Inspection Finds Mold in Yorkville Apartment Units

An inspection of City Center Apartments found mold growing in all units inspected after residents complained about it.

Yorkville Building Code Official Peter Ratos said in a memo to City Administrator Bart Olson that on May 13 he conducted an inspection of four units within the complex.

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“All the units showed signs of biological growth in the form of what appears to be mold,”  Ratos wrote, adding that all units showed either cracked paint or discolorations in the bathrooms and in some cases in the ceiling.

However, despite the presence of mold, Ratos said there was no evidence of any ongoing active water issues coming from a defect in the structure.

Ratos said he believes the mold is being caused by several conditions that are not regulated by the International Codes and are from pre-existing conditions.

• There is no access to the above ceiling space in any of the structures.
• Bathroom fans appear to vent directly into the above ceiling space.
• The units are lower than the surrounding area. This leads to higher than average moisture build up in the ground.

“In my opinion the units need to be tested by an accredited Mold Remediation company. Then the units should be tested for moisture content and a specialist should be brought in to make any changes necessary to lower the moisture that enters the building,” Ratos said. “This may be accomplished by adding a combination of mechanical and natural ventilation to the above ceiling space.”

During a recent Yorkville City Council meeting, City Center resident Racheal LaRue spoke about the effect her apartment has had on her.

“I have a job but I don’t know how much longer I’ll have the job because I’m sick all the time,” LaRue said, according to WSPY News. She added that she been hospitalized numerous times and has had mini-strokes.