| |
mold inspector: Carpeted Bathrooms - 01/11/10 06:34 AM
Carpeted bathrooms are bathrooms that have carpeted floors instead of traditional floor surfaces, such as tile or vinyl. Despite their tendency to foster mold and bacteria, carpets are sometimes installed in residential bathrooms for aesthetic purposes. Carpets should never be installed in bathrooms in commercial buildings.
Advantages of carpets in bathrooms:
They make bathrooms appear more warm and inviting. They are softer than tile and many people find them comfortable on bare feet. Bathroom slip hazards are reduced. It is easier to slip on hard bathroom surfaces, such as tile, than on carpet. Installation is generally quick and inexpensive. Disadvantages … (6 comments)
|
mold inspector: Bathroom Ventilation Ducts and Fans - 01/09/10 09:12 AM
Bathroom ventilation systems are designed to exhaust odors and moist air to the home's exterior. Typical systems consist of a ceiling fan unit connected to a duct that terminates at the roof. Fan Function The fan may be controlled in one of several ways:
Most are controlled by a conventional wall switch. A timer switch may be mounted on the wall. A wall-mounted humidistat can be pre-set to turn the fan on and off based on different levels of relative humidity. Newer fans may be very quiet but work just fine. Older fans may be very noisy or … (0 comments)
|
mold inspector: Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) Indicators (testers) - 01/09/10 09:08 AM
What are AFCIs? Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) are special types of electrical outlets and circuit breakers designed to detect and respond to potentially dangerous electrical arcs in home branch wiring.
What are AFCI indicators? AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) indicators (sometimes called AFCI testers) are portable devices designed to test AFCI functionality. They create waveform patterns similar to those produced by actual arc faults, thereby causing working AFCIs to trip. AFCI indicators are considerably larger and more expensive (several hundred dollars) than their GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) indicator counterparts and are of questionable effectiveness. For these … (0 comments)
|
mold inspector: Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems - 01/08/10 06:40 PM
Geothermal systems are home heating and cooling systems that gather heat from the earth. Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) use the relatively constant temperature of sub-surface soil as the exchange medium.
Geographical Distribution
As of 2004, five countries -- El Salvador, Kenya, the Phillipines, Iceland and Costa Rica -- generate more than 15% of their electricity from geothermal sources. In Iceland, geothermal energy is so cheap that some sections of pavement are heated. In the United States, roughly 50,000 geothermal heat pumps are installed every year. The U.S. leads the world in geothermal exploitation. The combined production of geothermal energy for all … (1 comments)
|
mold inspector: Anti-Tip Brackets for Freestanding Ranges - 01/08/10 11:59 AM
Anti-tip brackets are metal devices designed to prevent freestanding ranges from tipping. They are normally attached to a rear leg of the range or screwed into the wall behind the range, and are included in all installation kits. A unit that is not equipped with these devices may tip over if enough weight is applied to its open door, such as that from a large Thanksgiving turkey, or even a small child. A falling range can crush, scald, or burn anyone caught beneath.
Bracket Inspection
Inspectors can confirm the presence of anti-tip brackets through the following methods:
It may be possible to see a wall-mounted … (0 comments)
|
mold inspector: Collar Ties vs. Rafter Ties - 01/08/10 11:53 AM
Collar ties and rafter ties are both horizontal roof-framing members, each with different purposes and requirements. Collar TiesCollar ties are designed to tie together the tops of opposing rafters. This helps brace the roof framing against uplift caused by wind. Collar ties must be placed in the upper third of the roof. Other facts about collar ties:
They may or may not be required, depending on jurisdiction. InterNACHI inspectors should not call out lack of collar ties as a defect unless they know that collar ties were required in the jurisdiction in which the home is located at the time the … (0 comments)
|
mold inspector: Sump Pump Operation and Inspection Guide - 05/17/09 08:11 AM
Sump Pump Operation and Inspection Guide
Sump pumps are self-activating electrical pumps that protect homes from moisture intrusion. They are usually installed below basement or crawlspace floors to remove rising groundwater and surface runoff before it has a chance to seep into the home. Accumulated water can cause interior damage and encourage the growth of mold, mildew, and fungus. Pumps should be maintained and equipped with all necessary components in order to ensure their reliability.
How a Sump Pump Works A pit, known as a sump pit or sump trench, can be dug at the lowest part of the basement floor … (0 comments)
|
mold inspector: Efflorescence (stains) - 05/17/09 08:04 AM
Efflorescence for Inspectors.
Efflorescence is an accumulation of minerals and salts on masonry surfaces, such as brick, cement, and sometimes stone. Inspectors should know how to prevent against and remove this unsightly residue. They must also be aware that, while efflorescence itself is not dangerous, it indicates the presence of excess water, which can lead to more serious structural and health issues. How Efflorescence Forms The earth contains natural salts that are present in the raw materials that make up masonry products, such as concrete, asphalt and stucco. These salts remain trapped within masonry in solid form until … (0 comments)
|
mold inspector: Water Heater/TPR Valves and Discharge Piping - 04/06/09 06:45 PM
TPR (temperature pressure relief) valves are safety devices installed on water heating appliances such as boilers and domestic water supply heaters. TPRs are designed to automatically release water in the event that pressure or temperature in the water tank exceeds safe levels. If temperature sensors and safety devices such as TPRs malfunction, water in the system may become superheated (exceed the boiling point). Once the tank ruptures and water is exposed to the atmosphere it will expand into steam almost instantly and occupy approximately 1,600 times its original volume. This process can propel a heating tank like a rocket through … (0 comments)
|
mold inspector: Dryer Vent Safety - 04/06/09 06:40 PM
Clothes dryers evaporate the water from wet clothing by blowing hot air past them while they tumble inside a spinning drum. Heat is provided by an electrical heating element or gas burner. Some heavy garment loads can contain more than a gallon of water, which during the drying process will become airborne water vapor and leave the dryer and home through an exhaust duct (more commonly known as a dryer vent). A vent that exhausts moist air to the home exterior has a number of requirements:
It should be connected. The connection is usually behind the dryer but may be … (0 comments)
|
mold inspector: "Why a Professional Home Inspector often is called a DK..." - 03/15/09 06:35 PM
John M. Acaron, CHI, CMI
www.HOMEINSPECTORUSA.biz
(850-814-3889)
Deal Killer ("DK") is one of the most controversial of all home inspection topics, the one that stirs ire among veteran inspectors and that draws defensive reactions from some real estate professionals everywhere. The very idea that professional real estate agents are the primary source of home inspector referrals is a clear and obvious conflict of interest. Yet most home buyers never seem to give this a thought. They simply hire the agent's favorite home inspector, without asking if this is the best one available. Let the client do his … (0 comments)
|
mold inspector: Can a comprehensive Home Inspection be performed in one Hour? - 02/24/09 02:56 PM
… (0 comments)
|
mold inspector: Be prepare for a Home Inspection - 02/24/09 02:54 PM
No home is perfect. Anything from major damage to minor maintenance issues are often found. Even new homes are not immune - they could have problems with the plumbing, electrical system, heating and cooling system, or the roofing system just to name a few.For buyers, a Home Inspection vital to uncovering issues a home may have but are invisible to the untrained eye. Even if the home inspection finds more problems than you're comfortable with and you move on to a different home to start the process all over again, it is money well spent.
A Home inspection will give you … (0 comments)
|
mold inspector: Maintaining Your Water Heater - 02/24/09 02:26 PM
Most people don't give any thought to their water heater-they just turn on the faucet and expect hot water to come out. Keep your water heater in peak operating condition by performing some simple routine maintenance.
One step you can take is to drain your tank. How often you need to do this depends upon the sediment buildup you are getting in your tank. Some experts recommend draining once a year. I recommend draining your tank once, and checking sediment buildup. Check it six months or a year later and compare the amount of build up to your previous amount. This … (0 comments)
|
mold inspector: Can mold cause health problems? - 08/19/08 07:55 AM
Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens, irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances.
Allergic reactions to mold are common and include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. The most common health problems caused by indoor mold are allergy symptoms. Although other and more serious problems can occur, people exposed to mold commonly … (1 comments)
|
mold inspector: Hot Water and How to Heat It - 07/26/08 07:13 PM
There are several water-heating options available to you. While you are taking steps to save on home heating, don't forget to see what you can do to lower your water heating costs. Check with your fuel supplier for more information, and consider alternatives to your current method.
Storage-type water heaters Most homes have storage-type water heaters in which water in a tank is heated by a gas or oil burner or by electric elements. Traditional storage heaters have been improved with such features as through-the-wall venting for combustion units and better insulation, making them less expensive to operate. Units designed … (0 comments)
|
|
|
|
|
|
John M. Acaron, BSME, CHI, CMI
Santa Rosa Beach,
FL
More about me…
HOMEINSPECTORUSA, LLC
Address: P.O. Box 9354, Panama City Beach, Fl, 32408
Office Phone: (850) 814-3889
Cell Phone: (850) 814-3889
Email Me
Commercial & Mold Inspectors have varying qualifications, equipment, experience, reporting methods, and yes different pricing. One thing for sure is that a comprehensive visual Home Inspection requires work, a lot of work. Ultimately a thorough Home, Commercial & Mold Inspection depends heavily on the individual Inspector's qualifications and own effort. Our knowledge, experience, expertise, engineering background and construction (residential & commercial) set us apart from the average inspector.
If you honor HOME INSPECTOR USA, LLC (HIUSA) by permitting us to inspect your prospective home or property, I guarantee that we will give you our very best effort.
 Links
Archives
|
;)
;)
