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Household Horrors and Home Improvement

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From black mold to crumbling foundations, some household horrors can lead to serious expense and even catastrophe.

On this hour of Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe talks with home improvement expert Bill McAnally about some of the scariest things that can happen to your home.

Moisture, McAnally says, is something homeowners should fear—and check for often. He suggests getting rid of air fresheners and deodorizers, especially in the basement, in order to detect any musty smells. McAnally also says homeowners should take action when a window will not stop leaking, and shares advice on what to look for if you suspect damage to your home's foundation. 

"If you're down in the basement, look to see if there are any cracks, especially horizontal cracks," says McAnally. Homebuyers should be wary of freshly painted basement walls, McAnally adds, which may be masking cracks from foundational damage.

Throughout this hour of Talk of Iowa, McAnally answers offers listeners advice, and listeners shar their household horror stories.

Charity Nebbe is the host of IPR's Talk of Iowa