Hi Everyone,
I will explain in a minute what happened with the air scrubber. And no, that title is not clickbait. I wish it was. And no, I do not “deliberately court disaster to create content,” as one of the workers in my home accused me of, completely out of the blue. (the worker who brought in the air scrubber)
But first, I hope the weather is as glorious for you as it has been in Boston recently. We so appreciate the mild, dry weather. This has been a most unusual year as there has been an abnormal amount. Subsequently, we have entered drought conditions—not severe yet, but we need more rain! However, there is no forecast for any precipitation for the rest of this month.
Many of you have asked me what I will do now that the renovation is over.
Guys!
The building is over. But, things are FAR from finished.
In addition, parts of my business have been sorely neglected. I’ve been desperate for some help.
So, God sent me not, one, not two, but three part-time virtual assistants only last week to give me a much-needed hand.
One of them is wonderful Marsha Stopa, who will be helping with many things. The others are via a friend of a friend of a friend. lol
In addition, I’m trying to lead a more normal life, which means not being chained to my laptop or phone for 16 hours a day. That is not healthy. So, I’m getting out a lot more for social events and going on long walks* nearly every day. Subsequently, I’m feeling a lot better.
I have had a tremendous amount of stress recently, and I’m struggling to talk about it because it is by far the worst thing that’s happened this entire renovation.
Yes, I understand it’s inconceivable that it’s substantially worse than the first paint disaster.
But, it is.
Oh, Laurel, you can’t say something like that and then not talk about it. What’s going on? You did mention something about the air scrubber poisoning your air.
Okay, yes. It’s about the air scrubber, or rather the filters for the air scrubber. After all, the air scrubber is nothing without its powerful filters. I was told that it had both HEPA and activated carbon filters.
However, last Thursday, when I installed new filters for the air scrubber, to my horror, I discovered that there was no activated carbon nor a HEPA filter.
Instead, I removed two flimsy, filthy, clogged filters that had been this way for at least five weeks, but probably longer. There is a photo coming up taken on September 18th that proves this.
Plus, the entire interior of the air scrubber was a filthy blue mess. I spent at least 30 minutes cleaning it.
Below are the thin accordion filters I pulled out. Please understand that when they are new, they are pristinely white on both sides.
Above is the front of the filters after I took them outside.
The back of the filter.
Above is the activated carbon or sometimes called activated charcoal filter I purchased for 36 bucks from Jon-Don plus shipping. I also got one filter like one of the dirty ones. They are only 5 bucks, but I figured it couldn’t hurt. The machine worked much better after I changed the filters!
Why is the one filter blue?
Good question. It is blue from the blue paint in my den. Below is the air scrubber venting dirty air through the filthy filter you can see through the porthole. This is the photo dated September 18, 2024.
At the time, I had no idea what I was looking at, but now, it’s quite clear. I took this photo because I was intrigued by this equipment, not because I was trying to prove something completely irresponsible.
The den after the ceiling was sprayed last September.
The photo above was taken last night, days after I installed the proper carbon filter.
My painter admitted while we were doing the floor finish experiment that Alex must’ve accidentally put the hose on the yellow extractor backward. This explains why there was blue dust everywhere. You see, instead of venting fresh air into the den, the hose was venting aerosolized blue paint from the den into the living room!
Alex suited up for the den spraying about five weeks ago.
Were you breathing this in, Laurel?
I had to be.
Although I went upstairs to see what was happening and maybe use the kitchen, I was in my room most of that day. I remember feeling awful that evening, and the one before. Early on the 18th, I sent Alex a text imploring them to STOP spraying!
Fast forward to October 7th when the floor restoration commenced.
The air scrubber was left to help rid the air of dangerous VOCs after the oil-based polyurethane was rolled on, but it couldn’t hold one more molecule in its clogged filters. Not only was the machine incapable of cleaning the air and extracting VOCs, but it was also filtering the air and introducing more contaminants back into the air!
This explains why the air seemed worse with the air scrubber turned on.
Aren’t you upset, Laurel?
Upset? No, not really.
What I am is LIVID beyond all comprehension.
*However, the long walks have helped me talk myself down from the ceiling.
Did you talk to your painter?
Ummm…I did right after I wiped up copious amounts of blue dust. However, I’ve been on this planet long enough to know there is no gain to be made from further discussion. I can guarantee it will not go well, for he has proven to be a master of denial and deflection. For example, I received this text in response to discovering the fine blue paint dust all over the living room and kitchen:
“I believe the spraying all over by now.
The air scrubber has filters in it to catch particulates.
But with this particular arrangement of space it would be hard to catch all.”
Then, last week, when I realized that the air seemed stinkier when the air scrubber was on, I asked Painter, who was away, if the filters might need changing. This is what he said:
“I’m sure they do, but I am not in town until Wed.”
Then, he told me where I could purchase a new carbon filter, which I did, along with a new intermediate filter for good measure.
So, let’s sum this up:
- Painter knew his POS scrubber had filthy, flimsy, non-HEPA filters.
- And, he had to know there was NO carbon filter to filter out the “particulates.”
- In his opinion, the overspray was due to the strange arrangement of my living room with two large windows for venting.
Even if I’m not understanding and it is true, why was he spraying in the first place?
Overspray in the air and all over my white walls and kitchen is okay?
But, Laurel, I thought your painter was so wonderful!
I lied.
I’m sorry. The truth is that I’m not even telling you the half of it, and I’m not going to because I find that smear campaigns reflect poorly on the messenger, no matter how deserving the perp is.
Oh, Laurel, surely you’re not having him back to do the stenciled floors?
Ya think? No, of course, I’m not. And, like I said, I’m leaving a lot out, a lot that should’ve made me run for the hills a while back.
Why didn’t I? (run for the hills)
It’s the same old, and I think it’s human nature to believe that what you see is what you get. Most folks seem nice at first, and the majority remain more or less consistent in their words and actions.
But at least 10% change. Maybe even more than 10%.
It usually doesn’t take too long for them to slip into their true self. But, we make excuses because we’ve all had bad days, right?
They’re under stress…The moon is full… The moon is new… The moon is a waning gibbous… Then, they snap out of it and are lovely; that is until the next episode.
And damn it. I must embroider Maya Angelou’s brilliant quote and hang it in a prominent place!
Okay, we need to drop this for now.
Laurel, aren’t you concerned about your health?
Yes, always.
Look– about the paint.
The room is inanimate, right? It took hours for the walls to collect the fine paint dust. I was only up there for a short period of time, and the rest of the time, I escaped to my room, where I have not found one speck of blue dust. I did find a tiny bit in my bathroom, but nothing in the bedroom, and I’ve dusted everything. Plus, I’m only feet away from my window, which I leave open as much as the weather permits.
Guys, I’m sorry. I know you’re concerned. Me too, because YES. I did inhale some amount of blue paint dust that was floating freely through the air.
I guess that explains why I’ve been kinda blue recently.
But please know that overall, I’ve been feeling better. Ironically, the long walks I’ve been taking to air out my rage have had a most beneficial spill-over. I feel much more energetic and like my old self—I mean myself from 13 years ago.
So, what are you working on now?
Oh, thank you for asking. ;]
Well, aside from working with the new part-time VAs, and other ongoing biz stuff, here is a partial list:
- The alabaster chandeliers are on order, and I might have them for Thanksgiving.
- In addition, I’m working on the new dining area table. I will tell you much more about that soon!
- I’ve also been thinking about window treatments and a rug for the den.
Yesterday, the 22nd, was the electrical inspection.
I was here when the inspector examined my bedroom. It took him all of ten seconds. No, wait; I’m sorry. That was an exaggeration. It was no more than seven seconds. :/
Tomorrow (the 24th), a new electrician will install the Anglo-Indian sconces I’ve had for a year.**
They were just rewired. This guy, Mike Patti, is awesome! Somehow, the canopies for the bell jars went missing so he’s bringing over new ones on Friday and not charging me for them.
**haha! I just checked and see that I posted about my trip to Hudson, NY, on 10.23.2023.
xo,
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Related Posts
- The First Renovation Tour Of The Upstairs Living Areas! (Parts 1 & 2)
- Hardwood Floor and Primary Bathroom Update!
- Month 11 of the Renovation + Important Life Lessons
- Laurel’s Home Renovation 2024 – News & Deets!
- Did the Oil-Based Polyurethane Work Out? + Fume Mitigation!
- Hardwood Floor Issues + New Runtal Radiator, and More!
- The Shocking Deep Paint Color In My Den!
24 Responses
As always, your posts are an encyclopedia of knowledge, mostly on what to avoid or look out for, in hindsight. I hope everything runs smoothly from now on for your renovation………you deserve it. Thank you for keeping us informed.
SHEWW W W W W W W W
We had issues with our renovations but not to this degree. Some of our problems were due to the lax project manager and his communication with the subcontractors and suppliers. We had an ironclad contract, and it cost the contractor some “big money”, since the mistakes were not due to changes or things we had not clearly specified. At one point the contractor told us we have had more complaints than he had the year prior from all his clients. Now I have to wonder if he was lying or had very lackadaisical clients
When it came down to the end he showed us a number, 35k less than contracted for, and wanted to walk away from the total completion. – There were a few items remaining. Later we heard he lost a substantial amount of money on our job. His savior is a young guy (21) who was raised to be honest, detail oriented, dot his i’s and cross his t’s. The kid is AMAZING!!!! If it were not for him, I am not sure how things would have ended.
Oh dear, Laurel 😔. I watched just half of one of your recent renovation videos, and could tell ‘something’ was wrong. I could hear it in your voice. Now I know. There was not the ecstatic and happy mood that I expected to hear. Now it’s explained…….
So, so sorry. Please do everything to check on your health XOX
I’m so sorry you are and have been going through so much challenge. My wish for you is that before too long you will experience ecstatic pride in and delightful enjoyment of your newly renovated home!
Laurel, quick footnote to my comment – I mean it is hard for a contractor to admit to screwing up. When I re-read my comment, I realized it might not be clear that is what I meant. Sorry if it read wrong.
Laurel, wow – what a bummer! Guess I am dating myself with that expression, yet that is really what it is. I read through the other comments – it seems everyone has a story to tell. I have my own. My thought is that it is hard for someone to admit they screwed up. It makes me wonder about the back story to all the beautiful rooms and homes I see in the better decorating magazines. How many goofs did the designer and homeowner have to work through in order to deliver those gorgeous rooms. Thank you for your honesty in letting us know that these are real problems everyone even professionals deal with. I hope you were able to clear away all the blue dust and that no lasting damage was done to your health.
Omg, Laurel!!! That’s terrible; I’m so sorry this happened to you. Contractors are horrible these days. We recently had two bathroom renovations, one was only the shower but the contractor put a plumbing part in incorrectly and when the shower was completely tiled and done, we tested the water and we got hardly any hot. Certainly not hot enough to take a shower. So we had to make a choice between 1) tearing out the newly tiled shower (with marble tile) or 2) pull a newly installed HVAC system in the garage that is located in back of the shower and then go through the wall to correct the plumbing issue and have the HVAC reinstalled!!! We chose #2 and luckily we had an amazing HVAC contractor who we loved from the initial installation. He was very sympathetic and worked with us as far as timing to pull and reinstall. The bath contractor had to pay for all the work but it was still very stressful for us. Then when they went on to the upstairs bath (we had signed a contract so we had to stick with them), when demoed the old tile in the tub surround and removed the fixtures, the guy didn’t shut the water off completely and that night, very late at midnight when the house was quiet and I was still up, I heard a noise in the wall in the downstairs bath that had just been completed. I realized it sounded like a drip and I ran upstairs to the bathroom directly above and found that water was driping out the faucet hole hitting the edge of the old tub and rolling back into the wall!!! I ran back downstairs and saw that there was a big wet spot appearing in the ceiling of the new shower!!!! I had to figure out how to divert the dripping water upstairs so it went into the tub and down the drain. Then the next day, the contractor had to come and demo the ceiling of the new shower and dry everything out for several days. It was a nightmare and that was only a small part of what happened. So I really think no matter how thorough you are in doing your homework to check on these contractors and subcontractors, s__t happens. Of course we also had construction dust all over our house and had to use air scrubbers for that too. I just hope the blue dust didn’t seriously harm you. You should get checked. And I hope it didn’t damage the other beautiful work you’ve had done. Hang in there!!
This latest update is flat out terrifying and so very on point with my experience.
Our culture is broken. It is not just contractors or any other group. We do not teach people to take care, that behaving well and doing the right thing is their way of doing good in the world.
One of my contractors made a big deal out of working for his church while he did his dirty deeds.
I doubt that you will be ill from this in the long term, but a functional medicine doctor might be able to give you some specialized tests and give you some suggestions. I do not think a lung xray will tell you anything at all. Get advanced tests if you can.
What is going on with the blue all over the walls and ceilings and on your cabinets and furniture? That really concerns me as the paint could be damaged.
I cannot imagine this happening to you. What chance do I have with the repair my home needs? How do we protect ourselves? What is the point of buying or doing anything with this level of dysfunction all around us?
I am also blue nowadays.
We have had our fair share of bad contractors – including a guy who ended up sanding trim with lead paint and literally covering our entire house with lead dust. Luckily we and our small children were not in the house at the time, but we lost $30,000 due to remediation and throwing out things that couldn’t be cleaned, and were out of our home for months. We couldn’t sue because he had the wrong kind of insurance and no assets.
Right now our attic is being finished by a local contractor with a small team and so far he is a dream. Like on HGTV he discusses decisions and options with me, tells me when he just can’t do something or isn’t experienced at it, cleans up the site every day, etc. It feels like a magical dream, and I have my fingers crossed that it will continue.
Dear Laurel, So sorry you’ve had this awful situation with the painter. These trades used to be father/son businesses with proper training or learned through an apprenticeship. From personal experience with contractors and health consequences I too suggest you get your bloodwork done. My Dr ordered CRP ; a marker for inflammation. Mine is still @20 and should be below 8. This is from exposure to Orange Glo and oil based Poly on our floors in May 2024. We ran three air scrubbers with the correct filters and several Alon air filters after the damage was done. ServPro or another type of commercial cleaning company will come in and vacuum your walls, ceilings, floors, moulding, clean your windows and basically hit every surface in your home. This should be done before furniture and window treatments go in. It is not cheap but…
We also had a company our HVAC people recommended that specializes in duct cleaning ( not Stanley…) clean the entire duct work system and replaced any house filters. There may be similar issues for whatever type of system you have.
Wishing you all the best.
p.s. SO glad you’ve three new people to help with your work. Welcome to them!
Re: your health – you have always sounded to be on-top of things, regarding what you’ve shared. I echo encouragement of others to be examined. A personal comment: I’ve found functional/integrative docs most-interested in a deep-dive into contaminants. Best with this Laurel…
I so very much regret not encouraging you when you first mentioned the air scrubbers, to check the filters. Yes, we expect that others will do the right thing. Absolutely. I did.
During digging through slate flooring, at least 4 layers of previous floor (perhaps asbestos but I could not even bear to know at that time), sub-flooring, 6″ of concrete, and 18″ more into the soil to dig 15 FEET in length by 3 FEET wide, air scrubbers were brought in and ran for over a week. Mind you the destination of the dig was entirely clogged and disintegrated drain pipe from the kitchen sink. FILTH!
The filters were visibly filthy when they left them, on a holiday weekend which they extended. Literally, I was sickened. Mistakenly, I thought that a dirty filter was better-than-nothing. Re: your project I sincerely thought, “Laurel’s guys sound stellar. I’m sure fresh filters have been installed.” I am SO SORRY!
To readers: air scrubbers are as wonderful a tool, as the boneheads who bring them to your property.
Laurel, I already left a comment but after thinking about this some more perhaps you should get a chest X-Ray or CT scan? I don’t want to sound alarmist but you may want to know if there is scarred tissue in your lungs.
The last painter has been beyond the pale. Makes me wonder if Massachusetts, or any other U.S. state, has a remedy for bad actors in the trades. We have dealt with them, but short of suing them which normally requires hiring your own attorney, most of us just let it go. So yes, we are complicit ourselves in not taking the time for doing just what needs to be done. It’s a wonder they continue to get referrals!
I am not a medical person. However, my instinct goes with making an appointment with your general practitioner. It would be comforting to know that you have done everything you can to not expose yourself to the Boston winter without the blood work and/or other tests needed. I’d hate it if you couldn’t take your walks because you find it hard to breathe.
Thank you for sharing everything along the way as much as you were able. Now pretend your mother is agreeing with all my suggestions. Ha 🙂 Best wishes!
OMG, I feel your rage and health concerns. As I’ve shared before, the two renovations we did in the last 12 years caused me so much frustration and disappointment throughout (although the projects ended well). The project managers and business owners just stared when I explained issues. “No comment” was their standard response. I could scream with the delays, shortcuts, a flood, missed contractual commitments, subcontractors passing the torch to other subs without clear communication, and so much more. When I suggested to my husband we consider a small bathroom remodel, he threatened my life (slight exaggeration). Your project, while frustrating, is turning out absolutely beautifully.
It is amazing to me that these contractors are just not very good at their jobs, are knowingly cutting corners, or just flat out liars. It has happened to everyone I know that has embarked on a home improvement project to one degree or another. Does no one have pride in their workmanship any longer?
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I’m sorry it’s happening to you, but I now realize that my dreadful experience with a general contractor in TX, that ended up with us having to get an attorney to make them hold up their side of a signed contract, was not a unique experience aimed at us personally.
My continued wishes for your improved health and outlook as you continue your project. The place is looking BEAUTIFUL!
Dear Laurel,
Words cannot express how upset I am that you suffered this! I know you moved to an Airbnb for a day or two – was that during this time? And did your little filters help a bit?
So frustrating. I am very fairskinned, so I took precautions to stay lathered and under a tent at the beach in July, and I still burned – I was mad at myself for weeks – I tried to be so careful. It is so frustrating!!!
I’m praying your healthy walks – for sanity & fresh air – will be rejuvenating, and that you can see good come from this.
I do love the blue walls!
Sincerely,
Gabrielle
Why in the world can’t people just do things the right way from the beginning?!?! It boggles the mind!
OMG !! That is FREAKING horrible !!!! I quess the threat of a law suit may change the painter’s attitude! He has no rite to b upset!!!!!!
Hi Laurel,
This news is awful! I’m so sorry. Is there blue dust even on your newly painted living room walls & trim?
I can’t imagine the horror of discovering what happened.
Hang in there Laurel. Good to hear you are doing walks to reduce or expel your stress! What a project. Incredible really but your place is exquisite!!! You’ve shown Boston what we can do with old, horribly renovated apartments.
Quick question…would you recommend the person who rewired your lamps? I have several from Paris that need to be switched out to 110 and looking for someone.
Thank you!
Laurel,
Perhaps you could use one of your long walks to visit Mass General to have a full blood count done if you haven’t already. You also mentioned in an earlier post that you have Medify air filters. I have three Medify units in my home purchased during COVID. If you haven’t already put one in your den you may want to do so.
As for the anglo-indian sconces it sounds odd that the bell jars went missing. Weren’t they also antique? I have used the New Yankee Lighting Workshop in Wayland, MA for years and nothing was ever lost.
One final thought I understand the time you have invested in your LB branded paint guide and benefit from your knowledge of Benjamin Moore and Farrow & Ball paints. Perhaps if you the time and inclination you could explore paint brands with no VOCs such as Clare and ECOS? There are other paint companies with no VOCs or limited VOCs including Little Green, Portola, and Alkemis. Yes I know you are familiar with BMs ECOS line but it lacks the quality of the Aura line and sadly BM discontinued the higher quality Natura paints years ago.
Please take good care of yourself.
Hi Anastasia,
Well… This is part of the other half I haven’t talked about. For now, let’s just say my blood has been checked at least a dozen times in the last 3.5 years.
The bell jar lanterns hang from the ceiling and are not part of the anglo-indian sconces in the living room. What is missing from the lanterns are the canopies. I don’t know why they weren’t included when they sent the lanterns I purchased at Chairish. The guy who rewired the sconces is bringing two over for me, tomorrow. He forgot to give them to the electrician, is all; nothing was lost.
BM Aura is verrrry low in VOC. I don’t smell a thing when it goes up. Regal Select is also lovely. I’ve used them both and can live and sleep in the same room that same day. That’s good enough for me. It took me hundreds if not thousands of hours to put the two guides together. The collection is meant as a guide. People are free to use different brands and formulations.
Dear Laurel
I’m so sorry that you are having such a terrible experience with contractors and painters. Unfortunately, it is universal. We spend so much time vetting out reliable people who we think know really know their trade, only to learn, they hoodwinked us, and made matters worse. I wish there was an answer to this problem.
I hope your health hasn’t suffered as a result. Your apartment is gorgeous. Can’t wait to see all the window treatment and rugs.
Pat A.