Articles by Carl Brahe

Resources related to Owning, Buying or Selling Commercial or Residential Real Estate by Carl Brahe

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Inspections
Does Your Inspector Work for You?
Get What You Pay for
Inspect Your Own Home

Infrared Inspections - Almost like seeing into walls
IR Flat Roof Inspections - Hidden defects can sometimes be seen

Environmental
Is Asbestos Hiding in Your Home? - Asbestos was manufactured in the Denver area until 1994 and was used in area homes.
Bacteria Grows in Showerheads - Showerheads need to be replaced periodically
How Clean is Your Neighborhood? - Is your home in a healthy neighborhood?
Residential Environmental Reports from EDR - Find out what pollutants are present in your neighborhood.
Marijuana Grow Rooms - Grow rooms are becoming more common as many states legalize medical marijuana.
Bed Bugs - Bed bugs have invaded homes and business all over America.
Noise, Smoke, Bugs, Rodents and More from Neighboring Apartments - Your health can be impacted by behavior of residents in adjoining living units.
Third Hand Tobacco Smoke - Tobacco smoke that settles on furniture, carpets, drapes and other objects can harm our child’s health.

Advisories
PEX – Overlooked Defects
Polybutylene Plumbing – Waiting to Burst

Maintenance

HVAC Deferred Maintenance Can be Costly and Deadly - Taking your heating and AC systems for granted may be big mistake.
Closing Your Vacation Home - Proper preparation for absence can save your home.
Wood Rot - When water meets wood rot results.
Keeping Your Home Pest Free - Bugs, rodents, birds and other pests need access and moisture.
Mud Jacking - Sometimes concrete pads can be lifted back in place.
Tips for First Time Home Owners
Drainage – Most Overlooked Home Defect - When water runs toward your house or concrete pads damage can be extreme.
Trees Can be Asset or Liability - Age, stress and disease can endanger trees, people and property

Carbon Monoxide - When fuel is burned CO results and uncontrolled can cause death.

Wood Burning Appliances - Maintenance is essential for safe, clean, efficient operation.

Meth
Addresses of Meth Labs in the Denver Area
Meth House Nightmare - contamination can cause health and financial problems
Meth House Dangers and Clean-up

Meth Lab Clean-up Rip-off? - No shortcuts in cleaning contamination from meth and chemicals from manufacturing.
Meth Contamination in Cars - Meth is smoked and made in cars. Is your used car contaminated?
Meth House Liability - Who is liable if you find meth in your home?

Testing for Meth in Your Home - Home testing can be useful, but is not a replacement for professional testing.

Mold
Index of Mold Articles and Resources - science not hysteria
Mold: Guide for Real Estate Professionals
Consequences of Bad Science in Mold Testing and How to Do it Right
Black Mold not Toxic to Humans?
Leave Water Damage Fix-up to Pros
Fog Away Mold Problems - Don’t expect magic solutions to real problems.

Radon
Radon – Sometimes Fix is Simple and Inexpensive

Expansive Soils
Expansive Soils in Colorado - Some clays expand 15 x when wet and can lift easily lift your house.
The Most Overlooked Home Defect in the Denver Area - Uncontrolled water is never good forbuildings, but combined with clay it can be devastating.

Resources
How Stuff Works – Information for Real Property Decisions

Green Resources
Rubber Sidewalks
Water Filters - Alternative to bottled water.
Windows that Heat