What’s Mold Got To Do With It?

Mold is a problem that most homeowners have to deal with at one time or another. It’s the damaging by-product of water and moisture that can wreak havoc on your home, and more importantly, your health. So with spring on the way, now is a good time to inspect your house for mold and get rid of it before it does any kind of serious damage. But first, it’s a good idea to learn a little more about this pesky organism and why it demands to be treated so seriously.

You might be familiar with mold (otherwise known as mildew) from your shower or bathtub. Since the shower is often wet and the tiles are waterproof, water can sometimes seep into the grout, which, if it’s old and can’t handle its repelling duties properly, can become a breeding ground for mildew. So you’re left with microscopic organisms that feed off the moisture, allowing it to grow until you nail it with some Tilex and wait for the next clean. But what happens when mold starts to grow in the places you can’t reach to scrub – places like your ceiling, inside walls or attic? You’re probably saying, “Not in my house”. Well, guess again.

At least half the homes I visit for improvement and remodeling projects have a major mold problem and the owners don’t even know it. How? Besides that well-known smell at the source, mold generally grows in places that you can’t see – like inside the walls and attic. What most people don’t realize is that mold reproduces, or grows, by releasing spores that you’re breathing in day after day.

How common is this? If you’ve ever had a leak, you’ve most likely had a mold problem. So what can you do about it? You can prevent mold by ensuring your home stays dry. Here are my top tips:

1. Keep your gutters and downspouts clean and clear so water can drain away from your house.
2. Don’t let a leaky roof go unfixed.  Get it patched up immediately and ask your contractor to inspect for any mold growth.
3. Make sure the ground around your house doesn’t slope inward towards the foundation where water can idle.
4. Inside the house, beware of any discoloration in the ceiling.
5. Ensure high moisture areas like bathrooms are well ventilated with good ceiling fans.
6. If a leak has poured into the carpet, don’t just leave it to dry. A damp area can attract mold in less than 48 hours.
7. Ensure large appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines aren’t leaking and have a catchment tray in the event of a malfunction. 
8. If you use a humidifier, make sure it’s cleaned and the water is changed regularly.
9. If you feel that your house or basement has a high level of moisture, consider purchasing a dehumidifier to regulate the humidity and remove any excess moisture from the air.

If you’ve had a mold problem that you’ve tried to control by scraping, cleaning and repainting the area, don’t make the same mistake twice. If the mold keeps coming back, that means the issue runs deeper than the eye can see. It’s time to call in the pros.

The Five Remodeling Jobs with the Worst Returns on Investment

 It’s the first week of March and as spring fever starts to creep into many people’s minds, so too does remodeling projects. Spring is also known as real estate season, which means that many homeowners are looking for small improvements they can make on their properties to increase their home’s sale price.

Back in January, Remodeling magazine put out their annual Cost versus Value Report, where they compared the average cost for 30 remodeling projects with the value those projects retained at resale. When the report came out, I covered the project with the top resale value, which was added to the list for the first time and shot to the top with a 162.2% return on investment. That project was adding fiberglass insulation to your attic and I wasn’t surprised by the result. Adding insulation to your attic is easy, cost effective and will save you in heating and cooling bills for years to come. Plus with 75% of homes in our area deprived by under-insulation, it’s an investment that can make a home stand apart from the resale competition.

So we know what the best investment is, but what about the worst? The five projects with the lowest resale value in Hartford County might surprise you!

Number five is a family room addition. With an average cost of $96,298 in Hartford County, a family room addition offers an average resale value of under $48,000, making the cost recouped a mere 49.6%. 

Number four is a backup power generator. Many homeowners think these will come in handy, and often times they do, especially with our wild weather. But with a cost average of $13,337 and a resale value of $6,458, you’ll only end up getting back 48.4% of the money you put into it.

Bathroom facelifts are always popular on the list of remodeling for resale projects but don’t expect to make your money back on this one. With an average spend of $19,384 and a resale value of $9,318, that job will get you back just over 48% of the cost.

Well, what about the basement? A man cave or rec room might sound like a good idea, but it will only get you back 45% of your investment, according to the report. This is based on a spend of $75,063, which equates to a resale value of $33,750. Yikes!

So if these popular remodels occupy spots five through two, what could possibly be number one? Believe it or not, the worst return on investment would be the coveted extra bathroom, netting home sellers only 43.6% of the average $45,904 put into it. It’s a big job too!

With spring, and real estate season on the way, it’s a good idea to know what fix-it jobs will offer your home real value, especially if you’re in the market to sell. You can view the Remodeling Cost versus Value Report in its entirety by visiting remodeling.hw.net and filtering the report by region.

Watch for frozen pipes in wicked winter weather

After the last weekend, I found myself chatting with plumber friends and homeowners alike who spent their fair share of time trying to fix one of the casualties of arctic winter weather. I am talking about frozen pipes.

Frozen pipes aren’t just a pain to deal with, they can be expensive to replace. When the temperature drops, uninsulated or exposed pipes are can’t deal with the weather change, and the water in them freezes, which in the worst-case scenario will cause them to expand and the pipes to burst. This problem is particularly common in older homes where the pipes are more open to the elements, and they don’t have any insulation to protect them. Even though we’ve seen a relatively mild winter, a winter vortex like the one we had last weekend can throw us for a loop, especially if we’re unprepared. So if the weatherman forecasts another bout of icy temperatures, it’s worth being ready. Here are a few simple tips to protect your pipes and give yourself some peace of mind until spring.

1. Make sure all your outside faucets are covered and disconnect any garden hoses.
2. Try to keep your house temperature at 68 degrees or higher.
3. Allow warm air to circulate in the places you have pipes by keeping cabinets and doors open when it is really cold.
4. Wrap any exposed pipes in reach with pipe insulation, which is available at your local hardware store.
5. Close windows and air vents near pipes as cold temperatures and drafts will enable them to freeze more easily.
6. Insulate and air seal any open crawl spaces that can get drafty and cold.
7. If your basement temperature fluctuates with the outdoor weather, consider heating it slightly to protect the pipes that run through it.
8. If you plan on being away from home for any extended period of time, consider turning your water off.
9. If you have one pipe or area that’s consistently giving you problems, consider buying a heating cable, which can be attached or wrapped around the pipe with electrical tape. You can find a cable at your local hardware store or Home Depot, which will run you around $25 for a six-footer.

If you have a pipe that’s already frozen, use a hair dryer to heat the pipe back up and thaw the ice. Never use a hair dryer near standing water. Another option is to heat some water on the stove and soak towels in it. Wrap the towels around the pipes to regulate the temperature and thaw the ice.

If your pipe has burst, it’s time to call the plumber. But first, make sure you turn off your water at the main valve to avoid further damage. It might also be handy to keep a pipe patch kit on hand in the event your plumber is busy tending to pipes all over town and can’t get to you right away. It’s a temporary fix but will keep you in the clear until you can get some permanent help.