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COMMON
PROBLEMS
Speaker
of the House Inspection Services can help you detect common problems that
can occur in a house.
The following information is
from the EPA publications found at this web site: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/pubs/citguide.html#overview
Radon is a cancer-causing,
radioactive gas.
You can't see radon. And
you can't smell it or taste it. But it may be a problem in your home.
Radon is estimated to cause
many thousands of deaths each year. That's because when you breathe
air containing radon, you can get lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon
General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer
in the United States today. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths.
If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung
cancer is especially high.
Radon can be found all
over the U.S.
Radon comes from the natural
(radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets
into the air you breathe. Radon can be found all over the U.S. It can
get into any type of building - homes, offices, and schools - and result
in a high indoor radon level. But you and your family are most likely
to get your greatest exposure at home. That's where you spend most of
your time.
You should test for radon.
Testing is the only way to
know if you and your family are at risk from radon. EPA and the Surgeon
General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon.
EPA also recommends testing in schools.
Testing is inexpensive
and easy - it should only take a few minutes of your time. Millions
of Americans have already tested their homes for radon.
You can fix a radon problem.
There are simple ways to
fix a radon problem that aren't too costly. Even very high levels can
be reduced to acceptable levels.
New homes can be built
with radon-resistant features.
Radon-resistant construction
techniques can be effective in preventing radon entry. When installed
properly and completely, these simple and inexpensive techniques can
help reduce indoor radon levels in homes. In addition, installing
them at the time of construction makes it easier and less expensive
to reduce radon levels further if these passive techniques don't reduce
radon levels to below 4 pCi/L. Every new home should be tested
after occupancy, even if it was built radon-resistant.
Radon is a radioactive gas.
It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all
soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and
into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your
home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a
radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty
homes, and homes with or without basements.
Radon from soil gas is the
main cause of radon problems. Sometimes radon enters the home through
well water. In a small number of homes, the building materials can give
off radon, too. However, building materials rarely cause radon problems
by themselves.
EIFS: What are EIFS??
Exterior Insulation and Finish
Systems (EIFS) are multi-layered exterior wall systems that are used
on both commercial buildings and homes. They provide superior energy
efficiency and offer much greater design flexibility than other cladding
products.
Developed in Europe in the
1950s, EIFS were introduced in the U.S. almost 30 years ago. They were
first used on commercial buildings, and later, on homes. Today, EIFS
account for nearly 30% of the U.S. commercial exterior wall market and
nearly 2% of the residential wall market. Growth is strong in both sectors,
especially in the residential area, where sales are increasing at the
rate of 12-18% per year.
EIFS typically consist of
the following components:
- insulation board,
made of polystyrene or polyisocyanurate foam, which is secured
to the exterior wall surface with a specially formulated adhesive
and/or mechanical attachment
- a durable, water-resistant
base coat, which is applied on top of the insulation and reinforced
with fiber glass mesh for added strength
- an attractive and
durable finish coat — typically using acrylic co-polymer technology
— which is both colorfast and crack-resistant.
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Maintenance
& Repair
Unlike wood, stucco and other
siding materials, EIFS rarely need painting. Most EIFS systems are specially
formulated with 100% acrylic binder, which gives EIFS superior resistance
to fading, chalking and yellowing. As a result, the systems tend to
maintain their original appearance over time. And since the color is
integral to the finish coat, even if the surface is scratched, the same
color appears beneath the abrasion.
EIFS also have excellent
resistance to dirt, mildew and mold, which helps keep the building exterior
looking clean and freshly painted. Should the surface ever become soiled,
it can usually be cleaned by hosing it down.
The systems are designed
to be very flexible, which makes them highly crack resistant. When walls
expand or contract due to rising or falling temperatures, EIFS are resilient
enough to "absorb" building movement and thus avoid the unsightly
cracking problems that are so common with stucco, concrete and brick
exteriors.
EIFS are among the most water
resistant exterior surfaces you can put on a house. But as with all
claddings, EIFS must be correctly installed and properly detailed if
they are to perform properly. Otherwise, moisture can get behind the
systems and cause damage, just as it can with wood siding, brick or
any other exterior.
Water intrusion is seldom
a problem on commercial structures with EIFS. Water intrusion damage
to homes is uncommon, but when it does occur, the moisture typically
affects only small areas which can be easily and inexpensively repaired.
In cases where homes have
been damaged, the problems have been traced to the use of poor quality
(even leaky and/or non code-compliant) windows and/or improper flashing
and sealing. As a result, when building with EIFS, it is wise to use
quality windows (such as those with AAMA certification) which are code-compliant,
and to make sure there is proper flashing and sealing around windows,
doors, roofs, deck-to-house attachments, and all other exterior wall
penetrations.
Periodic maintenance should
include thorough checking of the flashing and sealing to ensure that
the building envelope remains watertight. Damaged or missing flashing
should be repaired or replaced immediately; likewise, cracked or deteriorated
sealants should immediately be repaired, or removed and replaced.
The above information
regarding EIFS is from EIMA, the EIFS Industry Members Association www.eima.com.
In
general the problems on EIFS homes come from the fact that the product
is rarely installed well. Improper installation can be very damaging
with this product.
Please review
the following web sites, these represent both the pro and con sides
of this issue:
MOLD:
Mold is a very controversial
issue at this time since there are many opinions on each side of the
issue. We decided to include the following information from the
Center for Disease Control (CDC) web site. We feel this will answer
many of your questions regarding the mold issues.
| Q
1. I heard about toxic molds that grow in homes
and other buildings. Should I be concerned about a serious health
risk to me and my family? |
| Q
2. How common is mold, including Stachybotrys chartarum
(also known by its synonym Stachybotrys atra) in buildings? |
| Q
3. How do molds get in the indoor environment and
how do they grow? |
| Q
4. What is Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys
atra)? |
| Q
5. Are there any circumstances where people should
vacate a home or other building because of mold? |
| Q
6. Who are the people who are most at risk for health
problems associated with exposure to mold? |
| Q
7. How do you know if you have a mold problem? |
| Q
8. Does Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys
atra) cause acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants? |
| Q
9. What if my child has acute idiopathic pulmonary
hemorrhage? |
| Q
10. What are the potential health effects of mold
in buildings and homes? |
| Q
11. How do you get the molds out of buildings, including
homes, schools, and places of employment? |
| Q
12. What should people to do if they determine they
have Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra) in
their buildings or homes? |
| Q
13. How do you keep mold out of buildings and homes? |
| Q
14. I found mold growing in my home; how do I test
the mold? |
| Q
15. A qualified environmental lab took samples of
the mold in my home and gave me the results. Can CDC interpret these
results? |
| Summary |
|
| Answers |
| Q
1: I heard about toxic molds that grow in homes and other
buildings. Should I be concerned about a serious health risk to
me and my family? |
A:
The hazards presented by molds that may contain mycotoxins should
be considered the same as other common molds which can grow in your
house. There is always a little mold everywhere - in the air and
on many surfaces. There are very few case reports that toxic molds
(those containing certain mycotoxins) inside homes can cause unique
or rare health conditions such as pulmonary hemorrhage or memory
loss. These case reports are rare, and a causal link between the
presence of the toxic mold and these conditions has not been proven.
A common-sense approach should be used for any mold contamination
existing inside buildings and homes. The common health concerns
from molds include hay fever-like allergic symptoms. Certain individuals
with chronic respiratory disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary
disorder, asthma) may experience difficulty breathing. Individuals
with immune suppression may be at increased risk for infection from
molds. If you or your family members have these conditions, a qualified
medical clinician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment.
For the most part, one should take routine measures to prevent mold
growth in the home.
|
| Q
2.:How common is mold, including Stachybotrys chartarum
(also known by its synonym Stachybotrys atra) in buildings? |
| A:
Molds are very common in buildings and homes and will grow anywhere
indoors where there is moisture. The most common indoor molds are
Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and
Alternaria. We do not have accurate information about how
often Stachybotrys chartarum is found in buildings and homes.
While it is less common than other mold species, it is not rare. |
| Q
3: How do molds get in the indoor environment and how do they
grow? |
A:
Molds naturally grow in the indoor environment. Mold spores may
also enter your house through open doorways, windows, heating, ventilation,
and air conditioning systems. Spores in the air outside also attach
themselves to people and animals, making clothing, shoes, bags,
and pets convenient vehicles for carrying mold indoors.
When mold spores drop on places where there is excessive moisture,
such as where leakage may have occurred in roofs, pipes, walls,
plant pots, or where there has been flooding, they will grow. Many
building materials provide suitable nutrients that encourage mold
to grow. Wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products,
cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products, are particularly
conducive for the growth of some molds. Other materials such as
dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet,
fabric, and upholstery, commonly support mold growth. |
| Q
4: What is Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra)? |
| A:
Stachybotrys chartarum (also known by its synonym Stachybotrys
atra) is a greenish-black mold. It can grow on material with
a high cellulose and low nitrogen content, such as fiberboard, gypsum
board, paper, dust, and lint. Growth occurs when there is moisture
from water damage, excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation,
water infiltration, or flooding. Constant moisture is required for
its growth. It is not necessary, however, to determine what type
of mold you may have. All molds should be treated the same with
respect to potential health risks and removal. |
| Q
5: Are there any circumstances where people should vacate a
home or other building because of mold? |
| A:
These decisions have to be made individually. If you believe you
are ill because of exposure to mold in a building, you should consult
your physician to determine the appropriate action to take. |
| Q
6: Who are the people who are most at risk for health problems
associated with exposure to mold? |
A:
People with allergies may be more sensitive to molds. People with
immune suppression or underlying lung disease are more susceptible
to fungal infections.
|
| Q
7: How do you know if you have a mold problem? |
| A.
Large mold infestations can usually be seen or smelled. |
| Q
8: Does Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra)
cause acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants? |
| A:
To date, a possible association between acute idiopathic pulmonary
hemorrhage among infants and Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys
atra) has not been proved. Further studies are needed to determine
what causes acute idiopathic hemorrhage. |
| Q
9: What if my child has acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage? |
| A:
Parents should ensure that their children get proper medical treatment. |
| Q
10: What are the potential health effects of mold in buildings
and homes? |
| A:
Mold exposure does not always present a health problem indoors.
However some people are sensitive to molds. These people may experience
symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, or wheezing when
exposed to molds. Some people may have more severe reactions to
molds. Severe reactions may occur among workers exposed to large
amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers working
around moldy hay. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness
of breath. People with chronic illnesses, such as obstructive lung
disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs. |
| Q
11: How do you get the molds out of buildings, including homes,
schools, and places of employment? |
| A:
In most cases mold can be removed by a thorough cleaning with bleach
and water. If you have an extensive amount of mold and you do not
think you can manage the cleanup on your own, you may want to contact
a professional who has experience in cleaning mold in buildings
and homes. |
| Q
12: What should people to do if they determine they have Stachybotrys
chartarum (Stachybotrys atra) in their buildings or homes? |
| A:
Mold growing in homes and buildings, whether it is Stachybotrys
chartarum (Stachybotrys atra) or other molds, indicates
that there is a problem with water or moisture. This is the first
problem that needs to be addressed. Mold can be cleaned off surfaces
with a weak bleach solution. Mold under carpets typically requires
that the carpets be removed. Once mold starts to grow in insulation
or wallboard the only way to deal with the problem is by removal
and replacement. We do not believe that one needs to take any different
precautions with Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys
atra), than with other molds. In areas where flooding has occurred,
prompt cleaning of walls and other flood-damaged items with water
mixed with chlorine bleach, diluted 10 parts water to 1 part bleach,
is necessary to prevent mold growth. Never mix bleach with ammonia.
Moldy items should be discarded. |
| Q
13: How do you keep mold out of buildings and homes? |
| A:
As part of routine building maintenance, buildings should be inspected
for evidence of water damage and visible mold. The conditions causing
mold (such as water leaks, condensation, infiltration, or flooding)
should be corrected to prevent mold from growing. |
Specific
Recommendations:
- Keep humidity
level in house below 50%.
- Use air conditioner
or a dehumidifier during humid months.
- Be sure the
home has adequate ventilation, including exhaust fans
in kitchen and bathrooms.
- Use mold inhibitors
which can be added to paints.
- Clean bathroom
with mold-killing products.
- Do not carpet
bathrooms.
- Remove and
replace flooded carpets.
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| Q
14: I found mold growing in my home; how do I test the mold? |
| A:
Generally, it is not necessary to identify the species of mold growing
in a residence, and CDC does not recommend routine sampling for
molds. Current evidence indicates that allergies are the type of
diseases most often associated with molds. Since the susceptibility
of individuals can vary greatly either because of the amount or
type of mold, sampling and culturing are not reliable in determining
your health risk. If you are susceptible to mold and mold is seen
or smelled, there is a potential health risk; therefore, no matter
what type of mold is present, you should arrange for its removal.
Furthermore, reliable sampling for mold can be expensive, and standards
for judging what is and what is not an acceptable or tolerable quantity
of mold have not been established. |
| Q
15: A qualified environmental lab took samples of the mold in
my home and gave me the results. Can CDC interpret these results? |
| A:
Standards for judging what is an acceptable, tolerable, or normal
quantity of mold have not been established. If you do decide to
pay for environmental sampling for molds, before the work starts,
you should ask the consultants who will do the work to establish
criteria for interpreting the test results. They should tell you
in advance what they will do or what recommendations they will make
based on the sampling results. The results of samples taken in your
unique situation cannot be interpreted without physical inspection
of the contaminated area or without considering the building’s characteristics
and the factors that led to the present condition. |
| Summary:
In summary, Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys
atra) and other molds may cause health symptoms that are nonspecific.
At present there is no test that proves an association between
Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra) and particular
health symptoms. Individuals with persistent symptoms should see
their physician. However, if Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys
atra) or other molds are found in a building, prudent practice
recommends that they be removed.
Use the simplest and most expedient method that properly
and safely removes mold. |
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| March
10, 2000 : MMWR
Update: Pulmonary Hemorrhage/Hemosiderosis Among Infants ---
Cleveland, Ohio, 1993-1996 |
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