Home Improvement

Asbestos is currently a regulated material, because studies and scientific research have proved that it is a cause of several forms of cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestos poisoning. These illnesses do not show up right after the exposure to asbestos-they have a remarkably long latency period. However, constant and prolonged exposure to asbestos will cause its tiny fibers and particles to accumulate in the lungs. These asbestos fibers are particularly sharp-they can easily puncture and penetrate the sensitive lung tissues. The most serious illness that one can contract because of asbestos exposure is mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that have claimed thousands of lives.

It was only in the 1960′s that the fatal mesothelioma was linked to asbestos inhalation and ingestion. It took several years before a government agency imposed restrictions about the use of asbestos-and the mineral has been used in construction materials such as floor tiles. Only laboratory testing will prove the presence of asbestos, but these tiles that contain this mineral share specific characteristics. Here are a few ways to determine whether the tiles in your home contain hazardous asbestos fibers:

• If your tiles are colored black, gray, brown, or gray brown, there is a high chance that they contain asbestos. Asphalt and vinyl tiles that come in these colors are infused with asbestos fibers. Between these two kinds of tiles, the asphalt variety has the highest concentration of asbestos fibers, mainly because they used asphalt as the primary ingredient.

• It is important to determine the age of the flooring. You might want to be especially wary of this when you bought an older home. Because the presence of asbestos drives down the price of the home, the former owners might have removed all the insulation because this is one of the main usages of asbestos fibers. They might have overlooked the replacement of floor tiles. Asbestos was widely used in floor tiles, especially in the ones manufactured between 1920 and 1960. Older vinyl and asphalt flooring are made with asbestos-and these types of floor tiles usually come in nine-inch squares and are generally thicker than newer floor tiles.

• Aside from vinyl and asphalt tiles, sheet linoleum-especially those manufactured before the 1980′s-is also known to contain asbestos. Sheet linoleum is attached to the concrete floor by an adhesive, which also contains this hazardous material. If the house you are living in right now is constructed in the decades mentioned above and all the flooring is original, you and your family might be at risk of asbestos exposure.

• If you suspect that your tiles contain asbestos, do not try to remove it by yourself-even to extract a small sample to send to a testing laboratory. Contact a licensed asbestos removal company so they can inspect your tiles. Sawing, scraping, or cutting through the floor tiles might release asbestos fibers into the air if you do it by yourself. Professional asbestos removers have the technical knowledge and equipment to perform the job properly.

Asbestos is a fibrous material that is widely used in the construction of houses, commercial centers, public buildings, ships, and motor vehicles. This substance exhibits remarkable resistance to high temperatures, fire, and steam-making it an ideal ingredient in the manufacturing of insulation materials.

This mineral has been used in major industries since the Industrial Revolution, but it was only in the 1960′s that the public has been made aware of the possible health hazards of asbestos. Asbestos easily breaks into fibers and particles that are as small as dust, which can be inhaled and ingested. However, despite our bodies’ ability to inhale asbestos particles, the lungs cannot expel them on their own. These fibers and particles accumulate in the lungs-and they are sharp enough to puncture and penetrate the lung tissues and will cause scarring.

There are a good number of illnesses and diseases attributed to exposure to materials-and a lot of people who suffer from these afflictions worked in asbestos mines or factories, or lived in areas where the asbestos industry once thrived. People who were exposed to asbestos for extended periods of time suffered from several types of cancer, asbestos poisoning, and mesothelioma. The diseases associated with asbestos exposure will not manifest right after the first encounter with the material-they often have a long latency period that will last for several years, even decades. But once they are diagnosed, death is almost a certain fact, because these diseases target the pulmonary functions of the body.

This is why the removal of asbestos materials is very important, especially if you live in a house or building built before the 1960′s, and most especially if you are raising small children. The latency period of asbestos-related diseases can last up to thirty years-and if your children are constantly exposed to asbestos materials, they will suffer from the effects in the prime of their lives.

Generally, there are four classes of asbestos removal. The first class (Class I) is the most dangerous of asbestos abatements. Class I removal includes the disposal of thermal system insulation and asbestos materials, usually by using a special spray or a trowel. The second kind, called Class II, removes all asbestos materials that are not used for thermal system insulation. Materials that qualify for Class II removal include wallboards, roof tiles and sheets, floor tiles and sheets, and mastics used in construction.

The third kind of asbestos removal, or Class III, usually refers to the maintenance or repair of thermal system insulation and surfacing with asbestos materials. This class, however, is usually carried out when the asbestos in the materials may be disturbed-therefore causing asbestos exposure within the immediate area.

Class IV asbestos removal is maintenance and repair of asbestos materials without actually disrupting them. This class also includes the clean up of asbestos debris that resulted from Class I to III removal jobs.

Under no circumstance should you perform any of these asbestos removal types. Always contact a licensed professional to carry out asbestos removal jobs for you.

Water Damage is not something that a home owner wants to be familiar with, and yet for many, I’m afraid that it is a dreaded reality. The basic maintenance to keep a house up and in good condition can be hard enough on your schedule and your wallet, but when you throw in something unexpected like an issue with water damage popping up out of nowhere, then your world is going to be turned completely upside down. Preparing for the unexpected can be done by becoming more knowledgeable of possible threats, so I’m going to take this opportunity to share with you what the three most familiar water damage issues are for the home owner today.

The roof can be your home’s best friend or it’s worst enemy, depending on whether it has holes in it or not. The problem with most major issues that stem from leaks in the roof is that they build up over a period of time and you don’t realize that there is a problem until quite a bit of damage has already taken place. A fact that you need to realize is that many times you cannot tell that roof damage is present by simply looking up at the roof from outside. Just because shingles are in place and all are accounted for does not mean that water cannot get in. There are other issues to consider. Your gutters can fill up with debris such as leaves and cause rain water to seep into the side of your roof when backed up. The items on your roof that stick out are sealed by pieces of rubber that can deteriorate over time. It would be good for you to make a habit out of occasionally going into the attic when it rains and inspecting the roof from the inside to ensure that there are no water leaks present.

Another thing to pay close attention to will be the basement or crawlspace under your house. This is the part of your home that is located closest to the ground, which is where rain water is going to eventually drain to. It only makes sense that without proper preventative measures being taken, issues related with water damage will soon develop. The foundation of your home should never have water resting up against it, and this can be prevented by utilizing a good gutter system that empties by way of downspouts that are turned away from the home. The use of splash blocks are a good idea to assist in routing the water away from the home, rather than saturating the ground next to the foundation. If you have a crawlspace, be sure that the earth located directly underneath the house is completely covered with plastic. This will prevent moisture from coming out of the ground and lingering in the air. If you have a basement, you need to go along the walls and floor and ensure that there are no cracks allowing water to leak through. Your best plan of action here is to fill any cracks that are present and then use a good sealer that will not allow water to penetrate the concrete. If you have done all you can do and water still proceeds to invade your crawlspace or basement, the use of a good pump that will turn itself on when water is detected is a must. This process will remove water out of the area as it arrives to avoid the water settling and creating damage.

The last familiar issue to the world of water damage is your plumbing. This is probably the most common area that water damage comes from in most homes. Over time, everything that makes up your plumbing system from faucets to pipes and fittings is going to wear down and will require maintenance or replacement. The best way to avoid this problem is to routinely inspect the pipes and fittings for anything that has come loose and possibly even started to drip. It is also a good idea to occasionally replace the washers or other types of seals that may be present in all of your faucets. This will prevent slow drips from starting, which will help you to avoid a large problem that could stem off of a small one very quickly. Get familiar with these common problems that are related to water damage in the home so that you are better equipped to prevent them from happening in your home.

Although most people think that their house siding will last forever, the reality is that it sometimes needs to be replaced. Whether you’ve had a terrible storm, it wasn’t installed correctly or extreme weather conditions have caused wear and tear on your home, you may find that you need to replace it during the lifespan of your house. It’s common to hire a professional for the job, but is there a benefit to trying to complete this project yourself?

Benefits Of DIY

If you’re a homeowner, you’ve probably done a number of DYI projects. From painting, to plumbing, to small electrical work, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to handling small remodeling projects themselves. If you’re extremely handy, it’s possible to install house siding yourself, but there are things that you must know before you tackle a project this large.

You will need at least one person to help because hanging house siding isn’t a one-person job. You’ll both need a ladder so you can be at the same level, but a scaffolding system will be more efficient. Although the exact steps depend on the type you’re installing, vinyl siding for instance, must be cut to exactly the right size so it has a little space to expand in warmer weather. James Hardie Fiber Cement siding is a complicated product that requires specific flashing, certain clearances from other surface materials and demands a precise nailing pattern Before you try to complete this siding project, read up on the type you’re installing and make sure you know exactly what you’re doing. If it’s done incorrectly, it can cause problems with moisture, mold and eventually structural damage to your house.

Benefits Of Hiring Siding Contractors

On the other hand, hiring a contractor can be a simple process. You simply decide which type of product you would like to install and hire a professional to come and do it for you. One major benefit of this is professionals know exactly what they’re doing and can also recommend the type of house siding that’s best for your home and your area.

Another benefit is that a professional will have all the necessary tools, certifications, credentials and licenses needed. They’ll also carry insurance, which means if something does happen to go wrong, your home will be covered. In addition to insurance, check to make sure any potential contractors have a service warranty and that they’re willing to provide references so you can contact past customers. An installer should be happy to provide these references – if they refuse to send you the name of satisfied customers, consider that a red flag.

While homeowners may feel the money saved on professional labor is a plus when deciding to install the siding themselves…TIME savings should be considered as well. A professional can install your home’s siding in a week’s time because they have the manpower and all proper tools and materials on site. A homeowner may find themselves spending several weeks to install the same project.

What To Do If You Have A Bad Installation

If your home’s exterior was installed incorrectly, you can have major problems. Water can seep underneath the panels, causing serious damage to the house’s structure. If you’re experiencing warping, cracking, peeling or any other problems with your home’s exterior, it’s important to call experienced siding contractors. They’ll be able to tell you if everything needs to be redone or if it can be salvaged. Either way, the earlier you find the problem, the less serious it will be.

Unfortunately Opal Enterprises takes too many calls from homeowners in Oak Brook that have had their new siding installed incorrectly. These homeowners then are faced with a complicated and painful issue of trying to recoup monies or sue the contractor that provided the shoddy workmanship to begin with and then to find the right contractor the 2nd time around.

Like any other type of home improvement project, it’s best to weigh the pros and cons of hiring a contractor or completing a do-it-yourself job. Be sure to research both choices thoroughly as you could end up with a great finished result with either option.

If you’ve owned a home, chances are you’ve experienced problems with water pressure. Whether it’s a complete loss of flow pressure, or intermittent and inconsistent flow, water pressure trouble always seems to come at the most inconvenient time. Some homeowners water pressure problems may be persistent, such as constantly low water pressure, while others may experience an occasional but sudden lack of water pressure. While it’s always best to have a professional water well contractor make repairs, it’s good to know as much about your home’s well water system as possible so that you can make the most informed decision possible when it comes to well pump repair.

Bad or No Well Water Pressure

Water wells are complicated machines, as are the pumps that pull the water from the well into your home. As with any complex mechanical system, a single problem can have more and more causes as the system increases in intricacy. (Anyone who has owned a car or a computer knows this truth well.) When it comes to low water pressure, the problem can range from problems with the pressure tank, worn pumps, clogged pipes and pumps, and even clogged filters and purification systems. The problem may be mechanical or electrical, or may be caused by the water your specific well is drawing from (for example, water with higher iron concentrations may contribute to clogged pipes which can affect water pressure). If the problems with your water pressure are a result of these or many other causes, a professional water well repair team should be able to diagnose and correct the problem, restoring your water pressure to its normal level. It should be noted that regular water well maintenance checks may catch many of these problems early, before they begin to have such noticeable and bothersome effects.

Another possible cause for diminishing or non-existent water pressure may have nothing to do with faulty or damaged equipment. Instead, it may be possible that the water reserves from which your well is drawing may in fact be running low. While this is not the most likely explanation, a professional well drilling and repair company will be able to determine if the water table is in fact running low and, if so, make adjustments to return the pressure to its normal level.

Intermittent Pump Cycling, or Short Cycling

Though some homeowners may imagine that the pump activates every time they turn on a tap — and then closes each time they shut it off — this is in fact not the case. Instead, the water well pump fills up a storage tank fitted with an air bladder. The pump fills the tank until it reaches a pre-set pressure, then shuts off. As you use water, the tank drains and the pressure decreases. Once the pressure reaches the low pre-set pressure, the pump turns on once again to refill the tank.

If everything is working as it should, a homeowner will notice the pump kicking on every so often, remaining active for a short period of time, then turning off until the next time it is needed. However, some pumps may begin to cycle intermittently, a process that is called “short cycling.” Like low water pressure, short cycling can have many causes. If your water tank is leaking water, the tank may fill to its proper pressure, but because water is constantly flowing from the tank, the pressure drops rapidly and the pump turns on again a short time later. (You might also have other problems if you have a leaky water tank in your house!) Other causes may be a defective air bladder in the water tank, or damaged water pressure control switches, which measure the water pressure in the tank and tell the pump when to turn on and off.

Whatever the case may be, a professional water well repair team can diagnose the problem and come up with a plan to solve the short cycling problems.

There comes an occasional time when you and your contractor don’t see eye to eye. Either there was a lack of communication on someone’s part or, who am I kidding it’s always a lack of communication. But, those types of problems can get resolved even though sometimes they have to end up in court.

But, there are scam artists out there who will rob you like a thief in the night. Sometimes, there is no course of action because you don’t have enough information to nail them. You think you’ve asked all the important questions and have everything you need. But, the scam artist who flees town after taking your money won’t leave tracks behind.

Outrageous New Scam

When you need a job, you might go through references and it makes a lot of sense. But, some people like to start the bidding wars and that’s where they get in trouble. Bidding wars start substandard bids, which are too good to be true.

In this economy, it’s easy to want a very low bid to be feasible. But, you’ll get substandard work or no work done at all. Once the bid is approved and a bidder is awarded the job, they might take the advance and run. They might do poor work or use cheap materials and take short cuts. You have to be weary when it comes to substandard bids because you never know what type of mess you are going to get. Then, you have to pay someone else double to clean up the mess.

Typical Old Scams

When disaster strikes, you have to be alert about it striking twice. Contractors who come from out of town to “help” when disasters strike might offer you a good price on your yard clean up or water damage. But, they come out of the woodwork and are only using your misfortune to their advantage. If they don’t know what they are doing, you’ll end up with an even bigger mess.

Make sure you check their licensing and make them get permits for any work they offer to do. That way you can let the system weed out those individuals who are trying to hustle you. They’ll disappear on you quick. But, at least they won’t disappear with your money.

When someone comes to your door offering to do work for you at a discounted cost, you have to ask why. They’ll tell you that they just completed a job in the area and they have supplies left over. It’s a scam. Never accept unsolicited work unless you know who it is.

Most legitimate contractors have their business logo and name on the side of their truck. It’s a great promotion tool. This isn’t the only way to mark a hustler, but an unmarked vehicle is normally a sign that should make you weary. Ask for a business card and some references. Do some checking at the BBB or the court house, where you might find some lawsuits that will get you in the loop.

High pressure sales tactics are another way to spot a scammer. In this economy, some legitimate contractors might offer some discounts or give you a great deal if you act fast. But, they will let you think about it and might give you a week or two to make a decision. A hustler wants you to make that decision right now and they use other high pressure sales tactics as well. They will make you think your house will fall apart if you don’t fix the problem yesterday. Get a second opinion. That’s one way to make sure you have accurate information.

Scam artists will always be around. They are like roaches. They will keep knocking on your door and coming at you for every ounce of money they can get. But, there are some sure fire ways to protect yourself. Just make sure you use them and don’t hesitate to back off from an offer that sounds too good to be true. It normally is!
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