...no one will fix it. No one cares, and if even the inspector does not make them do anything about it, there is no one else to complain to. You said immediately. Heh.
2 people like this
Amber
@AmbiePam (92802)
• United States
19 Oct 23
@TheHorse No. Else I'd be paying $2,000 a month for this dump.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (218926)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Oct 23
@AmbiePam Are you sure you're not living in California?
2 people like this
George B Vieto
@Deepizzaguy (102927)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
18 Oct 23
My relatives and myself did reside in low income housing in the past few years. The reason we were moved out was due to natural disasters that damaged the property in 2020 as Hurricane Laura and Delta passed over Lake Charles.
2 people like this
Jim Bauer
@porwest (91075)
• United States
19 Oct 23
I am not sure what it is, but it's not black mold. Mold is not liquidy. Either way, I'd figure it out sooner rather than later. That looks disgusting.
1 person likes this
Amber
@AmbiePam (92802)
• United States
19 Oct 23
This morning, I bleached it again (after taking more pictures and video), and the sink is back to just looking old. I can’t fathom how that stuff just appears.
1 person likes this
Jim Bauer
@porwest (91075)
• United States
19 Oct 23
@AmbiePam After I looked at your other picture in the comments, the one with the vent, THAT looks like black mold. I have no idea what's in the sink. As for how it appears, I can't fathom it either, but something is DEFINITELY going on in the pipes. Just have no idea what.
1 person likes this