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THE TRUTH ABOUT MOLD
By Judy Newman
It’s on the news, being talked about as the “invisible killer”. Mold has become the latest indoor environmental scare. There are stories linking mold to headaches, allergies, neurological disorders and even death. Remember in science class when you learned about a new illness? Then came home thinking you had come down with it? With the infiltration of negative news about mold it’s easy to understand why anyone would get concerned about mold in the home. As a home owner it is
important to take the proper course of action in reacting to mold growth in your home.
Mold exists naturally in our surroundings with the distinct purpose of breaking down organic materials. Without it, our ecosystem would not survive. Sometimes you see it between the shower tiles or on bread. This is not the type of mold that the news is concerned about.
Most mold species are allergens. Allergic reactions include; respiratory, congestion, sore throat cough, or skin irritation. There are a few that are toxic or pathogenic that cause nervous system problems, memory loss, and fever. The most well known of these is stachybotrys. But, exposure to mold does not always cause health problems. Mold comes in thousands of species and colors. Reactions to mold occur at varying concentration levels.
Prevention is key. Moisture and a porous surface is all that is needed for mold to grow. Suppose you have a leaky faucet -- inevitably a mold spore will land where the water is dripping and reproduce on the wood cabinet or the drywall. You may want to look for and repair any leaks around your home. Not all leaks can be seen easily. It is a good idea to check under sinks, around toilets, and in basements and attics on a regular basis. A telltale sign of mold growth besides
what is visible is a 'musty' smell.
If preventative measures have not been taken or water penetration has gone unnoticed, chances are, mold has already started to grow. The first thing you will want to do is find the water source and stop it the leak.
At what point do you decide to have mold tested in your home? Really, it is a personal decision. If you are feeling any unexplained allergy type symptoms or you are seeing more than 3 square feet of mold growth in your home then it may be a good time to have it tested. Testing will help you determine what type of mold is growing and which course of action you will need to take.
If the mold is in a small area you can clean the area with a 90% water 10% bleach solution. Always use gloves and wear a mask to prevent mold spores from being inhaled. If there is a large amount of mold or any toxic mold present, you may want to call a professional to have it removed.
The ability to prevent mold growth is key to not having to worry about this new scare. If you do have mold don’t over react. Just determine how large the area and if you want to get it tested. Chances are... the mold is not as bad as you might think.
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WHAT DO I LOOK FOR IN A HOME INSPECTOR?
By Judy Newman
Home inspectors will generally have additional services that they will offer in lieu of the home inspection. Services may include radon testing, pool and spa testing, permit checks, mold sampling, Lead paint testing, EIFS testing, water analysis, septic or termite inspections. An inspector may have one
up to many of these to choose from. Radon, lead paint and termite testing require a license. The others do not.
When you are searching for a home inspector, you may want to make sure the inspector tests for whatever items you are most concerned with. In addition you would want to make sure they are licensed if required or have some sort of training or background in that area.
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Announcement:
FairView Home Inspections is now offering mold sampling and permit checks. |
GOD BLESS AMERICA! 
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Ask The Inspectress
Q. I just purchased a house and I think I have a plumbing problem. How can I inspect a pipe? What if the pipe is clogged? What is the best way to clean it?
A. I hope your plumbing problem is something I can help with. Plumbing can be very involved. But here are some simple things you can do for clogged waste lines: Check the garbage disposal under the sink. There is usually a turn key that you
can put into the bottom hole. Turn the key to turn the blade. Any further tinkering with a disposal should be done by a plumber. To prevent a clogged sink do not pour food or scraps down the sink, and regularly take out bathroom strainers and stoppers to clean them. If you have a clogged or partially clogged sink and the pipes are made of some sort of metal, you can flush the drain with boiling water to attempt to restore free flow. If this does |
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Photo of the month:
Black mold present on the blower of a heat pump. Have your heating/AC unit cleaned once a year!
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not work or you have plastic waste lines, try to use a plunger.
First bail out most of the water and clog up the overflow drain with a rag. Seat the plunger over the drain and pump vigorously up and down for 1 to 2 minutes. If this does not work, then try using a liquid drain opener. These chemicals can cause serious injury, so use rubber gloves and safety glasses for any
work after the chemicals have been poured in the drain.
If the chemicals do not work, you can try using an auger. You should be able to purchase an auger at your local hardware store. Insert the auger into the drain opening until it hits the trap (a “U” shaped pipe which is called a “P trap”). Then slowly crank auger handle clockwise to move end of cable past trap. If auger hook catches debris, carefully withdraw auger while still turning it. If you cannot get the auger past trap, you will have to remove the
trap.
With a bucket under the trap, unscrew the coupling nuts with a wrench while bracing trap with your other hand. There will be water inside the trap, so empty it out into the bucket and check the trap for clogs. If it is clogged, you can clean it out with a straightened wire coat hanger. You can then put the auger in through the opening going into the wall. Feed auger cable directly into drain line, rotating it slowly until it hits blockage. Churn auger back and forth to break up
clog. Wipe auger clean as you remove it. Put the trap back on the way it was taken off. Remember to tighten the coupling nuts but not so hard you can't get it off next time.
If these methods do not work, there may be a clog in your main waste line and you would probably want to call a plumber.
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THE INSPECTRESS - Do you have any questions about your home or about home inspections? Just send your question to inspectress@fairviewinspections.com and a reply may posted in the next column.
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| RECALLS |
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WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Andersen Corporation, of Bayport, Minn., is voluntarily recalling for in-home repair tilt latches on about 400,000 windows. The latches on the lower sash of the window can unexpectedly open, posing a potential injury hazard to consumers who can be struck by the window or by shattered glass.
This recall involves only the tilt latches on the lower sash of the Andersen 200 Series Tilt-Wash Double-Hung Window. This window has the Andersen "A/W" logo etched into the lower right corner of the glass (A), has a latch on both sides of the top of the lower sash (B), and has a product label on the inside of the upper left corner of the window frame (C). The majority of windows were installed by
homebuilders in the construction of new homes. Independent dealers
WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Ryobi Technologies Inc. (RTI), of Anderson, S.C., is recalling to repair about 125,000 circular saws. The lower blade guards on these saws can stick in the open position, posing a risk of serious injury to the operator and bystanders.
The 7 1/4-inch circular saws have a blue plastic body and a metal blade guard. The name "Ryobi" appears on the blade guard and the motor housing. The recalled saws have one of the following model numbers - CSB120, CSB130, CSB1308, CSB130K, or CSB130JS - which can be found on a white label on the motor housing. Some of the recalled saws were sold in kits that included a hard plastic, gray storage case
(embossed with "Ryobi Circular Saw") with the saw and blade inside. Home centers (including Home Depot), hardware
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WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), National Service Industries Inc. (NSI), of Atlanta, Ga., is voluntarily recalling about 1.1 million bottles of drain cleaner sold in 64 oz., child-resistant bottles. The bottles can leak, allowing the contents of the cleaner to come into contact with consumers. These cleaners can cause irritation and burns to the skin and eyes.
The following chart provides information concerning the four types of drain cleaners involved in this recall. Only 64-oz. bottles are affected.
Brand Name - Zep Commercial Cleaning Product - 10 Minute Hair Clog Remover and Drain Care Professional Strength Drain Opener Clog Remover UPC Code - 21709-52206 and 21709-60060
Recall Hotline Number, Website Address, E-mail Address - (888) 805-4357 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday www.zepcommerical.com
zephelp@zepcommercial.com
Brand Name - Enforcer
Cleaning Product - 10 Minute Hair Clog Remover and Professional Strength Drain Opener Clog Remover
UPC Code - 21709-52206 and 21709-52212 Recall Hotline Number, Website Address, E-mail Address: (800) 241-5656 Ext. 686 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
Monday through Friday
www.enforcer.com plumbing@enforcer.com
The Drain Opener Clog Remover bottles and caps are white and the Hair Clog Remover bottles and caps are red. Each bottle has the brand name -
"Zep Commercial" or "Enforcer" - on a label that also read in part, "Keep all chemicals out of reach of children."
Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Kmart and hardware stores nationwide sold these cleaners from January 2001 through August 2001 for between $3 and $6. Consumers should stop using the cleaners immediately and contact the appropriate company to receive a free replacement cap. Consumers should not return the recalled cleaner to the store where purchased.
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