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Don't become a home repair victim

By Don McGonagil

August 26, 2005

http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?

section_id=11 & screen=news & news_id=43921

Buying an " as is " property and waiving the right to a thorough

property inspection can be very costly. Photo by Don McGonagil.

A lady recently called with the concerns about mold in her crawl

space.

She " My pest control company told me that I had mold in my crawl

space, and they offered to fix the problem so that it would never

come back for $700, " she said.

This lady nearly had to learn the building science industry to

understand the variety of solutions and approaches to her mold

problem. She really did her homework. She researched which companies

provided services, compared the warranties and prices. After

inviting a number of self-proclaimed " certified mold experts " to

identify the problem(s) and propose solutions, she gathered

information and proposals from nearly a half dozen companies ranging

from $700 to well over $14,000.

The excessive boasting of specific credentials and certifications

invites the obvious question — certified by whom? How much training,

technical expertise and practical experience were required to gain

such a certification? What professional associations, industry

standards and industry oversight are involved in the process? The

companies included a pest control business, mold remediation

companies, fire and water damage restoration companies and an HVAC

company (heating, ventilation and air conditioning). All were quite

willing to solve her " mold " problems.

Subhed: Making it worse

The unnamed local HVAC company recently installed a new closed-

system air conditioning and furnace unit, and walked away from a

system that had damaged ductwork insulation and disconnected

distribution lines pumping air conditioning directly into her

crawlspace. This cool air contributes to the moisture problems in

her vented crawl space.

As warmer, more humid air enters the crawl space through the open

foundation vents, it cools and moisture condenses in the crawl

space, creating conditions for mold to grow. Mold requires moisture,

warm air and organic materials to grow. Organic materials may

include wood, paper or fabric. Mold problems are moisture problems.

Eliminate the moisture conditions and you will reduce your mold

concerns.

What does this tell you? Could it be that none of these companies

knows what the best solution is? Or, given the wide range of

solutions and prices, are they incompetent or dishonest? The variety

and cost of the proposals does nothing but increase suspicion.

Subhed: Dueling dehumidifiers

Another caller had had a mold problem for at least the past two

summers. She said there was excessive moisture in her vented crawl

space. Last summer, her husband installed two dehumidifiers in her

crawl space, and they ran nearly all the time. But they still had

mold problems. Why?

It turns out her crawl space was vented, and the dehumidifiers would

have been no more effective than if her husband had placed one in

the middle of their front yard and one in the back yard.

When people are able to correctly identify and understand the cause

of their mold problems (moisture), they are better equipped to

address the real causes and consider effective solutions.

Subhed: Buying `as is'

Yet another caller inquired about inspecting an " as is " property.

She said she was getting a " real steal " on a condominium.

The caller was committed to buying a condominium that was a

foreclosure property, and had been vacant for 12 months. The buyer's

Realtor suggested that she didn't need an inspection because it was

an " as is " property, indicating that the seller would not make any

improvements or corrections to the property as a condition of the

sale.

Yet this is perhaps the very reason why a buyer should have a

comprehensive property inspection. Wouldn't you want to avoid any

major concerns or catastrophic financial surprises as the result of

discovering serious structural or mechanical problems before you

moved in?

When Realtors discourage buyers from scheduling a thorough,

comprehensive home inspection prior to closing, they are providing

bad counsel.

When buyers waive their right to a comprehensive home inspection as

a condition of the sale, a Realtor would be wise to have them sign a

waiver releasing the Realtor from liability or litigation associated

with any existing or future structural or mechanical problems

related to the house. It's a big darn deal. Caveat emptor. (Let the

buyer beware). " Real steals " can be costly.

Don McGonagil, 615.582.2296

The Home Inspection Company,

www.thehomeinspectioncompany.com

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