A Healthier Home, LLC

Thank you for letting me know that you did find my report in an unused section of your Email. I was pretty sure I'd sent it. I also forwarded it to the Duct folks, the mold remediators, and the handyman. As we discussed, you will need their help with the projects we identified at your place. Remember that my service is ongoing through the completion of your projects. The insurance folks and the contractors will have many questions. Remember to have each of them call me as they prepare their plans. My job is to see that all parties stay on target with the project priorities that you and I identified at my examination visit. We're only a quarter of the way into where I'm working to get you. Next step is to send the work plans to me for review. Also, let me know when it's time to discuss with your insurance rep. Rick Bayless.

Together we identified the projects that made the most sense for you to do at your house. Keep me posted of progress, setbacks, and questions. My next steps now are to guide you through those projects to help you stay on target with making yours a healthier home. Rick Bayless.

Jay, Thanks for your patience as you explored the house with me to identify the next set of healthiness issues. Keep me posted of your progress, or setbacks, on the projects we identified together. Let me know if those you may call in to help have any questions. Remember that my consultative service to you has not ended on inspection day. Snags always arise as you begin to tackle those issues we defined. The next part of my service is to guide you through your projects to see that everyone stays in-bounds and on-target to hit your home healthiness objectives.

You asked me to confirm the moldiness status of the house you wanted to buy. You felt that mold was not a problem at the house. Your spouse and mother in-law said they weren't quite so sure. You wanted me to reassure your spouse that the mold status was OK. You stated that your spouse has mold sensitivities with related ill symptoms. You asked me to do my examination as soon as possible so as to not delay your purchase of this house. I did my exam that afternoon for you. The strong mold smell hit me as soon as your realtor opened the front door. The rooms were cleaned and painted recently so they looked clean enough. The pet / mud room however had wet a bad wet spot near the water heater and a large Black Mold area growing on the wall next to it. That could be corrected. The major trouble area though was the damp-soiled, tight crawl space that was very open to intrusion by animal pests and outside humidity and cold. Most areas of the floor joists and sub-floor had heavy patches of mold growth on them; white, green, yellow, and brown. No need to test for mold types. The mold was obvious and well established. This was clear evidence of chronic high dampness that allowed these mold colonies to become very strongly established throughout the crawl space. This surely was the source of the strong mold smell in the entire house. This was a difficult mold infestation to clean away from the house system. I saw it as a health hazard for the average person. It was a SERIOUS hazard for your spouse having mold sensitivities. As always, I remain objective and factual in my observations of a house. I tell it like it is. I help you understand the conditions and I guide you through how to resolve house healthiness issues. I reported to you what I saw and supported that with a long set of photos. I stated my concern about healthiness of the house environment due to the mold. I heard no response from you. Your realtor mentioned to me that you ended up not buying the house. (I'd say that was a good thing for your spouse's health). I'd have to say that the review you posted on Home Advisor was a reflection of your dissatisfaction with the outcome of the sale...not getting the house that you expressed to me that you really wanted but that your spouse was hesitant about. Sorry I couldn't support your enthusiasm about the house. I was disappointed for you. I was likewise disappointed in the ultra-low grade you gave me for my quick and thorough service with its accurate report. My service was to provide you with truthful facts about the house, especially as it relates to health, to help you make the best decision for your family. I'd have to guess the grade I would receive from other members of your family would be vastly different than the one you posted. As always, I'm here to help everyone involved. Rick Bayless, A Healthier Home.

The complexity of the house as a functioning system means that there are always more questions to be discussed. Call me anytime to review previous issues, to report progress, setbacks, and new questions. I'm here to help. Rick Bayless 828-243-5192