Family recounts mold ordealCouple suing builder say they faced hefty repair bill, illness By Prentiss Findlay (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Melissa Haneline Joan Quam is seen Tuesday with son Charlie, 8 months, and daughter Sophie, 2, in the living room of their Mount Pleasant home. MOUNT PLEASANT — Joan and Paul Quam said Tuesday that they spent $150,000 to repair and treat their Rivertowne subdivision home after moving out for nine months last August because Paul Quam was diagnosed with the early stages of mold poisoning. While they lived in rental homes, Paul Quam said he returned to the house to gather belongings. Just one breath of the air in the house would cause him to lose his voice for a week, he said. The mold caused him to have a burning sensation on his skin for weeks at a time, he said. Despite the repairs and remediation work, Joan Quam said they still have mold worries. "It's still growing because now we found windows leaking," she said. The Quams said they sued the builder, D.R. Horton. The Quam family is not the first family to go public recently with mold problems at their D.R. Horton home. "It's just unbelievable to me that they are fighting us. Nothing has been settled. They don't even have us on the docket until 2009," Joan Quam said. Meanwhile, Joan Quam said she is concerned about the health of the children, Charlie, 8 months, and Sophie, 2. "You just don't know what the long-term effects are. That's what's so scary," she said. "Charleston sounded like such a wonderful place. It's been very hard and stressful for us. Our dream house is our biggest nightmare." The Quams moved here from North Dakota. They cut other expenses to buy their $512,000 house. Purchases of a dining room table and other furniture were put on hold. Paul Quam thought Rick Hendrick Chevrolet would be a great place to work. He took a position as a controller at the auto dealership. The mold problem at the house has wiped out their savings, he said. It came to their attention last summer when the air conditioning wouldn't keep the house cool. An inspector noticed what looked like tiny burn marks around a kitchen electrical outlet. Black mold was found in the outlet, Joan Quam said. Contractors tore into a wall between the kitchen and the master bedroom, where they discovered a moisture problem caused by improper roof flashing, he said. Water was seeping through the bedroom carpet, he said. Improperly insulated cooling vents allowed cold air to escape and mix with warm air, which created moisture, he said. Kyle Dillard, an attorney at a Greenville law firm that represents D.R. Horton, did not return phone and e-mail messages Tuesday seeking comment on the Quam lawsuit against the company. Louis Russo said in an e-mail Tuesday that he has sold more than 180 D.R. Horton homes in the last seven years and never received a complaint from a client. Russo, who said he is a buyer, investor and relocation agent with ReMax, said he owns two D.R. Horton homes and his in-laws own two D.R. Horton homes. In the e-mail, Russo said, "Mold's major bad spot is the bathrooms and all you need to do is put on fans and leave door open. Exhaust fans or any fan. Power wash homes twice a year.... mold can surface anytime. Every builder during orientations takes time to mention mold and what to do to prevent it. I wonder how many of my clients let it go in one ear and out the other?" In another e-mail, Russo said, "I never knew DR H to duck from a problem despite it's past the time they are actually obligated to do anything. I am going to take a shot and say they will help. At least that has been my experience." Last summer, after Paul Quam was diagnosed with the early stages of mold poisoning, Joan Quam said his doctor told them to leave the house after seeing the results of a mold inspection by an expert the Quams hired. Her husband had been experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty breathing, a raspy voice and memory loss. His doctor said mold was affecting his central nervous system, she said. They lived in rental housing for nine months and returned to the home after extensive work by contractors to address mold contamination, she said. Joan Quam said she decided to contact The Post and Courier after reading about Joy and Benjamin Allen of Daniel Island in the newspaper's Sunday editions. The Allens said they have a mold problem at their D.R. Horton-built home, and left the home more than a month ago because of the problem. The Allens hired an attorney, who is negotiating with D.R. Horton. Dillard has released a statement on behalf of the company that it will hire a third-party inspector, at its expense, to assess the situation at the house. The Allens said their doctor told them to move out of the house after seeing the results of an inspection by a mold expert the Allens hired. The Allens have two kids, ages 3 and 4. They were concerned that the youngest daughter's health problems were related to mold. Reach Prentiss Findlay at 937-5711 or pfindlay@ postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 23 comment(s)
Posted by Smart_Enough_2_Know_Better on July 9, 2008 at 1:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think I know this Seussian story- "D.R. Horton Hears a Quam."
It'll quickly be followed up by the sequel- "There's a Lawsuit in My Pocket!"
Oh, the Places Mold Will Go!
Posted by moonpie on July 9, 2008 at 6:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Russo is an idiot IF he really believes that. Go to Daniel Island and talk to the homeowners that had termites because the contractor they used mixed his pretreatment chemical with half water to save money! Now guess what they have termite damage you wouldn't believe. People while they are affordable stay away from the trac builders.
Posted by eatmorecollards on July 9, 2008 at 6:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Seems like lots of people need one of these.
www.ambientweather.com/exhyhualwide.html...
Posted by shoelaces on July 9, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Smart Enough...too funny!!! Although I do think a lawsuit is probably warranted in this situation.
If the kids aren't showing signs of mold issues yet they probably will soon. Get out of that house with the kids and stay out!!!
Don't buy a home from a "production line" company!!!
$500K and these problems. Wow. I live in one of those "sought after neighborhoods" in a custom built home. We paid less than half that for a decent size home.
If they advertise on a billboard on I26 don't hire them!!!!
Posted by metallic on July 9, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
>>>"Charleston sounded like such a wonderful place. It's been very hard and stressful for us. Our dream house is our biggest nightmare."
The Quams moved here from North Dakota. They cut other expenses to buy their $512,000 house.<<<
I guess no one told them the were moving into a tropical environment -- and that there is mold EVERYWHERE here.
>>>Her husband had been experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty breathing, a raspy voice and memory loss. His doctor said mold was affecting his central nervous system, she said.<<<
Sounds like a stress reaction, probably: Up-side-down mortgage syndrome!
Posted by Early on July 9, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have personally bought several investment properties from DR Horton, they are a tremendous rip-off company. The have absolutely no customer loyalty. These are the guys that come into your town, clear cut the land, over build and saturate the market then,,,,,they leave.
512k for a DR Horton home is insane. They are extremely cheaply built homes that barley meet minimal standards. I hope these folks sue the piss out of DR Horton.
The FACT is, if you have moisture,,not from your bathroom, but from a leak, you will have moisture. When you have moisture you will have termites and mold. They do not survive without the MOISTURE. This is a no brainier.
Posted by longisland on July 9, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Did they buy the home from Horton, or was it a resale? Did it sit empty for an extended period of time, with no one to monitor the air conditioning, etc?
If it was a resale, did they have a home inspection?
I feel bad for the people, but I feel the story is not giving us enough details for us to use to judge either party.
Posted by lotusuprising on July 9, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't help but respond to Metallic's idiotic analysis of the article and the situation at hand. Anyone with a decent hermeneutical eye would not come to the conclusion of "Up-side-down mortgage syndrome," which coincidentally is a phrase Metallic is fond of using (reference the article from P&C's Sunday edition in regards to a house on Daniel Island with similar mold infestation also built by D.R. Horton). Glad to see you'd rather self plagiarize than use the brain cells to formulate a new opinion or at least a synonymous phrase.
Following Metallic's skewed argument, these homeowners would rather spend thousands of dollars ($150,000 as cited in the article above) than continue to pay on a mortgage? If they have that kind of savings or disposable income, wouldn't they have likely just applied those funds to the outstanding mortgage? Or perhaps made other investments? What is there to gain in paying for inspectors, new contractors likely just as despicable as those hired by D.R. Horton, and a lawyer to pursue a lawsuit? Lets not mention the hefty percent that would likely be due to the lawyer if the case actually goes to trial and anything is won for the defendants.
It makes me wonder about the nature of Metallic's association? Either you're maliciously planting a skewed point to deflect from the graveness of this situation, which would incline me to think that perhaps you have some affiliation with D.R. Horton or perhaps one of the many "kickback" recipients of the tainted construction business in Charleston or the even more pathetic conclusion: you're just a simpleton, or in simpler terms, a complete idiot.
Moving on, let not anyone forget that there are no lemon laws for housing in South Carolina. And even if inspections were conducted, who are the inspectors affiliated with? What is their benefit in saying a house is in good condition especially if most of their business comes from ties with local real estate companies? Never underestimate the complex nexus of corruption, especially in a market where housing codes are often violated (without being fined) by contractors and builders.
Also, in regards to Russo and others' comments about mold being common in the South. Yes, mold is present where there is moisture, but a specific type of mold was formed in this house: black mold. Which is highly toxic and hazardous to health. Feel free to skim a succinct rundown of its effects: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_mold.
In truth, this situation is horrendous and unjust. This family can never recoup their losses: financially, physically, and emotionally. Do some research into the laws, and you'll realize there are limitations in cases where defendants win these cases. I assure you, all the time and effort in fixing the house and pursuing a lawsuit can never compensate for all the family has already gone through and lost.
Posted by buzzy on July 9, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have been building and repairing houses here in Charleston since I began mixing mortar for my father (an old time brick mason) at age seven. I'm now 47, and the knowledge and experience I have gained over the years is impossible to relate to you. But, I have seen a lot and have fixed a lot. You have to know what you are doing. If you don't, find a good builder and build or remodel your own house. Take a look at the subs working for him. Are they professionals? Are they fit and active, or do they just pay some insurance, buy some tools and then hire just anyone to do the work while they collect your money. Race doesn't matter and some of the best craftsmen I have ever met are immigrants. But the subs and builders are nearly always American.
Also don't follow the leader. Take housewrap for instance. Everyone knows it stops moisture, but few people realize that it also traps moisture against the sheathing inside the envelope. There are methods to easily eliminate this moisture because all siding and roofing admit moisture not to mention the rainwater that was trapped inside your home during construction.
Lastly or perhaps firstly look at the lot you are building on. Are there any old trees there, or are they all 29 years old. Was your lot clear cut by Hugo. Why are you buying in the swamps of Rivertowne, Daniel Island and Park West. How much mold do you expect to have after the next hurricane and 6-9 months without roads or electricity. It doesn't matter how many feet above flood you built your home if the roof starts to leak and you aren't able to fix it or authorities won't allow you to return to your home after a storm.
Posted by JohnS on July 9, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How is the builder at fault? If your house has defects then they should be addressed to keep damage from spreading. It's your house keep it up.
Posted by billyjoejimbob on July 9, 2008 at 6:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They sure don't build houses like they used to.
Posted by calebeaton on July 9, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Of course, it's always best to get rid of the source. But all those with mold-related concerns should familiarize themselves with the remarkable research on toxic mold removal done by environmental expert Dr Ed Close. Simply diffusing a therapeutic-grade essential oil regularly in this building will likely result in an environment very hostel to mold.
http://www.secretofthieves.com/mold.cfm
In one instance, 10,667 stachybotrys mold spores were identified in a per cubic meter area. After diffusing Thieves essential oil for forty-eight hours, Dr Close retested. Only thirteen stachybotrys remained. Similarly, 75,000 stachybotrys mold spores were identified in a sample of sheetrock. After seventy-two hours of diffusing, no stachybotrys mold spores remained. (Stachybotrys has a reputation for being the most toxic mold.)
Posted by WandaR on July 9, 2008 at 6:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
JohnS, you have a great point if you believe that the mistakes you make are not your responsibility. I hope you are a builder because you sound like the kind of man that really stands behind your work.
John must really have it together...I bet he routinely chops open his walls to check for the beginning stages of mold, walks his roof for leaks, and sticks his head in the duct system to make sure all is A OK! 'Cmon, this house was only a few years old.
Russo also has an excellent point. Shame on the owners for not turning on the fan in the bathroom to prevent mold from growing between their walls and in their duct system.
Posted by walleyedwoman1215 on July 9, 2008 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sorry the owners are facing this nightmare. There are multiple confirmed reports on how toxic black mold is. Dorchester County's former RMC had to quit going to her office because of her severe reaction to the mold. Coming from the Dakotas, perhaps this family didn't fully understand the worst-case effects of subtropical heat and humidity.
That said, if I were paying a cool half-mil for a house, it would be inspected with a magnifying glass. Good luck to them.
Posted by Perspective on July 9, 2008 at 11:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Moisture and humidity are not a problem south of the border. So in all fairness the actual builders were probably not aware that they even needed flashing. cómo se dice - "more flashing".
Posted by metallic on July 10, 2008 at 1:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"lotusuprising,"
The conclusions you draw are hilarious -- about as hilarious as your phrase "self plagiarize." (You seem to have little understanding of the words you use.)
D.R. Horton (along with most of the other large development-contractors) engage in some of the absolute worst construction I have ever seen. They probably did build a house which leaked and caused fungus growth within the structure. (So much for your idea that I have "some affiliation" with Horton.)
The Quams sound like they were "suckers." First, they were suckered into buying a D.R. Horton home (probably at the top of a bubble real estate market), and second, they were probably suckered by the con-men in the "mold eradication" business in paying the quoted $150,000 to fix their "mold problems."
You talk about a "tainted construction business in Charleston," but I'll let you know that the construction business in Charleston looks like it is run by saints if compared to the slime who run "mold detection" businesses (not to mention the lawyers involved in the scams).
"Mold eradication" is mostly about playing on the fear and ignorance so prevalent in our society today. The scammers take a few facts about mold, mix them into a stew of exaggeration, then look for weak-minded victims.
And there are no shortages of such victims -- in fact, with your use of phrases like "self plagiarize," you sound like you'd probably be the perfect victim! Have you had YOUR house checked for mold?
LOL!
Posted by WandaR on July 10, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Metallic,
Just hope it doesn't happen to you. Read up on mold poisoning...and inhale some black mold spores for a few months...you have a lot to learn.
LOL for sure.
Posted by metallic on July 10, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"WandaR,"
I'm inhaling "black mold spores" right now -- so are you!
The spores are EVERYWHERE.
Toxicity is about CONCENTRATIONS of the toxic substance.
Don't confuse science with the shrill screams and attempts to create fear by those involved in the "mold eradication" scams. Be careful about what you read -- especially on line. You usually won't know the true source, or the potential motivations of those who post most articles online.
There is a lot of money to be made if the public can be drummed into a state of "mass hysteria" about a subject. "Toxic mold" is such a subject.
Posted by WandaR on July 10, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Right on, Metallic. I should have stated "toxic levels" of black mold...I shouldn't assume...
Do you remember asbestos and lead? It took quite a while for people to understand the danger.
If you have toxic levels of mold in your home, get out and get it fixed if you care about your health. (You have no choice about fixing it if you're going to sell your home. It is illegal to sell a home knowing it contains toxic levels of mold - unless, of course, you plan on disclosing it.)
Posted by metallic on July 10, 2008 at 5:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"WandaR" posted:
>>>If you have toxic levels of mold in your home, get out and get it fixed if you care about your health. (You have no choice about fixing it if you're going to sell your home. It is illegal to sell a home knowing it contains toxic levels of mold - unless, of course, you plan on disclosing it.)<<<
How is mold measured in a house? What is a "toxic level"? Can you show me any portable device that measures levels of mold? What are the "toxins" (give me chemical names) which this mold is supposedly "releasing" which is so dangerous? Where is the law (show me a link) that describes this "illegality" of selling a house with mold, or states what constitutes a "toxic level of mold"?
You sound like one of those people I mentioned before more interested in attempting to create an atmosphere of fear about "mold" rather than considering the subject from a reasoned scientific basis.
It sounds like you may be in the "mold eradication" industry with your attempts at spreading irrational fear on the subject.
Posted by WandaR on July 10, 2008 at 6:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Metallic,
No, I am not in the mold erradication business. Not even close.
I wish mold was not harmful at toxic levels...fortunately there are ways to measure it to keep you and your family safe. You can buy a mold kit at Lowes for about $9. That's a start...you can also hire an environmental engineer. I'm sorry to disappoint...there are many ways to measure mold and the toxicity. Unfortunately for you, (I guess?!) this is real. I'm sorry I don't have time to look up links right now...
What's your stake in this anyway? Why don't you want people to be educated on harmful substances?
Posted by metallic on July 12, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"WandaR" posted:
>>>What's your stake in this anyway? Why don't you want people to be educated on harmful substances?<<<
I like living in a world where people are rational.
I want people to be educated (period) -- NOT living with fear and lacking basic scientific knowledge about subjects like mold.
The sort of misinformation you spread is what I oppose.
You are not educating people about "harmful substances"; you are spreading misinformation (probably with some motive of instilling fear in others -- experience has shown me that the world is full of "sick" people who "get off" on scaring others).
I'll ask you again:
How is mold measured in a house? What is a "toxic level"? Can you show me any portable device that measures levels of mold? What are the "toxins" (give me chemical names) which this mold is supposedly "releasing" which is so dangerous? Where is the law (show me a link) that describes this "illegality" of selling a house with mold, or states what constitutes a "toxic level of mold"?
The fact of the matter is you don't have any answers to the above questions, because most of the questions do not HAVE answers. You MAKE UP terms like "toxic levels of mold" in some attempt to make your ramblings sound "scientific," but your opinions are not backed by science.
You are only fanning the flames of hysteria on this subject with your misinformation.
Posted by WandaR on July 16, 2008 at 8:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Metallic,
You must be a builder that builds shoddy homes...or a defense attorney for the same. I do not have the time to look up things for you. You look them up yourself. Other people have put in links...it's not hard to get the info.
I have friends who have had mold poisoning. I have a brother extremely allergic to mold (he is a doctor, too). I have another friend deathly allergic to mold who has undergone extensive treatment.
Call an environmentalist. They will test your home for mold. The tests will tell you the level of toxicity. And yes, there are standards for acceptable levels.
YOU are the one trying to snow the public. There is WAY too much info out there for you to be this stupid. If you don't have a dog in the fight, get educated then make a decision.