Home Buying Hazards!

When purchasing a home, safety is always of the utmost importance, given you will spend vast amounts of time there for years to come. So what are the common culprits that make a home unsafe and how do you deal with them as a homebuyer? The list of things that can be hazardous in a home is almost endless, but lead-based paint, asbestos fiber, radon gas, and mold are the most common worries of buyers today.

Although any of these elements is potentially dangerous, their presence alone does not make them an immediate danger. In fact, many homes will have one or more of these elements which never happen to affect the occupants. Lead-based paint that has been covered and remains unmolested is a frequent and rarely harmful occurrence. Asbestos fibers that don't find a way to your lungs via the air are also harmless. Very few house basements actually have "no" radon gas, people with high radon levels that rarely visit their basements may go virtually unaffected. I'm not claiming these things as any less hazardous, but the truth is you can't get bit by a snake you don't encounter. Below are some brief descriptions of these nuisances and how they are handled.

Radon is an element released by naturally occurring radioactive materials in the soil. This gas product is radioactive and increases the probability of lung cancer when inhaled. This is a gaseous element which enters the home through the basement from the soil, and generally remains in there because of its mass. The only way to effectively "treat" radon gas is to lower the concentration, which is done by increasing airflow to the area and more effectively sealing it out in the first place. Mitigation is most commonly practiced by installation of a fan which moves air through the basement continuously, which doesn't allow the heavy gas to accumulate. (Source: Nate Bock)

Lead-based paint contains a toxic metal that was used for many years in paint and was banned for residential use in 1978. Exposure to lead can result in health concerns for both children and adults. Children under six years of age are most at risk because their developing nervous systems are especially vulnerable to lead's effects and because they are more likely to ingest lead due to their more frequent hand-to-mouth behavior. If covered and undisturbed, lead-based paint is harmless, but when molested during removal or construction, the dust of this paint is very dangerous. (Source: jjkeller.com)

Mold is estimated to be in approximately 10 percent of all U.S. buildings. There are many mold types but only some are toxic. Mold prefers to grow on organic materials and grows most rapidly under the correct temperature and moisture conditions. Mold is most dangerous when microscopic spores are inhaled and an infection results, but allergic diseases such as asthma are also common and dangerous. Mold prevention is the easiest and most effective defense against mold. Temperature, grow substrates, and moisture are all key to mold growth, and of these moisture is the easiest factor to control. The lower the continuous moisture levels, the better. Growth substrates can be chemically treated to prevent mold growth as well. (Source: Nate Bock)

Asbestos was utilized throughout the 20th century as a major form of piping, insulation and flooring, and is a fibrous mineral acclaimed for its fire resistant qualities. Manufacturers of the substance were aware of its toxic qualities but continued shipping the product anyway, leaving millions of employees, military veterans and homeowners exposed to the substance. Although no known naturally-occurring asbestos is found in Iowa, many of its asbestos-related disease come from industry use. It was inexpensive and had easy usability. The culprit mineral was used to insulate pipes in power plants in the cities of Lansing, Sioux City, Tipton, Storm Lake and Pleasant Hill. Nearly ten out of twelve work sites have a record of asbestos problems in Iowa. Anyone seeking to remodel homes prior to 1980 should be aware that asbestos exposure can cause serious health concerns for you and your family. There are now many resources available for citizens to remove the material in a safe manner. Asbestos-related illness in Iowa accounted for 460 deaths between 1979 and 1999. A devastating form of asbestos cancer is known as mesothelioma. This disease accounts for three percent of cancer diagnoses in the United States alone and is caused only through asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma treatment has varied effects on victims, but patient prognosis is usually poor. Since asbestos illness has a latency period that can last anywhere from 20 to 50 years, it is expected that cases will rise of the next few years and peak in 2015. Although undisturbed asbestos usually does not present a danger, steps should be taken to remove the material. When buildings or homes are renovated without safety precautions, asbestos fibers become airborne making the area a health liability. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources assists the removal and disposal of asbestos and other harmful materials including radon. The removal process must be performed by licensed abatement contractors who are not only trained in handling hazardous materials, but follow state and federal regulations. There are now many healthy options that replace the need for asbestos. The use of recycled building materials such as cotton fiber and lcynene, provide peace of mind and lower energy costs. These green alternatives not only allow for a safe living environment free of toxic materials, but can lower your carbon footprint and help achieve a healthy lifestyle. (Source: Mesothelioma Cancer Center)

The best way to look out for yourself as a buyer is to have certified professionals check into any concerns. Don't rely on what a seller may not know about their own home for disclosure. A certified home inspector can often identify these problems during a general home inspection, which will cost $250-450. Contact me for more information regarding hazards, inspections and how they are handled, and keep your eye peeled for our next real estate blog!

Nate Bock, Exclusive Buyer Agent