Shandoka Residents Alerted to Potential of Mold Growth

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Shandoka Residents Alerted to Potential of Mold Growth

Telluride Watch - Telluride,CO*

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Sep 25, 2008

Mold a Concern, Not a Major Problem

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TELLURIDE – While the appearance of major mold infestations in two

Mountain Village rental apartment complexes earlier this year has

led some Telluride residents to worry about an outbreak in the

Shandoka Apartments where they live, housing officials there say a

similar situation is unlikely.

Officials do not deny that mold has crept into various units

throughout the eight-building complex, particularly in the early

phase B and E buildings. However, for it to grow to the extent

reported in the Village Court Apartments and Telluride Apartments –

prompting multiple resident complaints and intervention by

inspectors – Shandoka Office Manager Shonda Parsons said she

believed that either the tenants failed to call attention to the

problems early enough, or that management failed to respond

adequately.

" We understand people's concerns, mold can be dangerous, " said

Parsons. " But we do address problems as soon as we hear about them. "

Within a file of 27 work orders completed for 19 units in which mold

was present, the majority of cases were addressed within two to

three days, and all were addressed within one week of being

identified, according to documents made available to The Watch. Most

of the paperwork was dated to 2008, although one case went as far

back as 2005.

" Every time we get a complaint we do respond, " said Parsons. " If

it's a serious issue it will be taken care of that day. "

" There are three to four apartments where mold seems to want to

grow, " said Shandoka Maintenance Supervisor Ronn Dilley, who has

worked at the complex for eight years.

Nevertheless, Dilley said that it has been four or five years since

an apartment has been seriously infected. In that case, the bathroom

was ripped out in order to replace the drywall. The attic was also

so badly affected that insulation there had to be replaced and

additional venting added, he said.

The problem was so extreme, in fact, that the mold was tested to

determine whether it posed a serious health threat. Although he was

unable to locate the original report, Dilley said that the mold was

not determined to be toxic.

Mold growth has come to the attention of Shandoka management at

various points of time since then. While in some cases residents

themselves called attention to the matter, more likely it was

discovered during annual inspections or inspections done prior to

new tenants occupying a unit.

" Very few people tell us about it if they have it, " Parsons

said. " If they move out then we find it, " she continued.

It is usually found on windowsills and in bathrooms, and has not

recently been tested.

" We don't know that it's not toxic, " Dilley said, adding, " It

probably wouldn't hurt to have another update. "

One long-time Shandoka resident whose windowsill recently offered a

firsthand view of the gray, fuzzy fungus that can accumulate there

remains concerned for precisely that reason. That resident, who

requested anonymity out of concern of reprisals, has been plagued

with sinus troubles and itchy eyes since mold made its appearance in

his apartment last winter.

" I think that the buildings are sick, " he said, voicing concern that

mold may be lurking within the walls, incubating until some point in

the future.

" What happens when it is an epidemic? " he asked.

Dilley explained that he removes mold through a multi-step process

that includes treating the area with a product called Tile-Nu,

bleach and finally a primer designed to resist mold and mildew

stains.

In some circumstances he has resorted to more extreme measures in

order to eradicate mold.

" From time to time I will need to cut it out, " he said.

In those instances he checks that there is no mold growing inside

the walls. So far he has found none, he said.

Shandoka resident Britnee Harper said that she has been satisfied

since mold located around her window was cut out last fall.

" It hasn't come back, " she said.

Dilley said that residents could help prevent mold growth in their

apartments by keeping their windows slightly cracked during the

winter to prevent condensation and to allow air to circulate. He

also recommended that bathroom fans be turned on during and after

bathing.

Most of all, however, he stressed that residents should communicate

with Shandoka management at the first sign of a mold problem rather

than ignoring it or trying to solve it themselves.

" The first thing is they have to let us know, " he said.

" I don't want them to deal with it, I want to deal with it, " he

continued. " It's not their job, it's my job. "