Asbestos Assessment & Testing

Buying a home is likely to be one of the most significant long-term investments that you will make - so you should be sure that you know about any issues that are present. This is why scheduling a home inspection is so important. One type of professional inspection that is commonly overlooked is asbestos inspection. Testing for asbestos is an essential factor to consider whether you are planning on buying/selling a home, or living in it for the foreseeable future, especially if the construction it was built before 1990. Is It Safe to Live in a House That Contains Asbestos? The increasing awareness of asbestos and its carcinogenic effects means that more prospective buyers are posing the question: Is it safe to live in a house that contains asbestos? To get your question answered, you’ve first got to understand that there are two types of asbestos that will determine the level of hazard: - Friable asbestos - Friable asbestos is the term used for any asbestos-containing material that can be crushed, crumbled, pulverized, or turned to powder due to abrasion or pressure. Such products, which are loosely held together and could easily release measurable levels of asbestos into the airborne environment, usually contain high levels of asbestos - up to 100%. In essence, friable asbestos is the most hazardous form of asbestos as the materials are loose, and the fibers can easily become airborne. Examples of common friable asbestos products found in the home include: Thermal insulation Insulation boards Pipe lagging Sprayed coating - Non-friable asbestos or bonded asbestos - encompasses materials more resistant to damage and abrasion. Mixed with other materials, (e.g. cement in asbestos cement sheeting), bonded asbestos products are solid, rigid, and will not release harmful fibers into the air as they are tightly bound. Given the fact that non-friable asbestos is firmly bound, it does not pose the same threat to human health as friable materials. However, non-friable asbestos may become friable in time due to degradation or chemical exposure or through damage. Discovering that a property contains asbestos isn't always a deal-breaker; asbestos only poses a health threat when it’s disturbed or damaged in any way. Where friable asbestos presents a risk to building occupants, non-friable asbestos products are less likely to become airborne unless the product is damaged or has deteriorated. Examples of non-friable asbestos-containing material include: Vinyl floor tiles Cement sheets Bitumen-based products Textured decorated coatings (such as Artex) Whether or not it's safe to live with asbestos in your house depends on the type of asbestos-containing materials and their condition. While there is no safe threshold for exposure, many asbestos-containing non-friable materials will not pose an immediate threat. On the other hand, friable materials are extremely dangerous and require immediate removal. Therefore, it all depends on the type of asbestos materials that can be found in your home and their condition. Even if the asbestos-containing materials are determined to be non-friable and non-hazardous, it is not worth the risk of putting your health and family’s health in potential danger in the future. *In southern California, SCAQMD considers everything Friable if it is damaged and they consider something as small as a scratch to be damaged. Common Locations of Asbestos in Domestic Buildings Once a popular building material, asbestos can be found in insulation, flooring, and around boilers, ducts, and pipes. Although asbestos-related diseases were known (and often hidden) since the early 1900s, public knowledge and pressure to reform the asbestos industry would wait until the late 1980s, when the general public began to realize the dangers of asbestos and its role in causing asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, among other lung problems and health complications. Because of its fire resistance, high durability, and other favorable properties - and apart from its known health effects - asbestos was an ideal material for insulating furnace pipes, ducts, and other plumbing and HVAC components, so you're most likely to find it in the basement, attic, or another utility area. In addition, it was an ingredient in some vermiculite-based attic and wall insulation. You might also find it in the ceiling and floor tiles, in the casing for pipes, fireplaces, and boilers, in roofing tars, felts, and siding shingles. Older popcorn ceilings (sprayed acoustic) are also likely to contain asbestos. If the mineral is found in your newly purchased home, it may reduce the air quality within and around your building and is likely to cause you or your family adverse health effects down the road. If you suspect that asbestos is present in your home, it’s best to have a licensed professional inspect the material before you begin any remodeling. Many states now require an asbestos inspection prior to renovation in any structure, private or public. Rely On the Professionals If you are buying a home that was built before 2000, there is a chance it could contain asbestos, and this is something that you will want to know about. Considering the fact that asbestos has been used in thousands of building products, there’s a pretty good chance that homes constructed between the mid- 1940s until the late 1980s will have some asbestos present, and, in fact, some asbestos materials (roofing mastic and flooring, for example) are still being installed today. It’s a wise idea to have your home professionally inspected and tested in order to make sure that no hidden dangers are lurking in your home. You can rest assured that highly qualified asbestos professionals know how to identify asbestos hazards and can restore your home to safety, often quickly and affordably. About the author: Asbestos123 is a non-profit organization whose primary mission is to inform homeowners about the dangers of asbestos-containing materials. For more useful information on the dangers of asbestos, and how to identify and safely remove asbestos from your home, please visit our website .

Behind the scenes: the process of mold testing If you have recently noticed green patches on your walls or ceilings and want to know if it’s mold, there is an easy way to identify it. Although there are many mold testing kits available in the markets these days, the simplest process of mold testing involves only bleach. You can take household bleach and put some on the discoloration on your walls. If the color changes, it is mildew, but if there are no changes, then you are dealing with mold. It is recommended to contact a professional mold inspector who can come to your house and determine what kind of mold is present . They may use a variety of procedures to check for mold as such taking air samples, swab testing or sending the affected object for laboratory testing. When the inspector arrives, they will begin the process of mold testing by visually inspecting the area . They will check for signs of spores, discoloration, water damage, pipe leaks or any other sign of moisture. They will be equipped with a heat detector so he can check the humidity levels of the property. A mold inspector will take samples from various affected areas in your home so they can send them to the laboratory for testing. Multiple samples give a higher chance for the exact species of mold to be identified. They may use air sampling, during which a device will suck airborne spores into the equipment which will be placed over a glass substrate, thus creating a sample. After the mold has been identified , the process of mold remediation will begin. Not all kind of mold is harmful to humans, in fact only a handful of species is toxic in nature. The rest of them can be wiped away thoroughly with special mold removal techniques. The size of the affected area and toxicity level will give a clear indication of how much structural damage has occurred and how deep the mold growth is. The mold inspector, based on test results, will provide you with essential information for removal of mold from your home.

Both mold and mildew are types of fungi and share some basic characteristics. However, there are some distinctive differences between them due to their appearances and effects on human health. Mold is the bigger threat of the two and is fuzzy in appearance. It is found in many different colors including black, green, yellow, blue, grey or white. Mold is difficult to clean as it penetrates beneath the surfaces, and it can cause structural damage to your property over time.

Lead is a toxic substance which is present abundantly in our environment. Due to its stabilizing properties, lead is mixed with a number of products used in our households such as paint, ink, crayons, chalk, crystal, glass and plastic. Lead often leaches out of the products in which it is added. Pregnant women and young babies are more susceptible to lead indigestion. Toddlers and babies have a habit of putting things like batteries, crayons, pens in their mouths. Babies like to suck on objects with lead in them because it is sweet in taste. If consumed in significant quantities lead can lead to brain damage, seizures, coma and even death. If you have recently renovated your house or built a new one, you may want to know how to clean up lead paint chips before moving your family into the house. You will need to buy a few supplies such as gloves, towels, bin bags, wipes, phosphate-rich detergent, and a mop. You may begin the cleaning process by wiping and mopping the floors with phosphate-rich detergent and then drying them with a towel.

Lead is mixed with different materials to help stabilize them during the manufacturing process. It can be added to paint, glass, crystal, plastic, gasoline, ink, chalk, crayons and many other household products. Lead is a toxic substance for human beings, and it often leaches out of the products in which it is added. It is especially harmful to pregnant women and young babies, who are often putting things like batteries, crayons, pens in their mouths. Lead is generally sweet in taste, and that is why babies will suck on objects which have lead in them because of the sweetness. If consumed in significant quantities lead can lead to brain damage, seizures, coma and even death. Lead often enters our clothes in the form of leaded dust which comes from leaching lead objects in our environment. Small babies are especially vulnerable to swallowing lead through chewing on their clothes and toys. If you are unsure about how to clean lead dust from clothing, then you need to know that it will not be removed with bio detergents recommended for babies.

Going solar is a great option for anyone looking to save energy, for a variety of different reasons, some of which your average homeowner may not even be aware. Not only is solar a way to embrace the challenges and benefits in a booming era of environmentally conscious technology and energy, but it also proved to be the long-sought after solution to the 6,560,000 American homes in need of power, as estimated by the Solar Energy Industries Association. It’s easy to see how so many people would turn to solar in the midst of an energy crisis; in fact, an estimated 5% to 22% of a US family’s income may go toward energy payments, after accounting for monetary reduction, thanks to personal income taxes. These figures, of course, are dependent upon where an individual lives. Some homeowners are lucky enough to receive significantly lower rates than others due to differing location prices. Fortunate homeowners live in zones with more accessible charges: a relatively reasonable price tag of about 8 cents per kWh; while others in the country have no choice but to fork out 20 cents or more for similar services. In the current economic environment, an increasing number of citizens are beginning to understand the importance in saving for the long term, so they are opting to buy solar instead of relying on more traditional, expensive means of energy generation. Up to 36% of all newly installed devices used in the production of electricity during the year 2016 is estimated to have been solar, and thanks to its proven benefits to family, economy, and environment, solar energy is ex[ected to make up about 5% of total generation by 2020. Switching over to solar energy is useful for more than just reducing or eliminating your electric bill – in fact, it’s also beneficial to the value of your home or establishment. Homeowners who have decided to go green have proven to recover nearly all of their initial investment (an average of 97%) and sell faster in comparison to those who rely on more traditional forms of energy. The increasing growth of the market is one of the bigger reasons that solar energy is becoming more accessible price-wise. The cost to install solar power has dropped 70% since 2010, and thanks to the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), solar has experienced an annual expansion of 68% across the country. States with higher electricity costs and better local incentives have experienced the most remarkable transformation and may be a great place to launch personal solar energy projects or other similar ventures. What is the best way to go solar? There are several ways to approach the idea of converting to solar energy. Previously obtained by renting a system through a Solar Lease or a Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), the world of solar finance is now changing quickly, thanks to the introduction of Solar Loans. Such loans have made it accessible to own, maintain, and fully pay a complete solar installation for $4/W or less. What is a Solar Lease, and what are PPAs? With a lease, a customer agrees to the installation of the system on their property, paying for the service in addition to the power provided by the equipment. This payment system is negotiated through a monthly “rent,” based on the approximate amount of power the service expects to generate for the user. With a Solar PPA, you agree to pay a set per-kWh price for the power generated, which some may argue is more financially sound, as well as a household’s fluctuation of power use and changes in solar energy over time. In both cases, the monthly payment will increase 1% to 3% every year due to annual escalation. Although most of the companies that sell this service promote this process as free of upfront costs, it could require a starting investment of $5,000 to $20,000 depending on your location and the specifications of your system, including size and quality. It is also important to note that several areas do not legally permit PPAs, so you might need to consider your options and forgo enrolling in a solar leasing program altogether. Why choose a Solar Loan? By installing solar panels with the help of a solar loan, a recipient becomes the sole proprietor of the system – a title capable of garnering some additional financial benefits for the homeowner. Those individuals that receive a solar loan may be applicable for state tax credits, cash rebates, and performance-based incentives that reward solar system owners. One of the most well-known tax credits available to solar loan investors is the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), provided by the federal government. This credit allows homeowners to deduct up to 30% of income from their taxes. During a PPA or a solar lease, the owner of the system would receive these financial incentives instead, but unlike PPAs, solar loans exist in all 50 states. Additionally, the accumulative savings from a solar investment are higher than savings from a PPA or a solar lease, since you usually pay the total loan within a reasonable time frame. These typically fixed payments are not affected by annual escalation. Loan installments are usually “$0-down,” resulting in zero cost to the recipient until they have had the panels installed and monthly payments have begun. Despite this lack of an initial payment, however, the owner of the system is rewarded immediately after installation with clean energy, reduced costs, rebates, and possible tax deductions. Because of this, solar loans are typically seen as the best option when considering different financing opportunities. Thankfully, there are a wide variety of different loan opportunities able to assist with solar installation costs. These may include credit cards, personal bank loans, home equity, and the government-backed Title 1 Home Improvement Loan. However, the approval periods for these methods can be rather lengthy; the process for Title 1 funding may require several months. The exception to this rule would be to use a credit card, although costs can rack up due to annual percentage rates. Solar-specific loan providers and property assessed clean energy (PACE) have made this process simpler for those who wish to invest in eco-friendly energy, with a much faster approval time of about 24 hours. PACE also have a surprisingly-accessible annual percentage rate, keeping in mind that rates are dependent on an individual’s credit. PACE is easy to apply to online. After applying, a home or property owner is given a quote for the project and may receive advice or technical support regarding the maintenance of the solar panels. Many understand the environmental and cost benefits associated with switching over to solar energy, but it is imperative that homeowners research their options before committing to an investments plan. The benefits of purchasing solar with the use of loans, rather than simply leasing a unit, may very well outweigh short-term price cuts and other surface incentives.

You may be planning to put your home on the market soon, or thinking about how you can increase its resale value a few years from now. What if you don’t have a bundle of money stashed away to make improvements that would boost your home’s resale value? Not to worry – you don’t have to invest a small fortune to reap the benefits should you decide to sell. Here are five low-cost projects you can handle that won’t break the bank but will make a substantial difference in the value of your home. Give the kitchen an inexpensive facelift. Potential buyers pay more attention to the kitchen and bathrooms than any other rooms in the house. Does yours look like it came straight from the 80s? If so, you can make a big difference without installing all new appliances, flooring, and cabinets. A little paint can go a long way, whether you cover the cabinets with a light or neutral color or use an epoxy paint designed for use on appliances. Update a light fixture or two, add new hardware to cabinet doors and drawers, and you’ll be amazed at the difference. Brighten up your spaces with new light fixtures and higher wattage bulbs. Dark areas aren’t appealing to most buyers, and you can give your home a more modern appeal by replacing a few light fixtures, particularly those that highlight the focal points of a room. Higher wattage bulbs not only light up your space but also work when you want to focus on key selling points. Even the little things such as replacing outlet switch plates can make a difference. Give the bathroom a mini-makeover. Spending thousands of dollars isn’t necessary. All you need to do to update the bath is replace an old vanity, paint the walls and baseboards, add some crown molding, and switch out the shower curtain and towels for a more modern look. An oversize mirror or piece of art for a wall can also make a dramatic impact. Cut the clutter. While it may sound simple, this may be the most important project of all when trying to boost the resale value of your home. Potential buyers want to be able to picture their own families in your home, which is hard to do when your family’s photos, awards, degrees, vacation souvenirs, and other personal items are on the walls and scattered around the living room or bedroom tables. Remove everything that’s personal, and take out everything that isn’t necessary, which includes items on kitchen counters, shelves, on your home office desk, in bedrooms, bathrooms — everywhere. You’ll create the illusion of more space while making it simpler for buyers to imagine themselves in that space. Don’t forget the exterior. The first thing a potential buyer will notice is the outside of your home and landscape. Do everything you can to increase curb appeal including trimming hedges, mowing, edge trimming, power washing the sidewalk, deck, or siding, cleaning up the kids’ toys, making minor repairs, even painting the front door. None of this costs much, but the impact on buyers is definitely worth the effort. These are just a few things you can do to spruce up your home and increase its value without burning a hole in your pocket. Spending tens of thousands of dollars to ensure you get top dollar for your home isn’t necessary in most cases. Just a little care, maintenance, and attention can go a long way toward making your home attractive to potential buyers!