Mold remediation, ducts, HVAC, asbestos

June 12, 2002

Hi, I'm posted my problem with our flooded/moldy condo in the past and

it continues. Does any of this ever go away?

Regarding duct cleaning--4 months ago we had a pipe break and flood

the entire bottom floor of condo we were purchasing. This resulted in

mold throughout the bottom floor verified from mold testing of

wallboard. The heater was turned on by flood remediation people to dry

out the house. I questioned the wisdom of spreading the mold

throughout the ducts as well as the upstairs. But was told that the

primary problem was to dry out the house. They wre unsuccessful!

NOW, finally! (We are not living there.) We were to have the mold

remediation done, and we came to a problem with the ducts. They are

wrapped in asbstos from construction in 1978 in Calif. The HVAC is the

dirtiest the inspector had ever seen. The insurance company is balking

at replacing the ducts, since they can't be cleaned because of the

asbestos.

They NOW want to turn ON the heater and do air testing before and

after the heater is on. Ambient air testing which will delay

remediation further. I understand it can take 2 weeks? Plus then the

report as to be sent to insurance company and then to condo

association and THEN they may decide to give US a copy of it. I

contend that to use the heater is to contaminate the whole house as

well as the ducts further. They have no intention of remediating the

upstairs. Even though there is evidence of a previous existing

STACHYBOTRUS CHARTRUM MOLD which would indicate that the HVAC was

already contaminated before THIS water loss. The mold in all the

wallboard is the aspergillis and penicillium type plus others.

I feel it is a moot point because I cannot imagine living is this

condo with those ducts uncleaned. I feel it is a waste of time and

money to do this testing. I feel at my wits end in this. We have tried

to resolve this thru the insurance companies, but it is a case of

everyone pointing the finger at each other and not accepting

responsibility. (This involved a refrigerator icemaker that ruptured

and flooded the bottom floor.) Ple

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