​Years ago, lead was used in a variety of building materials but the realization that it is harmful to health has only become more apparent in modern times.  This is more of a danger for small children and babies, even those still in the womb could be at risk if the mother is being exposed to lead.  So, if you are looking to purchase a property that is older than 40 years, where might you encounter lead materials?
 
One place it is commonly found is in paint.  Years ago, lead was used in paint so its very possible you will encounter it in an older home.  This will start to become a health concern if it has started to deteriorate as it will chip or turn to dust, which will then spread and settle throughout the home.  Children are more likely to be exposed to lead paint dust or chips as they play and run around, making them vulnerable to the effects of lead.  If lead paint was used on the exterior of the home you may find that soil in the surrounding area contains lead as well.  Lead was also used in pipes year ago which may have an affect on drinking water.
 
If you live in a modern home, does that mean lead will not be a problem? Not necessarily.  If the homes occupants enjoy older furniture there is also a chance that it contains lead or lead based paint.  This is another area where children could be exposed so, before purchasing antique items, check to see if there is the possibility that lead was used on it.
 
It can be a real cause for concern if you suspect there is lead in your home.  If you are worried, why not have the home inspected, this way you will know for sure and find out what you need to do about it.

​Did you know that the homes indoor air quality can often be worse than air quality outdoors?  That’s scary to think considering we spend so much of our time inside.  One way to improve your homes air quality is by changing your HVAC filter regularly.  As a general rule, depending on use, every 3 months is good to replace the filter, however, there are some circumstances when it is a good idea to replace it even more frequently than that.  Let’s look at a few of them:
 
Firstly, if you have noticed the filter is damp, wet or damaged in some other way, then it should be replaced immediately.  Harmful mold spores or other toxins could be released into the air creating an unsafe environment. 
 
Another example of the need to change the filter more often than 3 months is in homes with large households and pets.  This is because the larger the household the more dirt, dust and pet dander tends to accumulate.  Also, homes where family members suffer with allergies or that smoke indoors benefit from frequent changing of the filter.
 
The homes location and surroundings will also have an impact on how often a HVAC filter should be changed.  If there is construction going on around you or if you live in area of agriculture, it would be a good idea to replace filters as much as once a month.  If there have been wildfires in the area, this can also affect indoor air.
 
So, as we can see, your homes HVAC filter does a lot to improve indoor air quality so, think about your household and surroundings to determine how frequently it should be changed.

​Home cooling costs can become an expensive necessity when outside temperatures are high, leaving many homeowners to look for ways of saving on their energy bills.  One, unexpected, way this can be done is with landscape design.  How is that? You may ask.  By planting trees and shrubs in specific locations so that they will provide shade to parts of the home that see a lot of heat from the sun during the summer months.  This method, known as landscape shading, could reduce indoor temperatures by as much as 9 degrees. 
 
In order for landscape shading to work well a lot of planning needs to go into the landscapes design.  Trees need to be planted in just the right location so that they shade the home at the time it is needed most.  You will also need to consider the type of trees to plant.  Remember, the denser the tree, the more shade your home will get.  If you want shade in the summer but would like the suns heat to warm the home during cooler months it is best to choose deciduous trees which will lose their leaves in winter, allowing for the sun to reach the home.
 
There are a few points to think about with landscape shading, however.  Trees will take some time to reach their full height so its unlikely you will see immediate energy saving results.  If you are looking for more rapid results then vines are a good choice.  Try growing them to wrap around a fence or trellis in the area you require shade.  You can also plant shrubs which are ideal for shading pathways or driveways. 
 
To summarize, landscape shading is an environmentally friendly way of helping to cool your home during the hot months.

In last months post we discussed mold and the importance of having it removed.  However, a question that may arise is; Is it ever ok to take on the job of removing mold yourself?  Although there are many factors involved in determining this, in general, if the mold is covering an area less than 10 square feet, you should be able to tackle the problem yourself.  But, before you do this, its important to have a few points in mind.
 
Firstly, before you start, be sure you have the right protective gear, this should include a respirator so that you do not breathe in any harmful spores.  If anyone is helping you, check they have the proper equipment as well. 
 
Next, you will want to find the cause for the mold.  Mold will not grow without moisture so it could be that you have a leak or other water related issue which is causing the mold.  This should be taken care of first if not, the mold problem will just come back again. 
 
Removing mold from hard surfaces can be done with water and detergent.  Before repainting the area, though, make sure you have given it a thorough scrub and let it dry out completely otherwise you could see the paint starting to peel.  Never apply caulk to a surface where mold is still present either.
 
Carpets are one area where mold is very hard to get rid of and in most cases it would be better to replace it.  It is also very difficult to remove the stains left behind by mold and mildew from soft furnishings.  If you really want to keep them, it might be best to ask a professional furniture restoration company for advice. 
 
So, as we can see, it is ok to remove a small area of mold in your home but, before you do, make sure you have taken all the proper precautions.
 

​There is nothing more irritating than a stubborn odor.  If you have recently moved to a new home whose previous occupant was a smoker, perhaps you’re having a difficult time getting rid of the nicotine.  So, let’s look at some of the ways to eliminate such an obnoxious smell:
 
Nicotine leaves an unpleasant oily residue.  This residue will gather on anything, even light bulbs.  When the light bulbs become warm they will start to diffuse the nicotine odor into the air.  A simple suggestion is to either clean the light bulbs thoroughly or replace them all.  Next, go through the home and replace or clean all HVAC filters. 
 
If you want to remove the odor from hard surfaces it’s a good idea to use cleaners which contain ammonia.  However, this type of acidic cleaner should not be used on surfaces such a wood.
 
Trying to remove tobacco odor from a carpet is extremely difficult.  It would be best to remove any carpeting and replace it.  Be sure to clean the floor underneath very well though, before putting a new carpet down.
 
If the home came with window blinds that you would like to keep, take them down and soak them in a bathtub, then give them a good scrub and let them hang dry.  Any curtains that you want to keep would benefit from being cleaned professionally.
 
Although painting walls is a good way to get rid of stubborn tobacco smell, this is not always foolproof as the odor could still come through. 
 
You can also try burning ‘smoker candles’ which are designed to neutralize tobacco odors.
 
Following these simple suggestions will go a long way to removing those lingering tobacco odors and help you breathe a little easier in your new home.

​It is often stressed how much of a problem mold can be if found in a home.  But, perhaps you are not sure what kinds of problems it can cause.  This month’s video is designed to help you have a better understanding of the issues associated with the presence of mold in a home.  It will also highlight the need to have it diagnosed by someone professional and experienced. 
 
Mold is something that needs to be taken care of to preserve the health and safety of the home’s occupants.  If you are concerned about mold in your home, please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to help you.

It is a big decision to purchase a home so its very important that you find the right people to help you with the process.  Perhaps you’ve started to be inundated with real estate agents who want to find the best property for you but, are all realtors the same? How can you be sure you’re finding the right one?
 
Firstly, find out all you can about the real estate agents that you are considering.  What are their credentials? How much experience do they have etc.? It might be helpful to write a list of questions ahead of time, this way you can have them ready to ask and wont miss anything out.  View this as a job interview where you are looking for the right candidate to do the job.  Just because a realtor has many years of experience doesn’t mean they can meet your needs, for example, you wouldn’t want to hire someone who is only experienced at selling multi-million dollar homes if you’re looking for a low-priced fixer upper or vice versa.  
 
Ask your potential new real estate agent what gives them the edge over other agents?  Ask them to give specific examples and experiences instead of generic answer like; because I have so many years of experience.  You could also ask them if they own property themselves as this shows they are familiar with entire home buying and owning process.  Find out if they work full time or part time in this field.  Someone who works as a full-time real estate agent is more likely to be up to date with the local market and updated laws etc.
 
Yes, there are many great realtors out there but its important to find the right one for your specific requirements.  Don’t settle for second best.

​Pests in the home present a big challenge.  In many homes and apartments, cockroaches are a huge problem.  These are a very resilient pest that can live on little food, produce alarming amounts of offspring and can even live submerged in water for periods of up to 30 minutes.  If this isn’t bad enough, cockroaches are known to spread diseases like dysentery and salmonella and cause asthma and other allergies.  So, lets look at some ways to prevent cockroaches from establishing themselves in our homes.
 
Make sure the homes environment is not appealing to cockroaches.  They thrive in dirty, greasy places that contain a lot of moisture.  The kitchen often provides this perfect environment.  Regularly give the kitchen a thorough clean.  This should include behind and underneath appliances, even the larger ones like the refrigerator and dishwasher.  Clean kitchen cabinets and under the sink and try to keep the sink as clean and dry as you can.  Keep a tight lid on the trash can and keep food in sealed containers.  If possible, don’t leave out pet food.  Cockroaches also shy away from light so you might want to consider leaving a light on at night.
 
Its not just the kitchen that attracts cockroaches.  You can also find them in crawlspaces and bathrooms as well as other places throughout the home.  Keep these areas clean and dry.  Fix leaking pipes and dripping taps right away and, if you notice possible points of entry, seal them up.
 
Sometimes a cockroach infestation is too bad to tackle on your own and you will need to call in a professional pest control company to treat the issue effectively.  Afterwards, however, boric acid placed in areas where cockroaches were previously active, will help control the situation.

​If you are planning to buy a home in the near future and will be applying for a loan there are some things to prepare for ahead of time.  One of those things is working to improve your credit.  Why is that important?  Well, a lender usually requires a credit report to check if you are someone with a good history of paying bills on time or if you have a lot of debt.  Your loan could be approved or denied based on your credit report, so we can see it’s an important issue.  How, then, can you improve your credit report?
 
Do you have multiple credit cards?  Perhaps you have some you no longer use.  If this is the case, it’s a good idea to call the company and cancel the card.  Having a lot of open credit card accounts can give a lender the idea that you allow yourself too much available credit which might put you in economic danger.  It’s a good idea to hold on to your older credit cards, though, because this shows a longer history of credit. 
 
Never miss credit card payments.  You do not want late payments to be noted on your credit report and, you will avoid the fees that go with it.  If you have difficulty remembering to pay, why not set up an automatic payment plan that will at least cover the minimum amount due.
 
Did you know you are entitled to a free copy of your credit every 12 months?  Take advantage of this so that you can see your credit report before a lender does.  This way you can be prepared in advance.  At times, the report might contain an error, if you have seen the report, you can fix the error before applying for the loan.
 
We know what a big decision buying a home is and you want to give yourself the best chance to be approved for a loan.  Working to improve your credit report will help. 

​There is a high demand for lumber in construction so its very common to find green lumber (or wet lumber) being used but, what is it? And, is it good to use?  When trees are cut down, the moisture contained in them starts to evaporate and it will only stop doing so when they reach the same moisture level as the environment they’re in.  Green lumber is wood that still maintains a higher moisture content than its environment when its used for construction.  So, how can that affect the building it is used in?
 
Even if the wood is used in a home’s construction, the moisture in it will still continue its evaporation process.  As the wood dries out it will shrink, and this can form gaps.  You might see evidence of this with drywall and nails where a gap might form, forcing the nail to push through the drywall.  While this wont necessarily cause major issues, it might not look very good.
 
Mold is another problem that can result from green lumber.  The mold could even form on the wood during transportation which means the building might have a mold problem even before its completed.
 
Its not just water that evaporates from the wood but other fluids such as tree sap will continue to escape from it.  This can cause staining and if the wood has been painted before the evaporation process has finished, it could start to bubble and look unattractive.
 
Green lumber is used because it is a cheaper option than kiln dried lumber.  It will also dry out much quicker in drier, more arid States.  If you are having a home built, why not consult a home inspector who can show you any areas of concern.