[January]

HUD came and did an inspection of our building a couple months ago. Apparently things did not go well, because they are coming back this week to inspect. Also, the owners and a person from a financial institution will be along because the owners want to refinance the bldg.

They say they draw apt numbers at random off the computer and check twenty % of the apts. My apartment is usually very nice and clean and it was inspected the last time. I have no way of knowing if my number will be drawn this time and will have to be up, dressed and ready by no later than nine each morning through Friday.

Now, the people will be here the 4th - 7th to inspect. The people in the main office downstairs decided to take the 3rd off instead of the 4th, so that puts all of us on standby on the acutal holiday.

On top of that, I can't clean my carpets or keep things up like I normally do because of my chest injury. My friend Tammy was coming early this morning to clean the carpets but when I woke up everything was spinning around and I couldn't sit up so I had to call her and cancel.

My carpet is the oldest in the bldg. It's the old indoor outdoor with the foam backing. The backing has turned into black powder and seeps up through the carpet. It looks horrible and if they come in here, they're going to write me up over it. If you're written up and don't fix whatever the problem is you are forced to move. I am going to try to make sure I'm gone all day each day this week because I will explode if they come in here and start in about the carpet.

I asked for new carpet and was told that no matter how many years I live here I can't have new because it's just not worth their effort to move all my furniture to do it. I used to clean the carpet twice a month to keep it looking decent but I just can't do that now. I am frustrated and angry.

I guess I just wanted someone to know what's happening.

Jan

[Lexicon78]

(((((Jan)))))

[January]

Awwwwwww! Thank you, Lexi!!!!! You made me smile really big!

Hugs,

Jan

[bebop]

Jan I would think them not giving you new carpet with it looking like you say might qualify them as slum lords? I mean come on!! what do they expect? I bet if they have a financial person coming in and they inspect yours you might get your new carpet!!

[(JD)]

((((jan)))) it isn't the end of the world (though I know it feels that way) We never know what good things can come from things we fear. You do the best you can, don't put yourself out and forget self care because you fear what MIGHT happen IN CASE you are inspected.

[January]

Very good points, Be & Sky. I won't get the carpet. I know that, but I can't drive myself crazy trying to do things that will cause more pain.

I'm not in my brace because the pain is so heightened. Tammy called and will stop by after work to treat the major spots. I am so blessed to have her for a friend.

Thank you both for writing!!!

Hugs,

Jan

[hillbunnyb]

Oh that black stuff coming through old indoor outdoor..... the dust is probably toxic to boot. Good grief Jan, enough is enough already.... hope you avoid the boogers.

[January]

Is that why I have bronchitis and other breathing problems now, Bunny? I never had them before.

Thank you for writing.

Hugs,

Jan

[(JD)]

Yeah, I was thinking you have to ditch the carpeting anyway. If it's just indoor/outdoor, there has to be a floor under it.

NOW get into that brace young lady!!! WOW. The times I'm in so much pain I hate the brace ARE the very times I need it most. Make friends with your brace. It's there to help you. ((gentle hug))

[January]

I can't ditch the carpeting. They won't let me! I'd be thrown out unless I could afford to carpet this place with my own money. I just can't. There is cement under it.

The brace is going to have to wait until tomorrow. I just can't tonight.

Hugs,

Jan

[(JD)]

so don't throw it out, give it to management!

[January]

ROFL! They'd croak! There is air conditioning down in the hall on the first floor where their office is. There is no ac at all on any of the other floors nor any in the laundry rooms. Last weekend I became very, very ill in the laundry room because of the extreme heat.

Jan

[Maven]

I think you should contact an agency who handles apt. buildings that don't follow the rules, mention the ADA and explain about the carpet. Surely, this is a violation, and it's probably what's making you sick lately.

[EJ711]

Jan,

I'm sorry about the stupid apartment inspection thing coming at such a bad time for you.

((((((((((((((((((((Jan)))))))))))))))))))

(virtual hug -- no pain)

EJ

[EJ711]

Jan,

You are blessed to have a good friend like Tammy.

With prayers,

EJ

[January]

Hi Maven,

HUD is the agency that watches over the blgs. They saw my carpet the last time. I don't think there is hope, but I thank you for your good suggestion.

Hugs,

Jan

[January]

Thank you, EJ!

Semi clean carpet! Whoohoo!!!!!!!!!!

Hugs,

Jan

[wi_fighter]

Jan, I'd be willing to throw in some money to help you get some carpeting. Is it just one room? You can get remnants really cheap.

I'm wondering if you could have the county health inspector come in and identify what kind of stuff is in that black dust. We wouldn't want you getting sicker by having it exposed after pulling up the old carpet Just guessing, the attached padding is most likely black so hopefully it's not some disgusting kind of mold.

[lenjan]

(((((((((((((Jan)))))))))))) I had toxic mold in my bathroom, the last place I lived -- they're not sure if it contributed to my severe illness.

If you need someone to help you raise hell, let me know.

Love, Candy

[Gemstone]

It sounds like black mold to me. I have dealt with a lot of properties (im in real estate) that have it, and it can cause breathing problems.

Tea Tree Oil will kill mold, but really wont be of much use to you because you would have to soak the carpet and pad to kill it all. Your landlord should really take care of this for you. They sound like slum-lords to me too.

Here is a site about black mold: http://www.toxic-black-mold-info.com/index.htm

{{{{ Jan }}}} I hope the inspection goes well.

[January]

((((((((((( WI, Candy & Gem )))))))))

Thank you for writing. I will look at the mold site. The entire carpet would have to be replaced wall to wall. I can't use remnants. It's just not feasible money wise.

Hugs to each of you,

Jan

[desirae]

Jan, I live in HUD apartments in Sophia and we get inspected every second Tuesday of every month. We just had all our windows replaced as well. It's such a pain in the (you know what). I like privacy and sometimes feel violated because if you don't open the door they will come in with a key.

Your lucky to have carpet. There is no carpet in our entire apartment, it's that commercial tile you see at grocery stores. It's horrible!!

HUD usually gets way behind on carpet. My mother lives in a HUD house and her carpet is sooooo nasty. I mean beyond nasty, like it smells when you walk in the door. The house came that way when she moved in. She has requsted carpet but they too refused to replace.....it's unhygenic and when my children are there they are not allowed to lay on the carpet and they have to wear their old clothes because it's so dirty.

It's only temporarily, it will pass. After we had our big inspection they started to replace things like light fixtures, windows and such. You may be getting new stuff soon.

Sorry to hear about your carpet, I would be mad too.

[January]

Thank you, Des.

It's horrible that your poor Mom lives like that and that you have no carpet for the babies. The good point is that you can keep it mopped, though.

Some of the older people who live here in retirement have put in really nice carpet at their own expense, but I just can't do that. I'm really worried about the black mold. I'm allergic to dust and mold...

Thanks for cheering me up!

Hugs,

Jan

[desirae]

We were really interested in purchasing carpet, and since my husband is a very experienced carpet installer (retired for knees sake), he was going to put some in our apartment. We asked the complex manager and she said we were unable to glue down or tack strip the apartment, so the carpet would just lay there. After a month or so the carpet would begin to roll up and it would be a horrific mess, so we're sticking with the tile.

I do like the fact that you can sweep it with a broom and mop it, but omg, it gets messy very very quick, and since the tile is white you see all.

Where does black mold come from? Is it in new carpet, or older carpet. I know new carpet has some fibers and stuff that can trigger a allergy fit, but it's temporary.

Is your carpet in decent shape, or is it dirty with travel trails?

I hope it will be replaced soon, normally they like to wait till the apartment is empty before they replace carpet, but if you've been there for years and have allergies they should make an acception.

[January]

Hi Des,

Black powder is seeping up through the carpet. It's the foam backing, I think. I am suret the carpet is at least 20 years old. It maybe be even older than that.

White tile would be so hard to maintain! My goodness!!! I hope you'll be able to get some throw rugs. They would help.

Hugs,

Jan