home issues
The following topics are of concern to homebuyers and sellers in today's market. Click on a link to learn more about each topic. If you have any further questions, send us an email!
- Asbestos
- Louisiana Pacific Siding
- Lead Based Paint
- Masonite Siding
- New Home Construction
- Radon Gas
- Polybutylene Piping
- Synthetic Stucco
- Mold Growth
Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring material that can only be identified under the microscope and is used in a variety of products for fire resistance, flexibility and strength.
Asbestos fibers can remain suspended in the air for a long period of time because of their size and shape and can easily penetrate body tissues after being inhaled or ingested. Fibers can remain in the body for many years and become the cause of an asbestos related disease that may take up to 30 years to appear. Diseases include asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other related problems.
Asbestos Tape
If my home has asbestos, what should I do? If the asbestos is in good condition, it should be left alone. Removal is complex and hazardous and should only be conducted by a professional.
If I want to buy a home that has asbestos, what should I do? Leave it alone, and have undamaged areas sealed or covered by a professional.
Does asbestos have to ruin my deal as an agent? Certainly not! Call us today to set up an educational seminar to learn more about asbestos in the home.
Louisiana Pacific Siding
Louisiana Pacific Siding is composed of wood chips and resins, including wafer board and OSB. It was manufactured because it was better for the environment and was easier and cheaper to work with.
LP Siding retains water due to improper manufacturing and causes shrinking, cracking and molding of the siding.
There are a few keys ways to determine whether or not a home has Louisiana Pacific Siding.
- LP siding has characteristic knotholes that are generally 60 inches apart. This means that not every board will have the knothole.
- Long grooves are apparent around the knotholes.
- One can see an "L" and an upside-down "P" in the center of the knothole. We don't know if Louisiana Pacific did this on purpose, but it makes it easy to identify. Check this picture out:
*Since LP boards are manufactured, all of the knotholes look the same.
While it is good that you, as a realtor, homebuyer, seller or owner, can identify LP siding, let your home inspector be the authority. Sometimes the knotholes are very difficult to find on a home and can lead one to believe the home is not LP when in fact it is.
The deadline to file a claim on LP siding in a home passed on January 1, 2003.
Does LP Siding have to ruin my deal as an agent? Certainly not! Call Us today to set up an educational seminar to learn more about Louisiana Pacific Siding.
Lead Based Paint
75-80% of all homes built before 1978 contain lead based paint. The paint deteriorates, chips and forms dust particles.
Inhaling or ingesting lead based paint dust particles causes health problems in adults and especially children. The CDC ranks lead poisoning as the number one threat facing small children today.
Homes with lead based paint should be kept clean using a cleaner such as trisodium phosphate. Areas that should be paid special attention include window sills, doors, and other areas of friction.
By law, sellers and landlords must disclose known lead based paint hazards. Buyers can have lead inspections conducted in a home, but they are generally very costly. HUD has a free list of state certified lead inspectors and/or contractors: 1-888-leadlist or www.leadlisting.org.
For more information on lead based paint, and how to care for or sell homes containing lead based paint, call us to set up an educational seminar in your office!
Radon Gas
Radon is a gas emitted from decaying Uranium found in soil, rock and water. It is especially high in areas where granite is present. Radon is colorless, odorless and tasteless, but it is a very deadly gas when inhaled in large quantities.
How does radon get into a home?
The Residential Inspector of America tests for high levels of radon gas in homes. The EPA recommends radon testing upon the sale of all homes. Our inspectors conduct a 48 hour test using a continuous monitor. The monitor is left in the home and the inspector returns to pick it up after two days. Results of the radon test are ready shortly thereafter. Read what the EPA has to say about radon.
Click here for information on interpreting your radon results.
Polybutylene Piping
Polybutylene Piping was used in homes from 1979 -1995, and is estimated to be in one out of every four homes. Polybutylene pipes can be blue, gray or black and are used for interior and exterior water piping.
Since Polybutylene Piping was cheaper and easier to install, it was seen as "the pipe of the future." However, the pipes are susceptible to brittleness and sudden failure due to reactions with oxidants in the public water supply. In most cases failure take 10-15 years. Pipes deteriorate from the interior out, so it is difficult for the untrained eye to determine the condition of the pipe.
Homeowners can file a claim against manufacturers of polybutylene piping by calling 1-800-392-7591 or by visiting www.pbpipe.com. There are certain conditions the pipes must meet to be eligible for recovery. To learn more about polybutylene piping, call our office for more details or to set up an educational seminar in your real estate office.
Main water line connection to home using polybutylene piping.
Synthetic Stucco
A home with stucco siding is either hardcoat or synthetic. Synthetic stucco can usually be identified by the following: it gives slightly when pressure is applied, it can be easily penetrated with a small screwdriver, and it is hollow sounding. Synthetic stucco was manufactured because it was more energy efficient than hardcoat, came in a variety of colors, and could be molded into any shape.
Synthetic stucco poses problems to the home owner not because it is a bad product, but because it has been consistently improperly installed. Because of improper installation, the stucco retains water, causing moisture problems including wood rot. To read about the class action suit against Dryvit, click here.
Homeowners and potential buyers can care for synthetic stucco by conducting moisture testing, properly flashing and caulking all problem areas (doors, windows, gutters, bottom edges near soil), and having any necessary repairs made. Moisture will dissipate from the stucco if it is properly cared for.
The Residential Inspector of America can test a synthetic stucco home for moisture problems using moisture scanners and probe meters.
To learn more about synthetic stucco inspections, please see Inspection Services. To learn more about selling homes with synthetic stucco, please contact our office and set up an educational seminar for your real estate office!
Masonite Siding
We frequently are asked questions about Masonite siding, and have noticed that there is much confusion over Masonite siding. Here are a few facts about Masonite to help you in your negotiations and transactions:
Masonite is a name brand. They produce various kinds of hardboard siding, but many people mistakenly call all hardboard siding Masonite. In other words, it is commonly used as a generic term.
Before Louisiana Pacific siding was a known issue (7+ years ago), many inspectors called LP siding Masonite siding. An old inspection report naming the siding as Masonite could possibly be incorrect.
Masonite siding can be identified by a series of markings printed on the backside of a piece of siding. You must have a piece removed to see these markings, and thus positively identify the siding. Here's a picture of the markings:
Masonite siding has experienced many problems, and a class action suit has been filed against the manufacturers of Masonite. Problems include: buckling, penetrating nail heads, swelling, fungus growth, and wax bleeding.
The class action suit covers Masonite siding installed between January 1, 1980 and January 15, 1998. If the siding was installed between 1980-1989, the filing deadline is January 15, 2005. If the siding was installed between 1990 and 1998, the filing deadline is January 15, 2008.
To file a claim on Masonite Siding call 1-800-330-2722.
Mold in the Home
Because of the amount of information we have on mold growth, we've dedicated a whole page to it. Click Here
