troy michigan home inspections: Health Dangers of Carbon Monoxide
- 01/23/11 03:37 PM
Health Dangers of Carbon Monoxide Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that is a by-product of incomplete combustion of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. In our homes, CO is produced most often by appliances that burn natural gas, liquefied petroleum (LP), oil, kerosene and even wood. CO is also produced (and in many cases introduced into the home) by our cars and burning charcoal. Carbon Monoxide is highly toxic, even at fairly low levels and obviously the symptoms of CO poisoning become more pronounced at higher levels. Since CO is colorless, odorless and tasteless it can only … (3 comments)
troy michigan home inspections: Can Humidity Levels Be Too Low?
- 01/23/11 03:30 PM
Can Humidity Levels Be Too Low? We often hear about controlling humidity in terms of too much humidity. We hear lots about strategies to keep humidity levels low. But can the humidity level get too low?Yes. If the relative humidity in the home gets too low, occupants will suffer problems with their air quality and comfort.Some common problems associated with low humidity levels include: Static electricity Damaged furniture Dry itchy skin and skin disorders Sore throats Nose irritation or bleeding Spread germs Viruses Bacteria Respiratory infections Uncomfortable living conditions In very dry environments the mucous membranes in the nose and throat … (0 comments)
troy michigan home inspections: Speechless Sunday: Leaving Las Vegas
- 01/23/11 01:47 PM
I made my first trip to Las Vegas this week, attending a conference. I don't gamble, so I spent any free time doing two things I really like: eating (the food was fantastic) and taking in the architecture. Where else can you go from Egypt to King Arthur's Court to New York City to Paris in the matter of a few blocks? From the airport terminal, Gate A15, I took this picture of my hotel, the Luxor (the pyramid).
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troy michigan home inspections: When Should I Call In A Professional For A Home Repair?
- 01/16/11 03:57 PM
When Should I Call In A Professional For A Home Repair? Most homeowners like to turn as many home improvements as possible into a DIY project. The economy has been tight, jobs and finances uncertain, and, let's face it, there is a fantastic feeling of accomplishment doing something to the house. But some tasks are simply too risky for a do-it-yourselfer. There are certain home repairs are dangerous to get involved with unless you have specialized training to safely complete them. Let's take a look at what qualifies as DIY, and what requires a professional. At least, in my opinion.
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troy michigan home inspections: Chimneys In Michigan
- 01/16/11 03:54 PM
Chimney And Fireplace Safety One of my favorite things about a Michigan winter is the opportunity to get a fire roaring in the fireplace. And judging from my neighbor's woodpile, I am not the only one who loves using the fireplace. But there are a few things to keep in mind when building the fire...
Energy Loss Fireplaces are the largest unsealed opening in the home, and according to government estimates (if you trust them), they cost American families over $7 billion in wasted energy costs due to something called the "stack effect." During the heating season, the warmer … (5 comments)
troy michigan home inspections: Speechless Sunday: From The Zoo
- 01/16/11 03:51 PM
Speechless Sunday: From The Zoo The Detroit Zoo is a wonderful place to take the family. My particular favorite place is the Butterfly Gardens. Besides being a nice, warm place to go during the colder months, I think the dozens of varieties of butterflies are wonderful. Here is one of my favorites. The Detroit Zoo is located at I-696 and Woodward Avenue in Huntington Woods, next door to Royal Oak.
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troy michigan home inspections: Facts About Mold
- 01/16/11 03:40 PM
Facts About Mold Sometimes molds are not easy to recognize. They often look like a simple stain or smudge. Mold growths have a variety of appearances ranging in color from white, orange, green, gray, brown or black. An easy way to identify a mold is to dab suspected areas with a drop of chlorine bleach. If it changes colors or disappears, the stain is likely organic and probably mold. Molds can live for years in a dormant state. However, once there is enough moisture present (from increased humidity or moisture intrusion) and they have a food source, they once again can … (1 comments)
troy michigan home inspections: Common Health Problems With Mold In A House Or Building
- 01/16/11 03:30 PM
Common Health Problems With Mold In A House Or Building Here are some of the common health problems found in houses or buildings with mold growing. Allergic Illness When mold cells are inhaled and land in the respiratory tract, the body's immune system's response to those invading cells can cause allergic illness. The immune system tries to destroy the mold as it would an agent, like a flu virus, that might cause infection. In a relatively small portion of the population (about 10 percent of people in the U.S.), the immune system overreacts and causes the allergic response that results in … (2 comments)
troy michigan home inspections: Types of Indoor Air Contaminants
- 01/16/11 03:23 PM
Types of Indoor Air Contaminants When dealing with indoor air quality, it is important to determine potential sources of air problems. Even though the presence of such sources does not necessarily mean there is an indoor air quality problem, being aware of the number of potential sources is an essential step in the analysis and determination of air quality problems. The importance of any of these sources depends on the amount released of a given pollutant and how hazardous it is.
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troy michigan home inspections: Why Is Indoor Air Quality Such A Concern?
- 01/16/11 02:54 PM
Why Is Indoor Air Quality Such A Concern With So Many Agencies And Organizations? I've heard a lot of people ask that question. Since January has been designated National Radon Awareness Month, I've heard a lot of people (some of them real estate agents) talking that this is all hype. So, why is indoor air quality a big deal?
According the the EPA, most people spend more than 90% of their time indoors... with 65% of that spent at home. Since most of us spend so much time inside, indoor pollution concentrations (even if they are uniformly … (3 comments)
troy michigan home inspections: Pay It Forward -- With Some Drywall
- 01/16/11 02:33 PM
I was at a relative's house when I noticed a hole in the wall... the door stop had long since failed, and there was a rather large hole in the drywall, courtesy of my overzealous nephews opening the door too quickly. I made a mental note of the problem and returned this week with a new door stop and my patching kit. A few minutes later, things were looking much better.
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troy michigan home inspections: Golfing In North Korea
- 01/16/11 10:07 AM
Golfing In North Korea Hmmm. I like to travel, but I'm not sure this would be a fantastic trip for the over-worked Real Estate Professional... International sanctions have severely limited North Korea’s access to hard currency, to the point that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea tried to settle part of a $10 million debt to the Czech Republic with a shipment of ginseng. But cooler economic minds now prevail. This year in April, the nation will host the first ever North Korean Amateur Golf Open. The competition is open to amateur golfers from around the world willing to part with … (3 comments)
troy michigan home inspections: BS For The Day: Climate Change Took Down The Roman Empire
- 01/15/11 05:25 AM
Wow. I've heard a lot of crazy theories, and sifted through a lot of BS in my life. But this latest one is easily one of the best: a new "study" shows that climate change contributed to the decline and fall of the Roman Empire. From Reuters.com: Climate change seems a factor in the rise and fall of the Roman empire, according to a study of ancient tree growth that urges greater awareness of the risks of global warming in the 21st century. The Romans weren't driving SUVs or sending CO2 into the atmosphere with industrial facilities. There are a lot … (2 comments)
troy michigan home inspections: Speechless Sunday: Enjoying The Snow
- 01/09/11 03:58 PM
Well, if it is snowing outside, we may as well enjoy it. And what better way to do enjoy the snow than go sledding? Especially if a nice mug of hot chocolate follows the late night snow trip! Hey, at least 2 out of 3 were having fun. #4 was busy trying to build a snowman.
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troy michigan home inspections: Where Is Radon Gas A Problem In Michigan?
- 01/09/11 03:22 PM
Where Is Radon Gas A Problem In Michigan? Hey, it is National Radon Awareness Month, so I may as well post about a question I hear often: Is radon gas a problem in Michigan? I don't like the question, because it isn't stated properly, since this tasteless, odorless, colorless gas is produced by the decay of uranium and radium. We often think of uranium as something in nuclear weaponry, but we can find it naturally in most soil or rock. And it breaks down, which produces radiation. As a result, all houses and buildings in Michigan have some radon, as does … (0 comments)
troy michigan home inspections: Older Michigan Homes And Asbestos
- 01/09/11 03:04 PM
Older Michigan Homes and Asbestos Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was added to a variety of products to strengthen them and to provide heat insulation and fire resistance. Due to health concerns, most products manufactured nowadays do not contain asbestos... but it hasn't been banned -- some products do still contain it, although they are subject to strict labelling requirements. However, until the 1970s, many types of building products and insulation materials used in homes contained asbestos, such as: steam pipes, boilers and furnace ducts insulated with an asbestos blanket or asbestos paper tape resilient floor tiles (vinyl asbestos, asphalt … (0 comments)
troy michigan home inspections: Window Bars: Safety Device Or Deadly Trap?
- 01/09/11 02:30 PM
Window Bars: Safety Device Or Deadly Trap? Window bars are installed to prevent bad guys from entering a home or building, but they may also cause unintended consequences by slowing or preventing egress in an emergency. People die every year in fires where escape is hindered by window bars, and according to the National Fire Protection Agency, these kind of deaths are on the rise. Of course, the odds of being in a burglary or violent home invasion are perceived as a more likely risk than fire, so the bars keep going up.
The Advantages They are a deterrent to … (5 comments)
troy michigan home inspections: The Long-term Effects of Asbestos Exposure in Michigan
- 01/08/11 01:28 PM
The Long-term Effects of Asbestos Exposure in Michigan We've known for decades that inhaled asbestos fibers cause disease. Now we are at a rate of ten thousand Americans passing away each year -- that is almost 30 deaths per day -- from diseases caused by asbestos. At least that is what a detailed analysis of government mortality records and epidemiological studies. To get an idea of the problem, asbestos-related illness kills thousands more people than skin cancer each year.
The Perfect Storm The use and exposure of asbestos use and exposure in the US maxed out in the mid … (3 comments)
troy michigan home inspections: Reading The Tube On A Radon Mitigation System
- 01/08/11 05:43 AM
Reading The Tube On A Radon Mitigation System I was asked a question about reading a radon system a few days ago, and it gave me the idea for a post. After all, this is National Radon Awareness Month. Now how about an explanation about radon and how the detectors are SUPPOSED to work, and how the blue fluid is supposed to register...would be very interested to know b/c in my condo on the first floor they put in these things and not one person can tell me if the levels should both be at zero or what...thanks.
What The … (8 comments)
troy michigan home inspections: Taking A Deep Breath Of Radioactive Decay
- 01/07/11 03:06 PM
Taking A Deep Breath Of Radioactivity We all have heard about radon gas. It is colorless, tasteless and odorless, and produced courtesy of the decay of uranium and radium in the ground. But what exactly makes radon gas so dangerous? Radioactivity.
What does "radioactive" mean, anyway. Let's take a look at the element hydrogen. At the left, we have an electron and a proton... no problem, it is stable. In the middle picture, we add a neutron. Again, no big deal, the hydrogen is stable. But in the picture on the right, we add a second neutron, and … (5 comments)
Health Dangers of Carbon Monoxide
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