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The military families living in Tierrasanta say that they are without het and air conditioning since mold was found in their air ducts. Nancy Irvin has lived in the same house for the last six years with her husband and two children.
She says the news about mold didn’t surprise her any; water damage issues have been cropping up since day one. “The upstairs was leaking down from the tub to the garage so all of our stuff that as in boxes was flooding. It’s been sickness after sickness, cold, bronchitis, double ear infections everything.”
She said doctors haven’t been able to explain what is wrong. Her 2-year-old son has been coughing at night until he throws up. Even the couple’s dog has developed a skin rash.
The home was inspected in October. Vent covers were removed and the holes were covered over. Since then a cleaning company has come in to work on the air vents but the heat and a/c remain off. She says she has received no updates as to any progress. Neighbors say they are also dealing with the same issues and have posted photos of black fluffy mold in the air vents of their homes.
Lincoln Military Housing offered the following statement:
Your ducts were inspected today and they will require us to encapsulate your
vents and turn off your HVAC system. We will provide small space heaters and/or a portable A/C upon request. We will be processing a check to you equal to your daily BAH/Rent Rate starting the day we turn off your HVAC system, until the day we turn it back on. Please allow 7 to 10 business days after your HVAC system has been turned back on for the check to be processed. Please also keep in mind that based on scheduling we may need to have your HVAC system turned off for up to two weeks, but
we hope to have your ducts cleaned and your HVAC back on as soon as possible.
Steps We Will Take: We will first engage a third-party National Air Duct Cleaners
Association (NADCA) certified contractor to perform a thorough cleaning with a negative air system. This system pulls air through the ductwork, furnace and blower, similar to a vacuum, collecting any debris, dust or other contaminants that are inside. Importantly, this system does not release any material cleaned from the ducts into the home. The air duct cleaning is then followed by cleaning with a brush system, which gently but effectively cleans the ducts. Finally, a fogging of the ducts is performed with a microbial cleaning agent.
What do you, the resident, need to do? Personal belongings within 5 feet of any
HVAC vent/register need to be relocated/moved. The contractor will use plastic to cover personal items in close proximity to the vents even though this system does not release any material into the air. While the cleaning is taking place, you will be temporarily displaced from your home for no more than 8 hours (typically 5 hours). As a result of this inconvenience, we will provide you with a Visa Gift Card in the amount of $25 per person (for individuals listed on your lease) on the day of your duct cleaning.
Irvin said she has yet to be reimbursed for anything and no one showed up at her house to bring any heaters.
Water Mold Fire Restoration of San Diego, (619) 905-5393, could have responded to this problem and corrected the situation. Before mold can be successfully removed, the source of moisture has to be eliminated. If the moisture returns, so will the mold. Contact us any time day or night if you discover a mold problem in your home. Our certified mold experts will provide you with a free inspection and estimate of removal and any repairs may be required.
