Home Improvement : Formaldehyde Can Cause Home Pollution

QUESTION: I’ve been hearing a lot about the dangers of formaldehyde pollution in the air inside my home. What is the source of this pollution and what can be done about it?

ANSWER: Formaldehyde is a resin used in home products such as hardwood plywood used in wall paneling, particleboard used in underlayment and medium-density fiberboard used in furniture, countertops and cabinets.

People sensitive to the formaldehyde emitted by these kinds of material experience burning eyes and irritation of the mucous membranes. It is also a probable cause of cancer in humans.

Formaldehyde risk from conventional housing using conventional construction techniques is minimal. Many builders have shifted away from particleboard in favor of exterior-grade plywood, which contains a different resin.

And the National Particle Board Assn. and the Hardwood Plywood Manufacturers Assn. have developed voluntary standards to reduce the substance in their products. The amount of formaldehyde released depends on the surface area containing formaldehyde and the volume of the house.

Smaller houses and mobile homes, which contain a lot of these boards, have a likelihood of higher emission rates. Formaldehyde emission rates do lessen over time. This, coupled with the fact that many products adhere to some guidelines, means even recently built houses should not have a problem.

But if someone in your family is sensitive, you can ventilate the area and paint the surface of the formaldehyde-containing product with any paint that acts as a vapor retarder. This is especially important in the case of medium-density fiberboard. This product is the highest emitter of formaldehyde and is not governed by voluntary standards.

Faulty Washer Will Create Squeal Noise

Q: We have a faucet that squeals when it is turned on partially. The squeal stops when the faucet is turned past a critical point. What causes the squeal and what can I do to eliminate it?

A: A squealing faucet is usually the result of a worn washer. When the stem is turned out (as happens when you turn on the water) and the clearance between the frayed washer and the valve seat reaches a certain distance, the washer will vibrate and squeal like a reed in a wind instrument. As the valve is opened more, the space becomes greater and the reed effect--and noise--ceases. Simply replace the washer.

Broken Driveway Can Be Patched, Resurfaced

Q: I have a large concrete driveway that’s about 30 years old. Part of it is in fair condition and could be patched and resurfaced. Would it be worth it to blacktop it, or should I replace it with concrete?

A: Broken concrete driveways can be surfaced with a topping of asphalt using the concrete as a base as long as it is solid. Remove any broken and loose concrete, then compact the base and patch the holes with concrete to the level of the existing surface. The feasibility of this type of patching will depend on the number of patches and their size.

If the area is small enough, a patch of gravel and sand, wetted down and tamped for proper compaction may be all you need. You should have the driveway surface coated with liquid asphalt first to assure that a minimum of 1 1/2 inches of asphalt surfacing will adhere to the concrete.