Complaints

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• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/15/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Claimed to be a air quality expert, that would inspect my home and tell me what could be contributing to my illness while at home. He used no equipment to test the humidity in my home, just took alot of pictures, did no inspection of the vents, just looking in and under the house visually. Was supposed to email me a report immediately and never did. Took a sample supposedly that I did not ask for. I just want a refund of this fraudulent activity.

  Business Response

  Date: 01/15/2025

  January 14th 2025
  
  ******* *********
  3749 W ********
  *********************
  
  ******* *********:
  
  Please find enclosed, results of a limited scope visual inspection with moisture testing of the property located at ****************************************************** on January 13th 2024.   The purpose of the inspection was to assess environmental conditions and determine the best methods to correct adverse conditions noted. Health effects experienced in the home prompted the inspection.
  
  A limited scope visual inspection of the exterior, crawlspace and interior of the home was conducted. The inspection did not include the attic, roof, within wall cavities or under wall and floor coverings.  Intrusive methods and or thermal imaging technology was not employed during the limited scope screening.
  
  Visual inspection of the exterior of the home was performed.  The gutters are not motivating water away from the foundation.  The ground is sloped toward the foundation in many areas and the gutters are clogged and sagging away from the facia. No gutter extensions or drainage system was found during the exterior evaluation.  The crawlspace vents were in the closed position on the day of the inspection.
  
  Visual inspection and moisture testing of the crawlspace was performed.  A strong odor historically associated with Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds or MVOC was noted as the crawlspace was opened.  Standing water was noted under the master bedroom associated with a leaking supply plumbing line.  The leak was spraying water about 8 feet onto the foundation and soaking the floor joists and subfloor in this corner of the home. Visible mold was found on much of the underside of the home with the heaviest growth around the perimeter and in the bay window and fireplace jut outs.  These areas were affected more severely by elevated humidity than the other portions of the crawlspace.  No moisture barrier on the crawlspace floor was found.
  
  Visual inspection of the interior of the home revealed a crack in the sheetrock near the entryway and central hallway. Another crack in the sheetrock was found in the wall between the master bedroom and the master bathroom.  Visible mold was noted on the spare bedroom window. Condensation from elevated humidity was found on the window of the spare bedroom. 
  The **** system was evaluated, and a biofilm was discovered on the A-Coil.Debris was noted in the supply ducts and the diffusers and returns were dirty.  A sample collected from the floor of the mechanical room was identified as amplification of Stachybotrys.    
  
  
  High relative humidity of 80% was noted under the home on the day of testing.  Very high levels of moisture were noted in the wooden building materials with most being over 20%. The section with the water leak, the corners and bay jut outs were saturated with moisture at 40% moisture.  Mold can germinate and grow at 15% moisture levels.
  
  All plumbing leaks should be corrected as soon as they are discovered.  To get humidity and corresponding moisture under control it is highly recommended that a drainage system for the gutters and surface water be installed along with improving the grade close to the foundation.  The gutters should be cleaned and reattached and leveled to drain.  To A 6-mil moisture and vapor ********* barrier should be installed under the home if the aforementioned corrective action does not provide inherently dry conditions.  The barrier should be overlapped a foot at the seams and lapped up onto the foundation above the footer.  The crawlspace should be monitored after heavy rains for infiltration.  The below grade level foundation walls should be water-proofed with a masonry sealer such as Drylock to further control moisture under the home.  An automatic dehumidifier could be used to lower humidity levels and maintain dry conditions.
  
  The areas of visible mold in the crawlspace should be HEPA vacuumed, cleaned, disinfected and verified dry.  Containment zones, HEPA filtered equipment,heavy gage poly bags, EPA registered disinfectants and other engineering controls should be used during the removal of sheetrock in mechanical room ceiling and damaged floor in mechanical room and under the dishwasher.  Encapsulation with an antifungal sealer should be performed in the crawlspace and on surfaces that required aggressive cleaning or remained stained after they have been HEPA vacuumed, cleaned,disinfected, verified dry and free of surface fungus. 
  
  Hidden areas of fungus may exist in this home and additional work may be needed. **** system isolation, cleaning and disinfection should be performed close to the end of the project.  The A-Coil for the **** system should be cleaned or replaced.  New materials should not be installed until passing of post remediation air quality and moisture testing.  Contents and surfaces cleaning in the interior of the home may be needed. 
  
  After the known sources of visible mold and elevated moisture are addressed air quality testing on a day above freezing in the living areas would help determine the amount of cleaning needed in the living areas and for contents to reach the desired level of cleanliness.  The goal is to have no moisture problems, no visible mold and no residual fungal spore counts above the outdoor reference.  It is suggested by ***** that you use a separate contractor to complete the remediation.  However, if requested we can provide a bid which will stipulate that it is a deviation from the ***** S-520 mold remediation standard in this regard.  Feel free to call with questions regarding this study or if you would like additional testing performed.           
  
  Thank you,
  
  
  ***** *********
  Microbiologist/Geochemist
  Industrial Hygiene Technician
  General and Wood Destroying Pest Control
  Wastewater and Drinking water Certification
  Mold Remediation and Water Damage Certs s500, s520
  Airborne and Surface Fungal Spore Identification Certification

   

  In addition, i sent the photos that i said i would send immediately which included the biofilm on the A-coil which i showed you after i used tools to take off the cover on the **** unit and the photos of the spraying water leak under the home.  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/15/2025

  I received these documents from the owner this morning. Looks like something a high school student would write.