Re: Re: new person intro and questions

[Guest guest]

Kl,

The Dry Wall? it makes me wonder if the makers know rather or not if dry wall if

wet could cause mold!?. It Really smells like fish to me, I think they know and

I wonder if any one else feels the same. Rather true or false people need to be

warn of it's affects, what could happen if used.

Elvira

From: kl_clayton

Sorry to hear about your dilemma.

I have gone through the same thing, as have many of the people on this list. I

am still in

the process of remediating. I thought I was done, but still kept reacting to

something in

the basement- it turned out to be the shower. I believe there is NO SUCH THING

as

harmless mold in a tiled bathroom. In my experience, it has consistently meant

there is

drywall behind the tile, and the drywall is moldy, either one side or the

other. I had the

handy man pop tiles off in the section likely to be moldy, sure enough, there

it was.

[Guest guest]

Elvira:

Yes the makers do realize that dry wall can cause mold. Most good

contractors will use a product call hardibacker for shower, tiles, etc. Any

location where there is possibility of excess moisture. We used this when

we installed our tile floor in an upstairs bathroom and if I would build a

new home it would be used extensively along with the new drywall that is

designed to resist mold more than regular drywall. The problem is the

hardibacker is more expensive than regular drywall. Here's a link FYI:

http://www.jameshardieeu.com/backer_app.html

Rosie

> Kl,

>

> The Dry Wall? it makes me wonder if the makers know rather or not if dry

> wall if wet could cause mold!?. It Really smells like fish to me, I think

> they know and I wonder if any one else feels the same. Rather true or

> false people need to be warn of it's affects, what could happen if used.

>

[Guest guest]

.....>>>>Could this happen to children of the rich? I feel we already know

the answer to this question solutions are needed children are in danger all

over the world. Respectfully> Elvira

Dear Elivra. Yes it can and does happen to the children of the wealthy.

It's not so much a matter of money for the wealthy as it is for the poor,

but poor construction choices, construction companies and third party

contractors that cut corners to make a greater profit, uneducated

homeowners/buyers/builders who do not have basic knowledge of construction.

A few months ago I visited an " open house " (out of curiosity). It was a

huge mansion about 10 years old, marble floors, stained glass windows, all

built-ins. As soon as I opened the door I smelled " bad " mold. I should

have left immediately but was curious. The wood built-ins had mold growing

on them, saw mold in the A/C vents on their gorgeous ceilings, etc. I was

sick for days afterwards. It happens more often than you think.

When our home was so badly damaged and I became ill, homeowners did not

cover the mold remedial work but did agree to no-VOC paints since that's

what I had used in our home. This paint cost $20/gallon more than

commercial paint. I gave the painters an old can of the paint, directions to

the store, even typed up again the type and color I needed. The painters

(3rd party contractors) arrived with 25 gallons of paint, mixed and ready to

go. Well, they bought commercial instead of my no-VOC and refused to take

it back saying it had been mixed and they couldn't afford extra. Course it

went back. Due to water damage the wallpaper in bathroom had to be totally

removed (again insurance paid for this). The painters didn't want to remove

the wallpaper, only prime it and paint over it. When I caught them and

questioned them they said they are not paid enough for the extra heavy work.

If I hadn't caught them, complained to their supervisor, had him come over

to have a talk with them I would have had painted wallpaper with the mold

growing underneath it. Yes it happens all the time.

Look at the mansions, the elected official " mansions " that are being

remediated due to mold. We need to educate the homeowners regardless of

their income to how build a safe home and/or rebuild their homes using what

is available rather than just throwing something together to get the job

done and back into the home as soon as possible. Carl Grime's book is a

good start. Teaching people to ask the right questions, teaching people to

think is a start and helping them find answers so they can empower

themselves to rebuild or build withing their budgets. It can be done but not

quickly. My MIL had someone run into the front of her house with a vehicle.

That was bad. The point of the story is that her homeowners covered all

damages to have everything repaired. They had to remove the entire front

exterior of her house, the living and dining room had to be rebuilt, new

front exterior had to be built, new insulation, new walls, ceilings,

drywall, carpet, etc. Well, MIL was in a hurry and she didn't choose her

contractors according to their qualifications and references but they one

who quaranteed a quick job. Well, she got her desire. It was torn down and

rebuilt in 3 days. Yes, 3 days. She has crumbling exterior, mold, uneven

walls, etc. I tried to warn her and tell her. Even went there first day and

made some comments to the workers and owner about the sloppy workd they are

doing. They didn't like it and MIL told me afterwards they told her they

wouldn't work for such a xxxxxuoxxxx as her daughter-in-law. She laughed.

A horrid mess she has now and who is to blame? Lack of money?

I hear and know what you are saying. We are not rich, I wanted a ceramic

tile floor for my downstairs but insurance didn't cover it. I pulled my own

moldy carpet in the entire downstairs and threw it outside. Cleaned the

concrete and used that until I started shopping around for tile and

contractors. Found out tile was expensive so searched for a few months until

I saw some that was really nice but on super discount. Bought it. Then

started asking around and interviewing contractors to lay it. That took a

few more months. Got it done within my budget but it wasn't quick or easy.

Hardibacker I had to use upstairs. Did my research before I hired any

contractors--went to the library, used their computers (so the poor can do

it also); went to HomeDepot and Lowes, used the yellow pages to call

different companies to get advise what to do and how to do it. Learned how

the old floor should be safely removed, how the underfloor should be

prepared and level, how to install the hardibacker and why use it rather

than plywood (yes plywood is often used as an underlay upstairs for floors

but do you know plywood releases VOC, toxic chemicals for a long time that

can hurt people physically? as well as get wet, buckle and rot if exposed to

water). Then I shopped for tile until I found one that I could afford and

found installers again at a discount. I supervised all their work, made

sure it was done properly and I sealed it myself.

So, where do we start to educate the poor to take responsiblity, to learn,

to get educated, to ask questions, to watch the construction if they can't

do it? Let's be pro-active, teachers and coaches rather than victims.

Rosie

[Guest guest]

I'm Sorry I will answer later I fight for all, Rich or poor people we are all

people for all that don't know my story a small part is below and online Author

Published my story in my own word sorry I'm under a lot of stress I live under

the HUD Housing VOUCHER it was design for home buyers Evicted by MOLD my list

goes on by the way I just got power back about 15 min. ago from Wilma it was

very bad and more MOLD.

www.adspread.com/edition3.htm elvira story # 5