Family: Condemn Our $500K Moldy House

An East Cobb family said their $500,000 dollar home is a complete loss because of a rash of mold and they want the government to condemn it. They said that the home builder, John Wieland, is at fault for the mold and the family's heath problems.

Homeowner Greg Cole said his John Wieland home has been trouble for nine years. This past summer the family finally moved out.

They are on an Internet campaign against Wieland. They said they can't spend the holidays in their home in the North Hampton subdivision in Marietta because of the multiple species of mold.

Channel 2 Actions News's Consumer Investigator Jim Strickland took a tour of the home and viewed black mold along the windows, inside the attic and in the basement.

"It's through the whole house... we've had environmental companies come out and do spot check and other parts of the house," said Kim Cole.

Strickland asked air quality expert Dave Bennet if the exterior drywall was compromised.

"Around the penetrations, yes," said Bennet.

The Cole's said the mold resulted in health problems, including a swollen stomach caused by a yeast condition.

The Coles have set up a Web site to show the damage the mold has done to their house.

But Wieland said the Web site is misleading.

"We will give him a house as close to new as any home that age can be," Wieland said.

Though Bennet was not so sure it is possible when Strickland asked if there was any possible mediation that could make the house safe.

"It would probably cost more than the house is worth," Bennet said.

Greg Cole said that later this week he will ask the Health Department to condemn his house.

The family wants for John Wieland to pay for all the damages.