Each week we bring you a roundup of posts from our blog that we think you’ll find interesting, informative, and entertaining–even if they’re written by an engineer.
Mold, Asbestos Disclosure not Required in La. Home Sales
“Buyer beware: The Louisiana State Board of Home Inspectors Standards and Practice doesn’t require home inspectors to disclose hazardous materials in homes–including asbestos, mold, and even harmful toxic drywall. The reason the for this? Home inspectors are not accredited inspectors for asbestos, mold, and toxic drywall.”
Lead in NOLA Soil Linked to Violent Behavior
“The City of New Orleans has found high levels of lead in public playgrounds and is working to remediate the soil. Part of the issue is the incredibly high number of old houses in New Orleans that were painted with lead-based paint. When it comes time to sand and repaint, not everyone follows the rules to prevent lead from entering the air and eventually winding up in soil.”
Is the Quest for Energy Savings Killing your Indoor Air Quality?
“A lot of focus is put into making a building super “tight” for energy saving purposes.This means wraps, sealants, foams, insulation, etc. are used to reduce air infiltration. These features are excellent for energy savings, but reducing infiltration ventilation in a building can cause indoor mold growth (a large contributor to poor IAQ) and a buildup of indoor air pollutants.”
A Tatooine House in the Desert – Still Prone to Moisture Intrusion (Free Download)
“I don’t often read The New York Times, but when I do, I usually find something interesting like an article that details an innovative way to use bales of hay as a building material. The Big Bad Wolf and The Three Little Pigs come to mind, but in all seriousness using straw and plaster is not a bad way to utilize a renewable building material as long as you build the walls correctly to avoid moisture intrusion.”
