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Where Should You Look For Black Mold In Boulder CO Homes?

July 26, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Black mold is a slimy blackish green kind of mold whose presence in your Boulder CO homes can pose serious health problems. Most commonly known as Strachybotrys atra and sometimes as Strachybotrys chartarum, it is well known that it has contributed to respiratory deaths among babies and can aggravate illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis. The CDC (Center of Disease Control) in Atlanta says that the mold has been responsible for more than 100 deaths due to lung disorders.

Moisture is essential to the growth of black mold and if you live in areas of high humidity or your house is prone to damp or water leakage, you are a prime candidate for mold. Given below are the areas of your house where mold is most likely to be found and which should be inspected frequently:

Cabinets: any place in the house that is dark and prone to collection of moisture is a potential breeding ground. The cabinets in your house should be inspected often.

Drywall: wall cavities are a natural place for moisture to collect whenever there are water leaks in the house. Any mold that grows here will eventually spread to the drywall. If you see any signs such as cracked and peeling paint or a bulge beneath the surface, out that section of the drywall and carry out a thorough check. If the drywall is infected with black mold, it will be necessary to replace it after you have dealt with the mold and the water seepage.

Floorboards: the space between the floorboards and the actual floor is a great breeding space for mold if there is moisture available. The space is sealed off and that is plenty of dirt available to provide nutrition to the breeding colonies.

Basements /crawl spaces: if your house is susceptible to mold infection, these are the likeliest places in which to find the mold. Moisture or damp anywhere in these spaces can create a problem. You should be particularly careful about structural components made of wood like frames is these provide an easy pathway for the mold to spread to the rest of the house. Eventually, this may have a negative effect on the structural stability of the house.

Bathroom and kitchen sinks: because moisture is likely to accumulate beneath the bathroom and kitchen sink, these are the prime places for mold to grow. Keep these areas dry and clean. You should also check the areas around the bath tub and your shower curtains.

HVAC and ducting: apart from the insulation, the other areas in your HVAC system in which mold is likely to form are the condenser or the cooling coil and drain pan. Moisture from the system can condense in the cooling coil itself making for an ideal breeding ground. The drain pan can accumulate moisture if moisture is not drained off.

Black molds in Highlands Ranch CO homes could pose serious threats especially to children. So it is advisable that the next time you set out to buy a home in any city such as Cherry Hills CO, get it professionally inspected. Professional home inspectors help identify problem areas that you might have missed.

Filed Under: Home Improvement Tagged With: black molds, Boulder CO homes, home inspection

Granite Countertops

February 2, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment
Lavanda Blue (Brazil)
Image via Wikipedia

What’s your plan?  You can add value to your home and boost its resale price or just beautify your kitchen by adding granite countertops or floor tiles.  Granite has been used for ages to construct buildings, fashion tombstones, and pave the floors in ancient public venues.  And now it’s finally at home in kitchens everywhere. In Boulder, granite in kitchens has become the norm in most homes, and is no longer considered a luxury item.

Granite comes in about a thousand shades of colors ranging from pink to golden browns all the way to black.  You can find blues and swirls of green.  It’s one of the hardest stones known, and its rugged blend of grains and crystals reveals amazing patterns.

Just what is granite?  It’s not marble, which forms from sediment at the bottom of lakes and ponds.  When molten rock and crystals are forced by pressure from within the earth into forming layers upon layers, the result is granite.  Nature designs it with beautiful swirling patterns and gives it sparkling accents.

You’ll hear it described as consistent or variegated.  Consistent means the design is uniform throughout an entire section-although no two slabs of granite are alike.  Variegated granite has more of the swirls or veins of color.  Both are beautiful, although the variegated can be more expensive simply because it’s difficult to get the tiles to match fluidly.

Granite can be polished to a high sheen, or sometimes it’s honed for more of a matte surface.  All granite, no matter how highly polished, has pits and fissures from the crystals within.  That’s the beauty of the stone!

One of the great reasons why granite is so much better than other products for your kitchen is its virtual indestructibility.  People ask whether they can use a granite countertop as a cutting board; and the answer is no, because granite is so hard it will dull your knives.  (It’s always best to use plastic or wood block cutting boards.)

In fact, the very nature of granite, synthesized from volcanic activity, renders it impervious to scratches from knives or pots and pans.  Heat from cooking utensils or pans will not harm it.  Boiling liquids that spill onto a granite countertop will not harm it.  About the only thing that can cause damage is a high impact blow by a sharp object-something like intentional destruction.

Granite is going to add value to your home because no matter whether you try for a sharp contemporary look or a softer antique appearance, it will give your kitchen a look that everyone loves.  The brown shades are among the most popular on kitchen countertops, and you want to choose something about 1.25 inches thick.  It can be a little thinner if you’re buying something for the bathroom.  Good quality slabs start at about $18 per square foot.

Granite tiles on your floor will create a unique look that will last forever.  For your kitchen you want a 12×12 that’s about 3/8 inch thick, and you’ll pay anywhere between two and ten bucks per tile.

Any new home buyer is bound to do some type of remodeling, and most of them opt to begin in the kitchen.  But with beautiful granite countertops installed or shiny tile flooring, you’re going to get a better offer at contract time.

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Filed Under: Home Improvement Tagged With: granite countertops, kitchen remodeling

DIY Carpentry Tips: Top 8 Tools You Must Have as a Boulder Homeowner

January 31, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Any of our favorite home carpenters will tell you that it takes time and patience to acquire a proper inventory of home carpentry tools.  Now that you’re a Boulder Homeowner, we’ve listed eight of our favorites that you’ll definitely need to have around he house.

  1. You need a tool chest.  You cannot manage and take care of tools if you do not have a place for everything, so that you can keep everything in its place.  Begin with a universal tool tote or a plastic chest, and then work you way up to something with ball bearings and shelves.  And by the way, a tool belt is a must-you’ve got to have a way to carry around only the tools you need for a specific job.  Yes, a tool chest is one of your tools.
  2. Don’t forget the cleaning cloths and solutions to keep everything in peak condition.  Begin with some lubricant aerosols or a citrus base cleaner to remove any oils or adhesive residues that your tools pick up.  An abrasive cleaning stick will keep your blades free of sawdust or wood particles.  Pick up some inexpensive chamois to wipe down your tools.  This is a hobby that provides enjoyment for you and value to the home, so take good care of your possessions.
  3. The hammer is just about everyone’s first tool.  You can buy a 16-ounce hammer for everyday jobs.  As you move up to more complicated projects, you’ll want a 20-ounce.  Opt for straight claw models, and a leather handle helps with traction.  Try it out in your hand for fit and balance.  Spend $20-30.
  4. Invest in a good power drill.  You want a cordless drill that fits nicely in your hand.  Most of them have icons to help you choose the right bit for your job.  And you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg.  While the lithium-ion battery-powered drills cost more, you can buy a fine model for about $50.
  5. If you’re going to work with wood, you’ll need a sander.  Select one with a 1.5 to 2.0 amp motor that’s perfect for any project.  Most sanders come with polishing attachments.  Be sure the switch and motor are sealed against dust.  Expect to spend $25-$40.
  6. You can’t forget something to measure with.  First, of course, you need a tape measure, as well as a retractable metal pocket ruler.  And then you must have a carpenter’s square-something even your kids can afford on Father’s Day, if you’re writing up a hint list.  Look for a 7-inch pocket-size model that incorporates framing and mitering, and has a protractor.  Cost:  $10-$15.
  7. There are so many kinds of saws, you can spend quite a few holidays stocking up on these.  Your first choice might be a cordless powered hand saw with a stroke length of one-half inch that cuts wood, metal, rope, or plastic up to one-inch thick.  Plan on spending $30.  Or invest in a 6.5 amp jigsaw that comes with a set of blades and a carrying case, maybe setting you back about $150.  And don’t forget your 20-inch flat hand saw, $20-25, or a jab saw for less than $15.
  8. Don’t forget the screwdrivers, level, nail and screw assortments, files, a staple gun, a glue gun, mallet, tacks, eye guards, and even carpentry pencils or chalk.
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Filed Under: Home Improvement Tagged With: Home Improvement, power tools