Need a mold inspector!

[Restrain]

Pam:
I carry around a package of masks like you use when you are mowing the lawn for inspections where mold is possible (REO's, etc). Yes, there's mixed messages as to how hazardous this stuff is, but better safe than sorry. I remember the puzzled look on the last occupied home when I saw the stuff on a wall, then went out and returned wearing a mask. "Is that stuff dangerous?" she asked as I carefully photographed the damage. No ma'm. I just wear this for looks.

 

[Ken in Arkansas]

Jim -

The pictures are enough to make you sick. Mold is not something to be taken lightly as evidenced by the recent publicity. We still are not sure of the exact source of the water problem, but suspect a fracture in the grout in a seat in the ceramic shower.

The builder has ordered a mold test, but we will be also ordering at lest one, and as has been suggested in this forum likely two tests. As you will note in the original post, this is family I am talking about. We will be taking it one step at a time.

Thanks to all for your comments!

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

Ken,

One of the biggies in the class I took was the spores being released and getting in other areas of the house. IF this turns out to be a toxic mold, those spores are very dangerous. Since this has been found I would assume it is now open and exposed which would allow the spores to escape into the rest of the house. I hope your family has moved out until this is cleaned up.

Thanks for keeping us updated. I do hope this is not the toxic kind.

I highly recommend taking a class regarding mold to all appraisers. It was timely for me.

 

[Ken in Arkansas]

The bathroom where the problem is has been sealed with visqueen and duct tape, vents closed and sealed, etc. Now we are in the testing stage.

 

[Ken in Arkansas]

Well, the test results are in, and they are not good. Stachybotrys is present in a high concentration. Removal is not a problem, full scale remediation begins tomorrow. Still don't know the source of the moisture; the room was sealed until the test results were returned. More than likely the source of the moisture was from a ceramic seat in a shower or a leaky pipe; no dri-vit present in this home.

Thay brings us to the next stage. I would be interested is corresponding with anyone in the Allen, Texas area if you have done any research into the possible presence of a stigma that might accompany a home that had become infected with Stachybotrys. This home was purchased new last summer for a little over $200,000. I have e-mailed one appraiser in the area who is doing some research, but would like to hear from anyone else doing the same. Thanks in advance!

Ken Bethge

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

Ken,

Now I'm 10 times more embarrassed!

Lesson learned. Just make sure your family is healty and safe!

 

[Jim McGrath]

Well, the test results are in, and they are not good. Stachybotrys is present in a high concentration. Removal is not a problem, full scale remediation begins tomorrow. Still don't know the source of the moisture; the room was sealed until the test results were returned. More than likely the source of the moisture was from a ceramic seat in a shower or a leaky pipe; no dri-vit present in this home.

Thay brings us to the next stage. I would be interested is corresponding with anyone in the Allen, Texas area if you have done any research into the possible presence of a stigma that might accompany a home that had become infected with Stachybotrys. This home was purchased new last summer for a little over $200,000. I have e-mailed one appraiser in the area who is doing some research, but would like to hear from anyone else doing the same. Thanks in advance!

Ken Bethge

Ken, if you want information on stigma, contact Randell Bell in Calif. He is the leading appraiser on stigma. he has done many of them including OJ's home in CA.

Jim

 

[Blue1]

MAN! Those photos remind me of a Star Trek episode I once saw!!! Creeping crud on the walls, ceiling, etc. making people sick and killing them! Hope you didn't step in it! :twisted: Remember, that could be only the "tip of the iceberg" (so to speak) there may be more behind the walls and under the floor.....disclaim, disclaim, disclaim.....CYA!!!

 

[Ken in Arkansas]

Pam -

Don't be embarrassed; this is new territory for us all!

Ken

 

[Jim McGrath]

MAN! Those photos remind me of a Star Trek episode I once saw!!! Creeping crud on the walls, ceiling, etc. making people sick and killing them! Hope you didn't step in it! :twisted: Remember, that could be only the "tip of the iceberg" (so to speak) there may be more behind the walls and under the floor.....disclaim, disclaim, disclaim.....CYA!!!

Those were just the tip of the iceberg. Every room was like that. The living room had a carpet that looked like the Everglades swamp. The kitchen floor ceramic tiles had the grout all turned reddish brown.

A Realtor had it listed for sale at full price, I called the manager and told her that if anyone went in there and got contaminated, that they may have a huge lawsuit on their hands.

Jim