Homes and Hazards Pt.2: Hidden Risks Every Real Estate Agent Should Know - Agent Tech Mastery Podcast

Meeting Purpose

Discuss home hazards including lead, foundations, chimneys, and carbon monoxide as part of an ongoing series on residential hazards.

Key Takeaways

Lead paint in older homes poses health risks; professional testing and remediation may be required Foundation issues can arise from poor engineering or soft substrates; proper permits and inspections are crucial Regular chimney cleaning and WETT certification are important for wood-burning appliances Carbon monoxide detectors are essential in homes with fossil fuel appliances or attached garages

Topics

Lead Paint Hazards

Historically used in paint for better opacity, especially for colors like yellow, red, orange No longer used in modern paints due to health risks when ingested Testing requires lab analysis of samples, no reliable on-site meters available Primarily a concern in older homes; new construction shouldn't use lead paint Professional assessment and remediation may be necessary if lead paint is suspected

Foundation Issues

Foundation stability depends on the substrate (ground) it's built on Soft substrates like peat bogs can cause shifting and structural problems over time Modern construction techniques drill down to solid substrates for stability Signs of foundation issues: crooked staircases, cracked foundations, sloped floors Proper engineering and permits are crucial, especially for hillside or cliff-side homes Seismic requirements have evolved over time for earthquake-prone areas Chimney Safety and WETT Certification Wood Energy Technology Transfer (WETT) certification required for wood-burning appliances in British Columbia Annual WETT inspections recommended for safety and insurance purposes Chimney fires can occur due to buildup of combustible residue inside the chimney Regular cleaning and maintenance is essential to prevent chimney fires Some stratas (HOAs) include annual chimney cleaning in their fees Carbon Monoxide Risks Colorless, odorless gas produced by fossil fuel combustion (e.g., natural gas, propane, gasoline) Can be lethal if undetected; recent incident of elderly couple passing away from CO leak CO detectors are crucial in homes with gas appliances or attached garages Modern homes often have combination smoke/CO detectors built-in Consider portable CO detectors when traveling, especially for vacation rentals

Additional Hazards Mentioned

Radon gas: naturally occurring in some areas, can cause long-term health issues Pest infestations: professional pest control may be necessary, especially in certain environments Bed bugs: can be a significant issue in multi-unit buildings and hotels

Next Steps Install carbon monoxide detectors if not already present in the home Schedule annual chimney cleaning and WETT certification for wood-burning appliances Research local radon levels and consider radon testing if in a high-risk area When buying/selling property, ensure all renovations and additions have proper permits Consider portable CO detectors for travel, especially when using vacation rentals

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