panama city beach: Green Lumber = Wet Lumber "New construction"
- 10/01/09 01:02 AM
"Green lumber" is another term for wet lumber, which is wood used in construction that has a moisture content of more than 19%. Moisture Content Green lumber is more commonly used in arid regions of the United States, such as Arizona and parts of California, because the wood will dry more quickly. Damper regions often require kiln-dried wood, which must have a moisture content of 19% or less. The additional expense of kiln-dried wood is the reason it is used in only a small portion of construction. Freshly cut wood will gradually lose moisture until it reaches equilibrium with its surroundings, which … (0 comments)
panama city beach: Home Inspector Wild Heron
- 09/25/09 12:49 AM
We are the Right Choice: We are experienced, seasoned professionals (Degree Engineers) and Certified Professional Home Inspectors who have examined over thousand of properties (Residential & Commercial) for prospective buyers and sellers in our local area. We are a local "INDEPENDENT" Professional Home Inspection & Environmental (Mold testing) company working just for you and your best interest before the investment is finalized. HOME INSPECTOR USA does NOT belong to any REALTOR's Association. HOME INSPECTOR USA sets the standard for HOME INSPECTORS, MOLD INSPECTORS, COMMERCIAL INSPECTORS & MOLD testing / ALLERGENS testing Inspectors in the Panama City Beach, Rosemary Beach and Mexico Beach area. Distinguished by … (0 comments)
panama city beach: Home Inspector Santa Rosa Beach
- 09/25/09 12:42 AM
We are the Right Choice: We are experienced, seasoned professionals (Degree Engineers) and Certified Professional Home Inspectors who have examined over thousand of properties (Residential & Commercial) for prospective buyers and sellers in our local area. We are a local "INDEPENDENT" Professional Home Inspection & Environmental (Mold testing) company working just for you and your best interest before the investment is finalized. HOME INSPECTOR USA does NOT belong to any REALTOR's Association. HOME INSPECTOR USA sets the standard for HOME INSPECTORS, MOLD INSPECTORS, COMMERCIAL INSPECTORS & MOLD testing / ALLERGENS testing Inspectors in the Panama City Beach, Rosemary Beach and Mexico Beach area. Distinguished by … (0 comments)
panama city beach: 15 Tools That Every Homeowner Should Own
- 09/13/09 01:28 AM
The following items are essential tools but this list is by no means exhaustive. Feel free to ask an InterNACHI inspector during your next inspection about other tools that you might find useful. 1. Plunger A clogged sink or toilet is one of the most disturbing problems that you will face. With a plunger on hand, however, you can usually remedy these troubling plumbing issues relatively quickly. It is best to have two plungers -- one for the sink and one for the toilet. 2. Combination Wrench SetOne end of a combination wrench set is open and the other end is … (2 comments)
panama city beach: Fiberglass Insulation
- 09/10/09 09:21 AM
Fiberglass is a type of fiber primarily composed of glass that is used in a wide variety of applications, and is predominantly employed as a residential and commercial thermal insulator. Fiberglass is also used to create products as varied as automobile bodies, boat hulls, arrows, roofing, shower curtains, and tent poles. As an insulator, it slows the spread of heat, cold and sound in structures, cars and aircraft. By trapping pockets of air, it keeps rooms warm in the winter and cool in the summer and thereby serves as a convenient method to increase energy efficiency. Fiberglass is an attractive choice for … (1 comments)
panama city beach: Lead Facts for Inspectors
- 09/09/09 07:36 AM
Lead is a poisonous metal that was once commonly used in the manufacture of paint, gasoline, and plumbing. While U.S. law has banned the use of lead in new construction, existing lead-based paint and plumbing in homes may present a significant health hazard, especially for children. Inspectors who are not trained in lead detection should not perform lead inspections due to potential liability issues. They can, however, learn the basic facts about lead so they can answer questions from concerned clients. A few interesting facts about lead and lead poisoning: Before 1955, paint in homes was composed of up to 50% … (0 comments)
panama city beach: Tie-Downs for Manufactured Homes
- 09/04/09 06:13 AM
Tie-downs are systems of heavy-duty straps and anchors designed to stabilize manufactured homes (also known as mobile homes) during high winds. Failure to properly install and maintain tie-downs results in reduced capacity to resist sliding and overturning. Manufactured homes are more easily flipped or damaged during windstorms than site-built homes and they require tie-downs to remain stable. Manufactured homes are elevated and vulnerable to the forces of wind uplift if they are not equipped with skirting. Wind passing over the top of such homes can exacerbate the effect. Also, manufactured homes are relatively lightweight when compared with site-built homes. Two types … (2 comments)
panama city beach: Green Lumber = Wet Lumber
- 09/02/09 03:31 AM
"Green lumber" is another term for wet lumber, which is wood used in construction that has a moisture content of more than 19%. Moisture Content Green lumber is more commonly used in arid regions of the United States, such as Arizona and parts of California, because the wood will dry more quickly. Damper regions often require kiln-dried wood, which must have a moisture content of 19% or less. The additional expense of kiln-dried wood is the reason it is used in only a small portion of construction. Freshly cut wood will gradually lose moisture until it reaches equilibrium with its surroundings, which … (0 comments)
panama city beach: No Home is Perfect.
- 09/01/09 06:51 AM
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 the opportunity to … (1 comments)
panama city beach: Wood Decay
- 08/26/09 12:30 AM
Wood decay, also known as wood rot, is the decomposition of wood as the result of actions by certain species of fungi. Facts about wood decay and decay fungi: According to Ohio State University, replacement materials needed to repair damage caused by decay account for nearly 10% of U.S. annual wood production. Carpenter ants, termites and other wood-destroying insects do not cause wood decay. These insects are, however, attracted to wood that has been softened by decay. Decay fungi are active in temperatures between 77° to 90° Fahrenheit, and need water, oxygen and a food source to survive. Fungi that cause … (0 comments)
panama city beach: Inspector Safety Equipment
- 08/23/09 02:04 AM
Inspectors should always bring with them gear that can protect against the hazardous situations inherent in inspections. Ironically, the process of inspecting for safety defects can itself compromise the safety of inspectors and their clients. Inspectors can use the following types of equipment to help ensure that inspections proceed problem-free. Coveralls: Coveralls are made from a variety of materials, often canvas or Tyvek®, a tear-resistant, flexible plastic widely used to make items such as postal mailers, banknotes and even DVDs. While canvas is puncture-resistant, Tyvek® is disposable and lightweight, as well as anti-static, breathable and chemical-resistant. However, it should not be used near … (2 comments)
panama city beach: Polybutylene for Inspectors
- 08/21/09 12:19 AM
Polybutylene (PB) is a plastic manufactured between 1978 and 1994 for use as piping in home plumbing systems. It offered plenty of advantages over other materials such as flexibility, ease of installation, resistance to freezing, and it was inexpensive. Pipes made from polybutylene were installed in 6 to 10 million homes in the Unites States during that period. Despite its strengths, production was ceased in 1994 after scores of allegations surfaced claiming that polybutylene pipes were rupturing and causing property damage. In the homes that still contain this material, homeowners must either pay to have the pipes replaced or risk a potentially … (4 comments)
Wind mitigation is the implementation of certain building techniques in order to limit damage caused by intense wind. A few facts about windstorms and wind insurance: In 2006, Citizens Insurance, one of the largest property insurers in Florida, requested a 45% rate increase for wind insurance. Other insurers took similar actions. In Florida, the portion of a homeowner's premium covering wind damage can be up to 70% of the total, depending on location. Wind mitigation benefits homeowners, private insurers, and all levels of government. Incentives for Wind Mitigation In some states, homeowners can benefit from reduced insurance premiums. The Gulf Coast states, which … (0 comments)
panama city beach: Central Humidifiers
- 08/18/09 12:30 PM
Humidifiers are devices that humidify air so that building occupants are comfortable. Central humidifiers are hard-wired into a house's plumbing and forced-air heating systems. What is humidity? Humidity refers to the amount of moisture in the air. "Relative humidity" signifies the amount of moisture in the air relative to the maximum amount of water the air can contain before it becomes saturated. This maximum moisture count is related to air temperature in that the hotter the air is, the more moisture it can hold. For instance, if indoor air temperature drops, relative humidity will increase. How do central air humidifiers work? … (0 comments)
panama city beach: Attached Garage Fire Containment
- 08/13/09 01:16 AM
An attached garage is a garage that is physically attached to a house. Fires that begin in attached garages are more likely to spread to living areas than fires that originate in detached garages. For this reason, combined with the multitude of flammable materials commonly found in garages, attached garages should be adequately sealed from living areas. A properly sealed attached garage will ideally restrict the potential spread of fire long enough to allow the occupants time to escape the home or building. Why are garages (both attached and detached) fire hazards? Oil or gasoline can drip from cars. These fluids may collect unnoticed and … (1 comments)
panama city beach: What is a Professional Home Inspection?
- 08/12/09 01:15 AM
An inspection is essentially a "visual snapshot" of a home's condition as it exists at the time and date of the inspection, and that condition is described in a comprehensive written report. An inspector will check the roof, heating system, water heater, air-conditioning system, structure, plumbing, electrical, and many other aspects of buildings looking for improper building practices, those items that require extensive repairs, items that are general maintenance issues, as well as fire, safety, and health hazards. Think of a home inspector as a detective searching throughout the house for clues that lead to a conclusion of the home's overall … (4 comments)
panama city beach: House Numbers
- 08/11/09 06:30 AM
House numbers should be clear enough so that police, the fire department, paramedics, etc., can quickly locate properties in an emergency. House numbers are often the only way that first-responders can identify their intended destinations. A number of jurisdictions have begun enforcing laws through strict fines for homeowners who do not comply with laws that impose requirements for house numbers. Local Regulations Many municipalities and counties have implemented ordinances requiring property owners to standardize the display of house numbers on buildings. The city of St. Martinville, Louisiana, for instance, is considering requiring its citizens to display street numbers in block numbering that … (1 comments)
panama city beach: Window Bars
- 08/10/09 06:25 AM
Window bars (also called safety bars and security bars) are metal bars that are installed to prevent intruders from entering a building. As an unintended consequence, window bars can slow or prevent egress during an emergency. Facts: Roughly 25 people die or are injured annually in fires where escape is hindered by window bars. According to the National Fire Protection Agency, the number of deaths caused by fire related to security bars is on the rise. The fear of burglary, theft and/or physical attack presents a greater perceived risk than the threat of fire. Seventy people died in a hotel fire … (0 comments)
panama city beach: Inspected Once, Inspected Right! Anyone Else, is Just Looking Around!
- 08/10/09 02:41 AM
How many times we have had this coversation with many of our fellow REALTOR's? I will say countless....The fact of the matter is that a Home Inspector must spend the necesary time to uncover all the deficiencies that might exist in the house he is inspecting. Understanding, that is just a visual inspection and you can only do so much on the date and time of the field work. But, you should have the correct type of tools to make a sound judment regarding the condition of the house. We at HOMEINSPECTORUSA we tell it how it is! Regarless wether the … (0 comments)
panama city beach: Meth Labs
- 08/10/09 02:35 AM
Methamphetamine (also known as "crystal meth" or "meth") is a highly addictive and illegal stimulant. A meth lab is an illegal drug-manufacturing site, often a house or apartment, containing equipment and potentially toxic chemicals required to produce meth. Facts and Statistics About Meth Labs: In 2003, more than 17,000 meth labs were seized by police in the United States. Seizures in recent years have been significantly fewer, but authorities estimate that tens of thousands of homes may be contaminated by toxic chemicals from meth labs. Far fewer meth labs per capita have been seized in Canada than in the United … (1 comments)
"Green lumber" is another term for wet lumber, which is wood used in construction that has a moisture content of more than 19%. Moisture Content 
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