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home inspector portland: Controlling Humidity - 07/19/10 10:47 AM
The first step in controlling unwanted summer humidity should be eliminating sources of moisture in the home
High relative humidity is a significant problem in many regions of the country during the summer months. In hot weather, the higher the humidity, the less comfortable we are--partly because moisture does not evaporate from our skin as readily. More worrisome over the long haul, high humidity levels in the air and high moisture content of materials in our homes can result in mold growth, which, in turn, can cause allergies and other health problems (as well as damage the building itself).
There are … (1 comments)
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home inspector portland: Congress Approves Home Buyer Tax Credit Extension - 07/01/10 10:30 AM
I'm glad they extended it for the people already in the pipeline for the credit and I'm very impressed that they passed it by itself instead of with more pork like they usually do.
Here's a link to one of the many stories.
http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2010/07/01/congress-approves-tax-credit-closing-deadline-extension/
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home inspector portland: EPA Delays Lead-Paint Restriction - 06/30/10 06:14 PM
EPA Delays Lead-Paint Restriction
Move praised by industry because it will allow more time for contractors to receive training
Remodeling and home repair specialists fuming over a new federal lead-based paint rule have some breathing room - and more time to get trained - after the government put off enforcing it until Oct. 1.
The Environmental Protection Agency's decision to delay enforcement of the new rule "will provide much-needed time to get more remodelers and other contractors trained, and for EPA to get the word out to consumers about the importance of hiring a certified remodeler," according to the National Association … (2 comments)
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home inspector portland: Barbecue Safety - 06/30/10 12:14 PM
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home inspector portland: Earthquake Preparedness - 06/24/10 05:08 PM
Here are some important earthquake-preparedness measures to take:
Secure water heaters to minimize their movement during a quake.
Replace semi-rigid gas connectors with flexible connectors.
Anchor your home firmly to its foundations.
If there is an earthquake:
After an earthquake, be sure that no flammable items have fallen or spilled near natural gas appliances.
If you detect a strong natural gas odor or hear gas blowing, shut off your gas service at the meter. Once the gas is off, leave it off and contact your gas company to have your service restored.
Be aware that in the event of a major … (2 comments)
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home inspector portland: Sandpaper Origami: A Smart Way To Save Sandpaper - 06/23/10 11:23 AM
To make the most efficient use of sandpaper, fold a standard 8 1/2 by 11 sheet in half in both directions with the abrasive side facing out. With a utility knife, cut outward from the center on any one of the four fold lines. Now fold up the sheet of sandpaper so that the resulting shape is 1/4 of a sheet. The folded sheet you're left with fits your hand better, the four plys are easier to hold onto, no abrasive surface is rubbing on another, and when you've worn out the two outside surfaces, fold them into the center and … (0 comments)
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home inspector portland: How it Works: Building Loads - 06/22/10 11:55 AM
A house is more than an assembly of studs, joists, and rafters clad in materials like drywall, tile, paint, carpet, concrete, and asphalt shingles. When built well, a house protects its inhabitants from relentless physical forces.It is important, then, before sinking a nail into the first piece of framing lumber, to understand how a house frame performs. To begin, you need to know what a building load is. Here's how it works.Understanding loads improves framing and design skillsA building load is simply a force that a house frame needs to resist. The frame must be designed to withstand eight of these … (0 comments)
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home inspector portland: Delay in Lead-Paint Rule Enforcement? Maybe - 06/21/10 12:07 PM
If Senate amendment is approved by the House of Representatives, small contractors will have until September 30 to get necessary training
Contractors who have been anxious and/or frustrated about the compliance deadline for the Environmental Protection Agency's "Lead Paint: Renovation, Repair and Painting" rule, which took effect on April 22, were recently given reason to hope that temporary relief might be in the offing.
On May 27, the U.S. Senate passed legislation, attached to a supplemental funding bill, that would prohibit the EPA from using funds in the bill to levy fines against contractors who are performing work in homes built … (1 comments)
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home inspector portland: Vacation Tips: Why waste watts when you’re away? Send your home appliances on vacation, too. - 06/19/10 01:16 PM
Before you leave on vacation, take a few minutes to turn off and unplug equipment. You'll save energy and avoid safety hazards. You might want to read your meter before you leave and when you return - it's a good way to spot any hidden energy wasters.
What to unplug, turn off or turn down before leaving
LightsTurn off all lights except for one or two. Unless these lights are compact fluorescents, put them on timers that can be set to random patterns to discourage potential prowlers. Photo sensors or motion detectors are good ideas for outdoor lights.
Air conditioningTurn it … (4 comments)
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home inspector portland: Portland Oregon Market Report - 06/19/10 12:03 PM
Via Tony and Libby Kelly, CRS, ABR, ePro, SRES, CLHMS, CNHS (Keller Williams Realty Portland Premiere):
May Residential Highlights
When comparing sales activity in the Portland metro area in May 2010 to the same time last year, May 2009, closed sales increased 43.7%. Pending sales and new listings both decreased by 24.1% and 10.2%, respectively. On a month-to-month basis, when comparing May 2010 to April 2010, closed sales grew 5.6% (2,050 v. 1,941) while pending sales fell 50.1% (1,493 v. 2,991). New listings also dropped 26.2% (3,482 v. 4,713). At the month’s rate of sales, the 14,372 active residential … (1 comments)
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home inspector portland: FESTIVAL OF BALLOONS DISCOUNT TICKETS HELP THE FOUNDATION - 06/19/10 11:57 AM
http://www.tigardballoon.org/content.asp?pgid=1109
Save $7 on the Festival of Balloon's admission and unlimited rides pass, and help The Foundation For Tigard Tualatin Schools. Offer good for Friday, June 25th only. MUST BE PURCHASED ONLINE at www.tigardballoon.org. $3 of each sale will be donated to The Foundation.
Friday June 25th ONLY! Buy on-line and save! Don't forget to pick your favorite school or organization to receive the fundraising $$$!
Location: Cook Park17005 SW 92nd Ave
Time:Carnival Hours: 10 AM - 11PM
For Friday only, Z100 is sponsoring a Friday Combo Special for the carnival rides at the Festival of Balloons in Tigard. A ticket purchased online only, entitles you … (0 comments)
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home inspector portland: Post Tip: Need a natural insecticide? - 06/18/10 04:44 PM
Post Tip: Need a natural insecticide? Add onions and garlic to a jar of water, let stand for a week, and spray garden plants with it.
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home inspector portland: Invitation to "like" my company on Facebook - 06/18/10 10:55 AM
I'd love for everyone to Like my Facebook page for Pillar To Post Portland West Side.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Portland-OR/Pillar-To-Post-Professional-Home-Inspections-Portland-West-Side/279839451918?ref=ts
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home inspector portland: New Law Requires Removal of Uncertified Woodstoves When Selling a Home - 06/10/10 05:45 PM
Beginning August 1, 2010, anyone selling a home with an old, uncertified woodstove will be required to remove and destroy this device. The 2009 Oregon Legislature signed Senate Bill 102 into law requiring the removal of any uncertified woodstove from a home when it is sold. This law is part of a program to help protect Oregonians from uncontrolled wood smoke. Residential wood burning is a significant source of air pollution, including fine particulate and air toxics.
For more information about this upcoming requirement (including a Frequently Asked Questions page), please visit http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/burning/woodstoves/heatSmart.htm.
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home inspector portland: Natural Gas & Rotten Eggs - 06/01/10 07:36 PM
An odorant, called mercaptan, is added to natural gas to make even the smallest leak easy to smell. If you notice the smell of rotten eggs indoors or out, here's what you need to do:
If you smell gas indoors or outdoors
Don't use your telephone or cell phone near the gas leak. Leave electrical switches, appliances and computers as they are. Don't smoke or use lighters or matches. Don't start any motors or motor vehicles near the gas leak area. If escaping natural gas is burning, call your local fire department. Don't attempt to put the fire out. If you … (1 comments)
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home inspector portland: What to Look for in a Professional Inspector - 04/17/10 06:10 PM
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home inspector portland: Attention Contractors: Your Lead-Paint Certification Deadline is Approaching - 03/01/10 09:42 AM
A very interesting read on new requirements for contracts working on home built prior to 1978. Does your contractor know about the deadline?
http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/10848/attention-contractors-your-lead-paint-certification-deadline-is-approaching
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home inspector portland: EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS FOR REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS - 02/12/10 12:17 PM
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home inspector portland: Your garage vehicle door may be the largest moving object in your home and could weigh up to 400 pounds. For your safety make sure it’s in good condition. - 02/08/10 11:40 AM
Overhead garage doors have gravity to deal with. In the absence of some type of balancing mechanism, the door would slam shut as soon as you let go of it. Older garage doors may employ a weight and pulley system to balance the weight of the door however virtually all modern systems use springs. Regardless of the method used, the door should balance. If you open the garage door about half way and let go, it should balance there.
Spring failure
The springs used to balance the weight of the door are under enormous stress. If a spring were to … (1 comments)
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home inspector portland: Radon: Detecting and Addressing Radon Contamination in the Home - 02/01/10 06:28 PM
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Chris Livingston
Portland,
OR
More about me…
Pillar To Post
Address: Portland, OR, 97224
Office Phone: (503) 682-3053
Email Me
Serving all of the Portland Metro and outlying areas for over 13 years. We serve buyers and sellers ranging from first time homebuyers, to captains of industry.
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