How renovators, builders scare off terrifying home problems

Rotting wood, creeping mold, dilapidated decks, roaming rodents and cracked foundations can unintentionally turn homes into haunted houses.

The trick for renovation companies and builders is turning the properties into inhabitable houses. By repairing, rehabbing and sometimes gutting the structures, it becomes a treat to see the transformation of bungalows, ranches and multi-story homes of various architectural styles across metro Atlanta.

Some neighborhood eyesores, which could include a home that you are considering buying, are being improved by metro Atlanta contractors and builders who frequently tackle these ghoulish issues. The horrifying truth is that some obstacles can delay projects and add unexpected expenses to a renovation budget.

Unsteady structures

Bungalows can charm buyers, but inspections and consultations with builders may uncover unpleasant obstacles. Sometimes, the floor and ceiling joists are too small and far apart for the span of the room, especially when theres an open floor plan. The problem also can be seen in carports and garages that are sagging in the middle, which is a sign of overspan, said Anthony Pourhassan, founder of Atlanta-based Highlight Homes and Vesmont. Beams were not sufficient enough to support the weight, said Pourhassan, whose company builds homes in areas such as Brookhaven, Chastain Park, Sandy Springs and Dunwoody.

If the floorboards are bowing, the boards may be removed and thicker ones installed, which could delay the project for a month. You have a board and it cant handle the weight, said Randy Glazer, owner of Atlanta-based Glazer Design & Construction.

Menacing mold

One of the most frightening mold problems that Scot LaVelle has seen was in his own Georgia home. When water seeped from behind his refrigerator (a small screw was loose), he discovered that mold on his floor joists was causing water to leak through this walls, moving from the kitchen to the living room and office.

It can get inside the walls like ours and be growing for a long period of time and you dont even know it, he said.

The floors and walls had to be removed, and the total bill was close to $54,000 for the family, who had homeowners insurance. LaVelle, who owns Dalton-based Niche Custom Flooring, created MoldHold, a sticky tape that traps mold into place until a professional restoration company can remove the it and repair the home. MoldHold, which adheres to wet surfaces and prevents spores from becoming airborne, received its patent in 2014. MoldHold offers a temporary solution, he said, that enables people to stay in the home, reducing costs. Hes heard even nastier mold stories, such as how mold in one home ate through the homeowners leather boots.

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How renovators, builders scare off terrifying home problems