A mold free roof for the Margherd!
Donation protected
Well, if ever there was a case study that you can do everything right and still end up screwed, this is that case study.
As most of you know, I sold my big Issaquah home in 2010 to free up income for Lyme treatment . I moved into an apartment in Capitol Hill for 1.5 years only to find that our city's housing shortage and escalating rent soon made it just as expense as the Issaquah home had been. In what was supposed to be a final move toward long term affordability and ongoing peaceful healing, I purchased a small, more affordable townhouse in South Park. It was a very happy time...
However, it didn't last. Not even 3 weeks after moving in (during Seattle's kind if underwhelming "record breaking" storm), my skylight leaked. I hired professionals to come dry it out and when they removed the drywall, we found the ENTIRE SUBROOF to be covered in mold. All 491 square feet of it.
My physical reaction was immediate upon the opening of the ceiling as I experienced plugging ears, vertigo, wooziness and nausea. Bloodwork supported that this was indeed a physical reaction to the mold. I experienced a huge decline in my immune cell count (58 down to 29 - normal is over 100) and I had an enormous spike in inflammation markers (3541 to 6013 in just a few days, with normal being under 4625).
Even though Cladosporium is a "non toxic mold", it is known to cause asthma, allergies, airway infections, lung remodeling and lung tissue damage in healthy people. In Lyme patients, the damage can obviously be far more devastating. In short, this is not something anybody should have in their home, most especially someone like me.
The dogs and I packed up our tiny car and have been trying to enjoy "life on the road" while we sort out this big repair project.
I have full faith that once this home is restored, it will become a safe place for the dogs and me to live. Naturally, as is the case for most people who JUST bought a new house, funds for me to cover repairs out of picket are quite low. And because much of the issue appears to be builder error, insurance coverage is VERY limited at just $1,600 total.
I am still awaiting final bids for the work. But all signs point to an expensive project. In time, I should be able to find a loan to help cover the costs of the fix, but for loved ones looking to help , GoFundMe is an easy way to contribute.
Funds will go toward (in priority order):
- Removal of the mold
- Treatment of all attic wood to prevent future growth
- Rebuilding the ceiling and/or roof, with improvements to prevent regrowth
- Improvements to attic, crawlspace and rest of home to improve air flow and reduce humidity
- Cleaning supplies and services to decontaminate
belongings in the home
- Testing and mold inspection services to ensure safety of the home
- Perhaps, with what is left over, contribution to Karla and the pups' food and housing and sanity whilst work is underway
I will be making efforts to recoup these costs going forward. Should someone else be found liable for these damages, all efforts would be made to repay donors. But of course this cannot be garanteed.
Thank you to EVERYONE who is sharing support, whatever form that takes. <3
As most of you know, I sold my big Issaquah home in 2010 to free up income for Lyme treatment . I moved into an apartment in Capitol Hill for 1.5 years only to find that our city's housing shortage and escalating rent soon made it just as expense as the Issaquah home had been. In what was supposed to be a final move toward long term affordability and ongoing peaceful healing, I purchased a small, more affordable townhouse in South Park. It was a very happy time...
However, it didn't last. Not even 3 weeks after moving in (during Seattle's kind if underwhelming "record breaking" storm), my skylight leaked. I hired professionals to come dry it out and when they removed the drywall, we found the ENTIRE SUBROOF to be covered in mold. All 491 square feet of it.
My physical reaction was immediate upon the opening of the ceiling as I experienced plugging ears, vertigo, wooziness and nausea. Bloodwork supported that this was indeed a physical reaction to the mold. I experienced a huge decline in my immune cell count (58 down to 29 - normal is over 100) and I had an enormous spike in inflammation markers (3541 to 6013 in just a few days, with normal being under 4625).
Even though Cladosporium is a "non toxic mold", it is known to cause asthma, allergies, airway infections, lung remodeling and lung tissue damage in healthy people. In Lyme patients, the damage can obviously be far more devastating. In short, this is not something anybody should have in their home, most especially someone like me.
The dogs and I packed up our tiny car and have been trying to enjoy "life on the road" while we sort out this big repair project.
I have full faith that once this home is restored, it will become a safe place for the dogs and me to live. Naturally, as is the case for most people who JUST bought a new house, funds for me to cover repairs out of picket are quite low. And because much of the issue appears to be builder error, insurance coverage is VERY limited at just $1,600 total.
I am still awaiting final bids for the work. But all signs point to an expensive project. In time, I should be able to find a loan to help cover the costs of the fix, but for loved ones looking to help , GoFundMe is an easy way to contribute.
Funds will go toward (in priority order):
- Removal of the mold
- Treatment of all attic wood to prevent future growth
- Rebuilding the ceiling and/or roof, with improvements to prevent regrowth
- Improvements to attic, crawlspace and rest of home to improve air flow and reduce humidity
- Cleaning supplies and services to decontaminate
belongings in the home
- Testing and mold inspection services to ensure safety of the home
- Perhaps, with what is left over, contribution to Karla and the pups' food and housing and sanity whilst work is underway
I will be making efforts to recoup these costs going forward. Should someone else be found liable for these damages, all efforts would be made to repay donors. But of course this cannot be garanteed.
Thank you to EVERYONE who is sharing support, whatever form that takes. <3
Organizer
Karla Margeson
Organizer
Seattle, WA
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