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This old house...a renovation warning

By
Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty

Older Homes can pose some serious health issues

I know many people that live in older homes and over the years they've have done more than a few remodeling jobs..all without giving much thought to the potential health issues invloved!

I think everone should read this before they undertake some of those remodeling jobs. This was sent to me by Jesse Herman from the Mesothelioma Cancer Center. You can contact Jesse via e-mail at jesse@asbestos.com if you have questions or concerns. There is nothing more satisfactory then completing a do it yourself job...but please do it safely!

Asbestos Removal and Greener Alternatives There are many things to consider when remodeling or purchasing an older home. Homes built after 1980 have the strong likelihood of containing asbestos. Due to a steady progression of technology and green sustainable methods, there are many ways to ensure your home or property is asbestos free. If you are interested in saving money, remodeling and improving your carbon footprint, here is some information to get you on the right track.
Used in millions of homes throughout the last quarter of the 20th century, asbestos insulation can become a real dilemma for homeowners due to causing a variety of health problems, including Peritoneal Mesothelioma and Malignant Mesothelioma. These types of cancer take the lives of thousands each year. Non-regulated asbestos material can be legally performed by homeowners, regular contractors, or licensed asbestos abatement contractors as long as the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) are not violated.
Asbestos removal in public facilities, homes and workplaces must be undertaken by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor. One the removal is complete, green insulation options should be given serious consideration, such as: Cellulose, Cotton Fiber and Lcynene.
The United States Green Building Council (USGBC), in a study conducted in 2003, estimated a savings of $50-$65 per square foot for well-constructed green buildings in the U.S. (see table below) during that year.
The numbers continue to improve as more eco-friendly options become available, and those kinds of figures have finally begun to attract those who thought eco-friendly construction was just a bunch of hogwash.

From.... Frances Sanderson, Franklin, NH REALTOR®, Certified EcoBroker

I'm finding a lot of the foreclosure homes that I've been bringing my Buyers to lately have asbestos-insulated pipes in the basement and asbestos shingles for siding. A great resource to direct our clients to is the Department of Environmental Services fact sheet on Asbestos. I would remind everyone that we are not experts on this matter and our job is to direct our clients to the Experts. This is the link I recommend to clients if they have questions on how to address an asbestos issue.

http://des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/factsheets/asb/index.htm

Thanks you Frances!!!

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Monika McGillicuddy Real Estate Training

NewHampshireRealEstateBlog.com

Prudential Verani Realty

Hampstead NH Real Estate

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Posted by

Jay and Monika McGillicuddy, Southern NH and the Seacoast area real estate specialists.

Jay and Monika McGillicuddy, covering southern NH and the Seacoast area. If you’re thinking of selling or buying a southern NH or Seacoast area home give us a call…we’d love to help make your home ownership dreams come true.

E-mail Jay and Monika or call or text at 603-548-7728

Jay and Monika McGillicuddy, NH REALTORS

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty

603-944-9172 direct line

603-434-2377 office

 

Comments (9)

Thom Abbott
MyMidtownMojo.com |770.713.1505 | Intown Atlanta GA Condo Living - Atlanta, GA
Midtown Atlanta GA Condos For Sale

Monika....Great information to have. Especially in older neighborhoods with foreclosures where buyers are getting these older houses and renovating them. Very good information!

Thanks!

 

Nov 16, 2008 02:41 AM
Ann Cummings
RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Hi Monika - great advice, especially for those contemplating removing asbestos.  Probably a safer thing to do would to be wrap it with duct tape or something along those lines, making sure to wear a mask, too.

If I were to build new, I'd build as green a home as I could - I find all that intriguing, and most of it saves money over time, too.

Ann

Nov 16, 2008 03:18 AM
Monika McGillicuddy
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Hampstead, NH
Southern NH & the Seacoast Area

Hi Thom and Ray... Thanks so much for commenting and yes foreclosures can be an issue. Sometimes people don't think of the health issues...just on saving money.

 

Ann...Green intrigues me as well. I was thinking of taking NAR's new Green class!

Nov 16, 2008 03:43 AM
Linda Scanlan
A Consumer's View - Burleson, TX

Moni - You wouldn't believe all the environmental issues with asbestos. I also have a friend who's father was a bricklayer and ended up dying from mesothelioma.  It's serious stuff!

Nov 16, 2008 04:36 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Monika, asbestos use to be in a lot of things in an older home and once that stuff gets in the air it can be really bad.  Led paint is another thing commonly found in the older homes, and those old basements were known for being a great home for mold.

Nov 16, 2008 12:57 PM
Christopher Bonta
The Bean Group - Londonderry, NH
Realtor, Integrity and Honesty

Monika, great info and I was surprised to see that homes built after 1980 can contain asbestos! Given the fact that asbestos litigation began back in the 80's, I know this because my Dad was among the first 100 or so people diagnosed with mesothelioma in the Northeast.

Nov 17, 2008 01:50 AM
Frances Sanderson
Bean Group / Franklin - Franklin, NH

Hi Monika,

I thank you for bringing up this topic. I'm finding a lot of the foreclosure homes that I've been bringing my Buyers to lately have asbestos-insulated pipes in the basement and asbestos shingles for siding. A great resource to direct our clients to is the Department of Environmental Services fact sheet on Asbestos. I would remind everyone that we are not experts on this matter and our job is to direct our clients to the Experts. This is the link I recommend to clients if they have questions on how to address an asbestos issue. http://des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/factsheets/asb/index.htm

Thanks again Monika for blogging on this issue.

Frances Sanderson, Franklin, NH  REALTOR®, Certified EcoBroker

Nov 17, 2008 05:06 AM
Monika McGillicuddy
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Hampstead, NH
Southern NH & the Seacoast Area

Hi Linda...It is pretty serious stuff for sure. It's a hidden danger..many people have no idea!

George...New England is full of older homes and people like to save money by doing it "themselves type" of renovations. Sadly they can be harming their health.

Christopher...I'm so sorry about your dad! I think we need to spread the word!

Frances.. Thank you for the link. I will amend my post to add your link.

 

Nov 17, 2008 11:34 AM
Steve Loynd
Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., - Lincoln, NH
800-926-5653, White Mountains NH

Monika I have been keeping an eye on a radon installation the last few days For a client), seems like the better science gets the more they find to be afraid of. And with the older the home,it doesn't always mean that new is better just different materials were introduced, and these materials can be worse because new homes are some much more airtight.

Nov 19, 2008 09:28 AM