Chinese Drywall

"Chinese Drywall," also called odorous gypsum wallboard, has been an issue in new and remodeled homes in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. The drywall has been determined to emit chemicals that cause sulfide odors, black discoloration of metal fixtures, electrical components, and domestic water piping, as well as corrosion of HVAC components leading to failure. There are also reports of health effects associated with the drywall.

Moisture in crawl spaces

If you have condensation on the ductwork and floor joists in your home's crawl space, usually outside air is the source of the moisture. It is often better to close foundation vents in the summer. Make sure that groundwater is not draining into the crawl space and there is plastic sheeting (vapor barrier) greater than 6-mil over the earth to prevent soil moisture from evaporating into the crawl space.

Plant a tree to shade your home

Shading a home is one way to reduce air-conditioning (AC) costs.

Tall tree with spreading canopies are best for blocking the sun. These trees should be planted on the south side of the home, 10 to 15 feet away from the house.

Broad, short trees are useful for blocking the morning and afternoon sun during the hot summer months. These trees should be planted 20 to 50 feet away from the east and west walls of the home.

Tree should be placed so that when they mature they will be at least 15 feet away from power lines. Also, when trees shade a yard, grass and landscaping do not need watering as often.

Setting your thermostat at 78 degrees will also help reduce AC costs.

Electrical Safety Tips

Accidental contact with electrical currents can cause injury, fire, extensive damage and even death. You can prevent electrical accidents by remebering a few summer safety tips:

• Be aware of power lines, especially when using metal ladders, pool skimmers or pruning poles.
• Never trim trees near power lines
• Avoid using electric yard tools when it is raining or the ground is wet.
• Do not step into a flooded area, such as a basement, when water could be in contact with electrical outlets.
• Stay away from downed power lines

Septic Tips

10 Tips to Keep Your Septic Tank System Friendly

Municipal Sewage Plants spend millions of dollars each year insuring proper and safe operation of the community Sewage Treatment Plant. Your home Septic Tank and Leach Field is your sewage treatment plant. For the safety of your family, pets, and neighbors, please consider these helpful tips to provide a cozy environment to allow the Septic Tank System to do its job effectively. A failed system is unhealthy and may threaten your property value. To better understand how a home sewage treatment septic tank works, please click on the link.

1. Never pour or flush cleaning agents with bleach or strong disinfectants down the drain. Use the new sodium based enzyme automatic dishwasher detergent. Other detergents contain high concentrations of caustic and chlorine bleach. These chemicals will kill the friendly bacteria in the septic tank just like they do when used for cleaning topical surfaces to kill micro-organisms and bacteria.
   
   
2. Never put motor oil, paint, paint thinners, gasoline, pesticides or herbicides down the drain. These substances are toxic to the septic tank bacteria and micro-organisms.
   
   
3. Never pour cooking oil, fats, grease, or coffee grounds down the drain. Avoid the use of garbage disposals on kitchen scrap material. These elements are one of the main problems associated with improper functioning of the tank. The grease and solids build up in the tank and eventually gets out into the drain field stopping the leaching ability. Abusing your septic tank increases the chance of future problems.
   
   
4. Never flush cigarette butts, sanitary napkins, or associated applicators into the septic tank. Some parts will never decompose (regardless of what is advertised) and will require pumping out.
   
   
5. Limit the use of bleach based toilet bowl and drain cleaners because they are harmful to the friendly bacteria and micro-organisms in the septic tank.
   
   
6. Use only high-quality white toilet paper. Some colored paper dyes contain chemicals that are toxic to the septic tank function.
   
   
7. When doing laundry, try to do full loads and space the washing frequency throughout the week. Use only low phosphate detergent. Leaching of phosphates cause aquatic algae to bloom. The water in your leach field either evaporates or eventually merges with ground water flowing into the rivers and streams, fertilizing the algae, which is very harmful to aquatic life.
   
   
8. Never divert your rain gutter downspouts or sump pump into the septic tank. Sounds silly, but this will overload the tank and push the floating grease scum layer and bottom solids layer out into the leach field. Do not laugh because some have done just that.
   
   
9. Never drive your car or heavy vehicle over the septic tank or the drain field. You may damage the tank structure or worse yet, make an unauthorized smelly entry causing real damage and costing you real money.
   
   
10. Plant large trees at least 20 feet away from the drain and leach field. The canopy blocks the sun light minimizing evaporation and may cause root damage to the drain and leach field.

As a homeowner, you alone are responsibility for the proper function and maintenance of your Household Septic Tank System. You can be a good neighbor and extend the life of your system or you can continue to abuse the system causing failure. A failed system is illegal, unhealthy, threatens your property value, and may cost thousands of dollars in repair or replacement.

Radon

Radon is a carcinogenic gas that is hazardous to inhale. Build-up of radon in homes is a health concern and many lung cancer cases are attributed to radon exposure each year. About 12% of lung cancers and more than 20,000 Americans die of radon-related lung cancer each year. The Surgeon General of the United States has issued a Health Advisory warning Americans about the health risk from exposure to radon in indoor air.  Dr. Carmona, the Nation's Chief Physician urged Americans to test their homes to find out how much radon they might be breathing.  He also stressed the need to remedy the problem as soon as possible.

You cannot see, smell, or taste radon. But it still may be a problem in your home.  When you breathe air containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer.  In fact, the Surgeon General of the United States has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today.  If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

Testing is the only way to find out your home's radon levels. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon. If you find that you have high radon levels, there are ways to fix a radon problem. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels. Radon has been found in homes all over the United States. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Radon can also enter your home through well water.  Your home can trap radon inside.

Any home can have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. In fact, you and your family are most likely to get your greatest radiation exposure at home. That is where you spend most of your time. Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have an elevated radon level. Elevated levels of radon gas have been found in homes in Georgia, particulary Cobb County.

 For more information on Radon check out www.radon.com

Standards of Practice

 A Home Inspection is a non-invasive visual examination of a residential dwelling, performed for a fee, which is designed to identify observed material defects within specific components of said dwelling.  Components may include any combination of mechanical, structural, electrical, plumbing, or other essential systems or portions of the home, as identified and agreed to by the Client and Inspector, prior to the inspection process.

 A Home Inspection is intended to assist in evaluation of the overall condition of the dwelling. The inspection is based on observation of the visible and apparent condition of the structure and its components on the date of the inspection and not the prediction of future conditions.

 A home inspection will not reveal every concern that exists or ever could exist, but only those material defects observed on the day of the inspection.

 A Material Defect is a condition of a residential real property or any portion of it that would have a significant adverse impact on the value of the real property or that involves an unreasonable risk to people on the property. The fact that a structural element, system or subsystem is near, at or beyond the end of the normal useful life of such a structural element, system or subsystem is not by itself a material defect.

 An Inspection report shall describe and identify in written format the inspected systems, structures, and components of the dwelling and shall identify material defects observed. Inspection reports may contain recommendations regarding conditions reported or recommendations for correction, monitoring or further evaluation by professionals, but this is not required.

For more information please refer to the link above.

Code of ethics

The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) promotes a high standard of professionalism, business ethics and inspection procedures. InterNACHI members subscribe to the following Code of Ethics in the course of their business.