HOME OWNERSHIP 101: The things everyone else forgot to tell you!
Yes, this issue is late. May is usually a crazy month at Sherlock Homes, and this May has been no exception. Sorry 'bout that!
First, a news item on the home environment. There is an insulation product that was commonly used in homes from about 1945 to 1970 called vermiculite, brand name Zonolite. Folks in the building industry, (including home inspectors), have always considered this to be a non-asbestos product. It is mined at two Western US locations. Recently, it has come to light that vermiculite from one of the mines does indeed contain asbestos. If you have this product in your attic, it is important that you not disturb it. You want to avoid stirring up any fine powder or dust from the insulation into the house air.
Vermiculite has a distinctive appearance. It is a loose, granular material, very light weight, with pieces in various shades of tan, brown and silver. (The next time I come across some, I will get a photo for this newsletter.) (Editor's note: 8/26/00, Got it! Click here!) It often has the appearance of being chopped up pieces of small strands, about 1/8" in diameter. Students of Latin and Greek will notice the name translates to "little worm rock', and that's fairly descriptive. It was used as loose-fill insulation in attics and has other uses, such as a potting medium for seedlings. If you find this in your home, don't attempt to remove it! Like most asbestos materials, improper removal can generate much more of a health risk than leaving it alone. You may want to sample it, sending a zip-lock baggie with a few teaspoonfuls to a lab. Locally, Absolute Analytical in Clawson (248-435-5100) does this kind of testing. There are asbestos removal contractors in the phone book, and most of them also do sampling and testing. How do you know if it is causing a problem for you just sitting there? The only way is to test the air of the living space for asbestos contamination. The same labs that do sample analysis often do air testing. Remember, not all vermiculite contains asbestos, but it's wise not to make any assumptions without testing. The newspaper story here states that the manufacturer tried to remove the asbestos from the vermiculite, but was not entirely successful. It also makes it clear that the illness associated with the product have thus far been indentified only in those people who work in or live near the mines and processing plants. I will try to keep this story updated as more info comes out.
A lot of my clients are first-time homeowners, and they often ask for recommendations of books for home maintenance. Here are a couple that I have found useful. They are available at Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.com. They have the advantage of being up-to-date, and very well-illustrated.
Black & Decker: The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair
Time-Life Books Complete Home Improvement and Renovation Manual by Time-Life Home Repair and Improvement Series (Editor), Bob Vila
This looks like a good place to introduce:
The monthly nags: Of course, test the smoke alarms, and change the furnace filter. This is a good time to check the condenser coils on the A/C unit for a blanket of dust from last year. See the June 1999 back-issue on the the web site. for info on A/C and basement humidity. And please remember that all divisions of Sherlock Homes Inspection Ltd., the home inspection, radon and electronic publishing parts, depend on your referrals. Thank You!
Matt
copyright 2000 Matthew J. Bezanson
