Chinese Drywall Update 9/15/2011

On September 15, 2011 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission declared an end to its two and half year study of Chinese Drywall.  However, the most important issue not solved or reported on by the Federal Interagency Task Force on Problem Drywall is How does exposure to the off gassing from problem drywall affect a home's occupants health?  

Now that this investigation has come to an end, we at Kross Inspectors feel obligated to warn consumers about the hidden hazards that may be present in homes built between 2004 and 2008.  In completing over 9,000 Chinese Drywall Inspections, we have gathered the following data regarding common health complaints from occupants of homes containing problem drywall:

• Respiratory Distress:  Many occupants complained of shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing.  Many of them reported the symptoms cleared within minutes of leaving the home and being exposed to fresh air. 
• Chest Pains:  Some occupants complained of chest pains that were immediately relieved when they left the home and were exposed to fresh air. 
• Throat Problems:  Many occupants complained of sort throats or a "chalky" feeling in their throat while in the home. Again, these symptoms were relieved upon exposure to fresh air outside of the home. 
• Skin Irritation:  Another common complaint was "itchy" skin when being exposed to problem drywall.  This symptom was often relieved after being away from the home for extended periods of time.  

Although the Federal government has "closed the book" on their investigation, we at Kross Inspectors will keep our promise to inform our Clients about these hidden dangers of problem drywall.  When contemplating a purchase of a home built between 2004 and 2008, ALWAYS insist on a Chinese Drywall Inspection being part of your purchase inspection.  Even more important, ALWAYS insist that this Inspection be performed by an EXPERIENCED Inspector.  

Kross Inspectors was the FIRST Home Inspection firm to offer Chinese Drywall Inspections.  With over 9,000 Chinese Drywall Inspections performed, Kross Inspectors is THE MOST EXPERIENCED!

A Foreclosure House With Mold!  Who Would Have Guessed??

Kross Inspectors did!  In previous Newsletter articles published we issued many warnings about Mold being present in Foreclosure homes.  

The chances of Mold being elevated in Foreclosed Homes is always greater than those homes that have been recently occupied.  

How does Kross Inspectors know this?  Our job does not stop after the inspection is complete.  Performing thousands of Home Inspections each year provides us with the statistical data that allows us to tell consumers that the chances of having a "hidden" MOLD problem in a Foreclosure Home are significantly greater than a home that has been consistently occupied up until the sale date.  

As time goes buy, it is even more important that Home Buyers become aware of the "Hidden Dangers" found in Foreclosed Homes.  Often these homes have been neglected for extended periods of time.  Although many of them are structurally sound and appear to be a "Good Deal", the hidden mold dangers can have long term adverse effects on the home's future occupants.  This is why we always recommend to have an Air Quality Survey performed on the home as part of a purchase Home Inspection.  An Air Quality Survey reports on elevated Mold Spore Counts within the home's atmosphere.  Elevated counts can often reveal that a more invasive investigation is necessary to determine where the mold is "hiding and growing" in the home.  

This shouldn't scare Home Buyers from purchasing Foreclosure Homes.  These homes are offered at great prices that make home ownership affordable and also create many investment opportunities.  Home Buyers should be aware that often the source of the Mold found in homes is easily found and corrected with minimal expense!  However, part of a Home Buyer's due diligence should always be to evaluate if the home has a "hidden" Mold problem.  The only way to detect "hidden" mold is to have the interior atmosphere sampled and sent to a qualified laboratory for analysis. 

Kross Inspectors offers Air Quality Surveys as part of our Home Inspection services.  Our Florida State Licensed Mold Assessors will sample the air within the home and deliver a completed report revealing if the home has a hidden mold problem. 

*For A Limited Time!  Kross Inspectors is offering an Air Quality Survey with each Full Home Inspection for only $125!  That's 50% OFF of our regular fees!  

See what many Home Buyers in Southwest Florida are hearing about Foreclosure Homes and the growing Mold problem by viewing this recent NBC News article:  http://www.nbc-2.com/story/15482069/2011/09/16/mold-a-growing-problem-in-cape-foreclosed-homes

To Find out more about our Mold Inspection Services, please visit http://www.krossinspectors.com/mold or call and speak with one of our Licensed Mold Assessors at  (239) 677-4403 . 

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