Asbestos Dangers of a Home Remodel

AMS Inspection Services is a home inspection company based out of Leavenworth, WA, with inspectors in Seattle, Wenatchee and throughout Chelan and Douglas counties.  AMS Inspection performs blower door tests for contractors in new construction projects.  The following blog is a guest submission.

Home remodeling can be an inexpensive way for hands-on homeowners to personalize their space, but in many buildings it can also be a way for homeowners to be exposed to asbestos.

Most homes built before the 1980s were constructed with asbestos-containing construction products. Wallboard, paint, pipes, carpeting and tape were just a few of the most common materials that were made with asbestos. Other asbestos-containing materials that were popular before asbestos regulations were enforced include:

• Popcorn ceiling finishes
• Shingles
• Bricks/grout
• Tile

Believe it or not, many of these products remain in homes today. Although these products do not pose any health risks while left intact, home renovations can easily disturb the asbestos and release it into the air. If this occurs, all of the home’s occupants are at risk of inhaling the fibers. This, in turn, puts them at risk to develop an asbestos-related disease.

Even with the high prevalence of asbestos in older homes, homeowners can safely remodel their property if they take several basic precautions.

How to Avoid Asbestos Exposure during Home Renovations

Before you begin any home renovations, you should hire a licensed asbestos professional to come out to your home and perform a thorough asbestos inspection. The abatement contractor can identify areas in your home that might contain asbestos, and then take small samples for laboratory evaluation.

The inspection will help you recognize which products you should not handle on your own and which are safe to freely renovate.

If asbestos-contaning products are found in your home, do not attempt to remove them on your own. A professional company should be hired to ensure that all fibers are safely removed from the area. Seeing as, you do not want to take the chance of developing an asbestos related cancer.

A construction contractor with a license in handling asbestos can also perform renovations on asbestos-containing products. These contractors will be able to remove or remediate the asbestos before remodeling the area.

(For example, they can cover asbestos cement with asbestos-free floor tiles, simultaneously addressing the asbestos problem and providing the homeowner with a remodeled floor).   Before hiring one of these contractors, however, homeowners should verify their asbestos licensure with the state.

Author bio: Faith Franz is a writer for the Mesothelioma Center. She combines her interests in whole-body health and medical research to educate the mesothelioma community about the newest developments in cancer care.

Walk for Carol Kavanaugh, Douglas Co. Commissioner Candidate, in Apple Blossom Festival Classy Chassis Parade May 4th

JOIN FRIENDS & FAMILY IN SUPPORT OF

“I am a mom, a property owner, a business owner, and a long-time volunteer in our communities. I will work to create an inviting Douglas County.”  – Carol Kavanaugh

IN A CLASSY CHASSIS SORT OF WAY!

On Friday, May 4^th, join Carol Kavanaugh and her supporters as they walk in the Classy Chassis Parade! This will be a FUN and interactive way to show your support and say hi to all your friends along the way!

NOT A DOUGLAS COUNTY RESIDENT?

If you do business in or have friends or family that live in Douglas county, you need to support Carol Kavanaugh!  We need good, strong, healthy leaders that are there to support the ideas and concerns of the people. Her goal is to create a “County of Opportunity” and address “excessive and unnecessary regulation”.

Parade starts at 6:30 but they’ll be there an hour early!  Meet at the merry-go-round at the Eastmont Park at 5:30 to get T-shirts and cars are available at the end of the parade route to shuttle people back to their cars at the park .

Carol Kavanaugh is currently the President-Elect for the North Central Washington Association of Realtors.  In a recent press release from the NCWAR President, Paul Mares said, “Carol is extremely well versed in issues that affect housing, jobs, the economy, the rising cost of living and many others. It has been an honor to work with Carol, she is an extremely well-rounded candidate and will work tirelessly to represent Douglas County and help develop a stable future for its residents and the valley.” 

Carol has lived in the Wenatchee Valley for over 35 years and is presently with John L. Scott in Wenatchee and has been a real estate professional for 9 years.

Blower Door Tests for Seattle, Wenatchee & Chelan County

A new Washington State building code requires all new construction homes to pass a blower door test ensuring that the home does not exceed the maximum allowable air leakage rate.  The blower door test verifies that the new home is sealed tightly and will perform efficiently.  If a new home is not properly sealed during construction it will be costly down the road to fix the home’s air leakage problems.  Watch this video from WSU Extension Energy Experts to learn more.

Air Sealing, Chapter 4: Measuring Building Tightness from Energy Experts on Vimeo.

AMS Inspection Services is a home inspection company based out of Leavenworth, WA, with inspectors in Seattle, Wenatchee and throughout Chelan and Douglas counties.  AMS Inspection performs blower door tests for contractors in new construction projects.

Chelan PUD’s Ductless Heat Pump Pilot Program

Ductless heat pump systems are great and the Chelan PUD’s Lightly: Energy News and Tips newsletter  just announced a pilot plan that will provide a rebate of $750 for updating your home with system.  Read their full article below. 

“If you’ve got an aging baseboard or wall heating system in your home, you may be eligible for help replacing that system this year.

Chelan County PUD is planning a pilot program in 2012 to help install ductless heat pump systems. The PUD will offer rebates of approximately $750 per eligible household to help offset the cost of the units, which ranges from $2,000 to $6,000. Homeowners with electric baseboard or wall heaters would be given top consideration, but homes with other electric heat types may be eligible. Local contractors will be invited to participate in a training course to learn about installing and maintaining ductless heat pumps.

A ductless heat pump is a highly efficient and easily installed primary heating and cooling system for electrically heated homes. Ductless systems are ideal for replacing or supplementing less efficient electric baseboard or wall heaters (and window air conditioners in the summer).

Ductless systems operate using 25 percent to 50 percent less energy than electric resistance zonal and forced air systems. Regionally, use of a ductless heating and cooling system in a single-family home with zonal electric heat is estimated to save 3,500 kWh annually. Using Chelan PUD’s average cost of $0.03 per kilowattt hour, upgrading to a ductless heating and cooling system as a primary heat source can save approximately $105 per year. In addition, ductless heat pumps are safer, quieter, and heat rooms more efficiently than zonal heat. And they provide air conditioning in the summer.

If you are a Chelan County homeowner interested in upgrading from baseboard or wall heating systems to a ductless heat pump, send an e-mail to conservation@chelanpud.org or call (509) 661-8008.

More information about how ductless heat pumps work, their costs and energy savings is available at goingductless.com.”

Source:  http://lightly.chelanpud.org/index.php/2012/02/06/pud-to-pilot-ductless-heat-pump-program/

NCW Association of Realtors Blood Drive March 19th

The 2012 NCWAR Blood Drive is quickly approaching, so set your calendar for March 19th and plan to attend between 12:30 and 5:30 p.m. at the Kings Orchard Church in Wenatchee.  Thank you NCW Windermere Real Estate for sponsoring this event.

AMS Inspection Services is a Leavenworth-based home inspection company providing services to Wenatchee and all of North Central Washington.  AMS Inspection is a member of North Central Washington Association of Realtors (NCWAR).

Duct Blaster & Blower Door Testing for New Homes – WA State Energy Code

AMS Inspection Services provides duct blaster and blower door tests to the greater Wenatchee area for the purpose of testing HVAC and home air leakage.  The new Washington State Energy Code requires third-party testing to ensure that contractors meet the minimum requirements of the air leakage test in order to pass the energy code requirements.  Watch this video from the “Energy Experts” at WSU Extension to learn where air leaks from your home.  It may not seem so obvious.

 

Air Sealing, Chapter 3: New Homes from Energy Experts on Vimeo.

AMS Inspection nominated for “2011 Affiliate Firm of the Year”

We are so very proud to announce that AMS Inspection Services was nominated for “2011 Affiliate Firm of the Year” by North Central Washington Association of Realtors.  Our company has enjoyed doing community service with NCWAR and helping organizations like Wenatchee Valley Humane Society, Leavenworth Community Cupboard, Wenatchee Food Banks, Respite Care, YMCA, Salvation Army and many more!

The winners will be announced on Jan. 27th.  We wish all the nominees the best of luck!

Blower Door, Duct Blaster & HVAC Testing Services in Wenatchee

Wenatchee HVAC Testing:  AMS Inspection Services is now offering duct blaster and blower door testing services in response to the requirements for  Washington State Energy Code. New construction homes must be tested by third-party technicians to ensure the HVAC and envelop sealing performs up to the new standards. We have two Energy Star Performance Technicians on staff and ready to help with your projects.  Ask us about a multiple home discount!

• Learn more about the HVAC & Sealing Energy Code.
• More info about Wenatchee Home Inspections and blower door testing available on our blog.

Reposted from:  Introducing Blower Door, Duct Blaster & HVAC Testing Services in Wenatchee.

Chelan County: Recycle Your Christmas Tree Dec. 31 & Jan. 7

Local Boy Scouts and Chelan County Public Works are teaming up to recycle Christmas trees for a donation of $3. On Dec. 31 and Jan. 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., you can take your tree to the Chelan County Shop at 210 Easy St., Wenatchee; the Dryden Transfer Station, 9073 Highway 2; Entiat Brush Yard along Highway 97A, or the Chelan Recycle Center, also on Highway 97A.

Leavenworth Christmas Lighting Starts Dec. 2, 2011

Leavenworth’s Christmas Lighting Festival is one of the most unique holiday experiences.  It happens every year for 3 consecutive weekends after Thanksgiving.  Check out the details from the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce and book your stay now!

Photo: http://365thingstodoeastside.wordpress.com

“Remember when you were little, and you were enthralled with snow globes? A trip to Leavenworth is about as close to the real thing as you’re going to get. Nestled on the Eastern cusp of the Cascades, the Bavarian Village transforms when the snow flies, turning itself into the ultimate holiday town. Hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, carolers, cocoa, kids sledding, the horse-drawn carriage…it is enough to make put any snow globe to shame. Want to make some memories with the family? Treat yourself to a winter experience that you will never forget!”

FRIDAYS

Lights Are On! 
St. Nicholas Greets
Children With Fruit
and Song

 

SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS 

Roasting Chestnuts, Characters,
Live Entertainment All Day!
Lighting Ceremony Begins at 4:30