Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector 's Blog

Lasko Fans Recalled

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 00:34:59 -0700

For many homeowners in Minnesota we rely on the assistance of fans during the warm spring or summer days or not having to turn on the AC, just in case it will be another tempermental week of Minnesota weather and the next day decides to cool off. But, before you do this season take a look at the fan you're using. Lakso, a large fan manufacturer recently released a large recall of over 4 million fans which have been in circulation since 2002 and contain an electrical fire hazard.

Lasko Recalls Box Fans Due To Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Box fans

Units: About 4.8 million units

Manufacturer: Lasko Products Inc., of West Chester, Pa.

Hazard: An electrical failure in the fan's motor poses a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Lasko has received seven reports of fires associated with motor failures, including two house fires and one barn fire, resulting in extensive property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Lasko box fans with model numbers 3720, 3723, and 3733 and Galaxy box fans with model number 4733 that have date "2002-03" or "2003-04" stamped on the bottom of the metal frame. "Lasko" or "Galaxy" is printed on the front of the fan. The model number is either stamped or printed on the bottom of the fans.

Sold at: Mass merchandisers nationwide from July 2002 through December 2005 for between $12 and $25.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled fans and contact Lasko to receive a free fused plug safety adapter.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Lasko toll free at (877) 445-1314 anytime or visit the firm's website at www.laskoproducts.com

If you have a question about one of our articles or are just looking for inspection services in the area, please feel free to Email me or call 507-382-7007. Visit us online at www.progressivehomeinspection.com and like us on Facebook.

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities:

Mankato, North Mankato, Eagle Lake, St. Peter, Lake Crystal, Madison Lake, Janesville, New Ulm, Nicollet, Courtland, Hanska, Madelia, Waseca, Mapleton, Good Thunder, Vernon Center, Elysian, Waterville, Winnebago, Le Sueur, Le Center, Montgomery

Keeping Fresh Air During Winter

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 14:00:47 -0800

As I wrote in my last post winter is the season for being cozy, sitting next to a warm fireplace and maybe sipping a cup or two of cider. But while spending long days and nights inside the comfort of our homes it's also an infamous time for feeling dry and under-the-weather. With people spending more time indoors, air circulation is compromised, and the level of contaminants increases. Fleeting freshness and moisture take a toll on our skin, throats, noses and overall health, and can be especially harmful to those suffering from allergies and asthma.

Up to 72 trillion microscopic irritants, or allergens, find their way into your home every day. They include dust, pollen, pet hair and dander, dust mites, mildew, lint, fungus, most tobacco smoke, cooking grease and bacteria. Many of these particles are undetectable by your nose and throat, and can get deep into your lungs. This year, be proactive in creating a safer indoor environment for your family and guests by following these few quick fixes.

A whole-home air filtration system, can remove up to 99.98 percent of unwanted particles and allergens from a home's filtered air, a benefit that no standard 1-inch throwaway filter or ionic-type room appliance can match. These systems are designed to work as part of your heating and cooling system, meaning they're designed to clean the filtered air in every room of your home. Air filtration systems work behind the scenes to keep you breathing easier and feeling healthier year-round.

Routine maintenance to your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is equally - if not more - critical to keeping the indoor air quality of your home safe and systems operating at peak efficiency. Changing or cleaning your filters regularly will minimize the introduction of dust and other contaminants into your home. Check your owner's manual or contact an HVAC professional to determine the appropriate filter schedule for your system. In addition, an HVAC professional can perform a routine maintenance checkup to ensure all components of your HVAC system are operating properly, and advise you on ways to improve the safety and comfort of your home.

Why so darn dry? The chill of outside air has a relatively low dew point. When we bring that outside air inside and heat it, even more moisture is sucked from the air, making your body uncomfortably dry. If overaly dry conditions occur in your home, consider looking into a humidifier.

Extra tips for a happier, healthier, warmer winter:
* Reverse the switch on your ceiling fans so they blow upward, toward the ceiling. By doing so, you will reduce cooling drafts and force naturally rising heat back down into the room.

* Add a touch of green. House plants are a small, but natural a source of oxygen.

* On pleasant or mild winter days pop open windows slightly for 15 minutes to break stale or musty air.

* Turn the heat down in your shower. Hot water may feel amazing on a cold winter morning, but it contributes to the dryness of your skin.

Now that you're ready to beat the bummer of another cold Minnesota winter, your family can enjoy spending time together. And before you know it New Year's will pass on Friday and it will be time to pull shorts and swimsuits out of winter storage.

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities:

Fireplace Safety

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 10:10:48 -0800

Winter is officially here and fireplace season for many of us in Minnesota has already begun. But if your chimney and fireplace has not seen regular maintenance and cleaning for some time, then your soothing fire may become a hazardous condition. A solid fuel fireplace and chimney that has not been properly maintained can lead to several problems.

Over time, soot and creosote can build within a chimney and lessen efficency and cause fires. Furthermore, there are many factors that can affect a chimney's performance and the potential for hazards. A lack of a chimney cap or spark arrestor can allow debris from tree and overhead vegetation as well as pest entry into a flue and over time blocks within the chimney flue or firebox can become loose due years of use.

So if you haven't had your chimney inspected and cleaned since last season's use it's time to get cleaning or stay clean yourself and call one of your local companies.

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities:

Protect Your Home During Cold Weather

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 13:35:07 -0800

Energy costs, burst pipes, power outages, and fires, all potential winter hazards that makes winter not sound so merry, but you can protect yourself and your home. With a little preventative maintenance and preparation you can minimize the inconveniences that ensue during this cold time of the year in Minnesota.

Indoor Floods

While home fires seem to always make headlines, water damage is actually more common and often just as severe. The most frequent cause for this problem in the winter is faulty or broken pipes. Be sure to insulate along rim joists and around pipes that are more exposed to cold temperatures. If you leave your home during the winter for vacation or are just hitting the slopes leave your thermostat to at least 50-55 degrees. Don't let high fuel prices tempt you to drop it lower, pipes that come in through foundations or exterior walls can drop far below your temperature setting.

If you are going to be away from your home long term consider having someone check on your home or have an automatic water shutoff installed. Automatic water shutoffs are attached to your home's water main and sense if a large increase in water flow is created such as from a burst pipe and will shut the system off preventing extending water exposure and limiting damage. Also, people who have an automatic shutoff installed can usually receive a discount from the insurance company, so if you install one give your agent a call.

Chimney and Furnace Fires

While fire hazards are really a year-round concern and should always be respected, fires actually occur more frequently during the winter. Chimney, boilers and furnaces are at particular risk. Approximately 25,000 residential fires begin in a fireplace or chimney every year according to the United States Consumer and Product Safety Commission.

So what is a homeowner to do? Have your furnace and any fireplace including the chimney inspected and cleaned every year. Having inspections and cleanings performed can prevent the accumulation of carbon based residues more commonly known as creosote and can identify potential problems before they occur, making sure you stay safe and warm this winter.

Ice Dams and Old Trees

While icicles and ice hanging from your eaves or an old tree may seem beautiful, usually this can indicate an underlying issue and a potential safety hazard. An ice dam is formulated when snow above melts on the roof and freezes near the edge or eave of the roof and can block proper drainage and allow water to find an entry point below or around the dam. The most common causes of ice dams are clogged gutters and insufficient insulation and ventilation allowing heat to escape from the home through the attic space and to the roof sheathing above. When the roof sheathing or material directly below your shingles begins to absorb heat it conducts this heat to the shingles and in return allows snow to be melted.

Mature trees present a different potential hazard and usually become an issue in severe winter weather and sleet like conditions. When an old tree experiences strong winds coupled with heavy coats of ice or snow it creates an environment perfect for branch failures and collapses which can affect nearby structures. So if you have concerns with an old tree on your property have a professional tree or horticultural expert take a look at your property for unstable trees and branches and create a course of action which typically involves pruning or cutting branches.

Hopefully this article has provided you with a few ideas so that your Holiday and winter season is less stressful and more merry.

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities:

Removing Odors From Your Wash Machine

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 20:30:31 -0800

There are some absolutely disgusting things that go in your clothes washer from dirty socks, to infant clothes and more but if you have ever had a wash machine with a bad odor there is no comparison. Over time, you may begin to notice that your wash machine begins to develop an order from a build up of residue. This is a signal that it may be time to clean your washer. To start off decide where the source of the smell is originating. Typically the cause is your washer but every once in awhile it may be from the water supply. So double check your water supply before beginning to make your washer out to be the culprit.

After you eliminate any other possibilities and you are sure that it is your washer it's time to begin cleaning. To start off with get a a bucket and some nice hot water and scrub that washer down. Next, create a mixture of baking soda and vinegar.

Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to 2-3 cups of white distilled vinegar. Quick Disclaimer: always make sure you mix appropriate substances, read lables carefully before mixing.

Next, begin a wash cycle using the machines hottest setting. As the machine fills, add the baking soda and vinegar mixture. Let the wash machine complete a full cycle. Lastly, run a second cold water cycle to complete the process. You should immediately clean any loose residue and rinse any areas that require a little extra attention. The odor should now be neutralized.

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities:

GE Dishwasher Fire Hazard

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 12:28:29 -0700

The following information has been provided by General Electric and the United States Consumer Product and Safety Commission.

The United States Consumer and Product Safety Commission and General Electric announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer products.

Name of Product: GE Profile^TM and GE Monogram® Dishwashers

Units: About 174,000

Manufacturer: GE Appliances & Lighting, of Louisville, Ky.

Hazard: Water condensation can drip onto the electronic control board, causing a short circuit and resulting in an overheated connector. This poses a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: GE has received five reports of fires, four of which caused minor damage to the kitchen countertops where the dishwashers were installed and one caused minor damage to adjacent cabinets and smoke damage to the home. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the GE Profile dishwashers manufactured between July 2003 and December 2005 and GE Monogram dishwashers manufactured between January 2004 and December 2006. They were sold in white, black, bisque, stainless steel and with custom panels. The recalled model and serial numbers listed below are located on the inside on the front left side of the dishwasher tubs.

Sold at: Retail stores nationwide, appliance dealers and authorized builder distributors from July 2003 through December 2006 for between $750 and $1,400.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled dishwashers, disconnect the electric supply by shutting off the fuse or circuit breaker controlling it and inform all users of the dishwasher about the risk of fire. Contact GE for a free in-home repair or to receive a GE rebate of $200 for the purchase of a new GE Profile dishwasher and a GE rebate of $400 for purchase of a new GE Monogram dishwasher.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact GE toll-free at (877) 275-6840 or visit http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11022.html

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities:

Winter Prep For Your Home

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 15:06:42 -0700

In Minnesota and the midwest it's that time of the year again, the time when everyone is outside for a different reason, time to start prepping our homes for winter weather and freezing temperatures. So to help out a little I figured a winter prep checklist wouldn't hurt. Obviously, as you will see this checklist doesn't constitute everything one might do but hopefully this might steer some in the right direction.

Heating System

Test Run: Turn the thermostat to heat mode and try it out. If it isn't operating properly have a HVAC technician service it.

Replace your filter if its old

Fuel: If you have a propane or oil furnace, make sure to have your fuel storage tank topped off and ready to go.

Heating Vents: Clear obstacles to heating vents so air can freely flow.

Check for Carbon Monoxide Leaks: This silent killer can easily be detected with either an inexpensive test badge, battery operated alarm, or have a professional perform a combustion analyzation test. Either way make sure your family is protected.

Air Conditioning System

Clean Your Air-Conditioning Condensing Unit of Debris: Make sure the unit is cleared and free of debris and if need be place a cover over the unit temporarily while the leaves are still falling.

If you use window air conditioners, remove them and store for winter.

Chimney and Fireplace

Check that your chimney hasn't developed any cracks over its recent use (summer/spring)

Check flue damper operation

Check chimney draft

Make sure your chimney is free and clear of debris, nests or any material that could be blocking it.

Have your chimney professional cleaned. If your chimney hasn't been cleaned for some time have it professionally cleaned.

Exterior Faucets

Disconnect garden hoses and shut-off water supply to exterior hose bibs or faucets and release all water from the lines but opening the exterior hose bib valves temporarily.

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities:

Siemens Recalls Electrical Breakers

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 08:58:02 -0700

This past week Siemens Company issued a recall in conjunction with the United States Consumer and Product Safety Commission for approximately 2.2 million electrical breaker units due to a potential fire hazard. Because we inspect breakers everyday and the units in the recall are for the months of June through August 2010, we felt it was very important to provide this information. Please call with any questions. More information can be found at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10354.html

Siemens Recalls Circuit Breakers Due to Fire Hazard

Name of Product: Siemens and Murray Circuit Breakers, Load Centers and Meter Combos

Units: About 2.2 million

Importer: Siemens Industry Inc., of Alpharetta, Ga.

Hazard: The recalled circuit breakers have a spring clip that can break during normal use, leading to a loss of force to maintain a proper electrical connection in the panelboard. This can lead to excessive temperature, arcing or thermal damage at the connection point, and damage to the panelboard's electrical insulation and can result in a fire, property damage, or personal injury.

Incidents/Injuries: Siemens has received one report of a circuit breaker spring clip that broke during installation. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Siemens and Murray 15 through 50 AMP single and double pole circuit breakers, load centers (circuit breakers that come with an electrical panel), and meter combos (contain a load center and a meter socket). "Siemens" or "Murray," date codes 0610 or 0710 and the catalog number are printed on a label on the side of the circuit breakers. Date codes between June 2010 through August 2010 are stamped on the inside of the metal box of the load centers and meter combos. The catalog number for the load centers and meter combos is printed on a label inside the metal box door and on the packaging.

ProductDate CodesCatalog Numbers

Circuit Breakers	0610, 0710	Q115, Q120, Q130, Q215, Q230, Q250, MP115, MP115U, MP120, MP130, MP215, MP230, MP230U, MP250
Load Centers	Jun 23 2010 - Aug 25 2010	G2020B1100CP, G3030B1100CP, G4040B1200CUSGP, LC4040B1200P, G3040B1200CP, G3040L1200CP, G4040B1200CP, G3030B1150CP, W3040B1200CP, G1624L1125CP, W4040B1200CP
Meter Combo	Jun 23 2010 - Aug 25 2010	JA2040B1200SP

Sold at: The Home Depot, Lowes, other hardware and building supply stores and numerous electrical distributors nationwide from June 2010 through August 2010 for between $2.50 to $235.

Manufactured in: Mexico

Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact Siemens for a free inspection by an electrician and a free replacement product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Siemens at (800) 756-6996 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website at www.usa.siemens.com

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities:

Not All Roofs Installed Equally

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:12:04 -0700

As many residents are aware, Greater Mankato and many Southern Minnesota homes were affected by storms late in the month of June. With high speed winds and heavy hail larger than golf balls in some communities, its not supring that a number of roofs have been replaced. With a high demand for roofing, siding and various exterior finish replacements, the area was flooded with numerous advertisements and contractors that aren't so "local" looking to get in on a chunk of the repair and replacement pie.

Now that a couple of months have past since most roofing and finish repairs have been completed we have had the opportunity to review some of the work done on local homes. While most homes were repaired in an appropriate manner with good workmanship and installation methods, some were less than appropriate and were just flat out installed poorly. With cold weather, winter and snow on its way it is important to ensure that your home is safe and...well, will be dry through the winter and into the coming years.

Below is a roof that was reviewed in just the last week that wasn't so stellar. If you feel comfortable getting out the ladder (always use safe ladder and roof practices, if you don't feel comfortable, leave it to someone that does) and taking a stroll on top of your roof, we would encourage you to do so, and make sure you don't see any of the alarming defects below or anything out of the ordinary. Roofs are meant to shield your home from weather and even the slightest mistake or opening in a roof covering or flashing member can mean heartache and problems down the road.

Some of the defects above are a little more obvious while others may be a little more difficult to notice to the untrained eye. (Above top left: Shingles are hanging well over the edge of the roof causing potential future wind uplift and ultimately damage typically in the form of tearing) (Above top right: The plumbing stack boot (metal) is not nailed down to the roof and can easily be lifted by wind) (Below left & right: Shingle rows are not straight throughtout most of the roof and rows are installed incorrectly)

While most roofs are not of this nature, it is very important to ensure you are going to be or have worked with a professional and competent contractor. If you don't think something is right, ask. Have a question about your roof? Give us a call or contact us by email today!

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities:

Removing That Smell From Your Fridge

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:31:35 -0700

There is nothing worse then having a horrible refrigerator odor...and trust me I know. Being a home inspector means you're in a number of houses over a given year and have the chance to take a look at many kitchen appliances and not all of them smell like roses! Many things can cause your refrigerator to have a bad smell such as leftovers, cut onions or garlic, mold, bacteria and mildew growth. If you don't work to eliminate the refrigerator odor quickly, it can change the taste of all the food you have in it, and it can become a very unhealthy situation. Ultimately, getting the smell under control is your main goal.

Avoiding Odors

Always keep baking soda in your refrigerator. Baking soda can absorb almost all smells and it is very easy to maintain, as you will only need to replace it every 3 months.
Make sure you have no expired food in your refrigerator. Food that is outdated can make you sick and also cause a foul smell that will ruin even your healthy food and can cause mold, bacteria and mildew.
Sanitize your refrigerator. Keeping it clean and sanitized will keep a lot of the smells away. Using bleach, and/or Lysol is the best way to sanitize.

Sometimes even after cleaning out the refrigerator you can still have a bad smell that just won't go away. One thing you will want to do after sanitizing the refrigerator is to then wash it again with water and baking soda. Make sure you're cleaning out the drip tray under the refrigerator, because it can cause a lot of the bad smell. There are a few other things that you can do for those stronger smells, with just some basic things you may have around the home to help out.

Removing Tough Odors

Take a pan and put a layer of baking soda in the bottom of it which opens the baking soda up. This should help it absorb odors better.
Turning the refrigerator off and leaving the door open with the baking soda in it will also help air it out. You will need to have a way to store your food elsewhere while doing this.
Buy activated charcoal and lay it in a pan while running the refrigerator on low for a few days. This can also help eliminate the smell. Again, you will need somewhere else to store your food while doing this.
Try cat Litter in a pan and run the refrigerator on low for a few days to absorb the smell.
Take vanilla and put in a small dish and run the refrigerator for a few days.
Take fresh coffee grounds and leave them in the refrigerator for a few days.

If none of these common products removes the smell, the next step would be to get a commercial product to get the odors out. For the most part, one of these household items should take care of it and you should have a nice smelling refrigerator to store all of your fresh foods again.

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities:

Identifying Hail Damage

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:42:16 -0700

There have been many homes in the Greater Mankato area from Mapleton to Minnesota State University damaged by recent hail and high speed winds. In southern Mankato, roofers and insurance adjusters have been overwhelmed with the amount of requests from homeowners. While siding repair and replacement is being made the majority of the damage appears to be roofing related. In the past 2 weeks, southern Minnesota has had some wild weather and unfortunately the season isn't over just yet. If you think you have had recent weather damage to your home it is highly recommended that you contact your insurance provider to determine whether this is the case. However, if you are looking to find out more information on what to look for on your own you have come to the right place. Please remember the tips contained in this article are provided for informational purposes and in hopes to confirm thoughts you may already have on damage to your home and do not replace proper training and experience by a professional inspector, roofer or insurance adjuster.

First in order to spot weather related damage more specifically hail damage to your roof you must understand some roofing basics. Because most roofs in our area consist of ashpalt shingles this will be the material that I will touch on. Asphalt shingles are composed of: a base mat which is generally fiberglass but can additionally be an organic material, fillers and granules. Fillers and granules are the small "rock like" surface of the shingles and are what provide the cosmetic appearance to the shingle. The granules additionally contain more than a cosmetic appearance, they protect the underlying base mat from weathering, UV exposure and provide fire resistance properties to the roofing system.

Now that you have a basic understanding of shingle composition you must understand that in order to truly identify hail damage you have to view the damage directly from the roof; walking on the roof. Please note that you should only perform this task if you truly feel safe climbing a ladder and walking the roof, proper safety should always be taken into consideration when this is performed.

Alright now that the disclaimer is out of the way, what do I look for? What you are looking to identify is bruises in the shingles. These bruises consist of areas that have the granules removed and have exposed the base mat below. Picture provided above. A bruise can be quite large generally as large as a golfball or softball and as small as a pea. When you have located a spot that has the granules removed and the felt paper or base mat visible it should look nice and black very similar to a newly paved asphalt driveway. This is the newly exposed base mat which can crack in the future due to UV exposure and additional weathering potentially causing issues such as leaking. This is why insurance companies find it vital to have even small amounts of damage replaced to ensure future occurences do not happen. Above is very good illustration of what hail damage may look like upon inspection.

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities:

Maytag Issues Dishwasher Recall

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:55:36 -0700

Below is information provided by the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission announced earlier this month. Please feel free to contact our office for more information.

Name of Product: Dishwashers

Units: About 1.7 million in the United States

Manufacturer: Maytag Corp. of Newton, Iowa or Maytag Corp. of Benton Harbor, Mich.

Hazard: An electrical failure in the dishwasher's heating element can pose a serious fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Maytag has received 12 reports of dishwasher heating element failures that resulted in fires and dishwasher damage, including one report of extensive kitchen damage from a fire. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall includes Maytag®, Amana®, Jenn-Air®, Admiral®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand dishwashers with plastic tubs and certain serial numbers. The affected dishwashers were manufactured with black, bisque, white, silver and stainless steel front panels. The brand name is printed on the front of the dishwasher. The model and serial numbers are printed on a label located inside the plastic tub on a tag near the left side of the door opening. Serial numbers will start or end with one of the following sequences.

Sold at: Department and appliance stores and by homebuilders nationwide from February 2006 through April 2010 for between $250 and $900.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled dishwashers, disconnect the electric supply by shutting off the fuse or circuit breaker controlling it, inform all users of the dishwasher about the risk of fire and contact Maytag to verify if their dishwasher is included in the recall. If the dishwasher is included in the recall, consumers can either schedule a free in-home repair or receive a rebate following the purchase of certain new Maytag brand stainless-steel tub dishwashers. The rebate is $150 if the consumer purchases new dishwasher models MDB7759, MDB7609 or MDBH979; or $250 if the consumer purchases new dishwasher models MDB8959, MDB8859, MDB7809 or MDB7709. Consumers should not return the recalled dishwashers to the retailer where purchased as retailers are not prepared to take the units back.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Maytag at (800) 544-5513 anytime, or visit the firm's website at www.repair.maytag.com.

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities:

HUD, CSPC Issue Guidance On Chinese Drywall

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:39:09 -0700

Chinese drywall has been a problem for many American families and now the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission and Housing and Urban Development have released a guidance for remediation of problem drywall. Below is the U.S. HUD and CSPC issued information.

Help is on the way for homeowners struggling to rid their properties of problem drywall linked to corrosion of metal, such as electrical components, in their homes.

The guidance comes from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which had issued a protocol earlier this year to help identify problem drywall in the home.

What's being called "interim remediation guidance" is being released in recognition that many homeowners want to begin remedying their homes and offers a next step to those whose homes have been determined to have problem drywall.

"This guidance, based on the CPSC's ongoing scientific research, is critical to ensuring that homeowners and contractors have confidence that they are making the appropriate repairs to rid their homes of problem drywall," said Jon Gant, Director of HUD's Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control.

Based on scientific study of the problem to date, HUD and CPSC recommend consumers remove all possible problem drywall from their homes, and replace electrical components and wiring, gas service piping, fire suppression sprinkler systems, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.Taking these steps, HUD and CSPC say, should help eliminate both the source of the problem drywall and corrosion-damaged components that might cause a safety problem in the home. To view a full text of the remediation guidance, visit the federal Drywall Information Center website.

"Our investigations now show a clear path forward," said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. "We have shared with affected families that hydrogen sulfide is causing the corrosion. Based on the scientific work to date, removing the problem drywall is the best solution currently available to homeowners. Our scientific investigation now provides a strong foundation for Congress as they consider their policy options and explore relief for affected homeowners."

Completed studies show a connection between certain Chinese drywall and corrosion in homes. CPSC is continuing to look at long term health and safety implications.

CPSC is releasing a staff report on preliminary data from a study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) that measured chemical emissions from samples of drywall obtained as part of the federal investigation for CPSC.The top ten reactive sulfur-emitting drywall samples were all produced in China. Certain Chinese samples had emission rates of hydrogen sulfide 100 times greater than non-Chinese drywall samples. The patterns of reactive sulfur compounds emitted from drywall samples show a clear distinction between the certain Chinese drywall samples manufactured in 2005/2006 and non-Chinese drywall samples.

CPSC is also releasing a study by its contractor, Environmental Health & Engineering Inc., that tested whether sulfur-reducing bacteria are present in Chinese drywall. Eight out of ten drywall samples tested showed no bacterial growth including Chinese samples that emitted high levels of hydrogen sulfide in the LBNL study. One sample of Chinese drywall and one sample of U.S. drywall showed very low levels of sulfur-reducing bacterial growth.

Homeowners who believe they may have problem drywall should immediately report to CPSC by calling 800-638-2772 or visiting the Drywall Information Center. Deaf or hard of hearing individuals may access the phone number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

Late last year a class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of homeowners who claimed their homes were damaged by defective drywall from China.

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities:

Sump Pumps And Their Importance

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:08:00 -0700

With all of the flooding and water problems many local Minnesota homeowners have had over the past few weeks I thought a great subject to write about would be sump pumps. What are they, and how do they work? Well, unlike many of the appliances or electronic devices in your home, a sump pump is probably something you have bought out of neccessity or prevention. The goal of a sump pump is is to help keep the area under the building dry and to prevent it from taking on water or flooding, for Minnesota homeowners this usually means your basement.

Sump pumps have been a common device in many homes for years, primarily in homes of low-lying areas or places where rapid melting of heavy snow can occur. Excessive moisture in places such as a basement can cause thousands of dollars of damage including mold and mildew growth, bringing with it health related hazards. Simply put sump pumps in most homes throughout the state are an important device.

Now that we know what a sump pump is and its purpose, I'll touch a little on how they work. A sump pump usually stands in a sump pit (as shown in the illustration above) a hole about 2 feet wide and and anywhere from 2-4 feet deep with a gravel or concrete base. This hole or pit is generally placed in the lowest part of your basement or crawlspace or an area of your basement/crawlspace that is being affected by moisture. As the pit fills with water through a drain tile system or natural rise the float on the sump pump will rise and activate the pump allowing water to be discharged out of the pit and through piping away from the home. This process will continue as water fills into the pit and will stop when moisture ceases; typically from rainfall or snowmelt stopping. So there it is, a general overview of sump pumps. In my next installment of sump pumps I will explain sump pump types, and maintenance involved.

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities:

Breaker Filler What?

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:43:30 -0700

Breaker filler plate, what is that? This is a common question I receive on home inspections...and for good reason. I find open knockouts and breaker slots on main panels and remote panels (sub-panels) on a very regular basis. Simply put a knockout or breaker filler plate is meant to block an opening within an elecrical panel.

Openings can exist for a number of reasons but one way or another a knockout was removed accidentally, or a change in the panel was made over its life, whether it be from a remodel, new wiring, moving circuits around, or a different change. Nonetheless, when a change has been made in the panel and an opening still exists it is always recommended a filler plate be installed.

The reasons for this are many. First, you don't want someone accidentally placing a finger inside a panel, this could lead to a painful shock and serious bodily harm. Second, you don't want animals entering the panel and potenially chewing away at wires, seems like it wouldn't be possible with some of the very small holes present in a panel, but I've seen it, and on more than one occassion; let's just say mice aren't very big. Lastly, you don't want insects creating a nice nest in your panel. This also another scenario I have seen on many occassions. It is not overly uncommon for me to open a panel and find a nice nest of bees waiting to sting me. So, to make a short point, if you have breaker slots or knockouts in your panel, FILL THEM! Filler plates can be found at most harware and big-box retailers and are very inexpensive, some costing as little as $2-$4.00 for a small pack of 5-6.

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities:

Tandem Breakers, A Split Decision?

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:42:21 -0800

Tandem breakers, sometimes called split breakers, provide two separate circuits in the space of a normal sized breaker opening. Every main electrical panel has a limited number of circuit openings available. The problem that many people encounter is that when the openings are all used up and you still need to add another circuit, such as maybe a few extra outlets in the garage or a home remodel, what do you do?

You could change the main electrical panel or you could "double-tap" a breaker, but this is not an approved application and can place to much strain on a circuit resulting in overheating, the potential for loose connections and ultimately this situation can become a fire hazard.

The answer that many have found is a tandem breaker. This type of breaker is the same size as any other breaker, but it has its unique differences. This breaker combines two smaller breakers built into one normal sized breaker. Each has its own breaker switch and the breaker snaps in just like a regular breaker. With this simple innovation, you can add a circuit and protect the circuit on its own dedicated line. Not necassarily an easier application, but much safer. In order to determine if your panel can receive a tandem breaker check with the panel manufacturer and review the legend in the panel. Many panels will list the type of breakers allowed and give schematics of where and how many tandem or split breakers can be used.

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities:

Water Heater Maintenance

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 18:44:13 -0800

Few homeowners know that in order to keep your water heater running smoothly and hopefully get an extra year, two or more it needs maintenance. As water enters a water heater tank, dirt, sediment, and various minerals also enter, and eventually settle to the bottom. Depending on your community or local water supply these extra minerals and sediment can end up robbing your water heater's energy efficency and ultimately decreasing its life. So what is a homeowner to do? A little preventative maintenance...and a hose and bucket might help too! The preventative maintenance I am referring to is draining your water heater, which in my opinion should be done annually unless you live in an area where hard water is a problem.

First, locate your water heater and determine if its gas or electric.

Second, locate your water shut-off valve and turn it off.

Third, Turn of your heating supply, whether gas or electric and gather your bucket.

Fourth, locate your drain valve, and pressure relief valve, and attach your hose to the drain valve.

Fifth, after letting your water heater cool down, open the drain valve and release the water heater into the bucket filling until the water becomes clear and free of sediment. (The reason the above step indicates looking for the pressure relief valve is that it may be necassary to open it if the tank does not drain well. Opening the valve will allow air to enter the tank and water to flow easier)

Lastly, after the water appears clear and the sediment is removed from the tank close the drain valve, refill the tank by opening the water valve. After the tank has been completely filled turn the heating supply on. Come back next year and repeat the process.

Are You In Need of A Home Inspection? Give Us A call Now or Visit Our Website!

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities:

Infrared Imaging Finds More For Our Clients!

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:16:09 -0800

Just this past fall after extensive training we finally launched infrared thermal imaging (ITI) technology into our already large array of home inspection tools and services. During our standard home buyer's inspection we give each home ITI scans, and you would be suprised what a well-trained infrared thermographer coupled with an experienced home inspector can find. Below you can see some of the images also called thermograms retrieved from a recent inspection.

What you are seeing in the pictures above and below are walls from the top floor of a home's livingspace. The dark (purple) areas of the infrared images (right images) are showing cold areas confirmed to be missing insulation.

While very small amounts of missing or inadequate insulation is normal in most homes, having large amounts of missing insulation especially at the highest areas in the livingspace of the home can mean energy loss, and ultimately higher energy bills. With energy bills certainly not going down, this infrared scan potentially saved the homebuyers many dollars over the coming years.

Are You In Need Of Home Inspection Services? Get Greater Mankato's Best! Visit Our Website Or Call Us Now At 507-382-7007

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities:

January Is National Radon Action Month

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:33:38 -0800

Protect Your Health Get Your Home Tested Today!

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has designated January as National Radon Action Month. If you are familiar with radon gas you probably already know the health effects and why you should get your home tested. If not I encourage you to take some time this month and check out the U.S. EPA's website and learn more.

To help create awarness of the EPA's National Radon Action Month we are giving local Mankato homeowners 30% off Radon Testing. Thats over $25.00 off our comprehensive electronic testing. Find out if your home has unsafe levels of radon gas in as little as 48 hours.

If you are interested in protecting your health please click here to learn more about radon testing. Above is a PSA video courtesty of the U.S. EPA. Please take the time to watch it.

Protect Your Family And Get Your Home Tested Today! Visit Our Website Or Contact Us By Phone At 507-382-7007

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities:

Ice Dams A Growing Concern

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:46:20 -0800

If you've been in Minnesota the last couple of weeks, you know what cold really feels like. And if you've been following my blog you will remember the prior article about ice dams (if not check it out below). With the extremely cold temperatures we have been blessed with recently, comes more of those pesky ice dams, and I'm not the only one that has take notice to them.

Just this past weekend the Mankato Free Press wrote an article "Ice Dams A Growing Concern" to which I had the pleasure of contributing to. Check it out here or visit their site at www.mankatofreepress.com

Are You In Need of Home Inspection Services? Visit Our Website Or Contact Us By Phone At 507-382-7007

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities:

Act Now To Prevent Costly Ice Damage Later

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:03:12 -0800

Ice dams may not be something the average homeowner has ever heard of, but they occur all too frequently during the winter months, resulting in costly damage. Left unaddressed, water seepage from ice dams can ruin ceilings, walls, attics and roofing.

Ice dams usually form when heat from inside a home causes snow on the roof to melt and trickle to the roof's edge, where it refreezes on cold eaves, blocking gutters and drains. Since water cannot flow over the built-up ice, it backs up behind the ice, creating pools, and seeps into the home under the shingles.

"A typical U.S. winter will generate more than $500 million in property damage from ice dams," according to MetLife Auto & Home. "By taking a few proactive measures in the fall, homeowners can often prevent ice dams and save themselves a lot of time, money and frustration."

Steps to take in the fall:

* Keep all gutters and downspouts clear. Make certain that leaves, sticks and debris are removed completely from your home's gutters and downspouts.

* Keep your attic chilly. The most effective way to eliminate ice dams is to stop snowmelt by making the roof colder. This can be achieved by preventing air infiltration into the attic space by insulating the floor of the attic and by blocking all bypasses where warm air from the interior of the home can rise into the attic.

* Identify water entry points within the home. You may wish to contact a contractor or infrared specialist to locate these entry points and take the appropriate actions to create a waterproof barrier.

* Protect your roof with some extra help. If you're still getting ice dams after insulating and ventilating, consider installing extra protection along your eaves. An ice belt, a solid, metal flashing, allows snow to easily slide off it while providing a barrier for melted snow. Electrical heat tracing can help if an ice dam starts forming, melting it away with one flip of a switch.

Steps to take in the winter:

* Keep a lookout for giant icicles. One of the first warning signs of possible ice dams - and definitely poor insulation and ventilation - are giant icicles hanging from the eaves.

* If possible, keep snow off the roof with a roof rake. Carefully, use a roof rake or push broom to reduce the amount of snow that could melt. Do not climb on the roof to clear the snow as serious injury may result. Also, be cautious of electrical wires.

In an emergency situation, where water is seeping into the house, the best advice is to notify an infrared specialist or professional contractor to locate the leak so you can begin taking corrective action.

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities:

Save By Preparing For Winter

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:47:26 -0800

Getting ready for winter often means changing to warmer clothes and taking stock of mittens and hats. But it's also a good idea to prepare your home's heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system for winter, too - especially if you want to keep energy bills down.

Heating can account for almost half of the average family's winter energy bill, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Taking a few steps now will help your furnace and other heating components operate more efficiently throughout the winter, helping you save money. So this winter we would like to offer the following tips for winter home readiness:

Program your thermostat. If you don't have a programmable thermostat, this is the year to get one. Resetting the temperature from a constant 72 degrees to 65 degrees for eight hours a day (perhaps during the day while you and your family are less likely to be home) can cut your heating bill by up to 10 percent, according to energy.gov. Some models even allow you to pre-set different temperatures for every day of the week according to your family's schedules.

Seal heating and cooling ducts. Leaks in the ducts that move air within your system can be big energy wasters. Sealing the ducts that run through attics, crawl spaces, unheated basements and garages can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent. Use duct sealant or metal-backed tape to seal the seams and connections, and then wrap the ducts in insulation.

Upgrade to newer technology. If your furnace is more than 15-20 years old, consider replacing it with a more energy-efficient model. With the passage of the U.S. Economic Stimulus Bill, homeowners may be eligible for a tax credit if they purchase certain types of HVAC systems between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 31, 2010.

Clean or replace filters. A dirty furnace filter can slow down the air flow in your heating system and make it work harder than necessary. Your furnace will work less hard, use less energy and last longer if you clean or replace filters monthly, or at minimum, every three months.

Schedule a HVAC checkup. As you schedule checkups to keep your family healthy, do the same for your home's heating system. An HVAC professional can perform a routine maintenance checkup to ensure all components of your heating and cooling system are operating properly and safely, and advise you on ways to improve energy efficiency.

Schedule an infrared heat loss survey. If you really want to know where your losing heat this winter and increase the efficency of your home have an infrared heat loss survey performed. An infrared heat loss survey allows a trained professional the ability to pinpoint heat losses in a home's exterior walls, doors, windows, attic spaces, duct work and more.

Start Saving On Your Energy Bills Today! Visit Our Website or Schedule By Phone at 507-382-7007

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities:

Mankato's Best Just Got Better!

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:28:26 -0800

At Progressive Home Services we are always looking for ways to improve our service and deliver the best possible inspection experience to each and every client. In order to do that it takes continuous education, improvement and keeping up with industry cutting edge technologies. This month we have launched the addition of Infrared Thermal Imaging to our inspection services and are giving our clients another great tool to offer true peace of mind.

After weeks of training in infrared thermal imaging applications including thermodynamics and the use of an infrared camera we can now definitively show clients in a viewable image areas of moisture, air infiltration and exfiltration, and many other mechanical and electrical defects while offering a wide range of additional services including, water leak detection, infrared heat loss surveys, predictive maintenance programs, and comprehensive residential and commercial roofing inspections and much more.

If you are in the process of buying a home and want true peace of mind, look no further! We have been providing home inspections to the greater Mankato area for nearly four years and want to serve you and your family too.

Are You In Need of Home Inspection Services? Visit Our Website Or Contact Us By Phone At 5207-382-7007

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities:

Happy Halloween!

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:12:23 -0700

From our family at Progressive Home Services to yours, have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Why don't skeletons ever go out on the town? Because they don't have any body to go out with!

Why did the vampire go to the orthodontist? To improve his bite!

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities:

Winter Preparation - Exterior Faucets

Randy King - Mankato Home Inspector (Progressive Home Services LLC) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:32:55 -0700

With winter weather and consistent below freezing temperatures on their way in Minnesota its important to take some preparations. Over the coming weeks I will post about some of the important preparations to make, and today it will be exterior faucets. There are many different theories on the best approach to take when winterizing exterior faucets, but in my opinion unless you have a handy frost free hose bib on the exterior of the home its quite simple.

First, make sure that you have disconnected all hoses, and extensions, or additional valves from the faucet to allow water to escape the faucet.

Second, find your shutoff valve for each exterior faucet, or if you live in a newer home which has a seperate meter and one shutoff valve for all exterior faucets, turn them to the shutoff position.

Third, go back to the exterior of the home and open each faucet, and leave open for a short while to ensure all water/moisture has had the chance to escape.

Lastly, once you have left the faucet open for a short while close the valve entirely if it is a frost free hose bib. If it is not a frost free hose bib leave the valve slightly open. This is the part most debated in the winterizing process but as most plumbers or contractors farmiliar with this process will tell you, it is important to leave the valve slightly open to allow pressure to escape and prevent the potential for a pipe busting. Simple and effective, but most important is to ensure you have completed this task well before consistent freezing temperatures.

Posted By: Randy King - Certified Home Inspector - FHA Compliance Inspector - FHA 203k Consultant

Proudly offering home inspection services to the following south central Minnesota Communities: