The Hidden Structural Dangers You Should Know About

We believe we know dangers when we see them: that curvy mountain road with no guard-rail; the snarling, growling beast that your neighbor claims is a dog; your angry wife at 1:00 a.m. They all possess tell-tale signs that tell you to be cautious and to stay away.

But, of course, there exist dangerous elements in this world that look completely benign. Unfortunately it is within our own homes that we may expose ourselves to certain dangers without ever being aware of their presence. As home inspectors in Centennial we are trained to find and recognize these dangers within any structure.  The top hidden health dangers within our homes include:

• Mold. There is a distinct odor to mold, making it easier to detect. Moist, damp and dark areas are breeding grounds for mold spores that can cause allergy and  respiratory problems and, in extreme cases, certain types of cancers. Mold needs to be remediated and removed from any building structure as it can spread quickly doing quite a bit of damage during its lifetime.
• Lead paint. Though the mere presence of lead paint is not inherently dangerous, trying to remove it can expose one to a variety of health risks. Lead poisoning has shown to cause developmental delays in children, vomiting, hearing loss, weight loss and fatigue. Old, peeling and cracking paint from pre-1970’s era homes is likely to contain lead and should be professionally removed to mitigate prolonged exposure.
• Asbestos. Like lead paint, when left alone, asbestos poses little risk. However, when asbestos is released into the air through remodeling or updating efforts, it can cause a variety of health complications including serious respiratory illnesses and certain forms of cancer. If working with building materials that may contain asbestos, make sure to get those materials tested before attempting to remove them. If it is shown to contain asbestos, professional abatement and mediation is required by code.