Dear Reader:

Spring is here, according to the calendar! My fruit trees are starting to bud out, and my seedlings are thriving.

Other thriving things that grow in the spring are home repair projects. I’m sure you’re being inundated as I am with offers for replacement windows, new siding, patch driveways. I love when they start the call with the line, “Your home has been selected as representative of your neighborhood….” Obviously, they’ve never been here.

Thinking of home repairs, I was excited and appalled to see the article in the March 2007 Reader’s Digest. I thought I knew quite a bit about rip-offs, but boy, were my eyes opened by the article “5 Biggest Home Repair Rip-Offs.” The entire article can be found by clicking on the link:

http://www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=34102

One item that surprised me was about leaking roofs. I always assumed you would need a whole new roof and maybe new decking, too! The article said that most roof leaks occur due to failed sealing around vent pipes and the flashing on chimneys. The author, Tom Philbin, said that all you should have to do is seal those areas. Most contractors, he said, would tell you that you need a whole new roof, and perhaps new decking! He pointed out that a whole new deck is needed only one in 1,000 times.

Tom then spoke of leaky basements, termite control and chimney sweeps. The other item I want to address is on mold.

MOLD – that’s right, mold! Con artists are abounding, especially since Hurricane Katrina. They try to convince you to run expensive tests to identify the mold, and then recommend a remediation company. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mold isn’t dangerous unless you’re immunosuppressed or have allergies or asthma, says David B. Callahan, MD.

So, it isn’t the type of mold - as a matter of fact the CDC doesn’t even recommend testing mold - it’s the fact that it’s there, and should be removed. In small areas, just clean nonporous surfaces with soap and water, followed by a solution of 1 part bleach to 4 parts water, then rinse. Mold needs 3 things – moisture, food and a place to grow! Sounds like most areas of the home.

Here’s a link to one of the many articles found on the CDC website regarding mold:

http://www.cdc.gov/mold/dampness_facts.htm

I hope that these suggestions help save you the big bucks when it comes to Spring repairs!

Mary L. Chabot - Realtor
Real Estate Agent
508-847-0654
Mary.Chabot@NEMoves.com

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