Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    AbsyntheWhyt's Avatar
    AbsyntheWhyt Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Aug 13, 2009, 02:59 PM
    Massive crack in basement of rental property
    :eek:

    We had recently discovered a crack in our basement at the property we rent from. It's a huge crack that moves all along the foundation as well as causing the entire wall to bow out and crack. You can see where they originally tried to patch it by drywall tape and some mud. The owner has been here twice in the last six months, came in looked at basement and left, which leads us to believe they knew this was a problem. Now, they are coming to fix it, my concern is the mold that might be growing back there, they have not mentioned testing for mold before they come in to tear the wall apart. I am concerned for my daughter and our health, they seem completely unconcerned however. When ask what if they find mold she stated, well we will clean it up. They won't let us out of the lease unless a doctor says we have been exposed? Is this right? Is there something I can do to make them test for it before they destroy the sheetrock??
    21boat's Avatar
    21boat Posts: 2,441, Reputation: 212
    Ultra Member
     
    #2

    Aug 13, 2009, 04:12 PM

    I have different reservations on the Mold scares.

    Most of the time we use clorax and water to kill. It. I have seen on shows where they treat mold like it's a nuclear hazard. Of all the contractors I know and also me working on and around mold for over the 30+ years never had a problem except one person.

    I know do know a woman that cleaned out her window Air conditioner filter and inhaled some mold spores and did die.

    BUT if you are that worried then get a mold expert to take a look behind the drywall. Either or you need to find it before you panic. Think how many millions of homes and structures that have some form of mold somewhere.

    If they don't find mold then all this was for no reason to panic and move.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2982w...6B78F1&index=6

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38r3u...6B78F1&index=7

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hlon...6B78F1&index=9
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
     
    #3

    Aug 13, 2009, 05:04 PM

    If the LL makes any reasonable attempt to repair you will not be able to walk away from the lease. You could try to stir things up by asking the health department to make a determination regarding habitability of the unit, they have the power to shut it down.

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Basement wall crack [ 2 Answers ]

We have a crack in the basement wall at the gas meter location. And water is getting through to the laundry room. I called a contractor he priced the repairs for 1200$ just for the one crack and said epoxy is no longer used. Can you let me know what needs to be done and if 1200$ is the right...

Crack in basement wall [ 4 Answers ]

I have a crack in my basement wall and water is visible leaking through from the outside. I want to know the proper procedure to fix this myself. What type of sealant do you recommend. I do believe you have to v out the crack before you plug it. Is this correct.

Withholding company property vs. Massive backpay owed [ 3 Answers ]

As of a few hours ago, I have just been fired from my job. I had been owed a very large sum of backpay that my employer never had squared up with myself and the rest of the company. I had enough of being short changed so I made a stand to not work anymore unless he had made a contribution to my...

Repairing Cracks in basement 7 inch slab, what is the best crack prevention. [ 1 Answers ]

Hello All, I have a 10x12' foot bathroom on the downstairs slab, there are some cracks that I don't want opening up that is going to crack the heated saltillo tiles that I'm going to lay down. I saw RED-GUARD at Home Depot and I know there are other crack prevention/stretch type of protection. ...


View more questions Search