Wallace Family's Nightmare: Asbestos Scare Forces Evacuation

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News Summary

The Wallace family faces chaos after discovering asbestos during home repairs, leading to emotional distress and insurance struggles.

Wallace Family’s Nightmare: Asbestos Scare Forces Evacuation After Home Repairs

In a shocking turn of events, the Wallace family has been thrown into chaos after discovering a hidden asbestos contamination during home repairs. They were living in a hotel for the past five months due to extensive repairs needed from a minor dishwasher leak, but their troubles have escalated dramatically. ServiceMaster of Salt Lake City was called in to repair the damaged flooring, only to unearth a far more sinister problem lurking beneath their feet.

As the repair workers began tearing up the tile, they uncovered old vinyl flooring underneath, along with debris that was tainted with asbestos. This significant health hazard spread throughout the Wallace home, infiltrating the HVAC system and their garage.

Emotional Toll on the Family

The emotional distress of losing their family home of 24 years has overwhelmed Melissa Wallace, who has compared their plight to an evacuation scenario caused by a house fire. The disruption of a stable living environment has been particularly challenging for the family’s children, who have special needs. The trauma stemming from this unexpected upheaval has led to increased anxiety and depression among the kids, compounding the family’s already difficult situation.

Insurance Struggles Compound the Crisis

The Wallaces are now battling not just the health risks of asbestos but also insurance challenges. They have been navigating clashing interests between multiple insurance companies, including American Family Insurance, ServiceMaster, and GuideOne. The current estimated repair costs have reached a staggering $151,000, much of which the family hopes to recover through these claims. Attorneys representing the Wallace family have sent demand letters to the involved companies in both March and May, indicating their readiness to take legal action if a resolution isn’t swiftly achieved.

Mark Wallace expressed hope that the involved insurance companies will take accountability and expedite the claims process. Currently, while their insurance covers hotel expenses, it only does so for limited six-week intervals and caps the amount covered—leaving the Wallaces feeling vulnerable and uncertain about their future.

Adding to the drama, ServiceMaster of Salt Lake City has received an air quality violation from state authorities for the incident at the Wallace’s residence, which has resulted in a notable fine of $2,300. Reports indicate that ServiceMaster is working diligently to resolve the issues and is in continuous communication with the Wallace family’s attorney.

Repairs on Hold Until Resolution

As it stands, no repairs can commence until an agreement is reached with the insurance companies, further prolonging the Wallace family’s distress. With estimates suggesting it could take between eight to twelve weeks for repairs to be completed once funding is secured, the family remains in limbo, trapped between their past memories and an uncertain future.

Asbestos Concerns Extend Beyond the Wallaces

In a related incident, Eastmont Middle School in Sandy has also faced an unexpected scare, with asbestos being discovered during basement renovations. As a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students, the school transitioned to remote learning while repairs are evaluated. Initial reports suggest that the potential exposure was limited to specific areas, yet the full extent is still under assessment through environmental testing.

The Canyons School District is taking proactive steps by hiring certified contractors for monitoring and asbestos mitigation. Discussions are underway regarding a potential relocation of Eastmont classes to Crescent View Middle School should the situation necessitate such a move. Parents and families of Eastmont students are being kept informed, with updates regarding school meals and resources forthcoming as the scenario unfolds.

In the meantime, all after-school activities at Eastmont have been canceled until further notice, with the building currently deemed off-limits while authorities work to ensure the safety of all involved.

The ongoing concerns surrounding asbestos not only threaten the health of residential families but also impede educational environments, raising alarms about the safety measures in place throughout communities. As the Wallace family’s battle for justice unfolds, their story serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that can linger beneath our homes.