I read the articles on Bathroom Venting and Backdrafting. I was somewhat suprised to learn how easy it is to test for backdrafting. I was also surprised that most bathroom vents stop at the attic. That just seems to defeat the purpose of venting in my mind.
with no venting system in this bathroom the only way to allow moisture out would be through the window, which is clearly blocked by all the shampoo and liquid soap bottles.
During a home inspection in Largo FL, the air handler was located and inspected in the hallway closet. It was observed that the filter compartment was inaccessible due to the placement of the refrigerant lines. An air return filter grill was installed in the wall adjacent to the air handler. This was the only available return air location and the filter was found to be heavily soiled. The space under the door was minimal and the intake air was regulated only to the wall screen. Not surprisingly, the coils were very dirty and it is assumed the unit is working much harder than it needs to be to draw air. Recommendations are to change the filter, clean the grill, clean and service the coils of the A-frame and maintain the filters monthly.
The attached photo is of a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers are not only important for removing air moisture to reduce the likelihood of fungal growth, but are also important for the health of the cooling system. When the humidity is too high and the a/c system does not run long enough to remove enough moisture the air will still feel too hot causing the inhabitants to reduce the temperature even more to compensate adding extra stress to the a/c system. A dehumidifier is a relatively inexpensive means of removing excess air and reducing the strain on the a/c system.
I read the articles: “Solar Theft” and “Straw Bale Home Basics”. I have often considered ways to protect solar arrays from theft as I intend to install a system some day. The article mentions security lighting, cable and locks, and alarms systems as some solutions. If possible I plan on buiding a locking frame to secure my solar panels. Straw bale homes are relatively energy efficient and can be cost effective in regions with local hay production. Ensuring that the hay does not get wet will increase the life expectancy of the structure as well as inhibit fungal growth. Before building a straw bale home ensure you can secure insurance and financing if required as they may be difficult to obtain in many locals.
Ceiling stains and what appeared to be mold was noted on the living room ceiling. The stain(s) may be due to a past or an active roof leak. Recommend asking the property owner(s) about this, and monitoring the stained area(s) in the future, especially after heavy or prolonged rain. If elevated moisture is found in the future, a qualified contractor should evaluate and repair as necessary. Water in a home can result is mold. The best defense in eliminating mold is eliminating the water source. If it is mold, it can be a health hazard, especially for those with allergies or respiratory problems. The inspector recommends that the client have a qualified industrial hygienist or indoor air quality specialist evaluate the home.
Asbestos
Do not panic if you suspect you have asbestos! Generally a material in good condition will not release the asbestos fibers and the best option is to leave the material alone. Typically the asbestos material has to be damaged or in poor condition for the fibers that cause health problems to become airborne and breathed into a person’s body. Just because it is white doesn’t mean it is asbestos either. A person cannot simply look at a material to tell if it is asbestos. A sample needs to be properly collected by a qualified inspector and sent to a lab to be analyzed under a special microscope.
Backdrafting
Because to today’s tighter constructed methods and the improved efficiencies of modern appliances, where the combustion byproducts stay in the flues longer, we inspectors need to more observant of backdrafting. Backdrafting is the result of the byproducts of combustion (the burning of gas or oil mixed with air) being sucked back into the home instead of properly venting to the outdoor air. Typical signs would include dark residue on the top of an appliance or soot along the tops of the wall or ceiling. Some safety precautions that a home owner can do to limit back drafting is to annually check the chimney flue for damage and obstructions and make sure the appliance has enough makeup air to feed the appliance, which is 50 cubic feet of air per 1,000 BTUs.
A/C system appears to be cooling properly but coils are rusted and dirty with signs of condensation. Also, some condensation stains were found active around supply registers. Maintenance check and acid coil cleaning is recommended.
10 Easy Ways to Save Money & Energy in Your Home
- Find better ways to heat and cool your house. Install a ceiling fan.
- Install a tankless water heater.
- Replace incandescent lights.
- Seal and insulate your home.
- Install efficient showerheads and toilets.
- Use appliances and electronics responsibly.
- Install daylighting as an alternative to electrical lighting.
- Insulate windows and doors.
- Cook smart.
- Change the way you do laundry.
This is in regards to the inspection & writing assignment for the “Indoor Air Quality for Inspectors” course.
If a blower door test performed for creating a positive air pressure environment inside the house, re-inspect the attic access panel. It may have been pushed open by the test.
Most panels in older homes will not be sealed. However, the panel in newer homes may be caulked/sealed, which is done as an energy saving action. However, that may prevent inspection of the attic area. Permission to unseal the panel is a must for the inspection of the attic.
This is in regards to the reading and writing assignment for the “Indoor Air Quality for Inspectors” course.
I’ve chosen the topic of moisture condensation inside the house.
The excessive amount of moisture condensation on the inside of the windows may be from multiple sources and because of multiple reasons.
Lifestyle conditions, such as not opening a bathroom window during bathing/showering or not opening a window or no ventilation in the kitchen during cooking.
Sources can be no ventilation of the clothes dryer to the outside. Leaking plumbing or an unusual amount of plants contributing to the moisture condensation can also be factors.
There can be other indications that may be visual, but some may not be.
This is in regards to the reading and writing assignment for the “Indoor Air Quality for Inspectors” course.
I’ve chosen the topic of indoor air quality.
Inspections also include using human senses like smell and touch. If a human waste problem occurs in a crawlspace, like a sewer backup, the smell can be overpowering. Entering a basement that smells musty can be a warning of water intrusion. Touching a light switch near the front door that feels cold can be problematic for energy loss.
Most of the recommendations for these problems are common, but some may not be quite as obvious. Some may be beyond the scope of the inspection.
The first attached picture is of a return air duct roughed in a bedroom of a house under renovation. For proper airflow, it is essential to have return airs in each bedroom, as well as on each floor to ensure the proper flow of air back to the forced air furnace.
The second attached picture is of a roof with the bath fans, dryer vent, and plumbing vents, vented to the outside of the house. Even though running vents through a roof is a last resort. This house is in the center of a row of houses. The most direct run for the vents was through the roof.
Article Review Central Humidifiers:
For a homeowner that requires a humidifier to add humidity in their home, the most important aspect is the maintenance of the humidifier. The humidifier is basically bringing moisture into the home. Moisture, if not maintained, can cause several health issues, including mold and bacteria growth. Keeping teh humidifier clean at all times, and shut down during the more humid summer months (depending on location), is crucial.
Article Review Dust Mite Inspection:
One of the best ways to manage dust mites is through cleaning and lowering the humidity levels in a home. A s well as isolating pets. Since “Eighteen to 30% of Americans are allergic to dust mites’ feces, and almost half of all American homes have dust mite allergen levels that are high enough to create sensitivity in people who were not previously allergic”,
Inspection assignment:
Kitchen exhaust fan:
This home is equipped with a ductless range hood fan above the cooktop. Homeowners should keep in mind that these types of fans do not expel odors and moisture to the exterior. They have screens to filter out grease and particles from cooking and should be cleaned periodically.
Reading and writing assignment:
Kerosene Heater Inspection
by Nick Gromicko
A kerosene heater draws kerosene from a wick by capillary action. They are a favorable alternative heat source due to their portability, efficiency, and lack of reliance on electricity. Careful attention to all safety precautions in the instruction manual should be followed at all times.
Hello Ben,
Going to start this course. If I have any questions I will reach out to you.
Thank you
Doug Radigan
This is my reading and writing assignment for the indoor air quality course. The two articles I chose were 1. Indoor Air Sampling by Nick Gromicko and Ethan Ward and 2. Moisture Intrusion by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard.
In the moisture intrusion article there is useful information for inspectors about how moisture enters a home and where an inspector would look for it. Air infiltration accounts for more than 98% of water movement into a building. You also have diffusion through building materials, showering and washing dishes as well as other activities and plumbing leaks. The amount of moisture into a building depends a lot on the climate zone that the building is located in. The best places for the inspector to look for moisture are the attic, the basement or crawlspace and the laundry room.
In the article on air sampling, it is important to note that a good visual inspection should be done in order to determine if samples should be taken to see if there are mold spores in the air. Signs of moisture and mold growth would be a good indication of this as well as a musty smell.
This is my inspection and writing assignment for the indoor air quality course.
In the photo there is a back door to a home that is partially below grade. There is also dry stacked retaining wall surrounding a drain. The problem with this system is that the grade in the rear of the house is such that water goes toward the drain and the back door and if the drain backs up which it has done before water will easily enter the home from under the back door and can cause mold growth. There is not a fix to this problem other than for the homeowner to keep the drain clean and free from leaves or other debris.
