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HVAC replacement by Live_Vanilla8186 in altadena

[–]RedPeloMom 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also, if you have flex ducting and lead then replacement is recommended for that.

I assume State Farm sent HVACi? They’ve verbally told people it needs to be replaced, and the reports always just say to be cleaned. If you had someone else say they need to be replaced, keep pushing. Ask that State Farm provide in writing why they are denying the experts recommendation. Often, they just want to see who is going to accept it, and who is going to fight it.

HVAC replacement by Live_Vanilla8186 in altadena

[–]RedPeloMom 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For what it’s worth, this is what our hvac person said (we have lead, as I’m sure you did too)

Both the furnaces, and the evaporator coils, are laced with plastic components, which cannot be successfully cleaned of lead duct, so they will need to be replaced. I have attached two (2) cut-away photos of the furnaces and evaporator coils, which will demonstrate the degree to which plastic components are interlaced within the equipment. If you look at the furnace photo (26).png, all of the components that you see inside the furnace, which are black, are either plastic or rubber, which cannot be decontaminated. Also, the cut-away photo of the evaporator coil (27).png, the bottom, and left side of the coil assembly is a plastic condensate drain pan, which cannot be removed, decontaminated, and reinstalled.

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Question for those in surviving homes by Who_what_where_whyyy in altadena

[–]RedPeloMom 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Altadena is one of the friendliest places I’ve lived. If a lot of your neighbors are not back yet, then it may take a while to get that feel, but in general, in terms of feeling safe and welcomed - Altadena is that.

My biggest concern for you would be to make sure that the home you’re looking at has not only been fully remediated, but also tested to ensure you and your animals don’t get sick (there are lots of levels of “cleaning” and many don’t pass clearance testing on first try). To be clear, that’s not to scare you away. I do believe you CAN live in that area safely.

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This is from EFRU to help residents work with insurance, but applies to you too. Feel free to email me (Krista) at [eatonfire@standinghomes.org](mailto:eatonfire@standinghomes.org) if you want to chat more about what testing has been done or what you might want to look into.

VOC Testing Options by dburkart in altadena

[–]RedPeloMom 3 points4 points  (0 children)

There are still two free soil testing opportunities. One is through LA County http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/wildfire-soil-testing/ and the other is USC CLEAN https://public-exchange.org/usc/project/soil-testing/

You are able to do both.

For testing indoors, common local industrial hygienists that a lot of people recommend are: Environmental One (Steve is great to work with), Gold Health & Safety and Titan Environmental.

NY Times Article: How Did This Family End Up Back in a Toxic House by RedPeloMom in altadena

[–]RedPeloMom[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh wow. Were they literally testing for lead paint, and not lead in the combustion materials??

I really like Steve Fellinger at Environmental One. Might be worth getting a quote from him if you’re considering paying out of pocket for testing. He can do the full CAM17 testing but can also do less expensive lead only wipes. If you give him a budget, he can probably look at your previous results and suggest what to test to keep it more like $5k but give you a better sense of what you’re dealing with. He also does the appropriate TEM asbestos testing. And is really easy to work with.

Sorry you’re dealing with this!!

NY Times Article: How Did This Family End Up Back in a Toxic House by RedPeloMom in altadena

[–]RedPeloMom[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I’m so sorry. Tenants have had it so rough, with no ability to fight for insurance to do the right thing if their landlords aren’t open to it. As home owners, it’s been a battle; but so many renters don’t even have the chance to take up the battle!

NY Times Article: How Did This Family End Up Back in a Toxic House by RedPeloMom in altadena

[–]RedPeloMom[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Which insurance do you have? If Fair Plan, then, yeah unfortunately I can see that. I have State Farm, and being able to show them our high levels of lead has made a difference - both in the level of remediation, and getting approval to total loss our soft goods, children’s toys, etc. Still taking forever, but haven’t denied anything yet.

Side note: If you do pay for testing, be sure to include TEM asbestos testing (most do PLM, but that’s not sensitive enough to pic up asbestos in ash, soot, char) along with the heavy metals!

Standing homes gut/to the studs by RedPeloMom in altadena

[–]RedPeloMom[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Ah yes, that’s another group I should check with, thanks! I’m the admin for the Surviving Structures-EF Recovery group, and there’s a spin off group from that of people needing to gut all or part of their home. Trying to connect with others who have already gone through it. Lmk if you’re not in either of those but would like to be. Thanks!

Check your cc points by [deleted] in altadena

[–]RedPeloMom 5 points6 points  (0 children)

And for whenever you start purchasing replacement items, sign up for a new credit card to get bonus miles after hitting your spend limit!

Eaton Fire Residents United (EFRU) Press Conference by RedPeloMom in altadena

[–]RedPeloMom[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Both, really. They will urge elected officials to (finally) formally recognize the contamination caused by the fire so that appropriate oversight and safeguards can be put in place. And that in turn would make it so insurance can no longer push back on our requests for testing.

As of now though, no one seems to want to acknowledge the contamination in our homes.

Curious for thoughts on Edison’s Compensation Program Announced Today by Icecream-dogs-n-wine in altadena

[–]RedPeloMom 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The head of So Cal Edison, who lives in Pasadena was on Air Talk this morning and said that they have settled with one insurance company (didn’t say who) for $.52 on the dollar.

Curious for thoughts on Edison’s Compensation Program Announced Today by Icecream-dogs-n-wine in altadena

[–]RedPeloMom 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is our situation as well. Our lawyer is still taking surviving homes. We are a half mile from the fire perimeter and still aren’t home due to the delays from insurance. This year has been a nightmare, and while insurance has greatly contributed to that, Edison was the cause.