Common Myths About Home Maintenance Can be Costly and Even Dangerous

Sunday, April 22, 2007

By JAMES and MORRIS CAREY -- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Myths, folk tales and fairy tales are amusing when it comes to literature. However, when the subject is home maintenance, myths can be dangerous and costly. Here's list of home-maintenance myths that will make your home safe and help save you money.

Testing a smoke alarm

Myth: Pushing the "test button" on a smoke detector is all one needs to do to ensure that a smoke detector is operating properly.

Truth: The "test button" on a smoke detector will only confirm that the audible alarm is functional; it does nothing to determine whether the detector or smoke sensor is operating properly.

For a more complete check of the detector and alarm, also do a smoke test. Strike a couple of wooden kitchen matches, blow them out and allow the resulting smoke to waft about the detector. Another option is to use "synthetic smoke in a can" (available at hardware stores and home centers) that, when sprayed about the detector, will have the same effect as real smoke. All smoke detectors should be tested at least once each month, and batteries should be replaced at least twice a year.

Furnace filter replacement

Myth: A furnace filter only needs to be changed once during the heating season and once during the cooling season.

Truth: The frequency that a furnace filter needs to be changed depends on many factors. In general, factors that determine how often a filter should be changed include the system operating time, the quality of the filter and the location of the home. Cheap fiberglass mesh filters must be changed more often (typically monthly) than the pricier "three month" pleated filters.

The longer you run your furnace, air conditioner or blower, the more frequently the filter should be changed. Another factor is how much dust is in the air. Filters in homes located in well-developed neighborhoods surrounded by lush landscaping usually don't need to be changed as often as those in homes located in "dust bowl" areas.

Insulation

Myth: The more insulation, the better.

Truth: Sometimes less is more. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, attic insulation is one of the most cost-effective energy-saving improvements that can be made to a home. The DOE has established recommended R-values for nine geographic insulation zones within the U.S. The higher the R-value, the thicker the insulation material.

Installing too much insulation in an attic, wall or floor can be counterproductive. In order for insulation to be most effective, air space should surround the material. Thus, forcing material into a wall cavity will compress the material and diminish its effectiveness. When improperly installed, insulation in an attic can block eave or soffit ventilation. Ventilation is necessary to prevent condensation, mold and rot, and it is essential for insulation to do its job.

Double-pane windows

Myth: A double-pane window with moisture or condensation between the panes can be repaired.

Truth: Double-pane or "insulated" windows are created through a complex manufacturing process that joins two separate sheets of glass at the perimeter to create an air space between the sheets. The glass is joined through a "vulcanization," or fusion, process that employs a combination of adhesive, heat and pressure to create an airtight seal.

From time to time, the seal will fail and moisture and condensation will appear between the glass.

There is no foolproof after-market method to restore the insulating integrity provided by the factory. To solve the problem, the failed window pane must be removed and replaced with a new insulated panel. The entire window frame doesn't need to be removed, just the affected pane.

Bathroom exhaust fans

Myth: An exhaust fan is only needed in a bathroom that doesn't have a window.

Truth: If you have a bathroom -- with a window or not -- it should contain an exhaust fan that will vent to the exterior, not the attic. The fan should operate for 15 to 30 minutes after bathing to completely remove excess humidity, which can lead to mold, mildew and rot. If your bathroom doesn't have an exhaust fan, install one. If it does, use it and keep it clean and in good working order.

Asbestos

Myth: If your home contains asbestos, it must be removed.

Truth: Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used in many building materials until its use was outlawed by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1978.

Asbestos was used primarily in the manufacture of certain building materials such as siding, roofing, wall and ceiling insulation; sheet vinyl (including the backing or underlayment); vinyl tile; pipe furnace and boiler insulation and tape; and acoustic, "cottage cheese"-style ceiling treatment.

According to the EPA, asbestos poses a health risk when the material is friable and fibers can be released -- in other words, when the material can be crushed by hand pressure or the surface is not sealed to prevent small pieces from escaping.

However, as long as the surface is stable, well-sealed against the release of its fibers and not damaged, the material is considered safe.