Hope Under Repair: Sylvester’s Path to a Safer Home with Habitat
Since we first shared Sylvester’s story, his home has been buzzing with activity, thanks to the continued efforts of Habitat DeKalb’s volunteers and our dedicated partners. Sylvester’s journey to a healthier home is well underway, and we’re thrilled to share the progress being made.
Clearing the Air: Addressing Mold and Water Damage
One of the early challenges our team encountered was black mold growing in Sylvester’s basement bathroom, caused by a leak from the upstairs tub. While it temporarily paused our plans, the safety of Sylvester and his wife remained our top priority. After the mold was removed, volunteers installed new sheetrock on the bathroom ceiling and continued assessing the surrounding walls.
Additional damage was found in the closet and other parts of the bathroom, leading Habitat volunteers, including a dedicated team from ATI Restoration, to carefully remove more sheetrock to ensure a complete repair. ATI volunteers, experienced in restoration work, brought essential skills to Habitat’s mission of making Sylvester’s home safe again.
A Fresh Start: Removing Carpet and Damaged Insulation
With bathroom repairs underway, the focus shifted to Sylvester’s carpet, which posed allergen risks that could worsen his COPD. Volunteers removed all the carpet throughout his home, hauling pieces to the dumpster one by one. The sounds of hammers and tack strip removal filled the air as the team prepared the floors for a fresh start.
During this process, moisture damage was also discovered in Sylvester’s bedroom, where another leak had damaged the insulation and walls. Following guidance from Bobby, our construction lead, the team removed damaged drywall around the base of the room.
Unexpected Discoveries: Termite Damage
As volunteers continued their work on the damaged drywall, they uncovered extensive termite damage along the baseboards. Following the damage up the studs, they realized the entire wall had been compromised and would need to be replaced. Fortunately, no active termites were found, but the damage had already taken its toll. Volunteers are now replacing the rotted studs to restore this critical part of Sylvester’s home and ensure his safety.
A Healthier Home on the Horizon
Finding hidden issues once we start our repairs is a very common scenario for us. These hidden issues strain our limited funds, but we’re committed to doing the job right, ensuring that homeowners like Sylvester don’t have to choose between critical repairs like a new roof or termite-free walls.
Your support means everything to families like his. Every donation helps to make his and others’ homes safer and healthier. Donate now to keep the momentum going for him and let’s restore his home!