The investigations covered in this report focused on three critical issues:
(1) the integrity of metallic structures used to contain natural gas,
(2) the reliable function of smoke detectors alarms, and
(3) the reliable function of heat sensing sprinklers.

Key Findings:

The key finding is that none of the studies performed at NIST on smoke alarms, fire sprinkler heads, or gas service piping found corrosion associated with problem drywall that provided evidence of a substantial product safety hazard, as defined by the Consumer Product Safety Act. Corrosion of gas service piping was uniform and minimal compared to the thickness of pipes. Some smoke alarms and fire sprinkler heads showed small changes in performance due to accelerated corrosion, but these changes were generally within accepted industry standards.

As a result, CPSC and HUD no longer recommend the removal of gas service piping in homes with problem drywall. This change may reduce the cost of remediation for many homes. In addition, the agencies no longer recommend that glass bulb fire sprinkler heads be replaced in homes. However, the agencies recommend that both glass bulb sprinkler heads and gas distribution piping in affected homes be inspected and tested as part of the remediation to make sure they are working properly; any test failures should be corrected according to all applicable building codes.

The agencies do recommend the replacement of all fusible-type fire sprinkler heads, because one fusible-type sprinkler head sample that had been exposed to accelerated corrosion did not activate when tested. The agencies note that this type of sprinkler head is generally found in commercial, rather than residential, applications and that the sole failure could not be causally linked to the problem drywall.

In addition, CPSC staff continues to recommend that homeowners replace smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms as part of remediation

CPSC has been focused on providing answers and guidance for homeowners based on its scientific work, and other federal agencies have worked to provide relief to homeowners. For example, based on information provided by CPSC, the IRS allows certain impacted taxpayers whose homes meet the CPSC’s problem drywall identification criteria to treat damages from corrosive drywall as a casualty loss, and provides a “safe harbor” formula for determining the amount of the loss. In addition, HUD advised its Federal Housing Administration-approved mortgage lenders that they may offer forbearance for borrowers confronted with the sudden effects of damaging drywall in their homes.

For additional findings from the Interagency Drywall Task Force’s investigation, visit www.DrywallResponse.gov

There’s a home improvement project this year that not only adds value and curb appeal to your home, but saves energy and offers up to a $1,500 federal tax credit to homeowners. The project? A stylish new insulated garage door.

Huge tax credit
Qualifying insulated garage doors purchased in 2009 and 2010 earn a sizeable tax credit — more valuable than a tax deduction — that reduces taxes dollar-for-dollar from the bottom line of your federal tax bill.

Under legislation passed in 2008, the tax credit maxed out at $500 or 10 percent of the product cost. But under the federal stimulus legislation announced in February 2009, the tax credit tripled to 30 percent of the product cost, up to a maximum of $1,500. This means that the door helps pay for itself through the tax credit incentive.

Full details on the tax credit and qualifying garage doors can be found at GarageWowNow.com, a non-commercial Web site sponsored by the garage door industry.

Energy savings
The driving factor behind the tax credit is energy savings — another money-saver for homeowners and a positive step for the environment. Homeowners find that the room next to the garage is often the coldest room in the winter.

Older, non-insulated garage doors can allow cold air in the winter and warm air in the summer to enter the house, increasing heating and cooling costs. A new, qualifying insulated door can make a difference in the temperature of your home while helping to reduce your energy bills in both winter and summer.

New styles boost curb appeal
In the last five years, a new breed of stylish garage doors has hit the market. And adding style to your home means adding value as well.

A garage door typically makes up more than one-third of a home’s front facade. A “plain vanilla” garage door can make your home look bland and boring — especially if it looks just like every other garage door on your street.

The latest styles offer:
* The carriage house look, a throwback to yesteryear that fools the eye by echoing the hinged, swing-out door styles of quaint and charming carriage houses — yet the doors open just like any other modern garage door.
* Sleek, contemporary doors available in vibrant colors, opaque glass and aluminum, and a range of metallic finishes to complement modern homes.
* Steel raised-panel doors with a wood grain print surface that requires minimal maintenance, beautifully imitating the rich colors and patterns of real wood.

Get the job done
Don’t know where to begin in looking for new garage door styles?

A wide variety of new styles are featured at GarageWowNow.com to point you in the right direction. Before and after images on the Web site allow you to see how new garage doors have dramatically changed the appearance of homes. And if you find a door that catches your fancy, the door manufacturer is clearly listed and you can go directly to their Web sites.

And remember, installation is best left to the pros. GarageWowNow.com’s ZIP code search function will help you find a professional in your area who can install your new door in a few hours.