Pool of water found under home
St, since she moved in a few years ago.
A pair of dehumidifiers had kept any mold issues at bay, until May, when not even they could keep up with it.
When the contractors arrived, ‘‘they couldn’t even start the installation because there was a lake under there’’, she said.
Professionals, which manages the property, wasn’t aware of the issue until contractors found the pool, property manager Bev Fletcher said.
It had moved quickly to deal with the problem, clearing the house of mold, pumping out the pond and improving drainage.
By the end of June, a sump and pump system had been installed to stop any future pooling and the situation would be monitored during the next heavy rain. Once it was dry enough, the underfloor insulation would go in, she said.
Palmerston North City Council eco-design advisor Nelson Lebo, who inspected the house, said it sat below street level and on a slight slope.
He believed the pool, which he thought to be about 10cm deep, formed during a heavy bout of rain in April.
‘‘Standing water under a house is a red flag.
‘‘It contributes to a large level of moisture inside the house and makes it much more likely to have mold, which leads to bad health effects on the tenants.’’
Despite the efforts to fix the problem, Sinclair was concerned about the health of her children and future damp and mold problems, and is looking for a new home.
Professionals has agreed to waive her notice period, so she can move as soon as she finds a new home.
Sinclair has also taken her concerns about the home’s dampness problems to the Tenancy Tribunal.
Lebo said rising damp and mold was a big problem in Palmerston North. The city was wet, flat and many areas, including around Russell St where Sinclair lived, had poor drainage. Even under normal conditions, when the soil felt dry, 40 litres of moisture could get into an unprotected home a day. Lebo said landlords could reduce the risk with a ‘‘ground moisture barrier’’ – a layer of polyurethane down under their houses ‘‘In the short term, it’s good for the tenants’ health, and in the long term, it’s good for the landlords and reduces their maintenance costs.’’