All Forum Posts by: Sean Ridlon

Howdy, @Kurt Yordy. That sounds like a real PITA. What is the age of the home and have you nailed down the source of the moisture? 

Condensation is simply a function of dew point- when air of a given relative humidity contacts material of a given temperature, condensation WILL occur. Condensation isn't the issue, humidity is.

Something is adding moisture- is it the foundation allowing in ground water? Is it leaking waste or supply lines concealed in the slab or the walls? Either of those will cost you big-time before you spend a dime preforming the mitigation or earn a dime on rent.

There are many different species of mold, some look like lichen. It may be that the water activity level is just too high for mesophillic molds to be growing (those are the most commonly encountered in water damaged indoor environments like aspergillus and penicillium-types). As you begin the drying process, you may inadvertently cause the mold to "bloom" and become active as you lower the water activity levels.

The musty mold odor you are familiar with and do not smell in this basement is known as "MVOC" or microbial volatile organic compounds. It isn't mold you smell at all, but gasses released by molds as they digest cellulose. Yes. Mold farts. Lack of MVOC can point to dormant mold as easily as it points to lack of mold.

Based on your description, I'd say you have visible but inactive mold present, a serious water intrusion issue, and to run like hell unless you have the money to hire a professional mold remediation firm to test, correct your moisture issue, dry, remediate, clean, and retest. I usually charge a small fee to inspect a loss area before any work. Have you considered having a pro look at this to give you a boots on the ground opinion?

My qualifications for these comments are that I am certified by the IICRC as an AMRT (applied microbial remediation technician) and by the IOT as a certified mold technician.  

You'd have to know if the vent continues all the way up the old chimney or if it just dumps inside the space.

It won't take long to remove those professional patches and look inside.

People rent out property they owe money on all the time! It'd only to make sense to do so IF the rents exceed the cost of financing, taxes, maintenance and vacancy reserve, etc. There are calculators to help you out with this. One "quick and dirty" method to use is the 1.5% rule:

If the value of the home sold would be 218k if sold, 1.5% would be a monthly rental of $3270. Is that possible with this home?

What's the current appraised value of the home?

I'll admit I'm a little confused on one part of your questions: If you're concerned about breaking up the block with a rental, why would you consider buying the house next door as a rental? Isn't that the same thing?

What sort of roof system, age of home, and cooling system are already in place?

Podcasts don't cost a thing at all to listen to. Sure, there are some who want sell us newbies something, but many hosts are genuinely excited to share their methods. 

What is your skills and background? You may find out that there are REI in your area that have vastly more experience, but you may have experience in something that adds value to them. For instance, I've met some pretty wonderful people in the REI community locally using my construction and contracting experience to assist them however I can. As you recognize that "time is money", you need to be adding something to the conversation that adds value. Figure out what that is, and it may open some doors for you.

Good suggestions so far! Is it possible that the stain is tannic acid from the subfloor? Water damage like over-watering a potted plant can cause that. In which case the carpet can be very damaged. 

I'd get a professional opinion on that one.

I'll second what @Greg Scully has said. We had a place over on Smith Road years ago with a very temperamental well. The DEC office is a good place to contact as they may have info on existing well depth and septic issues, as well as engineer's reports on specific subdivisions. Peculation rates and location of bedrock are good things to know if you are considering purchasing mountain land.

Guys,

Some friends and I are starting one up that will meet in Eagle River. We'd love to see you guys!

Any time!

@Davon Lowery

PEX is for supply lines and doesn't require any glue like PVC. Even with PEX your going to have barbed copper lines where the supply lines exit the walls for fittings, angle stops, etc.

PEX is amazing stuff. It can flex around corners, be pulled thru penetrations like wiring can, will swell without bursting in mild freeze situations (unlike PVC and copper).

Best of all, it's cheaper then copper and much faster to install which should result in a savings on the labor at least.

Give it a Google!