Rick did a great job inspecting my new condo. He was very friendly and thorough. He did a great job explaining things to me and letting me know what I needed to know. I would highly recommend him.
Archive for May, 2010
Home Inspector Asks, Is Your Air Conditioner Ready For Summer?
Just like any of the other systems in our homes, our air conditioners need periodic inspection and maintenance to keep them running smoothly. We want the air conditioner to work when we need it right? Too often though, people wait until the temperatures soar to find out that the old unit just won’t fire up. Summer is coming and soon we will all want our air conditioners to run at peak performance to keep us comfortable. Careful inspection of the air conditioning system prior to peak use can help you to head off problems ahead of time.
First, the more you use your air conditioner, the more often it should perform an inspection. Filters are a good place to start. Cold air moves harder that hot air. If your air filter is plugged, the fan has to work harder to move the air. If the air isn’t moving, the air conditioner has to work harder to meet the desired temperature in the home. Buy a good air filter and make sure to change them at the manufacturers prescribed frequency.
At the condenser, (outside), make sure that there is adequate clearance for air flow around the unit. Three feet above and one foot at the sides, minimum clearance will allow the air to flow freely. Also, make sure that the cooling fins are free of debris and damage. If the fins are clogged with dryer lint or grass clippings, air can’t move freely through the condenser.
Catch small problems before they turn into big problems. Noisy condenser units could be anything from a loose screw on a panel or safety screen, to a loose fan blade. Loose fan blades could also be hitting part of the unit. If everything is tight and there is still a noise, it could be the condenser motor. You should call for service if this is the case. Make sure that the unit is sitting level to prevent unnecessary wear on the motor bearings.
Noise at the furnace could mean a bad motor or loose/worn drive belt. Again, you should call a service technician for repairs.
Rick Erickson, Home Inspector, HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester MN, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942. http://www.homepro-inspection.com
Home Inspection Points Out Improper Vent Termination
Bathroom Vented To Attic
Bathroom and Kitchen improperly vented to Attic Roof Vent
You can see from the pictures above that it is important that the home inspectors do a carefull inspection of the attic areas to insure that all venting exits through the roof. These pictures are from two separate home inspections that I did over a couple of weeks. In each case, the home owner had added either bathroom and/or kitchen exhaust vents and terminated then in the attic. They were all aimed at a roof vent in an effort to exhaust to the outside. You see in the one picture that the handy work failed and the duct never even made it to the roof vent.
To insure proper ventilation of bathrooms and kitchens it is important that all vents exit the roof through proper roof vents. Venting to the attic adds moisture to the attic area which can result in icing and excess moisture in that attic area.
Rick Erickson, Home Inspector, HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester MN, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942. http://www.homepro-inspection.com
Rochester MN Home Inspector Discusses Radon Health Risk
Following a comprehensive assessment of environmental cancer risks, the President’s Cancer Panel released a report on Thursday, May 6, Reducing Environmental Cancer Risks: What We Can Do Now, calling for new personal and policy action to reduce the risk due to radon exposures in homes, daycare facilities, schools, and workplaces.
Radon is a radioactive gas that accumulates indoors and is the leading cause of lung cancer among never smokers. The National Academy of Sciences estimates that 22,000 people die each from radon exposure in their homes. In the United States, radon concentrations are measured in units known as picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Although no exposure to radon is considered safe, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a level of 4 pCi/L as a level where radon reduction is clearly needed.
“The President’s Panel’s report is an incredibly important reminder that each of us and our elected officials must do much better to reduce the terrible risk of indoor radon exposure,” according to William Angell, President of the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists. Angell adds the report reinforces the World Health Organization’s (WHO) new radon recommendations for lower radon concentrations at which people should take action to reduce exposure.
The President’s Cancer Panel calls on EPA to evaluate reducing the Agency’s 4 pCi/L Threshold for Action. In late 2009, WHO called for countries to set action level at 2.7 pCi/L as well as to improve rates of radon testing and radon reduction.
The Panel urges families to periodically tested their homes for radon since concentrations can change over time. Further, all home buyers are advised to test for radon in any home they may consider purchasing.
The report calls on Congress to support improved radon testing methods and provide tax deductions to encourage radon mitigation of existing homes. Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN) announced on April 30 a bill she is introducing that implements many of the President’s Cancer Panel’s recommendations.
State and local governments were called to implement building codes to require radon control in new construction and to regularly test all schools, day care centers, and workplaces.
The National Cancer Institute report, Reducing Environmental Cancer Risks: What We Can Do Now is available at http://deainfo.nci.nih.gov/advisory/pcp/pcp08-09rpt/PCP_Report_08-09_508.pdf
Rick Erickson, Home Inspector, HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester MN, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942. http://www.homepro-inspection.com
Aaron S. Minneapolis, MN
We used Rick for our first home and the home inspection was great. It’s a very old house so we made sure to be absolutely thorough. Rick’s home inspection report reflected this with photos of all the issues he found. Rick’s a great guy to boot.
Amber & Jay L. Mantorville, MN
Everything about our home inspection was very professional. Thank you for all of the helpful hints. We will tell anyone that needs a home inspector about you. Thanks!
Jackie E. Kasson, MN
Thank You! Out of the whole home buying experience , the home inspection was by far the easiest part!