Re: Fwd: Closed up building--what should I check for?

January 26, 2011

AN,

Too many unknowns to formulate any recommendations. On the

one hand gutting it to the studs likely removed the vast majority of

water damage plus the mold and bacteria and " etc " resulting from

it. But if the studs and other structure hasn't been properly

cleaned then problems might remain. The cause of the moisture

issues is important. Gutting the interior damage without fixing the

source of moisture will just allow it to occur all over again.

You need a professional assessment on-site by someone who

understand the biology of water damage, the causes and sources

of water damage, materials properties, building science and how

climate and weather can affect it.

Please don't waste money on mold sampling, especially air

sampling. It is impossible for those to answer any of your

questions.

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

-----

Experts: I'm looking at a beautifully restored house. It has sat on the

market since August, partly because it's a bad market and partly because

it is too small for a family.

The house had moisture issues. It was torn down to the studs. Some of

the rafters and sheathing were left. They have the black stains indicative

of moisture--but so do a ton of houses in the upper Midwest. However,

the restoration was done by a period restoration company in the

neighborhood, not by an investment company a hundred miles away.

My question is whether this house should be avoided because it has been

closed up. If that doesn't automatically mean I should not consider it,

what should I look out for? What temperature and humidity level would

the house had to have been kept at to reduce condensation and other

moisture issues? What questions should I ask? Any other advice? I'm a

little concerned because, for show purposes, a downspout and gitter

extensions were removed and we've had freeze/thaw cycles. Oh--also, the

house has a basement but the back door entrance does not--stucco goes

all the way to the soil. Is that a potential problem?

My family would be helping to buy this, so I am keen not to make

another real estate mistake.

Thanks,

AN

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January 26, 2011

will the owner give you a lease on the home with an option to buy? that

way you could try it out and see if you feel good or bad in it before

investing...just a thought from a non-expert on this list. sue

>

>Experts: I'm looking at a beautifully restored house. It has sat on the

>market since August, partly because it's a bad market and partly because

>it is too small for a family.

January 26, 2011

Thanks, Carl.

The moisture was from a bad roof and windows being broken. All that was

fixed--the shingles torn off and replaced, the windows replaced, the whole thing

restored.

Is there an association web site or something where I can find the name of a

person who is local to come and assess?

Thank you!

From: Carl E. Grimes <grimes@...>

Subject: Re: [] Fwd: Closed up building--what should I check for?

Date: Thursday, January 27, 2011, 5:14 AM

AN,