In my most recent inspection of a house there was a defect in the attic. There was a bathroom vent piped directly into the attic space. There were signs it had been that way for awhile. There were signs of moisture and possible mold growth.
please note in this photo the attic insulation batts are laid correctly and tight and not blocking the vents at the soffits , see or roof vents the heat duct is flex type with insulation covering the duct the duct is pinched where it turns around the truss.it should be re routed .
Why make your home more energy efficient? Here are a few good reasons:
Federal, state, utility and local jurisdictions’ financial incentives, such as tax breaks, are very advantageous for homeowners in most parts of the U.S.
It saves money. It costs less to power a home that has been converted to be more energy-efficient.
It increases the comfort level indoors.
It reduces our impact on climate change. Many scientists now believe that excessive energy consumption contributes significantly to global warming.
It reduces pollution. Conventional power production introduces pollutants that find their way into the air, soil and water supplies.
Upon inspection of the crawlspace, the 4" dryer vent hose was found to be disconnected from the vent pipe. Lint had accumulated on the floor and on nearby spider webs. Continued venting under the house will cause the humidity under the house to be elevated leading to possible condensation on and damage to uninsulated areas of air conditioning ducting. Condensation on wooden framing could cause conditions favorable for wood destroying insects.
The article, “Abrasive Blasting for Mold Remediation” discusses a relatively new, quick and easier way to remediate mold infestations. Mold needs, moisture, oxygen, food and a surface to grow on. Once conditions for mold growth are corrected, the mold needs to be removed. Abrasive blasting utilizes particles carried in a stream of compressed air to force mold spores and cells off of the surface. It is much easier to clean around obstacles like cross bracing this way than scrubbing with a brush and bleach. Particles used in abrasive blasting include sodium bicarbonate crystals and dry ice pellets. Other substances used include corn cob pellets. Once blasting is complete, the area must be cleaned using HEPA vacuuming to remove spores and cells dislodged by blasting to minimize regrowth.
Attic access stairs are usually not installed properly, fasteners in the wrong place or not there at all. So tread lightly on the initial ascent up the steps, do a visual inspection prior to using the access steps or ladder.
Leaking plumbing, no matter how small a leak, will cause considerable damage if not repaired when found. Not only can a leak damage a cabinet, it can also lead to mold growth which can affect the health of the house members.
When you are inspecting attic for proper insulation do not forget to look for proper ventilation. Make sure that the rafter baffles are in there proper place where the rafters meet the joist to ensure adequate airflow from the soffits.
Garage doors are now required to have a reversing mechanism that stops the door from closing should something block the way; this could be an animal, a child, a utensil. A garage door will not pass an inspection without a working reversing mechanism.
My essay is from the article "Increasing Home Efficiency ". This article is a thorough article, which embraces Energy consumption and how we can save on utility bills, clean air and environmental concerns. This article is a constant reminder of how we can do our part by educating, practicing and sharing to save our world and kids.
In the article A Guide to Engineered Wood Sheathing the article explains how osb board stands for oriented strand board. These wood panels are engineered for the strength to run in both directions. This product makes better use of the wood resource and therefor is cheaper.
On an elevated surface of a deck the minimum spacing of the pickets shall not exceed 4 inches. This means no space should allow a 4 inch sphere to pass through. At time of inspection these spacings are correct with a gap of 3 7/8 inches.
Here is a picture of the vapor barrier in a crawlspace. Notice the dirt clinging to the the barrier, a bit moist, but not super moist. Also, the white is actually dry wall dust due to the opening of the crawlspace door as well as the light reflection. Vapor barriers are great to keep moister at a minimum, reduce the risk of radon gas leakage into the home, and reduce the risk of mold throughout the crawlspace and basement.
The article I read is… Insulation R-Value. Heating and cooling costs account for 50% to 70% of the energy used in a US home, so it is important to understand how insulation can help reduce your costs. When insulation is squeezed into an area, the R-value is decreased and becomes less effective, but when insulation is correctly installed the energy efficiency increases. Understanding the R-value (resistance to the flow of heat) of insulation will help inspectors answer questions from clients on how to increase their overall energy efficiency.
master bath vent fan present and operating correctly, inspection of vent piping in attic reveals that pipe is not connected to an exterior exhaust fixture. recommend proper through the roof exhaust be installed by qualified contractor so as to prevent moisture issues in attic and prevent roof leaks.
a bathroom ventilation fan should be installed in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. the fan should be sealed against drawing in attic air with the exhaust piping aimed towards the exit point. piping should be ran in as straight a line as possible, with as long sweep bends as possible to reduce friction thereby reducing the efficiency of the fan. the piping must discharge to the exterior of the residence and not directly into the attic,soffit or other enclosed space.
The blown in fiberglass insulation in the attic looks to be fairly untouched. Insulation depth is around 14" giving it a value of around R-38 which is required in the state of Tennessee. No attic insulation recommendations at this time.
Most people do not realize how they can save on their energy costs simply by installing ceiling fans, tankless water heaters, replacing incandescent lights with LEDs, sealing and insulating their homes,and installing efficient showerheads and toilets. They are also unaware that there are government incentives(Tax Breaks)for making your home for energy efficient.
This is an image of a driveway in a residential home. The driveway has intermittent settlement throughout causing issues with aesthetics, drainage and tripping hazards. At the top (close to the garage), the concrete slabs are bowing in which will cause standing water. There are a couple ares where the soil has washed out from under the slabs causing breakage and uneven settlement. Recommend consulting with a concrete expert for options on getting the the driveway fixed.
Energy efficiency is something that many homeowners need to take into account. It not only helps the homeowner save money, but is beneficial to the environment. A couple ways we can accomplish this is by integrating some simple techniques into our lifestyle. When heating and cooling your house, turn on the ceiling fans to help circulate the tempered air in the house. Replacing conventional light bulbs with LEDs can help reduce energy usage by 50-70%. Of course, this will cost more upfront however, the end result will save energy and money. These are just some examples but if you wish to learn more, refer to 10 Easy Ways to Save Money & Energy in Your Home by Nick Gromicko, Ben Gromicko, and Kenton Shepard.