#1359 - 05/30/05 11:23 PM
can mold damage the frame windows and doors slide in?
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bjw-sea
Returning Do It Yourselfer
Registered: 05/30/05
Posts: 4
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My ex-landlord is charging me for damage to the sliding window and door in my old apartment. I never abused them, but they gradually became extremely hard to slide back and forth. I believe the damage was caused by an ongoing (5 year) problem with mold. Could this be possible? How can I prove it in court?
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#1360 - 05/31/05 02:05 AM
Re: can mold damage the frame windows and doors slide in?
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provip
Super Do It Yourselfer
Registered: 03/03/01
Posts: 1153
Loc: Victoria, BC, Canada
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This is a new one to me. Never heard of mold causng a door or window to be hard to operate.
You don't mention anything about what kind of doors they are or how old they are. I presume they are wood. If they are wood and getting wet from condensation or leaks, they could swell making them hard to operate and of course if they are getting wet then mold can easily grow as well.
Many factors cold be involved here. Are you venting your apt to help reduce condensation, if in fact this is the problem. Does your landlord say what you are doing to cause the problem?
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Bart Blainey, B.E.R.
Consultant/Journeyman Carpenter
Building Envelope Specialist
Master Renovator
provip@prodeck.org
http://www.prodeck.org
Barton Blainey (provip) specifically assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information or process disclosed. The above further expressly advises that any use of or reliance upon the information and or opinion disclosed is at your risk .
_________________________
Bart Blainey, B.E.R. Consultant/Journeyman Carpenter Building Envelope Specialist Master Renovator provip@prodeck.org http://www.prodeck.orgBarton Blainey (provip) specifically assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information or process disclosed. The above further expressly advises that any use of or reliance upon the information and or opinion disclosed is at your risk .
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#1361 - 05/31/05 10:31 AM
Re: can mold damage the frame windows and doors slide in?
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bjw-sea
Returning Do It Yourselfer
Registered: 05/30/05
Posts: 4
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It is a very old apartment, reminiscent of military or public housing.
As far as I could tell the track the sliders were in were aluminum, or something similar. The only ventilation for the apartment was the exhaust fan over the stove, and a slotted insert in the bathroom window that rotated when the wind blew. No fan or heat light in the bathroom, and mold grew profusely in there - walls and ceiling. It also grew in a large patch on my bedroom wall, but that is another story.
In regards to the sliders, they must have been a-fixed to wood. Could the moisture and mold have affected the wood in a way that influenced the track?
Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree, but the door and window both had the same sliding problem, and the only common denominator other than age, was the mold and moisture issue. I am a sensible adult, and I wasn't abusive to them. Although I no longer live there, the landlord is charging me for having them replaced. If the problem might have been caused by that, it could save me several thousand dollars.
Thanks for your time.
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#1362 - 05/31/05 10:43 AM
Re: can mold damage the frame windows and doors slide in?
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bjw-sea
Returning Do It Yourselfer
Registered: 05/30/05
Posts: 4
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P.S. I did vent the apartment myself by keeping the window open, and the door slightly open.
If I kept things closed, the mold bothered so much I couldn't breathe well. I lived there for 5 years, and now have asthma.
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#1363 - 05/31/05 09:31 PM
Re: can mold damage the frame windows and doors slide in?
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provip
Super Do It Yourselfer
Registered: 03/03/01
Posts: 1153
Loc: Victoria, BC, Canada
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Where there is wood and moisture, usually the wood will swell with time. This can easily affect the way things operate. If the moisture persists, mold will start to grow.
It appears to me you should be the one doing the sueing. It seems you did what you could to reduce moisture but without success causing you health problems. Consider describing what you did and your problems in a counterclaim. Chances are he may drop his claim.
------------------
Bart Blainey, B.E.R.
Consultant/Journeyman Carpenter
Building Envelope Specialist
Master Renovator
provip@prodeck.org
http://www.prodeck.org
Barton Blainey (provip) specifically assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information or process disclosed. The above further expressly advises that any use of or reliance upon the information and or opinion disclosed is at your risk .
_________________________
Bart Blainey, B.E.R. Consultant/Journeyman Carpenter Building Envelope Specialist Master Renovator provip@prodeck.org http://www.prodeck.orgBarton Blainey (provip) specifically assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information or process disclosed. The above further expressly advises that any use of or reliance upon the information and or opinion disclosed is at your risk .
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#1364 - 06/01/05 11:45 AM
Re: can mold damage the frame windows and doors slide in?
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bjw-sea
Returning Do It Yourselfer
Registered: 05/30/05
Posts: 4
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Thank you for your insight regarding my situation. I very much appreciate your time and consideration.
I think perhaps that last suggestion may payoff, and at the very least I am already taking him to small claims court regarding keeping my $800 deposit, and I will be addressing the fact that he basically remodeled the whole apartment after I moved out. He then charged me for half of those costs, totaling over $4000 (minus my $800!)The repairs for the afore mentioned door and window was a large portion of that figure.
I just might also take him to court on the mold/asthma issue, especially if he wins a judgement against me somehow on the other.
A few words of advice to anyone who rents: TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES WHEN YOU MOVE OUT! You never know what the landlord may say about how you left the place. Without pics, it's just your word against his in court.
I will always take pictures from here on out!
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