Woman's new home doesn't fit usual mold

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Wednesday, May 3, 2006; Posted: 11:15 a.m. EDT

Woman's new home doesn't fit usual mold

BY JANE STORMER | COMMUNITY PRESS STAFF INTERN

When Gins Rubdie bought a house in Miami Township in July 2005, she had no idea that she would be searching for a new place to live eight months later.

Toxic mold growing behind the walls of her house on Branch Hill-Miamiville Road is forcing Rubdie and her son, ,14, out of their home.

"It wasn't until December 2005 that I found out about the problems with the house," Rubdie said. "A neighbor told me that the house had been condemned because of toxic mold and I received a MLS listing dated May '04 that contained the information that there was a "no admittance" order because of toxic mold."

According to Rubdie, she was never given this information before or at the closing of the purchase.

Neighbors also told her that they had witnessed the previous owner removing carpeting and sheet rock, literally gutting the interior of the house.

"I didn't think much about this," Rubdie said. "But then and I both started to get sick." In January 2006, Rubdie, who suffers with asthma, was prescribed two inhalant medications in order to control her breathing problems. Her son developed a chronic throat infection and has been taking antibiotics.

Calling in professional help, Rubdie enlisted the services of Quantus Analytical, a company that specializes in mold testing. Samples were taken from the house and analyzed, Quantus confirmed the presence of seven varieties of mold, including stachybotrys and penicillium/aspergillus. Both species of mold are capable of producing potent toxins and can cause mild to serious health problems.

Quantus cited water intrusion as the cause of the mold contamination and recommended that Rubdie vacate her home.

Three weeks ago, heavy rain in the area left two inches of standing water on the floor of Rubdie's home, compounding the problem. Healthy Indoor Services pumped the water out and provided a dehumidifier, free of charge.

"Simply drying out the moisture in the room is not going to solve the problem," said Mike s, founder and owner of MTM Environmental Inc., an environmental consulting firm located in Milford. "It's important to identify and then fix the moisture problem."

MTM also provides air and surface testing for mold.

According to s in order for mold to grow, it requires two things, food and moisture. Mold can grow on just about any surface in the home from dry wall and plaster to paper and clothes. Eliminating the source of the moisture is the only solution.

"Water intrusion can come from a variety of problems," s said. "Leaky roofs, plumbing problems, foundations and even leaky gutters can be the source."

s also suggests using a dehumidifier in humid areas of the house, keeping the area between 30 percent and 50 percent humidity.

"Once it gets hold, it's very hard to get rid of mold," s said.

Rubdie says she has no future plans for the house and is concentrating on finding a new place to live for herself, her son and the family pets. She is looking to rent a house or townhouse that accepts pets. If you can help. contact Rubdie at 314-4733.

"I'm just taking things one day at a time," she said. Rubdie did say that she has contacted a lawyer and plans to file a lawsuit against the previous owner.