This story is typical of most real estate transaction-involving mold except perhaps one more zero
on the end.
A couple from New Jersey purchased a home in Oakville Ontario for over $2.4 million dollars.
The house (similar to picture) had 3,000 square foot finished basement including home theater,
family room, and exercise room. Because the home appeared to be in good condition a home
inspector was not called in prior to purchasing.
Before moving in the new homeowner wanted to make some improvements to the home. This is
when the mold was found behind all the basement walls. Hairline cracks in the foundation wall
caused water to leak in over the past 10 years. The amount of water was not significant however
the 2 x 4 wood plate on the floor acted as a dam trapping the water behind the wall. Over the
years the mold grew upwards into the wood and fiberglass insulation.
The cost to fix the problem was in excess of $30,000 plus legal fees. Since there was evidence
of water in various places, the previous owner had ought to have known the condition and
acknowledged.
The repair could have been more but the saving grace was the impermeable tile floor through out
the basement. If wood subfloor would have been used the cost would have been double.
FLOODSILL™
If FLOODSILL™ were used under the basement partitions in this case two things would have
occurred. For the previous owner, any water leaks would have readily ran under the wall and
been discovered as a defect at the time of occurrence. Secondly, mold would not have occurred
behind the wall, as there was no trapped water.