Rochester NY Home Inspector on Structural Insulated Panels

Posted on March 7, 2009 by Thomas Sansone

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Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are large panels composed of a thick layer of expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation laminated between two sheets of oriented strand board (OSB). SIPs are used in any part of the “building envelope,” including exterior walls, foundation walls, ceilings and floors.

SIPs provide you with a multitude of benefits, including the following:

Energy efficiency. SIPs are one of the most environmentally responsible building systems available providing high levels of insulation.

A healthier home. SIPs eliminate mold damage in exterior walls.

Comfort. SIPs minimize drafts, prevent interior temperature fluctuations and help reduce noise from the inside.

Environmentally conscientious. Because SIPs reduce energy consumption, they contribute to the global effort to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

SIPs can save you energy, money, ensure a healthy living and promote building quality.

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Home Inspector Finds Copper Fuses

Posted on March 4, 2009 by Thomas Sansone

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NY Home Inspector Shares The Shocking Shower Video

Posted on February 24, 2009 by Thomas Sansone

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Controlling Moisture in Rochester NY Homes

Posted on February 16, 2009 by Thomas Sansone

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The building of tighter homes, those with less airflow through the structure, has reduced heating and cooling costs, but has also increased the potential for moisture problems.

Sealing the leaks from the heating space into the attic dramatically reduces heating costs and limits the amount of moisture seeping into the attic.

Reduce excess sources of moisture in your home, especially during the winter, by addressing the following factors:

• Clothes dryers should always be vented to the outdoors

• Do not use humidifiers to maintain comfortable levels of indoor relative humidity in a well-insulated home.

• Never store large volumes of firewood within the heated area of the home. Even if it appears to be dry, firewood can contain significant amounts of water.

• Exhaust fans in bathrooms, kitchens, etc. must be operating correctly.

• Installing child proof electrical outlet caps is an excellent way of reducing air movement and moisture into the wall cavity.

Periodically check your attic during the winter for condensation, frost and any other signs of moisture.

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Rochester NY Home Inspector Reports on Inadequate Insulation

Posted on February 9, 2009 by Thomas Sansone

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Inadequate insulation means that 10 to 50 percent of energy is lost through walls, ceilings and floors. Proper insulation helps lower energy bills by resisting heat movement through the barrier. Where the interior of walls and ceilings is easily accessible, adding insulation can be a relatively inexpensive way to get a big return on energy savings.

The first place to look for missing insulation is in the attic. Attics, in general, are fairly accessible, but in many homes, even newer homes, insulation is inadequate. As part of a general home inspection, a National Property Inspections professional will examine the type of insulation present and its approximate thickness or “R-value.”

The inspector will also examine (if the attic is accessible) the attic interior, including: roofing, framing, sheathing, insulation, ventilation and chimneys. Any visible signs of moisture intrusion will be noted. The attic is a key element in the home’s ventilation system.

The NPI inspector will also look for areas of safety concerns to ensure proper rating and installation of canned or recessed lighting in order to prevent overheating and possible fires.

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Rochester NY Home Inspector Says Clothes Dryers Can Cause Fires

Posted on February 3, 2009 by Thomas Sansone

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that 15,500 fires associated with clothes dryers occur annually.

The lack of maintenance is a contributing factor to clothes dryer fires. People are not cleaning lint traps as often as they should and are not checking and cleaning vent systems on a periodical basis.

Here are some basic clothes dryer safety tips:

• Clean the lint before or after each load. Don’t forget to clean the back of the dryer.

• The interior of the dryer and venting system should be cleaned periodically by qualified service personnel.

• Replace plastic or vinyl exhaust hoses with rigid or flexible metal venting.

• Do not dry clothing/fabric on which there is anything flammable, such as alcohol, cooking oils or gasoline.

By following the previous safety tips and implementing proper maintenance to your clothes dryer, you can help avoid the serious risks associated with clothes dryer fires.

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Rochester NY Home Inspector on Driveways and Walkways

Posted on January 23, 2009 by Thomas Sansone

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The type and condition of your driveway and walkway are things you should make note of, especially because these high traffic areas could pose a safety risk.

Typical materials used for driveways and walkways include dirt, gravel, asphalt, concrete, patterned concrete and pavers such as cobblestone, brick and concrete. Water destroys driveways and walkways. If the land around the driveway doesn’t shed water, the driveway will start to break up, especially in cold climates. If the driveway is surrounded by saturated soil, freezing temperatures will cause frost heave and make the driveway buckle. Long driveways going downhill are especially vulnerable to erosion because of the water’s velocity as it races downhill alongside and over the driveway.

The inspection of driveways and walkways is part of a general National Property Inspections home inspection. Your NPI professional will note any major cracks and degradation of the surface, any major potholes, low areas that saturate and hold water and raised sections of the surface. Cracks or potholes can mean ice accumulation, water pooling and possible trips or falls. These can undermine the surface of larger areas of the driveway. Your NPI professional will note any areas of concern and recommend any needed repairs.

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Rochester NY Home Inspector Says Maintenance Matters

Posted on December 30, 2008 by Thomas Sansone

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What do you do if you wake up to a cold house and the furnace isn’t running? Follow these checklists before you call the service company.

1. Check the thermostat. Is it set to “heat?” Is it set higher than the room temperature indicated on the dial? If it’s a digital thermostat, is the battery dead?

2. Check the on-off switch on the side of the furnace or near the furnace.

3. For a gas-fired furnace or boiler, check the furnace pilot light. If it’s out, light it, following the instructions on the furnace. If there is not pilot light, you have spark ignition or a hot surface igniter; the igniter should be hot or sparking as the furnace attempts to fire.

4. For a gas-fired furnace, is the gas off at the furnace or to your home? You can check this by seeing if the stove’s gas supply is on.

5. Is the breaker or fuse to the furnace turned off? Reset the breaker or re place the fuse; if it trips again, call a service technician.

6. Check the furnace fan compartment door. Some units have a safety switch that turns the furnace off when the door is ajar.

7. Check for a broken belt or a severely clogged air filter.

8. For an oil-fired furnace or boiler, follow the steps above and check the oil supply in the storage tank. If you are out of oil, arrange for oil delivery and burner service. An oil burner that runs out of oil will need service to restart.

9. For a heat pump, follow the steps above and check whether the outside unit is iced up. If it is, call for service. Check the main fuses or breaks on the disconnect at the unit and at the main distribution panel.

Make sure you tag the important items in your home so your family members can locate them in an emergency and contact a service company if needed.

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Maintenance Matters

Posted on December 21, 2008 by Thomas Sansone

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Winter is a popular time for extended vacations because of the holiday season and people relocating to second homes in warmer locations during the cold winter months. The main risks associated with leaving a home unheated over a cold winter season include freezing water and the movement of framing, drywall, plaster and flooring.

Before you leave your home for a majority of the winter, make sure you follow these tips to ensure a proper shut-down:

• Properly securing the water system involves much more than turning off the water. You must also secure anything that may contain water, including drain traps, piping, water heaters, dishwashers and clothes washers. Open up the piping at several locations to drain water.

• Fill drain traps and toilets with specialized antifreeze to keep sewer gas from entering your home, and to prevent freeze damage.

• Turn off the washing machine supply lines, and remove and drain them. To clear water from the washing machine pump, run the washer on the fill part of its cycle, set to warm water. For a dishwasher, remove the inlet hose and open the supply valve after you have turned off the water supply to the house. Operate the dishwasher to clear the valve; remove the drain hose.

• Unplug all electrical appliances to prevent any damage from power surges or lightning strikes.

• Keep the heat turned on, at a low setting to avoid the risk of structural damage of your home.

• Rain gutters, downspouts, sump pumps and appliances can malfunction during a long winter absence. Security is also a major concern- find someone to check on your house to avoid these risks. Contact your insurance company to find out their requirements.

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The Rochester NY Home Inspector On Chimneys and Fireplaces

Posted on December 14, 2008 by Thomas Sansone

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The winter months are a popular time to curl up in front of the fireplace. Make sure that your fireplace is in proper condition for this winter.

Wood burning fireplaces are generally considered to be extremely inefficient heat sources, but that doesn’t deter many homeowners from wanting them in their homes. There are two basic types of wood burning fireplaces: masonry and metal insert. A masonry fireplace is made of brick or mortar, and a metal insert fireplace is a prefab unit with masonry surrounding it. The chimney is the most important part of the fireplace system and should be cleaned yearly by a qualified chimney sweep to ensure it is in good working order and free of debris.

Chimneys have to be lined to provide a smooth, unbroken passage for the smoke to rise and leave the house. This keeps the flames and gases from entering the home and causing sickness, death or fire.

As part of an inspection, a National Property Inspections professional will check the fireplace for any major cracks in the masonry, operate the damper to ensure the flue is working properly and verify that the flue has a liner. A NPI inspector will also observe the general condition of the chimney; note the materials of its construction, the height of the chimney and any unsafe conditions.

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