Mold Line STT

Hello Haymad,

Not sure there is a well defined "mold line". St. Thomas is divided up using basically four directional terms: Northside, Southside, East End, West End. Generally the hilltops in the Northside get more moisture and slightly lower temperatures so mold is slightly more of a concern in those areas; than the drier, slightly hotter East End. Southside also drier. West End somewhat in between. But mold can happen in any of those areas.

What happens... mold grows on shoes that aren't worn a lot, cloths get mold - particularly noticeable on dark colored cloths, drawers and cabinets get moldy, mildew grows in showers and baths, on ceilings, on decks and under thick landscaping. Cloths can be washed, shoes treated and stuck in the sun, walls scrubbed, outside areas can be power-washed.

The bigger factor is the design of the house... well ventilated? is one of the walls carved into a hill side so dirt behind the wall - any moisture issues? does the roof leak or not drain well? does the bathroom have windows and ventilation? Is there good natural light - particularly to your bedroom and closets? do the wood cabinets and furniture already smell like they are musty? Any nooks and crannies that aren't well ventilated that might get moisture. Check all the plumbing - under the sinks - smallest drips can create mold issues inside the cabinets. Is the landscaping really thick and blocking windows and air flow.

And then the other thing is staying on top of it - keeping place clean and dry - some folks get dehumidifiers. In particular keep on eye on closets.

Thank you for using VIMovingCenter.com to help with planning your move to St. Thomas.

I'm about 2 miles up Crown Mountain facing the airport. I haven't had a problem with mold here, but have down at my office by Sub Base. I do have a problem with humidity in both places. At home I go through a closet Damp Rid about every 10 days. I I also have Damp Rid canisters in each room. They fill pretty quickly, and I have to refill them about once a week.

I've had mold back in the states, and it can get really nasty. Bleach, sun, baking soda (not together) usually get rid of it, but you have to stay on top of it. As soon as you see the first little mold spore jump on it.

I asked the landlord and the past tenant about mold in this unit. I also looked closely as I toured the apartment, and paid attention to smells to see if it was musty or mildewy. So far I've been lucky here. Humidity is the enemy though, so try to keep it down.

I doubt that there is any structure in the Virgin Islands that does not have mold and mildew growing somewhere within. There are over 100,000 types of mold and mildew and the environment here (warm temperature, relatively high humidity) and lifestyle (open air living) is perfect for mold growth. Stachybotrys chartarum is the toxic black mold of primary concern but many types of mold are dark in color and the only way to differentiate between them is with a microscope, so just because you see black mold it does not mean it is toxic. In addition, the sinus symptoms that most people associate with black mold exposure are pretty much the same as exposure to Saharan Dust, which is a fact of life here. Obviously some areas are more conducive to mold growth than others but it is everywhere here and always has been, so it is not the dire health threat many think it is.

I've got to clean deck railings and outdoor deck ceilings twice a year.
I'm vigilant about keeping the roof and downspout screens clean.
The interior of the house stays mildew free, luckily. No issues there.
I'm on northwest side of STT.

However, it's important to keep a house/condo well ventilated.
If you close a place up, go away for a month or more, you will have mold and mildew issues, no matter where you're located.

Mold Line.....great name for a rock band!