The Charleston Real Estate Search.com

Lead in the Homes Built prior to 1978

If you’re as old as me you remember going to the gas station and choosing between leaded or unleaded gasoline.  Yep, back then we just poured it into our cars and let it ignite and release into the atmosphere with abandon.  Today we know better.   (Or at least we think we do.)   We no longer allow lead in our gasoline nor in our house paint.

But if you live in a home built prior to 1978 chances are there is lead in your home.   Knowing the facts about lead will help you make more informed decisions about how you address its presence.

Since I am a Realtor and not a Environmental Safety Expert, I rely on Home Inspectors, University research and the Environmental Protection Agency to arm myself and my clients with the latest data. Read the rest of this entry »

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Asbestos

Do you remember back in high school chemistry when you had those white “heat resistant” pads that you placed under the burner to prevent fires?  That’s asbestos.  Believe it or not, it is still used in many modern industrial applications including flooring, piping, and roofing, because of its fire resistance and insulating qualities. It is also a good binding material  used to reinforce the strength of a material while maintaining flexibility.

Of course, since the 1970’s it has been deemed a hazardous material and is no longer widely used or produced in the United States (although still widely exported from Canada and Brazil.)

The exterior siding of this home is made from an asbestos composite material

Homes built prior to the 1970’s often contain some forms of asbestos, mainly in flooring and cement tile siding.  As a home owner it is important to understand how this can affect you and your family.

Since I am a Realtor and not an Environmental Safety expert, I always rely on Home Inspectors, university research and the Environmental Protection Agency to help my clients make the right decisions.  It all begins with understanding the facts.

According to the Environmental Health and Safety Center at Stanford University: Read the rest of this entry »

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