April 2013 - albaninspect

College in North Carolina to repair mold-infested building

Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) in Wilmington, North Carolina, recently asked the Board of Commissioners for more than $600,000 in a recent meeting to fund necessary repairs to one of the main facilities on campus.

According to local media outlet WECT News, the McLeod Building – constructed in 1976 – has a severe mold and mildew problem, which forced people who work there to move their offices to mobile units until the issue is resolved. Since the fungus is growing exclusively on the bottom floor, staff members are still able to hold classes on the upper levels of the facility, but in order to prevent the infestation from getting worse, immediate action is required.

In a letter to a town official, CFCC president Ted Spring noted that a home inspection contractor had determined that the mold "far exceeds acceptable levels," writes the Greater Wilmington Business Journal.

"It's a major building," said CFCC spokesperson David Hardin. "It's on the ground floor so it's important we can get this problem fixed correctly and don't put a band-aid on it. We want it fixed the right way. It affects the air handling for the entire building so we need a new air conditioning unit."

The school will use $600,000 to replace the floor, ceiling, doors and walls and an additional $47,781 to purchase two new hot water boilers.

Data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reveals that exposure to such mold can cause mild to severe health problems, particularly for people who already suffer from asthma and allergies. No matter what, it's not good to be in its presence on a daily basis. To make sure your residence or business isn't infested with black mold, contact a home inspection contractor to perform mold testing and help you determine if you're safe.

Flooding victims should follow this advice to prevent and treat mold

As flooding affected parts of Michigan over the past week or so – with Grand River reaching a water level of 22 feet – the Detroit Free Press reports that hundreds of homeowners were evacuated from their residences as a precaution. Now, people are finally beginning to return to their houses, but officials have suggested that they'll have a number of new challenges to face, including the presence of mold, which thrives in moist conditions.

"Damp environments are going to promote mold growth if we don't dry out homes quickly," Health Homes Coalition of West Michigan's executive director Paul Haan told local ABC affiliate WZZM 13. "Mold is everywhere in our environment and what we want to avoid is the house being a conducive place [for mold] to propagate rampantly."

In order to effectively treat this hazardous fungus, the Healthy Homes Coalition recommends the following:

Dry out your property and possessions as quickly as possible – Ideally, this should happen in 24 to 48 hours after the flooding occurs. Items such as clothing and furniture, which have the ability to retain a lot of moisture, can promote the growth of the fungus, so if you can't dry them out in a day or two, you may need to dispose of them.

Check ceilings and floors – If materials like carpets or drywall have gotten wet, they may need to be removed.

Use fans and dehumidifiers – If the air is too humid, mold can develop more easily, so try to keep the humidity below 50 percent.

Mold is a problem that should never be taken lightly, as it can lead to some serious health issues. To make sure your home or business isn't infested with this potentially dangerous fungus, contact a home inspection contractor to perform mold testing and help you determine if you're safe.

Survey reveals homeowners’ top concerns about mold

In an April 21 press release, Mold Inspection Sciences, a company in San Diego, California, announced the results of a survey it had given its clients, which asked the following question: "What concerns you most about mold?"

Let's take a look at the three most common answers they came across:

Buying new house with hidden mold issues – Becoming a homeowner is a huge commitment – both emotionally and financially – and the last thing people want to have to worry about is investing in a place that already has problems. This is why it's essential to hire a home inspection contractor who is trained to find mold and other potential issues.

Dealing with property damage that could be expensive to repair – Left untreated, this fungus can infest an area and require a significant amount of time and money to get rid of. Early detection is key to remedying the problem, so at the first sign of moisture or mold, it's a good idea to take action.

Getting sick from being exposed to the hazardous fungus – The source states that this was the number one response, and the main reason for having a professional conduct mold testing.

Woman with lung cancer linked to radon exposure becomes advocate for home testing

After receiving a lung cancer diagnosis in December 2011 following years of exposure to radon, Kentucky resident Lois Dees has become an advocate for home testing for the radioactive gas.

According to a University of Kentucky News press release, Dees knew that her house of 11 years was in a high-risk area, but didn't do anything about it until it was too late. Being a non-smoker, she said she never imagined that she would have to worry about lung cancer, but when she started dealing with a persistent cough that didn't respond to typical remedies, she knew something was wrong. A few months later, Dees was diagnosed with the potentially deadly disease and began undergoing chemotherapy to treat it.

Shortly after she went into remission and thought she was getting better, doctors found two new tumors. Currently, Dees is enrolled in a clinical trial at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and is spending part of her free time trying to promote radon awareness.

"I understand that checking for radon levels is not a top priority for many people because it wasn't for me," said Dees. "Most of us are very conscientious about having smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in our homes. Having a radon test is also vitally important, as I have learned the hard way. I encourage people to get a test kit and check the radon level in their homes."

If you want to have your home inspected for signs of this deadly gas, it's a good idea to reach out to a home inspection contractor. These professionals will conduct radon testing at your current property and determine if you are safe. Additionally, it's essential to get a house inspected before you buy it, since it's impossible for the untrained eye to pick up on these kinds of hazards.

3 simple and effective Earth Day resolutions

It's April 22, and you know what that means: It's Earth Day! Starting in 1970, folks across the world have been celebrating this important event. Now, more than one billion people in 192 countries participate in it, making Earth Day the largest civic observance in the world.

But, being conscientious about the way our actions affect the planet we call home requires a steady commitment that spans throughout the year and not just on this special day. With this in mind, here are some simple resolutions you can make to reduce your carbon footprint going forward:

Go paperless – These days, most companies – including banks, utilities and more – offer customers the option to receive their bills and any other necessary communication through email rather than via the postal service. Making the switch is an easy way to save trees and fuel.

Install a programmable thermostat – There's no reason to have your heat or air conditioning blasting when you're not even home, and these devices allow you to control the temperature of your house remotely so that you can save energy.

Switch to LED bulbs – According to Energy Star, these fixtures use at least 75 percent less electricity than incandescent lighting and can last 35 to 50 times longer, making them a worthwhile investment in the long-term.

Also, thanks to the state of Maryland's multiple rebate offerings, including those available from Pepco and Potomac Edison, celebrating the Earth every day by making energy efficient upgrades to your home may be easier and more cost-effective than you think. To get started, contact a home inspection contractor to request an energy audit. These experienced professionals can help you determine the best way to get started.

New Jersey offers mold remediation training courses to residents affected by Hurricane Sandy

When Hurricane Sandy ravaged the East Coast at the end of October 2012, it affected thousands of New Jersey residents, destroying and badly damaging houses that were in its path. Now, almost six months later, homeowners are still struggling to fully recover from the impact of the storm.

For properties that were flooded, mold remains a serious problem, prompting Governor Chris Christie's administration to release a Mold Guidelines for New Jersey Residents pamphlet and announce a series of training classes to assist people with assessing and removing the hazardous fungus.

The pamphlet focuses on a number of key issues, and recommends that people hire professionals to perform home inspections and conduct remediation work on affected areas. It also encourages homeowners to wear gloves, a respirator and protective clothing if they plan to tackle the mold on their own.

"As New Jersey recovers and rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy, mold and its remediation may become a significant issue for many New Jersey residents," said New Jersey Health Commissioner Mary O'Dowd in a press statement. "Although molds are common in our environment, mold may become a problem when it grows inside homes."

Individuals in New Jersey interested in attending the training classes can register online by clicking here.

87 percent of U.S. homeowners are using CFL or LED bulbs, says survey

A recent survey reveals that more homeowners across the United States are using compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) and light-emitting diode (LED) products to light their houses in lieu of incandescent alternatives.

According to data from E Source, an objective research and advisory service, 87 percent of U.S. residences have CFL or LED bulbs inside their home, up from 86 percent in 2011. Of the individuals polled, 77 percent said that they are using at least three of the eco-friendly devices.

The survey – which involved studying 32,000 households nationwide to gain a better understanding of behaviors and attitudes regarding home electricity use – was a joint effort between E Source and The Nielsen Company. The research also indicated that LED bulbs are more commonly used among younger residents and that homeowners are more likely than renters to use multiple energy efficient lighting products. Respondents said that saving money was the primary motivation for making the switch to CFL and LED bulbs.

"These findings lead us to wonder, 'What would saturation levels look like if these energy efficient bulbs – particularly LEDs – were more affordable?'" stated Rachel Cooper, E Source's research manager, in the company's press release.

According to Energy Star, LED bulbs use at least 75 percent less power than incandescent lighting and last 35 to 50 times longer. With this in mind, many homeowners choose to make this upgrade, since it ultimately saves them money over time. If you're interested in learning about how this and other energy-efficient upgrades can help you switch to a more eco-friendly and cost-effective lifestyle, contact a home inspection contractor. They can perform an energy audit and help you determine where to get started.

Energy efficient upgrades to your home can help you save money this summer

Now that spring is underway, it's the perfect time for homeowners to start thinking about how they can make their properties more energy efficient. With hot summer days fast approaching in many parts of the country, air conditioning is a must-have. But, often these appliances can be quite wasteful and cost people more money than they should.

According to an April 16 article from KLAS-TV, a Las Vegas media outlet, Better Building Performance – a general contractor that specializes in home and small commercial performance renovations – conducted an energy audit on one 1,500-square-foot property and was able to determine how to make it more sustainable for the warm weather.

"This was a very tired, sad foreclosed home. It was very much what we call an energy hog," Better Building Performance's Annette Bubak told the source. "Sixty seven percent of the air through the duct system was going into the attic. We were able to perform an energy audit to do a diagnosis on the home, which tells us what it would do for the home in the way of efficiency."

By re-engineering and downsizing the air conditioner and implementing foam insulation in the attic and roof line, the company was able to drastically reduce the overall temperature in the house as well as the occupant's monthly utility bills.

If you're interested in making eco-friendly upgrades to your property to prepare for the warm weather, it may actually be more affordable than you think – and the long-term savings almost always make it worthwhile. To get started, contact a home inspection contractor to request an energy audit. These professionals can help you identify the best solutions for your house.

Arizona homeowner discusses value of home inspection

An April 13 article in the East Valley Tribune, an Arizona news publication, focuses on one local property owner's positive experience with home inspection contractors.

According to the source, Kris Johnson's 2,900-square-foot residence left a lot to be desired. Built in 1974, it featured a constantly breaking air conditioner and an upstairs bedroom that was too hot to be occupied.

Johnson knew something had to be done, so she invested in a home inspection, during which the contractor spent three hours examining her property and recommending improvements that could save her up to 34 percent on her monthly utility bills.

The experience was invaluable for Johnson, as it provided her with the education and information she needed to fix up her home when problems arose.

"When a repair became necessary, we attacked it with knowledge as opposed to being ignorant," Johnson told the source, noting that when her air conditioner broke for good, she knew what options were available to her. "We got bids and ended up going with the company that did the home inspection. They knew exactly what we needed and were honest."

Thanks to the upgrades she has made to her property – newly sealed ducts, shade screens on upstairs windows and two new air conditioners – Johnson said she has saved $100 per month on her utility bills compared to last year.

If you're interested in making eco-friendly upgrades to your property, it may actually be more affordable than you think – and the long-term savings almost always make it worthwhile. To get started, contact a home inspection contractor to request an energy audit. These professionals can help you identify the best solutions for your house.

Topeka, Kansas, residents benefit from energy-efficient homes funded by the city

By renovating abandoned and deteriorating properties into energy-efficient homes, the city of Topeka, Kansas, is able to offer residents of the historic Elmhurst neighborhood affordable houses that will cost them very little in monthly utility bills.

According to the Topeka Capital-Journal, a local media outlet, a new two-story property funded by the metro is almost finished being built. Although it looks like other homes in the area, the $92,000 residence features eco-friendly insulation, double-pane windows, a high-efficiency heating and cooling system and additional green technology upgrades.

Warren Woodruff, rehabilitation supervisor for the city's Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development, told the source that gas and electricity bills are expected to total just $83 per month for the woman planning to occupy the property.

"We try to build our homes so they are energy-efficient," Woodruff said to the Topeka Capital-Journal. "The reason for that is to make them more affordable for our buyers, as they will have substantially lower utility bills in the future."

In appreciation of the city's efforts to bring cost-effective, sustainable houses to local residents, Topeka has received national 5-star energy awards and is recognized as one of the top metros in the United States working toward ambitious, eco-friendly goals. Some companies, such as Blue Dot of Kansas, have even given homeowners in the area free energy audits to help them determine how they can save money and reduce their carbon footprint.

If you're interested in making energy-efficient upgrades to your home, you'll be happy to hear that the state of Maryland provides multiple rebate offerings, including those from Pepco and Potomac Edison, which make the initial implementation more cost-effective. To get started, contact a home inspection contractor to perform an energy audit.