Video Ryland Homes- Mold Forces Family To Seal Off Part Of Home

November 26, 2008

Mold Forces Family To Seal Off Part Of Home

Wednesday, November 26, 2008 – updated: 5:48 pm EST November 26, 2008

WFTV 9 Orlando

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- A plastic sheet is all that protects one

family from life-altering mold.

Ryland Homes settled a class action lawsuit dealing with water

intrusion after the 2004 hurricanes but the home of Amy and

Sica on Pheonix Drive in Avalon Park was built after the settlement.

The nearly half-million dollar home is now flanked with plastic

where the family had had to seal off a room because mold was so bad,

it was causing serious health problems for their baby.

" One fever in the middle of the night actually resulted in a seizure

where we had to take her to the emergency room, " said Amy Sica.

Sohpia Sica's pediatrician finally figured out what was causing the

child so many health problems.

Mold levels in the dining room were extremely high when compared to

outside. They were so bad the Sicas sealed all the vents and now use

a plastic tarp to ensure clean air in the rest of the house. They

believe the mold is most likely a result of Tropical Storm Fay.

Water had poured in through decorative windows and down the drywall.

Amy Sica's first call was to Ryland Homes, the builder.

" They did not feel that it was something that was their

responsibility, " said the Sicas.

The Sicas were aware of Ryland's past troubles after the 2004

hurricane season and had questioned the builder as to what they

could expect from a storm.

Ryland has refused to fix the problem and told Eyewitness News it

had found no evidence of mold. The damages total nearly $10,000. One

attorney told Eyewitness News he has been flooded with homeowners

who are complaining of similar problems following Fay.

In March of this year, Ryland homes agreed to a preliminary

settlement to resolve water damage in homes that were built between

2000 and 2005. As part of that settlement, Ryland would pay $3.25

million dollars in fees. More than half of that would be used to pay

claims.

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