home inspector panama city beach: Cement Admixtures
- 11/27/10 06:00 AM
Admixtures are ingredients other than water, aggregate and Portland cement that are added to a concrete mixture immediately prior to or during mixing. These ingredients can be used to modify the properties of concrete by affecting the cement's workability and set time, compensating for the effects of temperature during curing, ensuring the quality of the concrete during mixing, transport and placing, and even for adding pigment. The use of cement admixtures is fairly standard for both residential and commercial builds. While admixtures provide benefits and solve problems when properly utilized, they may also contribute to defects if applied improperly. … (0 comments)
home inspector panama city beach: Rosemary Beach home inspection
- 11/22/10 05:08 AM
Inspection Services: Wind Mitigation, 4 Point Insurance, comprehensivehome & commercial inspection & Mold Inspection & Testing State of Florida Licensed Home Inspector & experienced, seasoned professional (Degree Engineer/BSME & TDME), and Certified Professional Home Inspector who have examined over thousands of properties (Residential & Commercial) for prospective buyers and sellers in our local area. We are a local "INDEPENDENT" Professional Home Inspection, Commercial Inspection & Environmental (Mold testing) company working just for you and your best interest before the investment is finalized. We are certified to perform wind mitigation inspection and 4 Point Insurance inspection. HOME INSPECTOR USA sets the standard for HOME INSPECTORS, MOLD INSPECTORS, COMMERCIAL INSPECTORS … (0 comments)
home inspector panama city beach: Rosemary Beach Home Inspector
- 11/13/10 12:44 AM
Inspection Services: Residential & Commercial....... "Home Inspection, Mold Inspection & Testing" We are the Right Choice: State of Florida Licensed Home Inspector & experienced, seasoned professional (Degree Engineer/BSME & TDME), and Certified Professional Home Inspector who have examined over thousands of properties (Residential & Commercial) for prospective buyers and sellers in our local area. We are a local "INDEPENDENT" Professional Home Inspection, Commercial Inspection & Environmental (Mold testing) company working just for you and your best interest before the investment is finalized. We do "NOT" participate in any REAL ESTATE Company Vendor's Program List. HOME INSPECTOR USA sets the standard for HOME INSPECTORS, MOLD INSPECTORS, COMMERCIAL … (0 comments)
home inspector panama city beach: Ungrounded Electrical Receptacles
- 11/11/10 12:40 PM
Grounding of electrical receptacles (which some laypeople refer to as outlets) is an important safety feature that has been required in new construction since 1962, as it minimizes the risk of electric shock and protects electrical equipment from damage. Modern, grounded 120-volt receptacles in the United States have a small, round ground slot centered below two vertical hot and neutral slots, and it provides an alternate path for electricity that may stray from an appliance. Older homes often have ungrounded, two-slot receptacles that are outdated and potentially dangerous. Homeowners sometimes attempt to perform the following dangerous modifications to ungrounded … (0 comments)
home inspector panama city beach: Wood Siding Inspection
- 11/08/10 12:28 PM
Wood siding has been in use for a long time and is extremely popular. While newer, more modern materials have become very fashionable recently because of the benefits they provide in terms of weathering and damage resistance, wood siding is still commonly found on homes all over the world. InterNACHI inspectors will frequently come across this type of exterior cladding during inspections. Inspectors and homeowners alike can benefit from knowing more about the different kinds of wood siding, its advantages and disadvantages, and some signs that problems may be occurring. Common Types of Wood Siding These include: clapboard. Also referred … (0 comments)
home inspector panama city beach: Ladder Safety
- 10/28/10 10:40 AM
A ladder is a structure designed for climbing that consists of two long side-pieces joined at uniform intervals by rungs or steps. According to the American Ladder Institute, there are nine different types of ladders. Not all of them are used by inspectors, however. The following ladders are used commonly by inspectors: step ladder. The step ladder is a self-supporting ladder that is not adjustable in length, with a hinged design for ease of storage; single ladder. The single ladder is a non-self-supporting ladder that is not adjustable in length, consisting of one section. This type of ladder is … (1 comments)
home inspector panama city beach: **Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems**
- 10/27/10 10:39 AM
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)
home inspector panama city beach: Inspecting Manufactured Stone for Water Damage
- 10/27/10 12:40 AM
Manufactured stone is a lightweight, man-made concrete masonry product that is typically cast into random sizes in a variety of colors and finishes meant to mimic the look of quarried rock. It is generally applied as a masonry veneer to exterior and interior walls, columns and landscape structures. Manufactured stone, sometimes referred to as precast stone and simulated stone, is technically called adhered manufactured stone masonry veneer (AMSMV). Cultured Stone®, a name that is sometimes used generically, is actually a masonry product manufactured by Owens Corning, and is probably the most popular manufactured stone used in the U.S. InterNACHI inspectors … (0 comments)
home inspector panama city beach: Housewrap Inspection
- 10/26/10 12:27 AM
Housewrap is sheathing installed on exterior walls before the siding or other cladding is attached. The term refers to all materials (made today, typically, from plastic or spun-fiber polyethylene) designed to replace tar paper, which serves the same function. Since almost any exterior finishing material will allow at least some water to penetrate it, housewrap is used underneath to guard the building envelope against water entry. Housewrap also serves to minimize air flow through walls, though it is not a vapor retarder. In fact, housewrap is designed to stop liquid water while allowing water vapor to pass through. This lets … (1 comments)
home inspector panama city beach: Cockroach Inspection
- 10/26/10 12:24 AM
Cockroaches are one of the most commonly encountered household pests. Homeowners and inspectors can learn about ways to eliminate these insects and the conditions that encourage their infestation. Cockroaches have a broad, flattened body and a relatively small head that covers their mandibles and other mouthparts. They have six legs, large ocelli (simple eyes), and a pair of long, flexible antennae. Although winged, they are not adept fliers. The best-known varieties are the American cockroach (1.2 inches long), the German and Asian cockroaches (0.59 inches long), the Oriental cockroach (0.98 inches long), and the brown-banded cockroach (0.55 inches long). Facts … (1 comments)
home inspector panama city beach: Vapor Barriers
- 10/25/10 06:05 AM
Uses and Characteristics Vapor barriers are an important part of moisture control for interiors. A vapor barrier is a material, typically a plastic or foil sheet, which resists the diffusion of moisture through ceiling, wall and floor assemblies of a building. Vapor-diffusion retarders are also effective for controlling moisture in basements, crawlspaces, and slab-on-grade foundations. The term "vapor barrier" is commonly used, but "vapor-diffusion retarder" is probably more accurate, since "barrier" implies that the material will stop all moisture transfer, but this is not actually the case. Any material will allow the passage of at least a small degree of water … (0 comments)
home inspector panama city beach: Vinyl Siding Inspection
- 10/23/10 11:46 AM
Vinyl siding is the form of exterior cladding that home inspectors are likely to encounter most frequently. Homeowners, remodeling contractors and builders often choose vinyl siding as an alternative to wood and aluminum because it is attractive, durable, easy to maintain and cost-effective. Vinyl siding is often textured to resemble wood or stone in a variety of colors. Although it is a very popular and well-regarded product, homeowners may want to be aware of some of the downsides of using vinyl siding if they are thinking about remodeling or building a new home. InterNACHI inspectors will likely examine many … (2 comments)
home inspector panama city beach: Sewer Gases in the Home
- 10/17/10 03:32 AM
Decomposing waste materials in public and private sewer and septic systems create sewer gases. Methane is the largest single constituent of sewer gas, which includes an assortment of toxic and non-toxic gases, such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, ammonia, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide. Improperly disposed gasoline and mineral spirits may also contribute to sewer gases. Sewer gases pose the following risks to building occupants: hydrogen sulfide poisoning. Hydrogen sulfide is an explosive and extremely toxic gas that can impair several different systems in the body at once, most notably the nervous system. So potent that it can be smelled … (0 comments)
home inspector panama city beach: Nightlights
- 10/15/10 11:52 AM
A nightlight is a small, low-powered electrical light source placed for comfort or convenience in indoor areas that become dark at night. Facts and Figures Before they were powered electrically, nightlights were usually long-burning candles placed in fireproof metal cups, known as tealights in some countries. (Tealights in the U.S. refer to very short and wide candles that can be purchased within or without an aluminum tin cup that are commonly used inside a decorative glass holder. They are also known as votive candles.) There are roughly 90 million nightlights purchased each year in the United States. In 2001 alone, more … (0 comments)
home inspector panama city beach: Insulation R-Value Residential
- 10/11/10 03:30 AM
As energy efficiency has become an increasing concern among builders and homeowners, the attributes and performance of building materials and components are being scrutinized more closely. In order to maximize levels of efficiency by examining the details of how each individual component of a house performs on its own and as part of a dynamic system, very specific properties are measured and taken into account. This can be especially helpful when trying to select the best building materials for a given application. R-value is the measurement used when quantifying a specific material's level of thermal resistance, which is the inverse of … (1 comments)
home inspector panama city beach: Low-E Windows
- 10/11/10 03:26 AM
Low-emissivity glass, also known as low-E glass, uses a microscopically thin and virtually invisible metal or metallic oxide layer incorporated in the glazing surface to control heat transfer through insulated windows, reducing energy loss by 30% to 50%. Since the heating and cooling energy lost through windows accounts for 4% of all U.S. energy consumption every year, the Department of Energy is beginning to push more efficient windows as a standard, with low-E windows at the forefront. Meanwhile, as more low-E windows are put into service, unexpected problems have arisen. Inspectors who conduct energy audits, as well as energy-conscious consumers, can benefit from knowing … (0 comments)
home inspector panama city beach: Pilot Lights
- 10/05/10 02:09 PM
A pilot light is a small flame that is kept alight constantly in order to serve as an ignition source for a gas burner. They are used on many natural gas and propane appliances, such as water heaters, clothes dryers, central heating systems, fireplaces and stoves. The pilot light is fueled by a small amount of gas released from the gas pipe. When the appliance is turned on, a valve releases more gas, which is ignited by the pilot light. The light may need to be re-lit from time to time after being extinguished on purpose or by accident. Modern alternatives … (1 comments)
home inspector panama city beach: U-Factor Ratings for Windows
- 10/05/10 12:04 PM
When quantifying the energy efficiency of a window assembly, the rate of loss of non-solar heat can be expressed as its U-factor (or U-value). Understanding the U-factors of windows is helpful for inspectors performing energy audits, as well as for consumers planning a new build or updating a house with energy-efficient windows. U-Factor or R-Value? While windows are rated using both U-factors and R-values, the U-factor is used to express the insulative value specifically of windows, while the R-value is used primarily to rate the energy efficiency of insulation installed in other areas of the building envelope, such as beneath the roof, in the attic, behind the walls, and beneath … (0 comments)
home inspector panama city beach: Sewer Gases in the Home
- 09/26/10 07:57 AM
Decomposing waste materials in public and private sewer and septic systems create sewer gases. Methane is the largest single constituent of sewer gas, which includes an assortment of toxic and non-toxic gases, such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, ammonia, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide. Improperly disposed gasoline and mineral spirits may also contribute to sewer gases. Sewer gases pose the following risks to building occupants: hydrogen sulfide poisoning. Hydrogen sulfide is an explosive and extremely toxic gas that can impair several different systems in the body at once, most notably the nervous system. So potent that it can be smelled … (1 comments)
home inspector panama city beach: Sauna Inspection
- 09/20/10 12:28 AM
A sauna is a small, sealed room, typically constructed of wood, designed to safely increase the user's body temperature through a combination of heat and well-controlled humidity. Saunas are used recreationally and therapeutically, as users find them relaxing and health-promoting. Facts and Figures "Sauna" is the only Finnish word in the English dictionary. Traditionally, the Finns used the sauna as a place to clear the mind, give birth, and prepare the dead for burial. They were not used for weight loss or as part of an exercise regimen, which are newer concepts for their use today. Saunas can be divided into two basic styles: … (0 comments)
Admixtures are ingredients other than water, aggregate and Portland cement that are added to a concrete mixture immediately prior to or during mixing. These ingredients can be used to modify the properties of concrete by affecting the cement's workability and set time, compensating for the effects of temperature during curing, ensuring the quality of the concrete during mixing, transport and placing, and even for adding pigment. 
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