Serving Chicago, north, northwest and near west Cook County, Illinois. Homebuyer/Seller Issues

Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring material that can only be identified under the microscope and is used in a variety of products for fire resistance, flexibility and strength.

Asbestos fibers can remain suspended in the air for a long period of time because of their size and shape and can easily penetrate body tissues after being inhaled or ingested.  Fibers can remain in the body for many years and become the cause of an asbestos related disease that may take up to 30 years to appear.  Diseases include asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other related problems.

Asbestos Tape

If my home has asbestos, what should I do? If the asbestos is in good condition, it should be left alone. Removal is complex and hazardous and should only be conducted by a professional.

If I want to buy a home that has asbestos, what should I do? Leave it alone, and have undamaged areas sealed or covered by a professional.

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 Louisiana Pacific Siding

Louisiana Pacific Siding is composed of wood chips and resins, including wafer board and OSB.  It was manufactured because it was better for the environment and was easier and cheaper to work with.

LP Siding retains water due to improper manufacturing and causes shrinking, cracking and molding of the siding.

LP Siding can be identified by a specific knothole with "LP" imprinted upon it.

Home owners that have LP Siding on their homes can file a claim up to January 1, 2003 by calling 1-800-245-2722.  Once you file the claim, an independent contractor will come to your home to assess the siding.   Be sure to take pictures of the damaged siding and measure the bottom edge for swelling.  The bottom edge should be 7/16 of an inch thick when no swelling is present. 

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 Lead Based Paint

75-80% of all homes built before 1978 contain lead based paint.  The paint deteriorates, chips and forms dust particles.

Inhaling or ingesting lead based paint dust particles causes health problems in adults and especially children.  The CDC ranks lead poisoning as the number one threat facing small children today.

Homes with lead based paint should be kept clean using a cleaner such as trisodium phosphate.  Areas that should be paid special attention include window sills, doors, and other areas of friction.

By law, sellers and landlords must disclose known lead based paint hazards.  Buyers can have lead inspections conducted in a home, but they are generally very costly.  HUD has a free list of state certified lead inspectors and/or contractors:  1-888-leadlist or www.leadlisting.org.

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 Radon Gas

Radon is a gas emitted from decaying Uranium found in soil, rock and water.  It is especially high in areas where granite is present.  Radon is colorless, odorless and tasteless, but it is a very deadly gas when inhaled in large quantities.

How does radon get into a home?

Studies by the Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety (IDNS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and others show that radon levels occur in every county in Illinois.  IDNS found in its study that 17% of the homes tested in Cook County had indoor radon levels of 4 picocuries per liter of air (piC/L) or greater.  The EPA recommends radon testing on the sale of all new or older homes.  NPI can arrange to conduct a 48 hour radon test where a continuous monitor is placed in the home and picked up two days later.  Results on the radon test are ready shortly thereafter.

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Polybutylene Piping

Polybutylene Piping was used in homes from 1979 -1995, and is estimated to be in one out of every four homes.  Polybutylene pipes can be blue, gray or black and are used for interior and exterior water piping.

Since Polybutylene Piping was cheaper and easier to install, it was seen as "the pipe of the future."  However, the pipes are susceptible to brittleness and sudden failure due to reactions with oxidants in the public water supply.  In most cases failure take 10-15 years.  Pipes deteriorate from the interior out, so it is difficult for the untrained eye to determine the condition of the pipe.

Homeowners can file a claim against manufacturers of polybutylene piping by calling 1-800-392-7591 or by visiting www.pbpipe.com.  There are certain conditions the pipes must meet to be eligible for recovery.  To learn more about polybutylene piping, call our office for more details or to set up an educational seminar in your real estate office.

Main water line connection to home using polybutylene piping.

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Synthetic Stucco

A home with stucco siding is either hardcoat or synthetic.   Synthetic stucco can usually be identified by the following:  it gives slightly when pressure is applied, it can be easily penetrated with a small screwdriver, and it is hollow sounding.  Synthetic stucco was manufactured because it was more energy efficient than hardcoat, came in a variety of colors, and could be molded into any shape.

Synthetic stucco poses problems to the home owner not because it is a bad product, but because it has been consistently improperly installed.   Because of improper installation, the stucco retains water, causing moisture problems including wood rot.

Homeowners and potential buyers can care for synthetic stucco by conducting moisture testing, properly flashing and caulking all problem areas (doors, windows, gutters, bottom edges near soil), and having any necessary repairs made.   Moisture will dissipate from the stucco if it is properly cared for.

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Masonite Siding

We frequently are asked questions about Masonite siding, and have noticed that there is much confusion over Masonite siding. Here are a few facts about Masonite to help you in your negotiations and transactions:

Masonite is a name brand. They produce various kinds of hardboard siding, but many people mistakenly call all hardboard siding Masonite. In other words, it is commonly used as a generic term.

Before Louisiana Pacific siding was a known issue (5+ years ago), many inspectors called LP siding Masonite siding. An old inspection report naming the siding as Masonite could possibly be incorrect.

Masonite siding can be identified by a series of markings printed on the backside of a piece of siding. You must have a piece removed to see these markings, and thus positively identify the siding.  Here's a picture of the markings:

Masonite siding has experienced many problems, and a class action suit has been filed against the manufactures of Masonite. Problems include: buckling, penetrating nail heads, swelling, fungus growth, and wax bleeding.

The class action suit covers Masonite siding installed between January 1, 1980 and January 15, 1998. If the siding was installed between 1980-1989, the filing deadline is January 15, 2005. If the siding was installed between 1990 and 1998, the filing deadline is January 15, 2008.

To file a claim on Masonite Siding call 1-800-330-2722.

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Mold in the Home

Because of the amount of information we have on mold growth, we've dedicated a whole page to it. Click Here

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NATIONAL PROPERTY INSPECTIONS OF CHICAGO

RANDY CREAMER

888.724.5338   office

Copyright of Randall Creamer, 2003.