duct cleaning: How Much Duct Clog Is Too Much Duct Clog?! - 12/27/15 05:46 PM
Looking inside a floor register I was forced to wonder how much duct clog is too much duct clog?!
It was nasty!
Certainly nasty!
Air could hardly blow through the duct!
In an email I teased Charlie Buell saying that I thought I saw it moving, and morphing, and wondered if it was producing methane gas. 
In another email I also teased Don Hester and asked how much goop the code allows inside a duct.  Apparently, in Virginia, it is about 4".  This is a clogged artery!
Worse still, the other floor registers looked the same! 
I'm pretty sure it tastes like chicken.  Doesn't everything?  Please bring your … (18 comments)

duct cleaning: Fuzzy Wuzzy Wuz A Return - HVAC Return, That Is. - 09/23/14 09:24 PM
What can I say but fuzzy, wuzzy wuz a return - HVAC return, that is.
The home is in its 50s.  It is proudly remodeled.
There is only one HVAC return in the house.  The return is the large register(s) where indoor air is drawn back in and returns to the unit to be conditioned warmer or colder.
In older homes the grills are often decorative. 
And this house was no exception.
Not only was the grill decorative,
it was decorated!
It was so decorated with dust that the pretty filigree of the grill could not entirely be seen!
If you are … (17 comments)

duct cleaning: Beware The Repair Receipt From A "Licensed Professional " - 09/05/13 11:00 PM
The longer I am in business the more I realize that we should all beware the repair receipt from a "licensed professional."
A couple of weeks ago I was to do a re-inspection of some work done to correct some serious problems I had identified during the initial inspection.  There were a few posts about that house.
The realtor canceled the re-inspection, saying that they had receipts from professional companies that had repaired everything.
But I got a call from an underwriter to please go back to the house to check a number of things he wanted investigated that were on … (22 comments)

duct cleaning: Duct Cleaning And Air Filters (2 of 2) - 10/26/10 11:30 PM
In the previous post I discussed dusty ducts and their contents.  That post has become increasingly popular!  And I have received many private contacts asking for the follow up!
So, how can we prevent such dust build up in our ducts and forestall its accumulation?
First, there are two HVAC industry philosophies on household air filtration. 
Second, there are many types of filters out there - ranging from disposable, to washable to electronic.  Some are very cheap, others quite expensive.
Remember, an HVAC system moves and conditions air.  The more it moves the more it can condition.  So air returns are … (64 comments)

duct cleaning: Duct Cleaning And Air Filters (1 of 2) - 10/24/10 10:44 PM
I am asked by clients and Realtors all the time - "Is duct cleaning really worth it?"  I had an email contact just yesterday about this very subject.  So I thought a post would be worth while and instructive.
Well, you tell me!  Dust accumulates anywhere it can land.  As it accumulates many things can happen:
1.  It can restrict air flow, making your system's ability to move air less efficient, costing you more money.
2.  It is composed of more than just dust.  I say to my clients that it is full of "living organisms."  You should believe that too.
(100 comments)

 
Jay Markanich, Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC)

Jay Markanich

Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Bristow, VA

More about me…

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC

Address: Bristow VA 20136

Office: (703) 330-6388

Mobile: (703) 585-7560

An experienced home inspector's look at current home inspection events and conditions along with his useful recommendations.


Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog