What Every Home Owner Needs to Know About Mold and What to Do About It - Softcover

Lankarge , Vicki

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0071412905 ISBN 13: 9780071412902

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Contemporary, 2003

Synopsis

The complete guide to dealing with mold in your home--the asbestos of the new millennium

Toxic mold infestations in the home have been brought to the forefront of public awareness. Erin Brockovich's struggle to fight this health crisis and Ed McMahon's experience of this problem in his own home have further publicized the fact that mold has been linked to a host of serious health problems.Yet there are no standards for acceptable indoors mold levels and no laws requiring home sellers to disclose mold problems.

Written by award-winning reporter Vicki Lankarge, this is the first complete home owner's/home buyer's guide to dealing with mold. Clearly and concisely, Lankarge acquaints readers with the latest findings about mold infestation and arms them with everything they need to know to:

• Successfully detect the presence of mold
• Prevent, control, or eliminate mold
• Deal with mold-related health problems
• Understand mold's legal implications
• Work with insurance companies on mold-related cases

About this title

About the Author

Vicki Lankarge is an award-winning reporter and magazine writer with more than twenty years of experience covering consumer issues.

From the Back Cover

Don't let mold destroy your most valuable investment

There's a black cloud looming over your house. It can rob you and your family of your priceless valuables and sentimental heirlooms. It can take complete control over your house, leaving you destitute, homeless, or, worst of all, deathly ill. That black cloud is a toxic mold that could right now be growing at rapid speed behind your baseboards. Learn how to spot toxic mold and get rid of it before it's too late with the help of What Every Home Owner Needs to Know About Mold (and What to Do About It).

Your home is most likely your biggest investment. But once Stachybotrys mold takes over, you can kiss that investment good-bye. Award-winning reporter Vicki Lankarge sheds important light on this highly poisonous infestation-the asbestos of the new millennium-providing the latest findings about mold and how you as a homeowner can protect yourself from its predatory invasion.

Filled with helpful checklists, you'll learn how to combat these microscopic invaders, including:

• Telltale signs of mold infestation, including an earthy or musty odor, sunken areas in baseboards or trim, staining, swelling, or crumbling of plaster or sheetrock.
• Symptoms of mold exposure, ranging in severity from nosebleeds, chronic cough, wheezing, skin and eye irritations, to vomiting, memory loss, pulmonary hemorrhaging in infants, and death.
• Tips to prevent moisture and mold, including plumbing and grout repairs.
• Dealing with insurance companies: What to expect from them, what they expect from you, and what to do when a claim goes bad.
• Avoiding real estate nightmares: Before buying a home, demand full disclosure from the sellers regarding all prior water damage . . . and make sure it's in your real estate contract! Be prepared to walk away from the deal if they won't sign it.
• Tips for home sellers: Repair any damage related to water intrusion and/or mold infestation before you put your home on the market; document all repairs; and disclose everything.

Edition details

• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Contemporary
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0071412905
• ISBN 13: 9780071412902
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192