A Nightmare on Hedrick Ridge Road Stanley Martin Homes

On March 1, I moved into a brand-new townhome built by Stanley Martin Homes. Since before moving in, I had multiple issues related to HVAC and plumbing due to poor installations. I experienced headaches, fatigue, nausea, respiratory issues, and skin rashes, which I believe is due to breathing in carbon monoxide, mold, and sewage gas and pathogens from a sewage flood in the home.

I have spent numerous (60+) hours tending to several issues related to plumbing and HVAC, including either preparing for or supervising technicians; and other issues that are pale in comparison. It’s hard to believe a proper inspection was conducted for this home.

The builder's negligence and property owner's indifference has led to delayed effects of carbon monoxide poisoning, including memory loss. I am currently being treated by a Neurologist, Neuro-Psychologist, and Psychologist, and when you read the full experience, you will understand why.

I am angry, but most of all, I am scared - scared that the effects are permanent and even more could come.

I have images, videos, and text messages to support my account; and neighbors have experienced similar issues. Here is a detailed account of my experience.

On Thursday, March 6, 2025, my electrician noticed a water-stained and collapsing ceiling in the garage. I recorded a video of him describing the issue. On Thursday, March 6, 2025, the plumbers came and cut open the ceiling and revealed that the installers forgot to close the HVAC vent pipe. This is the vent that transports carbon monoxide. It had been open and leaking since installation. I had experienced unusual and severe fatigue and sleepiness prior to them closing it up, but I didn't know why. I pointed out the crack to the construction manager during a walk through and he pretended it was only loose drywall. I sent the construction manager images and a video of my electrician describing the issue. He sent two workers to assess the situation. When I asked for new insulation, one of them said I don't need new insulation because fiberglass is mold proof. I told him I doubt it’s mold proof, maybe mold resistant with humidity, but not indestructible against mold when soaked through with water. He said he would talk to the construction manager, and he would contact me. I received advice from a few HVAC technicians on how to handle the HVAC situation. I sent the property manager an email asking that he demands from the construction manager what I believed was reasonable and necessary:

• Verify that all other exhaust vent joints are glued as they release carbon monoxide and can lead to health risks.
• Replace insulation that got wet.
• Check wood around area to make sure it wasn’t soaked through.
• Send a mold specialist (not a remediator) to test air quality, as there is a clear conflict of interest with companies who perform both testing and remediation.

The property manager said he forwarded this to the construction manager.

When the construction manager contacted me, I asked him to arrange a mold test and inspection and replace the insulation and ceiling. He was adamant that there isn’t a mold issue. When I pressed him, he said he will replace the ceiling and check with his boss on whether he must do a mold test if he replaces the ceiling. When I followed up, he said since he is replacing the ceiling, they won’t do a mold check.On the day of replacing the ceiling, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, I showed the technicians what needed to be replaced, which was a wide area of the ceiling that spans what my electrician pointed out in the video. The technicians were under the impression that they would only replace the approximately 20-inch square that was cut open just below the open pipe. They called their boss, who then called the construction manager and the construction manager came to the garage and expressed that he didn’t know we were replacing the whole ceiling. I reminded him that he said he would replace the ceiling rather than check for mold and told him that if he won’t replace the entire ceiling, then I prefer he check for mold. He told them to move forward with replacing the portion of the ceiling in front of the garage lights.

I could see the black mold on the ceiling pieces as the technicians took them down. When they finished, I asked the technician to get on the ladder and check the ceiling behind where they cut. He found more mold, and they took down the additional area. I believe there is more.

I went to the doctor after being sick from the smell of feces circulating the home (see Sewage Flood section below). After hearing the entire story, the PA suggested a carbon monoxide test. My blood test came back positive for Carbon Monoxide poisoning. I have not fully recovered I cry a lot. I am still young, and I can't remember things. I am completely stressed out and trying my best to manage through this.

On Sunday, March 16, 2025, I happened to go to the 1st floor after flushing the toilet and saw a ceiling stain and water leaking onto the floor. On Monday, March 17, 2025, the plumber cut open the ceiling and saw the leak and wet wood. A toilet component was cracked. They replaced the toilet to fix the issue and replaced an area of the ceiling.

On the night of Wednesday, March 19, 2025, I took a shower on the 3rd floor of the townhome, and then went straight to bed on the same floor. 

On the morning of Thursday, March 20, 2025, I got dressed and went to run a few errands. I left out of the front door because they had repaired the garage ceiling after removing a large portion of the ceiling due to a leak.

I returned to the townhome on Thursday afternoon. I took off my shoes upon entering the home and walked to the garage entrance to retrieve a package that had been delivered. Upon stepping on the floor near the garage, I felt a soaking wet carpet.

I was confused at first because the ceiling was dry, but the entire top of my boots was wet, as well as unopened TV box that had been sitting on the carpet. The TV box was wet half-way up the box.

I reasoned that the only thing I had done involving water the night before was a shower. I turned on the 3rd floor shower I had used the night before and came back to the first floor to watch what would happen. As I waited, I didn’t see a water stain on the ceiling. I opened the water heater closet and found it filling up with water and feces, toilet paper, and a yellow gooey substance floating on the floor.

I texted the property manager and he told me to contact the Stanley Martin homesite Construction Manager, T.C. I texted T.C. and he said the plumber would need to come out to fix. The plumber sent Roto Rooter to flush the drain. I texted T.C. to ask about clean up, and then again when he didn’t respond. I reported to the property manager that T.C. had not responded and then T.C. finally replied and said he would send someone to clean up.

On Friday, March 21, 2025, around noon, a man arrived to clean. He was not wearing any type of hazardous gear such as gloves or a mask. He used my plastic grocery bags to cover his feet. He was not able to tell me what company he is from when asked. He cleaned up the mess with his bare hands and a sponge. He used a Hoover to extract water from the carpet. After 2 hours, he finally gave up. The carpet was still soaked, as well as the flooring, trim, and drywall. The smell was still circulating my house after the "cleaning.”

I asked the property manager for the contact info for the landlord, but he would not provide the information.

I reached out to an environmental research and testing company to come and test the air and HVAC for bacteria and mold and provide a remediation plan so that I could prove to the landlord and builder that the area isn’t clean. I paid for the expense ($700). On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, the environmentalist inspected the area and found the area is still soaking wet. The final report shows the area tested positive for E. Coli and Total Coliform and measured 99% wet. The contaminated tissue from the flood was still in the closet, as the man who cleaned couldn't access the entire area with the HVAC system being in the way.

I showed the environmentalist images of the builder’s worker “cleaning,” and she said per code, because it is Category 3 waste, they should remove the equipment to thoroughly disinfect and replace all impacted sheetrock, drywall, and flooring and disinfect all structures. They had not. She included this in her report.

I also hired an independent home inspector to come to the home ($425). He performed the inspection on Thursday, March 27, 2025, and he put in his report the moisture readings and that the equipment should be removed for a thorough cleaning.

I sent images to a third company that is certified to do remediation for an estimate, and they told me all equipment must be removed from the room because if they don’t clean thoroughly and I get sick from an airborne pathogen through the HVAC system in the room, then they can be held liable. They also said the HVAC needs to be inspected because pathogens like Hepatitis and c. Diff live in sewage and they are airborne and can circulate throughout the house, especially when right next to the HVAC system. 

On Thursday, March 27, 2025, I contacted the property manager who contacted the builder construction manager, T.C. At 2:21 PM, the property manager sent me a screenshot of an email from the T.C. stating that he would call XX Restoration Services to schedule the remediation, and he would follow-up with my property manager with their availability. At 2:30 PM, I called XX Restoration Services to ask how soon they could come, and they said they had not heard from the construction manager yet, but they will get the process started and send someone to inspect and determine the cost at 4 PM. I texted T.C. and let him know that I had called XX Restoration Services, and they came at 4 PM. T.C. replied and said they have been communicating and they are coming up with "a plan." He asked if he could come and survey the damage the next day, Friday, March 28, 2025. On Friday, T.C. showed up with the warranty manager, T.P., who said we're not using XX Restoration, we're going with "my guy," and we're not removing any equipment. The guy who would clean was present as well. I asked him for the name of his company, and he said Warranty Plus Remodeling. I could not find the company online or on the Secretary of State site. I told T.P. about the testing and inspections I had done and why we needed a company certified to clean up biohazardous waste, but he didn’t care. I told him I would have the area tested again after his improper cleaning, and he said, “You do what you do, and we’ll do what we do.”

I reported this to the city building code enforcement officer I'm working with, and she said to tell them they can't use a mom-and-pop company - it must be a company certified to do the work. T.P. still refused.

I coughed constantly and I feared it was due to inhaling whatever is circulating from the sewage, so I wanted a proper cleaning. The warranty manager called me, yelling at me, angry because I was awaiting direction from the building code enforcement officer. He said what they say doesn’t matter and what I want doesn’t matter. The city inspector completed her investigation on April 3, 2025 and threatened to issue a violation if they don't complete the work properly. The warranty manager finally agreed to send the HVAC company to remove the equipment, and a certified remediation company for a proper cleaning. I was exposed to pathogens via the HVAC system for longer than necessary because they would not clean according to code. At the time I moved out, they had not performed any testing or disinfection of the HVAC system, which may be circulating sewage pathogens.

There is a mold smell in the master bedroom. This issue is still outstanding because no one seems concerned enough to arrange a mold inspection.

The HVAC air duct in a second bedroom blows very loudly and forcefully. The heat smells damp. This is still outstanding. I haven’t had the capacity to deal with this issue yet. Also, my neighbor has the same issue and builder said it’s how the HVAC is built and refused to repair it.

HVAC experts advise not to turn off HVAC system as it can cause mold and mildew.  I noticed it was off when I first viewed the unit. The owner kept the HVAC system off until I moved in. When I moved out and he changed the utilities over to his name, the property manager turned it completely off again (I saw that is was off when I went for a final look after the maid clean out). This could be the reason for the smell throughout the home and particularly in the master bedroom and bathroom.