do expiration dates mean anything?

[Cheri]

Perishable membrane?

[evie]

Yes. Our apartment block was built in 1939 and I'm not sure if the damp course was the original, but I suspect it was. All the ground floor apartments need repair when the damp course fails as it runs around the base of the building.

Repairs are carried out from inside the apartment, are very messy and create a shit load of dust.

[Scout]

"Use by" dates pale in comparison. A few years ago, a mold problem under my house was found by the termite inspector. I had to move out while experts in hazmat suits eliminated the mold. Scary to think that I didn't know what was going on in my own home.

[evie]

Scout wrote: ""Use by" dates pale in comparison. A few years ago, a mold problem under my house was found by the termite inspector. I had to move out while experts in hazmat suits eliminated the mold. Scary to ..."

It's expensive too. Our apartment was the least costly of the four that required repair, as only one side of it was affected . $8,000 to $10,000 a piece.

[Scout]

Lucky for me, the problem was caused by a 'possum that got under the house and ripped off some insulation from the air conditioning ducts and died nearby (only in the South:). This caused condensation and the resulting mold problem. I was relieved when my homeowner's insurance covered the repairs.

[Scout]

Regarding expiration dates, I often use eggs, cheese, sour cream, and canned goods that are past the suggested dates. So far, no problem.

[Lobstergirl, el principe]

Sometimes a product past its expiration date will have gone rancid, or can make you sick. Other products have just lost flavor or whatever. For people with reduced taste buds, they often won't notice the missing flavor.