I chose the article on bug zappers. I found it very interesting that studies show bug zappers dont attract biting insects. I also learned that a bug zapper should not be placed near food because exploding bug carry many diseases
Poor ventilation in an attic can result in condensation, promoting mold growth in the framing elements of the house. This can affect your home’s structural integrity. Keep eave vents clear of insulation and make sure you have adequate air flow. … Rain that seeps into your home’s foundation can lead to moisture problems
Leaking seals around windows and doors can make home more humid! Just as in winter when you can feel a cool breeze through a poorly sealed window, heat and humidity can come inside during the summer. Take a little time and insure the proper seal around your doors and windows
The dishwasher can become an overlooked appliance when it comes to water damage. Oftentimes, water will leak into the sink through the air trap, which could indicate there is a blocked line. If water leaks through the bottom of the dishwasher, it needs to be left to a professional.
The toilet in this residence is showing no signs of leaking from any of the inlet or outlet functions. There are no leaks in the water line. There are also no signs of staining nor water damage to the surrounding floor. The toilet is securely fastened to the floor with proper hardware.
Water damage can be found in appliances, windows and doors, the roof, and the ventilation system. Water damage will directly affect the condition of the home and can be a costly repair. However, with regular inspections, early signs can be detected and prevented.
After reading the article pertaining to attic pull down ladders, I will definitely be more apprehensive of their usage while conducting residential home inspections. The possibility of improper installation by the homeowner can lead to a magnitude of defects and unsafe operating conditions for the inspector.
Moisture intrusion is a hazard that can have many sources from inside, outside or both. Even what seems to be a small amount of moisture can be just a small indication of a much bigger, and more damaging problem. Water marks of any amount should be inspected to a greater extent.
Moisture, even when unseen, should be of great concern. Not only is it a danger to the health if the homeowner but it can cause damage to the structure as well. Understanding the means by which moisture enters the home is the best start to knowing how to manage its effects.
This is an image of an exterior wall of a house in Florida. The house is off grade and is covered with wood panels. The panels are elevated above the ground level an acceptable distance, and no rot or decay is visible.
I chose an article on Solar Power. I learned that the Untied States alone spends over thirteen million dollars an hour on oil alone. This is one of the reasons that solar energy can be very beneficial. Solar power is low emission, produce no pollution and is readily available.
Damp crawlspaces are likely places for unwanted moisture and mold growth. Here, a leaking supply line has been problematic for some time. There are visible water droplets on the pipe, the insulation near the leak is soggy, the floor joist has water marks and mold and the ground beneath the leak is wet.
Synthetic stucco is foamboard and fiberglass mesh attached to a wall that is covered with a polymer-based material which is then textured to look like historic stucco. It is technically known as an exterior insulation and finish system, or EIFS. It has been in use in Europe since the 1950s, and in the U.S. since the late 60s. It is often used on wood-framed houses.
Water can find its way inside through any cracks that have developed, or through any areas where the EIFS is jointed with a different material, such as door and window frames, or at the roof. If the EIFS continues below ground level, any cracks or openings in the finish will allow moisture, as well as wood-destroying organisms, such as termites, inside. When prolonged moisture intrusion of the wood behind the EIFS reaches 30%, rotting will occur.
During this inspection I encountered several layers of roll insulation which had fallen loose from the trusses. So then because of this there was ice dam problems and the attic was heated. Therefore water was leaking due to the backup and melting. As a result water seeped down this wall on to the drop ceiling below causing water damage.
Here is a picture of the roof in the attic it appears to be a leak in the roof. This leak needs to be repaired by a certified roofer. If the roof leak is not stopped soon the wood will rot and cause even bigger problems.
The movement of moisture-laden air into and out of a building envelope must be be prevented, or at least minimized. As air moves from a relatively warm area to a cooler area, either from a warm living space in the winter, to the cold air outside, or from the warm outdoors to the cooler air-conditioned indoors, the moisture held by the moving air mass will reach its dew point and deposit its water load within the wall cavity. This unwanted moisture will: decrease the value of the insulating materials; cause deterioration of the wall components and finishes; and allow mold spores to multiply. The pictures above show the four typical WRE wall systems. Notice that they all depend on allowing the wall system to breathe while minimizing the movement of bulk air which could be responsible for large amounts of moisture infiltration.
Aluminum wiring was substituted for copper from 1965 thru 1973 because copper price went up. Aluminum has high resistance in electrical flow which means aluminum conductor must be larger diameter than copper conductors. Aluminum wire is more easily oxidized than copper wire.
A lot of engineering know-how goes into designing a private source of potable water. A bored well system, for example, requires that the cement casting joints in the first eight feet be watertight. The cover and access hatch must seal against animals, insects, debris, and all possible forms of contamination. Finally, the surrounding ground should slope away from the well head that must itself protrude from the ground a minimum of twelve inches. Even with all these measures in place, this form of water supply is subject to contamination from adjacent septic systems and garbage dumps, rising water tables, animal pasture field manure, and crop field pesticide runoff, etcetera. For these reasons the home inspector should advise the homeowner with a home supplied by this system to have his well water tested regularly by a qualified consultant.
Attic pull down ladders are collapsible pull down stairs which occupants use to access the attic. They are usually installed by home owner instead of a professional, and therefore caution must be used by the home inspector.
Things to look for are first of all the possibility of insulation or other debris might be on the ladder when you pull it down, so a cloth should be placed on the floor below before pulling the ladder down. Also watch for the ladder being either too short or too long.
There is also the possibility that the installer cut into the structural components. Be sure that ALL of the nails or fasteners are put in place according to the manufacturer instructions. Hatches should be checked for insulation or the possibility of needing a cover.
Downspout diverter is taped to a second diverter, which would add distance away from the house, but the diverters are coming apart. Also the diverters are actually pointed toward the house which is incorrect. Diverters can work great if they direct water from the downspout at a minimum 10 ft away from the foundation.
