The ONLY way to find out if your home has high Radon levels is to have your home tested.50-60% of all homes tested in Rochester MN and Olmsted and the surrounding counties exceed the EPA’s recommended action level of 4 pCi/L. Nationwide, 7% of homes are estimated to have high Radon levels. Levels can vary widely even from home to home in the same neighborhood.
Home Inspector Asks, Is Your Air Conditioner Ready For Summer?
Home Inspection Points Out Improper Vent Termination
Rochester MN Home Inspector Discusses Radon Health Risk
Home Inspectors Discover Serious Water Heater Venting Problem
At a recent home inspection I came across a hot water heater in a utility closet in which the vent flue had become disconnected at the ceiling. In addition to the exhaust and CO venting directly to the closet, you can see that the paper on the adjacent sheetrock is heavily charred from the exhaust heat.
Rochester MN Home Inspector Discloses How to Cut Costs Efficiently, and Green up Your Home
Rochester MN Home Inspector Drives By Roof Collapse
Home Inspector finds roof collapse from snow load
We had a lot of snow this past winter and apparently the load exceeded the design specifications of this garage roof. Or maybe deferred maintenance caught up with structure. Whatever the case, it appears this garage is near the end of it's useful life ;-).
Your home inspector saw this as I was passing by and couldn't resist stopping and taking a picture.
Home Inspector Shares Tips On Digital Spring Cleaning
Connie & Mike D, Rochester, MN
Rick, you did a wonderful job making the home inspection process understandable, especially during the walk through. Thank you very much!
Rochester MN Home Inspectors Discuss Damaged Garage Door
Home Inspector Asks Why Wouldn’t You Cover Your Air Conditioner During The Winter Months?
Some experts argue that some AC covers actually trap moisture inside your air conditioner for long periods of time which could then lead to the rust as well as the exact same icing problem as when it wasn’t covered. Others point out that covers on AC units keep them dry and relatively clean and free from a steady cold wind - which makes them a perfect place for mice, chipmunks and other critters to snuggle in for the winter and chew your air conditioners wires to shreds.
Vinyl Flooring Stains Around A Toilet Found During Home Inspection.
The gray, (and sometimes pinkish), stains below the surface of the vinyl flooring around your toilet may indicate water damage. When there are stains around your toilet, there is probably a leak in the wax seal ring that seals the toilet to the plumbing flange at the floor. Continued leaking over a period of time will rot the flooring under your toilet and eventually leak into the ares below.
Rochester MN Home Inspector Discusses Eliminating Ice Dams
Ice dams can be a problem this time of year here in the Rochester MN area. Snow melts on the roof and freezes at the eaves leaving a dam. Continued melting will pool up behind the dam and has the potential to seep under your shingles, resulting in water damage to both the roof deck, as well as the walls and ceilings.
Blocked Furnace Venting Found During Home Inspection
Home Inspection Uncovers Chared Wires In Electrical Panel
Furnace Improvements Not Recommended By Home Inspector
Canned beans supporting oil burner found a home inspection
The only can of green beans we have in the house… And they are way past the expiration date. I guess we'll have to run to the store. This home inspector thinks it would have been better for the home owner to have the furnace professionaly repaired by a qualified repairman.
Home Inspection Reveals Bowed Basement Wall
Yearly Inspection and Cleaning Dirty Refrigerator Coils
Recently I came across a refrigerator/freezer unit that was heavily frosted up in the freezer unit. I took a look underneath the unit and the coils were completely loaded up with lint and dust bunnies. When the coils under a unit are all loaded and dirty up they can not operate efficiently, resulting in higher energy bills.
Rochester MN Home Inspector Finds Bees In The Basement
Rochester MN Home Inspector Recommends Sealing Your Driveway And Garage Floor Gap
Home Inspector discusses sealing gap between garage floor and driveway
Quite often during a home inspection I will note a gap between the concrete driveway and the garage slab on the inspection report. Taking the time to fill the gap will be worth the effort. Excess water under the slab will cause the slab to raise in the winter as the ground freezes. The gap can be closed using a filler/backer rod and a self leveling sealant filler material.
The first step is to clean the gap, blowing away all dust and debris. If there is any depth to the void you will need to fill it with a filler material, sometimes called backer rod, or backer rope. This is typically a closed cell synthetic material that looks like one of those float noodles that the kids use in the pool. But a size that is slightly wider than the opening you are trying to fill. Your local Rochester, or Southeastern MN building materials store will have these materials.
Next, force the backing materials into the opening using a putty knife until you have about ¾-1 inch below the concrete surface. The backer rod material will support the filler sealant and will expand and contract as the seasons change. It also provides a surface that will not stick to the filler sealant. If the filler sealant is attached to three surfaces, it may not expand and contract properly and pull away from the concrete.
After the backer rod is installed, add the self leveling concrete filler or urethane type caulk. This material will fill the void and is self leveling. This material is designed to adhere well to concrete and will expand and contract with the seasons. Always follow the manufacturers directions for installation and cure time. Proper installation will give you a great result that will keep the gap filled for years to come.