Realty Guild Blog

By Max Abel, Builder

Mold is not an issue new home builders are commonly concerned with.  In fact, most builders simply ignore the issue. But while it’s  true that mold is not a widespread problem, under certain conditions mold can start growing and may turn into a homeowner’s nightmare.  In fact, mold issues have become a great concern, to the point where many homeowners’ insurance carriers exclude mold coverage from their policies, leaving the homeowner exposed to substantial damages.

There are different types of mold, some are benign and some are toxic, and only a lab test can tell which is which.  When found, mold can be removed by certified mold remediation contractors, but it involves a substantial cost.  Also, by that point, toxic mold may have already sickened the homeowner’s family.

There is a much better way to deal with mold: to simply prevent its growth in the first place, by applying a mold prevention coating on all wood surfaces as well as on basement foundation walls. A mold prevention program is a precautionary step and must be applied during the construction phase when all structural elements are still fully exposed, before insulation and sheetrock are installed.  The special coating is applied to the entire structure that will inhibit mold growth for decades to come.  In fact, lab tests show that the coating is so effective that the manufacturer guarantees against mold for 25 years.

A mold prevention program is the best way to protect against the hassle and potential illness that come with a mold outbreak.  It offers the homeowner great peace of mind, well into the future.

My Ridge Haven project has the full protection of a mold prevention program and can be viewed at: www.1385smithridgerd-indetail.com

For more information on the mold prevention program, you may want to visit the following sites:

Product manufacturer site is:        www.forticel.com

Certified applicator site is:            www.coenviro.com

Product endorsement/testing info:  www.mold-help.org/content/view/733/

Max Abel has over 40 years of experience as an engineer, contractor and builder. To view his latest new construction home in New Canaan, go to: 1385smithridgerd-indetail.com

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By Max Abel

Most home buyers tend to overlook the importance of house ventilation. When thinking about ventilation, people tend to focus on bathroom fans or a range hood.  Indoor air quality is critical to the well being of occupants since stale and polluted indoor air can be a health hazard. The following are the main components that contribute to quality and comfort of indoor air:

• Air temperature (heating or cooling)
• Clean air (filtration)
• Air exchanges (exhausting stale air and bringing in fresh air)
• Control of relative humidity
• Atmospheric pressure (no under or over pressure)

1385 Smith Ridge Road

Mistakenly, most people think that an air conditioning system takes care of all air quality issues, however, most residential HVAC systems are NOT set up to bring fresh air into the house; they only circulate and treat the existing indoor air.
In past days, before “energy conservation” became the buzz word, houses were built to “breathe naturally” – walls, windows and doors were not “air tight”, thus allowing air infiltration that was sufficient enough to maintain reasonable indoor air quality.  As energy saving becomes more and more important, air infiltration has become the “enemy” and newer houses are built to be more “air tight.”  As homes become more “air tight” (foam insulation, better windows and doors), they lose their ability to “breathe naturally” and mechanical systems (ventilators) are necessary to create “artificial breathing.”
Relying strictly on exhaust fans proves to be inadequate since in an “air tight” house they create a vacuum, or “under pressure” environment.  To supplement exhaust fans, another ventilator is needed to bring in fresh air to maintain balanced pressure. The introduction of in/out ventilators creates a new problem of energy loss since the energy invested in the exhausted air is totally lost.
This problem is solved by the introduction of HRV (heat recovery ventilators) units that transfer the energy from the exhausted air into the incoming fresh air.  The use of HRV units in modern energy saving homes is the best answer to both issues of house ventilation and energy saving.  HRV units that work in conjunction with HVAC systems and humidifiers/de-humidifiers address all aspects of indoor air quality.

My project, Ridge Haven, incorporates these advanced systems which can be viewed at: 1385smithridgerd-indetail.com

Max Abel has over 40 years of experience as an engineer, contractor and builder. From ground-up constructions to home renovations, Max’s thorough understanding and professional integrity lend themselves to the highest level of build quality.

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• Check out the competition: Visit open houses in your home’s price category to determine what you can do to improve your home and property
• Make a positive first impression: First impressions are vital so make sure your front yard is well landscaped and your door stoop and foyer are clean and uncluttered.
• Deal sealers: Kitchens, bathrooms and master bedrooms often sell houses. In addition to the “first impression” areas, focus your staging efforts in these rooms.
• Statements are distracting: If possible, anything that makes a strong statement – unique artwork, bold paint colors or striking light fixtures — should be removed. If it’s not to the potential buyers’ liking, it will distract them when they should be focusing on all the positives in your home.
• Limit family photos: Too many personal photos makes it hard for people to imagine their family living in your home.
• Deep clean: Wash windows, remove marks on walls, stair risers and cabinets and steam clean rugs.
• Remove clutter even from areas for clutter: Closets should be neat and no more than half full. Bookcases should be organized and not overflowing. Pack away your kids excess toys. If it’s too big for the room it’s in, remove bulky exercise equipment. By doing so you are creating a fantasy home similar to what you see in advertisements where there is a place for everything.
• Hide the pets: Remove evidence of pets as best you can by putting away food bowls and placing litter boxes in the garage or basement when potential buyers are visiting.
• Avoid offensive smells: Bake something that smells wonderful or light a mildly-scented candle before potential buyers arrive. A nice scent adds to a positive first impression.
• Don’t over stage (remove too much) so that your home feels cold and unwelcoming. Your house should look like it’s occupied. Add a sense of warmth with throw pillows, fresh flowers, pretty linens and attractive art.
• Must be furnished: If you never finished furnishing large parts of your home or have already moved, consider renting furniture and accessories. Empty homes feel cold, look generic and make it hard for people to envision how they would decorate them.

Look for Ann Sample Lineberger’s “Inside Real Estate” column in the late April issue of the New Canaan News Review

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