4 house problems that could be toxic if not fixed

Everyone wants their home to be a safe, comfortable environment. But there are toxic conditions that can occur in houses that may need cleaning up, particularly in older homes. Here are some possible hazards that may be in your house along with advice on whether you need to take action and how you can do it.

Lead paint

Most homes built before 1978 probably have some lead-based paint in them, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The older the home, the more likely lead paint is present. Sometimes that paint is covered with layers of newer paint, and if the newer paint is in pretty good shape, the lead paint is probably not a problem.

But if paint is peeling, chipping or cracking, it's a hazard that needs to be treated. That's particularly true if you have children whose physical and mental development could be impaired by lead poisoning.

"It could happen if a small child chews on a windowsill or a little piece of wood debris," says Stan Zumbrunnen, a member of our staff who has taken lead-removal certification classes.

Although you may see do-it-yourself instructions online for repairing or renovating a home that has lead-based paint in it, that's always risky. Just the process of renovation can contaminate the air you breathe. Even sanding painted wood can spread lead dust into the air.

Instead, have a certified lead-inspection test done and have the inspector assess the risks in your house. This type of test can cost $350-$500. Ask the inspector for documentation of his or her qualifications. Low-cost lead testing kits ($10-$25) are sold online or at hardware stores, but the EPA recommends against homeowners using them.

Always hire a certified lead-safe renovation firm to do clean-up work — preferably not someone connected with the lead inspector. Properly trained workers will hermetically seal the area where repairs are done and will wrap up all debris to carry away. They also will thoroughly vacuum afterward. This is likely to be an expensive process because of all the steps involved. But work has to be done carefully.

Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral fiber found in many building materials, can cause lung cancer with longtime exposure.

Although it's gradually being removed from the marketplace, asbestos has been used in the past in insulation and fireproofing in buildings, in roofing shingles, and in ceiling and floor tiles. In many older homes, it can be found in so-called "popcorn" ceilings, and in the glue holding down vinyl flooring. But that doesn't mean that every popcorn ceiling or linoleum floor has asbestos in it.

Asbestos-containing materials that are intact and not damaged are unlikely to be a health risk, according to the EPA. But if your ceiling is torn or crumbling or if you're planning a major remodel in a room where asbestos-containing materials are found, you need to take special action. As with lead, homeowners should have testing done first (usually $450-$500) and then hire professionally accredited asbestos-repair technicians to remove the hazardous material or do renovations. Low-cost asbestos test kits are on the market, but we recommend against using them.

Sometimes asbestos can be safely covered up or encapsulated. For example, pipes insulated with asbestos can have a protective wrap put over them to contain any possible hazard. Or a false ceiling can be installed just below the asbestos-containing popcorn.

If you decide to remove the asbestos, the process will be complicated in order to prevent asbestos dust from invading your entire home. Usually workers apply a wetting agent to the asbestos material with a hand sprayer before removal. The work area has to be sealed off from the rest of the house. The heating and air-conditioning have to be shut down. When the job is done, an inspector has to test the air in a home to be sure asbestos fibers are not floating around.

Mold

Everyone assumes that since this is Arizona, it's too dry for mold to invade our houses. But any time you have a leak in your roof or spills or floods in a bathroom or kitchen, the resulting moisture can encourage mold to grow. Often you find mold in bathrooms and window areas, and near leaky sinks.

Besides being unsightly and downright disgusting, molds can cause allergies and asthma. And mold spores can spread via the air to other likely spots. Spores can also invade drywall or insulation after a roof leak.

Three common types of mold include aspergillus, which can thrive in your heating and air-conditioning system; cladosporium, which looks like spots of black pepper on painted surfaces and air ducts; and stachybotrys atra, sometimes called black mold. Mold can be black or green and often fuzzy or slimy.

Usually, you find mold visually, but sometimes you can even smell it. Then you might have your air tested to find out what's going on. If you think you have a spot of mold, you can have a spot tested by a professional for about $250 if you think it's necessary.

Your first step in fighting mold is to stop the leak that caused the problem. Often mold grows in areas that get wet, dry out, and then get wet again.

Once the moisture problem is solved, you can clean up the mold yourself if the spot is no more than 10 square feet and is on a hard surface, according to the EPA. Scrub the affected spot with detergent and water, and then thoroughly dry it. Don't try to paint over mold until the area has been cleaned and dried. If the mold is on a porous surface like carpet or dry wall, you may have to remove damaged materials and replace them.

If you suspect mold is in the HVAC system, you need to have your air ducts cleaned by professionals who also will clean out your air-conditioner.

Carbon monoxide problems and gas leaks

Many homeowners have carbon-monoxide detectors in their houses, but if the alarm should sound, they don't know what to do next.

Don't take that alarm for granted. Make sure everyone in the house is alert and awake and then have them exit the house. Seek medical attention if anyone has a headache, is nauseated or excessively drowsy. If you smell a heavy gas odor, call the fire department.

If everything seems normal, call the gas company to have someone come to your home to check from where the carbon-monoxide emissions are originating. They will probably shut down your gas until the problem is fixed.

What could be the issue? Gas furnaces are often at fault. But other appliances like stoves, water heaters or gas-fueled fireplaces can be the issue. Chimneys and venting systems also might have been blocked by debris; so those should be checked as well. If there is a defective appliance, don't use it until it has been professionally repaired.

Next week: How Baby Boomers can help their homes "age gracefully."

For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona homebuilding and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated "Rosie on the House" radio program heard in Phoenix from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturdays on KTAR-FM (92.3). Call 888-767-4348.