Want Mold? You Got It!!!

Your home is probably the perfect environment for mold to flourish. Mold spores simply need a little condensation and some type of organic substance, such as wood or cloth, to use as nourishment. Give these two conditions, and in no time mold will be engulfing your bathroom tiles or basement walls. Not only are the blossoming mold spores a detriment to the overall décor of a home, they are detrimental to the health of the home’s inhabitants.

In the last 60 days I have met dozens of people who are congested, having a hard time breathing, or cannot understand why their kids have been sick for several months or more. Other clients tell me they were looking at job opportunities in different states or were considering selling their home yet they couldn’t due to their own ill health. All of these people connected their problems with possible mold growth in their home. They elicit Tomacor’s services to visually scan for mold and give them a better understanding of its effect on their life. Mold growth is a huge problem in Chicago, Illinois and across the country. Permissible Exposure Levels to specific types of mold have not been established for consumers, yet home and condo owners are convinced that they’re getting pneumonia, bronchitis or other related sicknesses due to the mold presence in their home and they may be right!

The simple truth is this; Mold is caused by water infiltrating into the home and water infiltration and mold growth within Chicago area homes is a crisis, and epidemic, of poor quality construction detailing. Some of you may ask who is at fault. The answer is we all are, for accepting crappy work and focusing on equity rather than quality of life. Many developers and contractors are not adhering to the minimum industry and City standards when constructing these new homes. The result of their poor workmanship is the ill health and empty pockets of homeowners.

Why are we not discussing this in an open forum where the citizens of the City of Chicago can get help? There are solutions available including the installation of required flashing and weep holes and following Chicago ordinances regarding split face blocks.

Why are the buildings poorly built without code specific detailing? The simple answer is a lack of quality and oversight, driven by the profit motive. Its time to do something about it as a community! The Residential Code is clear and specific about the need for and location of weep holes and flashing in masonry buildings. The City of Chicago has adopted a unique code standard to be applied towards masonry structures completed within the City of Chicago. The Masonry Advisory Council in Park Ridge Illinois continues to promulgate professional standards demanding flashing and weep holes. And the Chicago Tribune and Sun times continue to write stories about crappy masonry construction in Chicago. We as a community must hold all contractors and developers responsible for their workmanship!

I am happy to report that many consumers are taking action and they are getting results! Opportunities are arising for expert work as consumers demand repairs from developers and masonry contractors. Construction detailing lawsuits, and inquiries regarding lawsuits, have doubled, in my office, in the last year. Lawyers are becoming more engaged and familiar with construction detailing while we are being asked to explain the process and results leading to substandard detailing and failed living environments. A good professional home inspector will know the masonry detailing standards and will be able to apply them during a home inspection.

I recommend that all consumers insist on hiring a professional to evaluate any remodeling or new construction purchase they are considering and brush up on technical standards. Consider the Brick Industry Association’s Technical Note series. Their standards are the basis for all masonry construction detailing in the U.S. currently and over the last several decades. In the mean time, encourage your friends with mold or mildew problems to not give up hope for a reasonable repair solution. They are available and they are expensive. Yet they are better than living in a mold filled environment, coughing and wheezing while you know that you can’t really afford the mortgage anyway.

Sincerely,

Thomas A. Corbett, President
Tomacor Incorporated

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