Houston HVAC Mold Lawyer
One fairly frequent cause of structural problems and/or mold growth inside a newer home is faulty design or installation of the heating/air conditioning/ventilation system, or HVAC. This might be because of a design flaw attributable to the architect or an error on the part of the builder. In the case of mold, when moisture in the home creates conditions for its growth, the central HVAC system is likely to spread the mold throughout the home, creating an unhealthful condition known as “sick house syndrome,” causing occupants to suffer from various illnesses, including respiratory distress, headaches, nausea, neurological problems, and more.
What Causes the HVAC to Malfunction?
Some potential causes of structural and air quality problems associated with climate control systems include:
- Cutting or notching of structural joists without having a Licensed Structural Engineer calculate the loads and approve the modification to ensure that it will not affect the structural integrity of the home
- Misalignment of cut openings
- Failure to properly insulate and seal HVAC ductwork, resulting in condensation on the duct and water dripping onto the ceiling, which in turn can cause mold buildup and ceiling collapse
- Improper installation or clogging of the drainage system
- Insufficient ventilation to maintain optimal air flow
- Improper placement of return registers
- Duct systems that are not properly fit for the heating and cooling equipment
- Use of materials conducive to mold growth
Your HVAC-Related Construction Defect Claim
You have invested a large amount of time and money in your new home. The HVAC system should make it comfortable; it should not create conditions that threaten your health or undermine the structure, and thus the value, of the home. HVAC systems may not be as exciting as the stylistic features of the home, and as a result are sometimes not given the consideration they require in the design and construction of a new home. They are, however, essential to your enjoyment of your home and the maintaining of its value for years to come. Improper HVAC installation that undermines the structural integrity of the home can make it unsafe, while installation errors that lead to mold growth can cause serious health problems for the home’s occupants. In either case, in addition to your health and safety, the value of your investment is being diminished when such conditions are allowed to persist. They need to be addressed promptly and eliminated before the damage becomes even more severe.
If you have observed wet spots on walls or ceilings, discoloration, drips, patches of mold, or other signs of water damage, you may need to call in an inspector to identify the source of the problem; it may well be your HVAC system. You should immediately notify the builder of the problem and insist on having it repaired or remedied, and have any mold growth immediately removed.
If your builder fails to respond satisfactorily, or if he merely applies a Band-Aid solution and the problem persists of recurs, you may need to bring a construction defect attorney on board to ensure that the required work is done—and done properly.
How The Freeman Law Firm Can Help
Our attorneys have years of collective experience and an extremely high rate of success in obtaining results for our clients when home construction defects threaten their health and the value of their home investment. We understand the stress that occurs when, after months of planning and anticipation, you move into your new custom home only to discover that poor workmanship and/or design are creating unwanted problems that threaten to make your home uninhabitable.
If you are experiencing health problems that you suspect are mold related, you can get the legal help you need to compel the builder or developer to fix the problem and compensate you for both property damage and damage to your health and enjoyment of your home by contacting The Freeman Law Firm today. HVAC-associated damage only gets worse over time, so don’t delay in getting the legal help you need!
