Topic: Abrasive Blasting for Mold Remediation: The growth of mold in a home may cause health problems, such as : sneezing, itchy eyes and in certain situations lung damage.
Mold need moisture, air and a surface to grow. Mold spores are found in the air. Therefore, effective removal must also include eliminating growth medium. There are different techniques to remove mold from a house. Removal of mold (aka mold remediation) can be performed by professionals. A new method of removal involves the use of an abrasive produce An abrasive products such as sodium bicarbonate or dry-ice pellets is propelled under air pressure. Much like sand blasting. It is important that the loosen mold spores be vacuumed with up.
Topic: Ways to Save Money and Energy: It is easier than most people thing to save energy within a home. Saving energy is both beneficial t the home owner( saving $) and for the environment by reducing carbon foot print. Some ways to save include: sealing cracks around baseboards, attic hatches, pipes, wires and electrical outlets. It is also important to save water, this can be achieved by he use of low flow shower heads, duel flush toilets use the dishwasher only when it is full.
The home owner can also save electricity by using Energy-Star appliances, turning off computers, keep freezers and refrigerators away from heat sources and use of LED lights which surprisingly uses by up to 75%.
here is a area I noticed that has had some moisture damage. It is a area
located next to a refrigerator ,so I pulled the refrigerator out to see if there was a leak which there wasn’t so it was a older problem
Here is a area I noticed on a wood floor where there seems to be a moisture problem next to a refrigerator it didn’t seem wet so I pulled the refrigerator out and all seemed dry so it must have been a older problem
Water damage and EIFS is the subject of this essay. EIFS is known as: Exterior Insulation and Finish System, commonly associated with modern synthetic stucco. One of the draw backs of EIFS systems is that they block the movement of water and water vapors. They simply do not breath. They are best suited for drier climates. Any cracking or deterioration in the stucco surfaces warrants repairs to prevent moisture penetration behind the wall itself and potential rotting of materials. Stucco inspections are primarily visual unless cracks, bulges, discoloration and or surface deterioration’s are discovered that warrant a more invasive approach of drilling into the wall cavity and testing moisture concentrations with a meter for excessive levels to better determine a course of appropriate repairs.
water scalds account for 20% of all burns. install a anti scald valves are a simple and inexpensive way to avoid burns. they maintain a safe water temp level.160 degrees water can scald in about0.5 seconds.
back flow can spread contaminated water back through your system
back flow prevention in residents is most commonly done with the use of (AVB)
atmosphere vacuum breaker.
The building uses a concrete cap for water diversion away from foundation. This cap is in good condition, although the seal between wall and cap is separated and should be sealed with appropriately rated sealant. There is a slight negative grade towards the building. Grade should be away from building at least 6" over 10’, and swales should be integrated to direct water towards downhill slops away from the building.
IR Cameras: Inspecting for Moisture Intrusion
Snow Guard Inspection
Essay:
Infrared cameras provide many advantages to both the inspector and the client. Inspections can be performed more rapidly and precisely, allowing for inspection of hard to reach places like high cathedral ceilings or hard to reach areas in kitchens, attics, and crawlspaces. Together with a moisture meter, they are an excellent tool to document the visible condition of a house.
Moisture intru;)tion is caused by many things done
poorly during construction and also as time goes by . The ground can settle around the house and seep into basement areas, this can happen when gutters are full and water runs next to the house if the grade is not running away from the house you will eventually get leaks
The basement wall is in Canada where a 2X6 wall leads above to the main floor. The vapour barrier is on the interior of the framing against the drywall - the warm side. This allows the wall to dry to the exterior. The concrete foundation has a vapour barrier on the interior heated side as well. The exterior has downspouts that drain 4 feet away from the foundation. There was no signs of water damage and the areas checked out dry with both a surface moisture meter and a thermal camera image.
Synthetic stucco differs from historic stucco components. The EIFS system uses a polymer based additive to the stucco combined with insulation board to the exterior sheeting. The EIFS system does not breathe so moisture damage and excessive concentrations can occur over time. Ground contact has to be avoided and flashing, cracking stucco, joint sealing and caulking are all important. Moisture meters and thermal cameras can show water damage and elevated moisture content in the materials.
Just finished reading Moisture intrusion and Moisture meters. Moisture intrusion was geared for the home owner. Moisture meters was good and talked about the difference between pin and search meters.
This is my photo of a basement wall. There was not only evidence of efflorescence, but of cracking in the wall. When this property was built in the 1940s, the way they protected against water intrusion was not at the same standard as today. Also, throughout the decade vegetation and trees have grown throughout the property. I concluded that this wall was no longer able to shed water.
The first article I reviewed, in keeping with my theme is “Efflorescence for Inspectors”. Efflorescence the white chalky substance, is not the problem but a clue of what was. If a seller has not wiped it away, it gives the inspector a clue as to the past presence of water. This is important because it gives absolute proof that a material is no longer water resistant. You can also look for efflorescence in an attic. This is beneficial if you were unable to get on the roof. Instead examine the sheathing from the attic and look for water stains and efflorescence.
The second article I reviewed was “Moisture Intrusion”. In this article it details the problems associated with moisture intrusion. An important aspect of this article is discussing ways moisture enters the house such as through an uncaulked roof stack, or siding that was not installed correctly.The strength of this article for the consumer, is detailing ways to correct common problems in one’s house that leads to moisture intrusion.
The floor at the base of the toilet in the full bathroom, on second floor, was wet. I quickly check the ceiling of the dining room below. I used a moisture meter on the ceiling. It was also moisture direct below the toilet. I recommend that a qualified contractor evaluate where the leak is coming from, and repair the bathroom toilet and floor, also the dining ceiling.
Shown here is penetration in the exterior weather barrier above a window. There were several concerns with this installation but moisture intrusion was certainly one of them. Recommendation was to remove and install the window correctly prior to the brick being installed.
The first article I read was the one about moisture meters. I find this tool to be a crucial part of my inspection handbag and use it at nearly every inspection. The next article I read was on moisture intrusion and pair perfectly with the online course. It reiterated many of the same items found within the course. One of the more problematic issues I find in our particular climate zone is the issue with moisture introduced into the crawlspace through vents in the summer time. It is not uncommon for me to find condensation on the bottom side of the insulation between floor joist when doing an inspection in the summer. There are some other articles that go into further detail about why this happens and measure that can be taken to mitigate further damage.
Moisture intrusion. As you can see where the lins set enters the crawl space, the foam is not sufficant. It dose not seal allowing water or even rodents could enter there. The line set insulation is ok though. Recommend repair by a qualified professional. I also not pictured noticed the dryer exhaust ended in the crawl space. This needs to be vented outside and sealed correctly.
