Home builder takes steps to fix mold issues in some houses
One of the main builders in Parkland has informed city officials that it has taken steps to address mold problems that has affected some homes in the community.
Replying to questions fromMayor Christine Hunschofsky at a city commission meeting last week, a representative ofWCI Communities Inc. said the company has addressed the issue in existing Heron Bay Osprey Lake homes and is taking steps to ensure that new homes do not have the problem. Letters have been sent to the affected homeowners.
“The tighter you build the house, the harder it is for the air to come in and go out,” said Dennis Mele, representing the builder. “What has happened is that the air handling equipment is in air conditioned space. The rest of the home might be at a certain temperature, but the space, where the air handling equipment is, is cooler. The cooler air gets trapped there and causes moisture problems.”
The company had made changes to ventilation in existing homes to ensure that moisture does not remain trapped in the attic. “Based on the report that we have received, that will solve the problem. If someone wants a dehumidifier, it can be added. We don’t think it will be necessary once we put in the attic vents.
The company wants to make sure new homes do not have a mold issue, said Mele. “In new homes, we have incorporated additional attic ventilation so that the air can get in and get out, and thewarmer and cooler air can mix property.”
The owners of existing homes as well as thenewhomes are not being charged for the work that is being done to take care of the mold, Mele said in reply to a question from Hunschofsky.
“We want to be a good corporate citizen, as evidenced by the $7.7 million that we contributed to the 24-classroom addition at Riverglades elementary,” he added.
WCI has builtmost of thehomesinHeron Bay over the last two decades. Standard Pacific of Florida, Toll Brothers and Lennar Homes are the other big builders in the city.
Owners of WCI built homes in Parkland who have issues with mold should contact Jennifer Sipperley, Director of Customer Service, at jennifersipperley@WCIcommunities. 239-390-3660.
asivasankaran@ tronc.com