Heather Wightman

There is a new fear here is SW Florida about Chinese Drywall. You may have heard about it, it's all over the news. Rest assured that there are more homes than not WITHOUT Chinese drywall. Read below about some on the many inspections and things you can do to make sure your home is safe and to releive that fear.

The following is taken from the Radon and Mold Professionals newsletter dated May 2009.

Chinese Drywall Inspections

"Chinese Drywall" inspections are now part of the Indoor Air Quality services offered by Radon and Mold Professionals board Certified Indoor Environmentalists.
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On the Florida Dept. of Health website under "Frequently Asked Questions" is the following:
How do I know if I have "Chinese drywall"?
Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. The most definitive method to date is finding a "made in China" marking on the back of sheet of drywall. DOH observed some drywall in several homes with no discernable markings. The origin of the unmarked drywall is unknown. DOH observed that homes with marked Chinese drywall also contained drywall marked as made in USA. Remember that we do not know how many sheets of the suspect drywall can cause problems. DOH did observe at least one home with marked Chinese drywall with none of the associated corrosion or odor problems. The bottom line is we think the question should really be "Does my house have corrosion problems?"
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/community/indoor-air/drywallFAQ.html

Our "Chinese Drywall" inspection is as FL. DOH suggests. The question we can answer for you, without expensive and inconclusive testing is:

Does your home have a corrosion problem?
The following criteria are currently used by the FL. DOH to determine whether or not existing conditions in your home meet the case definition of the presence of Chinese/odorous drywall in your home:
1) Black or charcoal corrosion on copper wiring
2) Black or charcoal corrosion on copper refrigerant lines and coils in the HVAC system
3) A drywall stamp indicating country of origin and/or the manufacturer
4) Black or charcoal corrosion on copper plumbing lines
5) Expensive repair or replacement of the air conditioner's evaporator coils due to breakdown
6) Sulfur like odor in one or more rooms in the home that is known to be not sourced in the water

For homes built after January 1st, 2004, the FL. DOH states that if you answered yes to two or more of these conditions, your home meets the case definition. If built before January 1st, 2004 and you answered yes to three or more of these conditions, you meet the case definition.

Of the 62 inspections we have performed in the last month, twenty three met the case definition of having "Chinese drywall" present in their home.

http://www.radonmoldhelp.com/id118.html

Chinese Drywall Inspections

An American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) "Certified Industrial Hygienist" or a AmIAQC board "Certified Indoor Environmentalist" (CIE) is qualified to perform a Chinese Drywall assessment.

The Inspector should have Errors & Omissions Insurance for "Chinese Drywall"

Your Home Inspectors "Standard of Practice" does not cover "Chinese Drywall" example: http://www.nachi.org/sop.htm

Your Home Inspectors E&O does NOT cover "Chinese Drywall" inspections.

Why would you hire an inspector without E&O?

May 7, 2009

"The lawyer for environmental professionals stressed repeatedly that the inspector should / must have Errors and Omissions insurance that covers Odorous / Chinese drywall assessment." (Indoor Air Quality Seminar at Atlantic Coast University)
http://www.radonmoldhelp.com/id118.html

Chinese Drywall cause for leaving home:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/05/06/florida.chinese.drywall.family/index.html
"PARKLAND, Florida (CNN) -- Yorelle Haroush fled a million-dollar South Florida home this week, chased out, she said, by drywall made in China that's emitting vapors that smell like rotten eggs.
"I said, 'you can't stay there anymore, because you're sick every minute,'" the family's longtime physician, Dr. Ross Nochimson, told CNN. "They're sick on a weekly basis. Ear aches, sore throat. I give them something, and they're sick again."

Other News:

Is Your Mold Inspector Really "Certified"?

http://www.naplesmoldinspection.com/id47.html

Washington D.C. ..... New American National Standard 1100 (IAQ certifications)approved by the

American National Standard Institute (ANSI) March 9, 2009

For information on my listings in SW Florida please visit my website at www.TreasureMyHome.com

AARP The Magazine's Healthiest Hometowns

We all want to live long and be healthy. As it turns out, where you choose to live in the second half of your life can make all the difference. So, exactly what makes a city healthy? In doing our research, combing through the government records of hundreds of cities for more than 20 measures of vitality, we looked not only at the physical aspects of a community (clean air and water, for instance) but also at the health and habits of the people who live there. The two are closely linked: if you live near a hiking-and-biking trail and all your neighbors use it, you'll probably use it, too. If a farmers' market is just down the street, you're likely to eat more fruits and vegetables. If your city has multiple hospitals, there's a good chance you'll get superior medical care.

The winners? It's not surprising that our list includes several college towns. Large universities often have teaching hospitals, which employ top doctors using the latest technology. In addition, college towns are full of young people, and younger residents often create a demand for lifestyle perks such as bike paths and accessible fitness programs, which benefit all members of a community.

Few southern towns made our list, despite the warm weather and the relaxed pace of life that have long attracted retirees. Research has consistently shown that cities in the South tend to have some of the highest rates of obesity and chronic disease in the nation. Of course, there are always anomalies-and thank goodness for that, since the thought of retiring to a colder climate may have little appeal for some. Balmy Naples, Florida, came out high on our list, as did Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Honolulu, Hawaii.

10. NAPLES-MARCO ISLAND, FLORIDA

Despite the area's long building boom, Naples still deserves its real-estate nickname: Florida's last paradise. At least 80 percent of Collier County's land has been set aside as open space, protecting places such as Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park; biologists believe the Everglades is the only place in the world where crocodiles and alligators cohabitate.

The area has hung on to its small-town feel: its beaches and art scene (more than 134 galleries in the vicinity) are often voted tops in the nation. And for links lovers, it's heaven: Naples-Marco Island has the second most golf holes per capita in the country. In our survey, residents got high scores for regular exercise, healthy eating, and not smoking, so it's no surprise that the area also has one of the lowest cancer mortality rates going.

The downside is high housing prices and a high cost of living. Naples has been hit hard by the foreclosure crisis-but that means you might be able to find some bargains here.

To read the whole article.. visit -

http://www.aarpmagazine.org/lifestyle/healthiest_hometowns.html/page=1

If you need information on buying or selling homes in the Naples area, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to servicing your real estate needs.

www.heatherwightmanrealtor.com - website

hwightman@johnrwood.com - email

239-450-1891 - cell phone