Friday, September 08, 2006

Sealants are not what they are all caulked up to be.

Sometimes the most simple of repairs can make you crazy. For instance, I had just received a call from a past client who caulked his shower wall recently. I was asked why mold and mildew would be present in just a period of weeks after new caulking was applied. I asked what type of sealant he used. Of course the answer was I used caulk. I again asked about the composition of the caulk and the reply was regular good old fashioned caulk. Not all caulks are the same. Here are a few tips on types of caulk used.

The basic use of caulk is to provide an air and water tight seal. For this goal to be achieved the caulk must have good adhesion characteristics, and provide enough flexibility to resist cracking over time. You may be sealing two different types of material. The caulk and or sealant must be able to stick to a variety of material from glass, metal, wood, plastic, ceramic, and composite material just to name a few. For projects around the house there are a few types of caulks that are in use as follows:

Acrylic latex caulk (sometimes called painter's caulk): This type of caulk is used primarily as a sealant around windows and doors. Acrylic latex caulk is available in a range of colors, and it can be painted over to match the adjoining surfaces. This type is easier to apply than silicon caulk, and clean is easy with soap and water.

Butyl rubber caulk: This kind of caulk is the strongest and most durable. Its main use is to fill cracks in concrete and brick, but it can also be used to seal metal surfaces. Although Butyl rubber caulk does not come in assorted colors, it can be painted to match surrounding surfaces. Clean up requires the use of a solvent.

Silicon caulk: When you want to keep an all-purpose caulk on hand, this is the type you will want. Silicon caulk can be used on a wide variety of non-porous surfaces - from metal to plastic. Its best feature is that is remains somewhat flexible even after drying, so it is not prone to cracking due to temperature fluctuation. Silicon caulk cannot be painted; however, it is available in a range of colors.

The above caulks are just the basic types. Products such as Siliconized Acrylic caulks are on the market today. Also you can find water based all acrylic caulk. The last two caulks are more expensive but they put together the best qualities of the basic caulks to create a superior sealant. Also, specialty caulks are on the market. Bathroom and Kitchen caulks have built-in mildew fighters and can stay bright white for years.

The important point is that different jobs will require different types of caulk to get the job done with superior performance. It is important to read labels and ask your hardware professional about the application you are going to be making. Picking the right product means a great looking job that will last years.

Saturday, September 02, 2006

Information from the Illinois department of Public Health

ASBESTOS IN VERMICULITE

Vermiculite was mined in Libby, Montana, from the 1920s until the mine closed in 1990. While in operation, the mine in Libby produced most of the world’s supply of vermiculite. Vermiculite has been used in building insulation, potting soil and fertilizer. Unfortunately, the vermiculite from the Libby mine contained a type of naturally-occurring asbestos called tremolite-actinolite.
How can I be exposed to asbestos in vermiculite?
Not all vermiculite contains asbestos; however, some products have been made with vermiculite containing asbestos. People can be exposed to asbestos by breathing or ingesting it. Breathing asbestos fibers poses the greatest health risk. The amount of asbestos to which a person is exposed depends on –
how many fibers are in the air and
how long the air containing asbestos fibers is breathed.
You can be exposed to asbestos by disturbing building insulation or other products with asbestos-containing vermiculite. As long as the asbestos is not released into the air, it is not harmful. If it is not being disturbed, there is very little exposure and very little danger.
What does vermiculite look like?
Pieces of vermiculite are brownish-gold and are about ½ inch in size. Pieces look like they are made of several layers.
Can I have the vermiculite in my home sampled to see if it contains asbestos?
If you want to have the vermiculite in your home sampled, we recommend that you hire a trained consultant or contractor to collect the sample and get it analyzed at a laboratory. For information about licensed contractors in Illinois, please call the Illinois Department of Public Health Asbestos Section at 217-782-5830.
We discourage collecting the sample yourself. However, if you follow the contractor’s suggestions for collecting the sample, it should not be a problem. To keep the material from getting into the air, samples should be wet when collected.
What should I do if I have insulation or other products made with vermiculite in my home?
If the vermiculite in your home contains asbestos, we recommend that you leave it in place as long as it is in a location where people are not routinely exposed to it. If it is sealed behind wallboards and floorboards or is in an attic that is not used for habitation, the best advice is to leave it in place. By not disturbing the vermiculite, you are reducing your chances for exposure to asbestos. If vermiculite is disturbed, it could cause tiny, needle-like asbestos fibers to become airborne. Asbestos in the air can be inhaled and cause lung damage. If asbestos is not in the air, it is not dangerous to your lungs. If you must remove any asbestos-containing vermiculite from your home, you should hire a licensed asbestos contractor.
Vermiculite is used in some potting soil for plant growth, and it appears as bright gold or silver flakes. Vermiculite should not be confused with the white plastic substance also found in many potting soils. Keeping your potting soil moist keeps the vermiculite moist, and lowers your chance for exposure to asbestos fibers.
How can vermiculite containing asbestos affect my health?
Most people exposed to small amounts of asbestos will not experience adverse health effects. A person must generally be exposed to asbestos for a long period of time (10 or more years) before health effects occur.
Illnesses caused by long-term asbestos exposure include –
asbestosis, a lung disease caused by breathing in asbestos fibers causing irritation and scarring of lung tissues
mesothelioma, a form of cancer in the lining of the lungs, chest, abdomen and heart caused by exposure to asbestos
lung cancer, tumors of the lung that are linked to asbestos exposure as well as other sources of exposure such as cigarette smoking.
Is there a medical test to show if I have been exposed to asbestos?
Asbestos fibers cannot be detected in chest X-rays, but early signs of lung disease can. Lung function tests and high resolution CAT scans can also detect changes in your lungs.