Air Quality
Quick Facts...
Indoor air quality can be worse than that of outdoor air.
Problems can arise from moisture, insects, pets, appliances, radon, materials used in household products and furnishings, smoke and other sources.
Effects range from minor annoyances to major health risks.
Remedies include ventilation, cleaning, moisture control, inspections, and following manufacturers directions when using appliances and products.
Research has shown that the quality of indoor air can be worse than that of outdoor air. Many homes are built or remodeled more tightly, without regard to the factors that assure fresh and healthy indoor air. Our homes today contain many furnishings, appliances and products that can affect indoor air quality.
Can You Clean Up Mold Yourself?
Can you clean up mold yourself?
Yes, but you should realize that there will be a significant difference in the approach used for small amounts of mold in a sink cabinet and a large, contaminated area, such as mold growing in the walls.
Biological Pollutants
Mold Basics
Mold, mildew, and other toxic organisms commonly occur in areas that show evidence of, or have the potential for, moisture intrusion and/or inadequate ventilation.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral fiber. It can be positively identified only with a special type of microscope. There are several types of asbestos fibers. In the past, asbestos was added to a variety of products to strengthen them and to provide heat insulation and fire resistance.
Measuring Mold
Mold, mildew, fungus and other toxic organisms commonly occur in areas that show evidence of, or have the potential for, leaking, water or moisture intrusion, and/or inadequate ventilation. Any area, room, or item exhibiting such conditions "can" be a health hazard to some people. There is a lot of controversy over the issue of mold and mold testing. Neither the New York City Department of Health or the Environmental Protection Agency recommend measuring airborne fungal levels. The EPA publication "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home" states "Is sampling for mold needed? In most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is unnecessary." Money that is spent on testing will not be available for the inevitable cleanup process.
Reducing Mold Exposure
A report authored by scientific experts has considered the health effects of mold exposure in indoor environments.
At the request of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies convened a panel of nine experts to consider the health effects of damp or moldy environments by reviewing the relevant scientific literature on this topic. The Institute has now issued a report summarizing the Panels findings and conclusions.
Mold Inspection & Air Quality Sampling
BC Warner Home Inspections is a Certified Mold Inspector and utilizes the professional lab services of PRO-LAB®… The Professional Choice for Environmental Testing.
Mold Information
Ten Things You Should Know About Mold
Mold & Moisture
Mold Basics
The key to mold control is moisture control.
If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem.
It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
Radon
Radon is estimated to cause thousands of lung cancer deaths in the U.S. each year. In fact, according to the Surgeon General, RADON is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today.
Flu or CO Poisoning?
The flu and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning share many symptoms: headache, dizziness, nausea, weakness, confusion and fatigue. However, while CO poisoning does not come with a fever, the flu does.
Radon
EPA Recommends:
If you are buying a home or selling your home, have it tested for radon.
For a new home, ask if radon-resistant construction features were used and if the home has been tested.
Radon Risk
Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral fiber. It can be positively identified only with a special type of microscope. There are several types of asbestos fibers. In the past, asbestos was added to a variety of products to strengthen them and to provide heat insulation and fire resistance.
Mold Assessment
In short, a mold assessment is the visual inspection of the property or home in question. A visual inspection is the most important initial step in identifying a possible contamination problem. The extent of any water damage and mold growth will be visually assessed. This assessment is important in determining remedial strategies and will help you to identify the problem area(s) as well as identify those areas where you should focus your repair efforts.
Home Ownership
For many people, owning a home is one of the biggest investments they will ever make. Here are some valuable resources for the first time homebuyer as well as for seasoned homeowners to make the most out of their investment.
Common Definitions
Conserve Energy
Constructed Wetlands
Certain urban runoff management controls can be incorporated into a development in a way that provides aesthetic and economic benefits. Urban runoff controls that are pleasing to the eye and safe for children can lead to increased property values. Because the beauty of natural surroundings can increase real property values and enhance the quality of life, beautification of land areas adjacent to waterways and detention ponds should be considered an integral part of planning by developers.
Water Heaters
So why do we always wait until the old one fails before we wisely shop for a replacement? How many of us have had water heater failure during the most inappropriate times. You know - Holidays, family visits, weddings, proms, etc., and end up with an emergency purchase.
Energy Efficiency
Home Insulation & Energy Saving Tips
Utility Bills! We need to start thinking about them more than once a month, when the bill comes. We write the check throw it in the mail and scratch our heads wondering, "Where does it end?"
Foundation Insulation
Homes being constructed today are more energy efficient than those built even just a few years ago, primarily due to significant improvements in building products and techniques as well as development of high-performance heating and cooling systems and other appliances. However, the benefits of foundation insulation are often overlooked. Heat loss from an uninsulated, conditioned basement may represent up to 50 percent of a home's total heat loss in a tightly sealed, well-insulated home. Foundation insulation is used primarily to reduce heating costs and has little or no benefit in lowering cooling costs. In addition to reducing heating costs, foundation insulation increases comfort, reduces the potential for condensation and corresponding growth of mold, and increases the livability of below-grade rooms
Home Insurance Tips
Historic Renovation
Heavy Snows and Roofs
Following a winter storm, many homeowners become concerned about the weight of heavy snowfall on their home's roof. The questions asked are: "Is my roof going to hold all that snow, or will it collapse?" and "How can I prevent a roof collapse?"
Log Homes
Infrared
Glossary 1
Plumbing
Plumbing may be defined as practice, materials, and fixtures used in the installation, maintenance, and alteration of all piping, fixtures, appliances, and appurtenances in connection with sanitary or storm drainage facilities, the venting system, and the public or private water supply systems. Plumbing does not include the trade of drilling water wells, installing water softening equipment, or the business of manufacturing or selling plumbing fixtures, appliances, equipment, or hardware. A plumbing system consists of three separate parts: an adequate potable water supply system, a safe, adequate drainage system and ample fixtures and equipment.
Glossary 2
Roofing
Rehabilitation
Septic Systems
Septic systems treat and disperse relatively small volumes of wastewater from individual or small numbers of homes and commercial buildings. Septic system regulation is usually a state, tribal, and local responsibility. EPA provides information to homeowners and assistance to state and local governments to improve the management of septic systems to prevent failures that could harm human health and water quality.
Energy Savings
With shorter days and longer nights, your lights and heating system come on earlier, so it is only natural that your energy bill increases this time of year. Don’t you wish there was something you could do? There is, and many of them don’t take much time, effort, or money. These tips are brought to you by the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors, the nation’s largest home inspector trade association with over 7,000 members. If you’re buying a new home, make sure you get a professional home inspection by BC Warner Home Inspections.
Stucco
Home Insurance Tips
The largest single investment most consumers make is in their home. The consumer can protect their home, possessions, and liability with a homeowners's insurance policy. The Homeowner's insurance policy is a package policy that combines more than one type of insurance coverage in a single policy. There are four types of coverages that are contained in the homeowner's policy: dwelling and personal property, personal liability, medical payments, and additional living expenses.
Termites
Wildlife
*Health and Safety
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) are the outlets that typically have black and red test buttons on them. GFCI outlets are intended to shut down the electricity to that outlet and other protected outlets when a shock hazard is detected in the electrical system.
Child Safety
Childproofing Your Home - 12 Safety Devices to Protect Your Children
About 2-1/2 million children are injured or killed by hazards in the home each year. The good news is that many of these incidents can be prevented by using simple child safety devices on the market today.
Any safety device you buy should be sturdy enough to prevent injury to your child, yet easy for you to use. Its important to follow installation instructions carefully. In addition, if you have older children in the house, be sure they re-secure safety devices. Remember, too, that no device is completely childproof; determined youngsters have been known to disable them.
Electrical Safety
Electricity is an essential part of our lives. However, it has the potential to cause great harm. Electrical systems will function almost indefinitely if properly installed and not overloaded or physically abused. Electrical fires in our homes claim the lives of 485 Americans each year and injure 2,305 more. Some of these fires are caused by electrical system failures and appliance defects, but many more are caused by the misuse and poor maintenance of electrical appliances, incorrectly installed wiring, and overloaded circuits and extension cords.
EMFs in the Home
EMFs in the Home
Electromagnetic Fields
Smoke Alarm Tips
The importance of Smoke Alarms can never be stressed enough. National statistics and studies have proven this. Everyone should understand and recognize the need and importance of smoke alarms. This document will touch on the practicality of them.
Holiday Safety
Consumer Product Safety Commission
There are literally thousands of recalls and safety concerns that have been released since the Consumer Product Safety Commission began operating in 1973, and they all are listed. Not all recalls and safety concerns make the headlines of your local newspaper. BC Warner Home Inspections recommends that you subscribe to all CPSC press releases, including recalls. This will alert you to all recalls and safety concerns in all categories.
Lead
Winter Home Safety Tips
With the country bracing for some of the coldest months of the winter season, the potential for home injuries rises significantly with the abundance of common winter time threats. The winter season is a time when families are especially vulnerable to home injuries.
Holiday Decor Tips
Many artificial trees are fire resistant. If you buy one, look for a statement specifying this protection.
A fresh tree will stay green longer and be less of a fire hazard than a dry tree. To check for freshness, remember: A fresh tree is green. Fresh needles are hard to pull from branches. When bent between your fingers, fresh needles do not break. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin. When the trunk of a tree is bounced on the ground, a shower of falling needles shows that tree is too dry.
Home Fire Safety
There are three basic types of residential smoke detectors, all with different means for detecting smoke and fire, different types of fires they detect best, and different replacement reasons & needs.
Private Wells
If your family gets drinking water from a private well, do you know if your water is safe to drink? What health risks could you and your family face? Where can you go for help or advice? EPA regulates public water systems; it does not have the authority to regulate private drinking water wells. Approximately 15 percent of Americans rely on their own private drinking water supplies, and these supplies are not subject to EPA standards, although some state and local governments do set rules to protect users of these wells. Unlike public drinking water systems serving many people, they do not have experts regularly checking the waters source and its quality before it is sent to the tap. These households must take special precautions to ensure the protection and maintenance of their drinking water supplies.
Pool Safety
Child Safety
About 2-1/2 million children are injured or killed by hazards in the home each year. The good news is that many of these incidents can be prevented by using simple child safety devices on the market today.
Safety Checklist
Electrical Safety
Electricity is an essential part of our lives. However, it has the potential to cause great harm. Electrical systems will function almost indefinitely if properly installed and not overloaded or physically abused. Electrical fires in our homes claim the lives of 485 Americans each year and injure 2,305 more. Some of these fires are caused by electrical system failures and appliance defects, but many more are caused by the misuse and poor maintenance of electrical appliances, incorrectly installed wiring, and overloaded circuits and extension cords.
Electromagnetic Fields
EMF (or ElectroMagnetic Field) is a broad term which includes electric fields generated by charged particles in motion, and radiated fields such as TV, radio, hair dryer, and microwaves. Electric fields are measured in units of volts per meter or V/m. Magnetic fields are measured in milli-Gauss or mG. The field is always strongest near the source and diminishes as you move away from the source. These energies have the ability to influence particles at great distances.
Senior Safety Tips
Home Safety Checklist
Each year, many older Americans are injured in and around their homes. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that in 1981, over 622,000 people over age 65 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with products they live with and use everyday. CPSC believes that many of these injuries result from hazards that are easy to overlook, but also easy to fix. By spotting these hazards and taking some simple steps to correct them, many injuries might be prevented. Use this checklist to spot possible safety problems which may be present in your home. Keep this checklist as a reminder of safe practices, and use it periodically to re-check your home. This checklist is organized by areas in the home. However, there are some potential hazards that need to be checked in more than just one area of your home.
Water Quality
Scalding Hazards - Water Heater
The story I am about to tell you demonstrates that not all home accidents are minor and why the HOME SAFETY COUNCIL is extremely vital.
More GFCI's
A ground fault circuit interrrupter is an inexpensive electrical device that, if installed in household branch circuits, could prevent over two-thirds of the approximately 300 electrocutions still occurring each year in and around the home
Dayton Home Inspection - The World's Most Advanced. Call 937.423.2949 for more information or to schedule your inspection today!
