Is There a Fungus Among Us?

Written by Wallace J. Conway


Mold has taken hold! Not thatrepparttar microbes have reached out and grabbed us, but rather they have captured our attention. A rash of recent high profile media stories have petrified many people with concerns for both their health and finances. While it is true in some situations that variations and concentrations of mold can kill us both physically and financially, inrepparttar 100123 vast majority of cases mold problems can be remedied simply and economically.

Molds exist naturally all around us. Molds play a vital role inrepparttar 100124 decomposition of organic waste such as in a compost pile. Other molds are essential inrepparttar 100125 creation of some of our finest foods, such as wine and cheese. But, when mold growth occurs in an inappropriate place or in extreme concentration,repparttar 100126 health of our home and family can be at risk.

All molds need two basic ingredients to grow, food and water. The favorite food of mold is cellulose. In our home, cellulose is a common constituent. Wood, paper, cotton, and drywall are plentiful in construction and are great sources of cellulose. Water is everywhere in our homes, both onrepparttar 100127 surfaces and inrepparttar 100128 air.

Asrepparttar 100129 tightness of our homes has increased in response to a desire to conserve energy,repparttar 100130 unintended consequence has beenrepparttar 100131 trapping of moisture. The increase in moisture in our homes has in some cases resulted in a relative humidity aboverepparttar 100132 60% level needed to sustain mold growth in interior spaces. In some cases,repparttar 100133 moisture level ofrepparttar 100134 interior spaces is belowrepparttar 100135 mold growth threshold, butrepparttar 100136 exterior wall cavities retainrepparttar 100137 required moisture level for rapid mold growth withinrepparttar 100138 walls. To make matters worse, this condition is also perfect for accelerated wood rot and termite infestation.

So what is a reasonable person to do? Much like a physical exam isrepparttar 100139 first step in a plan for personal health, a home inspection isrepparttar 100140 first step in a mold survey. The intent ofrepparttar 100141 inspection is to seek out all sources of moisture that may contribute to an environment that is attractive to mold and to visually identify any existing mold colonies. Roof leaks, plumbing leaks, and improper sprinkler positioning are amongrepparttar 100142 more common sources of mold-causing moisture problems. After identification ofrepparttar 100143 moisture source, a reasonable and practical remedy can be prescribed.

Home Inspection or Home Warranty?

Written by Wallace J. Conway


Homebuyers are a curious lot. They routinely ask thought-provoking questions. A common question is, "If I get a home inspection, should I still get a home warranty?" Then there's always this question, "If I get a home warranty, do I still need a home inspection?"

The choice between having a home inspection and purchasing a home warranty is a question that I frankly do not understand. Each is intended to serve a separate purpose and ideally work together to protect and reducerepparttar risk of homeownership.

Maybe an analogy will makerepparttar 100122 matter clear. An individual has just had a complete and through physical exam. The results ofrepparttar 100123 exam and all associated lab tests are thatrepparttar 100124 individual appears to free of all disease or illness. They are presentlyrepparttar 100125 picture of health!

Would it be prudent or responsible forrepparttar 100126 doctor then to recommend torepparttar 100127 patient, due to their fine physical condition, that it is a waste of money to continue to pay for health insurance? Of course not!

None among us would considerrepparttar 100128 doctor even sane, let alone responsible to make such a recommendation. But, is that notrepparttar 100129 same situation to someone feeling that they need not purchase a home warranty because they just had a home inspection?

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