Over the years, numerous issues have directed our focus toward hazards that slipped under the radar screens for generations. We've all read of new miracle drugs that claim to be a cure-all but then, after years of controlled study, the prophetic claims are shown to be false.
So it is with the evolution of home construction technology and technique. In the 1970s and '80s, concerns were raised about health hazards regarding lead-based paints that ultimately led to their being banned. In the 1990s, health concerns were raised about the effects of radon gas and the necessity for mediation and abatement when levels were considered excessive.
The issue capturing the eye of an increasing number of homeowners today is mold. While good mold has been around longer than a good French baker's bread recipe, the type I'm referring to has increased in frequency to afflict many homeowners and their occupants. Insurance companies faced with an increasing number of claims are amending their policies and eliminating coverage for this peril, while homeowners sue builders and builders sue homeowners, each claiming the other is responsible for the condition.
Modern building techniques make homes more airtight than ever, thus reducing the amount of energy needed and lost to heating and cooling. But a side effect of this lack of air is an environment in which liquids that get trapped stay trapped, allowing mold to grow and sicken those who breathe it.
The ingredients for this bad mold recipe are simple: trapped water + heat = mold. Indoors, it's most often found in areas where water can accumulate, such as bathrooms or basements, and a thorough cleaning with diluted bleach will destroy and prevent its spread.
A bigger problem occurs if the damage is the result of a hidden pipe leaking and the water is absorbed into the surrounding building materials. When that happens, the only remedy is to remove and replace the walls, floors and damaged pipe, which can cost thousands of dollars.
To help you avoid the potentially costly problem, here are 12 tips to a mold-free home, courtesy of the Cincinnati Board of Realtors®:
· Check the exterior of your home for accumulation of ground water.
· If you ever see bubbling or dampness in a wall, get the wall open and see what's going on.
· If your house sits above foundation and there's a heavy rain, put electric fans under the house to dry the ground.
· Fix leaky faucets, pipes and other leaks as soon as you find them.
· Have your heating and air conditioning serviced every year.
· Clean and dry out wet or damp areas within 48 hours.
· Keep indoor humidity below 60 percent by venting bathrooms and dryers to the outside, using air conditioners and dehumidifiers and using exhaust fans and opening windows when cooking, washing dishes or cleaning.
· If you have a leak that saturates carpet, ceiling tiles or upholstery, remove promptly.
· Use paint that has an EPA-approved mold inhibitor.
· Clean kitchens and bathrooms with mold-killing cleaners.
· Don't carpet bathrooms.
· Don't put wallpaper on walls that are at risk of sustaining water damage.
· More information is available from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home. It's online at www.epa.gov/iag/molds/moldgudie.html
THIS WEEK'S TIP
The age-old observation that "you never get a second chance to make a first impression" certainly applies when it comes to attracting buyers to a home that's for sale. Making a good first impression can mean the difference between receiving serious offers for your home or being subjected to months of lookie-loos dropping by but never buying.
How can you ensure that your home will make the best impression possible? Here are some tips for savvy home sellers:
· Focus on curb appeal. The outside of your house can be the source of a very good first impression. Keep the grass well-watered and mowed. Have your trees trimmed. Cut back overgrowth. Plant some blooming flowers.
· Store toys, bicycles, roller-skates, gardening equipment and the like out of sight.
· Have at least the front of your house and the trim painted, if necessary.
· Sweep the porch and the front walkway.
· After dark, turn on your front porch light and any other exterior lighting.
