Home Repairs: Rip-Off #5 - Mold

Posted on: February 27, 2012 by admin

Recently, mold has making a comeback – not necessarily in your home, but with con artists. Playing on people’s fears about mold related illnesses, especially on the Internet, they attempt to convince you to conduct $300 to $600 tests to determine if mold is present. Then they’ll suggest hiring a remediation company for getting rid of the mold by a firm they're in cahoots with.

 

 

All that you really need to know about mold is pretty simple: Healthy individuals normally have absolutely nothing to be concerned with. If you have allergies, asthma or immune system related illnesses, then mold can possibly be a problem. Otherwise, mold is not harmful to your health.

 

 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) doesn't even recommend testing molds, due to the fact that if it's a problem for you, it really should...

Home Repairs: Rip-Off #3 - Termites

Posted on: February 9, 2012 by admin

Myths about termites abound and con artists will use these to lure a home owner into promptly signing on the dotted line to have unnecessary or shoddy work done that could run upwards of $3,000. By arming yourself with the information that you will find in our free Consumer Awareness Guide, you will be better prepared to ask more informed questions and steer clear of getting scammed.   There are more than 17,000 pest businesses in the United States. You want a firm that comes with great recommendations, a lot of experience and a fair price. Question the organization very carefully and ask it to send a knowledgeable technician. And if the exterminator claims you have termites, make certain that you ask to see the proof.   Some businesses charge thousands for standard work that could be completed for much less than $1,000, so take notes on the exact kind...

Home Repairs: Rip-Off #2 - Wet Basement

Posted on: January 27, 2012 by admin

If your basement is chronically wet, scamming contractors may possibly inform you that they will need to dig out your complete foundation and waterproof it -- at a price of anywhere between $5,000 to $15,000. Much more frequently, though, the remedy is easy and costs much less.   Quite a few basement leaks are triggered by such things as overflow from clogged gutters, misrouted downspouts, unsloped land all around the property, or even improperly aimed lawn sprinklers.   Before going to a lot of trouble to repair} it, attempt to decrease the moisture along the foundation by cleaning out your gutters, rerouting the downspouts, repositioning any sprinklers, or packing fresh soil six inches higher against the foundation and sloping it back to level inside of about 3 feet.   Damp walls can also be triggered by higher humidity levels. To check for this, attach a piece of aluminum foil to the foundation wall; if moisture appears...

Home Repairs: Rip-Off #1 - Leaky Roof

Posted on: January 18, 2012 by admin

An unscrupulous contractor will inform you that water is seeping as a result of the shingles of your roof. To repair it, he will recommend that you will need to tear off all the old layers and construct a new roof -- a task that normally costs around $5,000 or more.   Most of the time, roof leaks take place due to the fact that the sealing all around the vent pipes has failed, the metal flashing on the chimney has deteriorated, or the connections in between roof sections have eroded. Replacing the sealing or flashing, simply and cheaply, will usually resolve the issue.   Normally, an asphalt shingle roof lasts 15 to 20 years. You may need to have your roof replaced if you see curling or missing shingles, or if a significant quantity of granular materials from the shingles is collecting in the gutters.   Do not let yourself get talked in to allowing...