Inspection-Findings-Solutions-Understanding Your Home - Sample GARBAGE DISPOSALS Garbage disposals may differ in model, but they operate on the same basic principles. You put solid food particles into these machines, and they grind it up. The small particles that result from this process are washed out the drainpipe. Disposals are located under your sink between the drain from the sink and the drainpipe. The drainpipe transports the water and debris from the disposal out of the home. The disposal may be connected to a switch in the kitchen. Some disposers such as batch feed disposers have a switch that you’ll activate with the stopper. Page 124 of 177 Table of Contents
• Egg shells – they may stick to the walls or clog the drain when ground. The particles when ground slow down the drain and will eventually clog it. • Cooking oil – cooking oil not only clogs the drain but also damages your pipes. Neither this nor greasy gravy should be poured down the drain. It will cost you to repair those pipes. • Coffee grounds – these particles do not flow well down the drain. They collect at the bottom of the disposer and collect oils. The result is a slow-moving drain which will eventually clog. • Starchy vegetables – starch turns into glue when placed in water. It will not just clog but also damage your garbage disposal. Inspection-Findings-Solutions-Understanding Your Home - Sample Page 126 of 177 Table of Contents
Inspection-Findings-Solutions-Understanding Your Home - SampleHEATING & COOLING DISTRIBUTION There are several heating and cooling distribution systems available in the market. These systems are used to distribute hot or cool air through your home. Naturally the type of system you’ll use will depend on the heating and cooling system that you have. The three main distribution systems are forced air systems, radiant systems and gravity systems. Radiant Systems These systems may either warm the floors or walls and sometimes the ceilings using radiators. The heat is then transmitted into the room. Electric heating panels are also used to provide the heat. The homes using these are mostly those where electricity is cheap and mostly in warm areas. Some of these systems use hot water heating systems as a source of heat. The water is transported around the house and absorbed by the floors, walls and ceilings. It is then radiated into the rooms in the house. A circulator pump may be used in hydronic systems to help the water circulate around the home as it leaves the boiler. Some systems depend on gravity to circulate the heated water to the areas around the house. Most houses that have radiant heating had the system built in during construction. The pipes that carry hot water from the boiler are laid under the concrete slab foundation. When hot water flows through the pipes, the concrete is heated through conduction. The warmed concrete sends heat up through the floor into the room through radiation. Potential problems Some of the problems arising from these systems include pipes being clogged with deposits. Problems with the boiler may also arise. These are problems that can be fixed with professional assistance. Gravity Systems In these systems, the heat registers are always placed above the level of the furnace. The system relies on gravity and is based on the premise that hot air rises. When the furnace heats the air, the hot air rises through ducts and is delivered to the heat registers. As the air cools, it sinks and is taken into the return ducts which send it to the furnace for heating. The furnace in this system is located near or under the floor. Other possible locations are the main floor, but the heat registers will be placed high up on the walls. Page 131 of 177 Table of Contents
The oil used in oil furnaces has no risk of explosions, fires or any such dangers. It is very stable and safe. Oil as a fuel is actually safer than any other material used in furnaces. The air quality with this type of fuel is excellent and only requires regular maintenance of the chimney. The cost of installing oil based forced air furnaces is significantly lower than that of gas fuel furnaces. However, you'll require a storage tank for the oil. Oil is refilled into the tank whenever it runs out. Gas Furnaces Natural gas is an excellent fuel for forced air furnaces. It has minimal impact on the environment with regard to the emissions from its burning. Gas also does not require refilling as oil does when it runs out. This guarantees peace of mind especially during cold months when there is no danger of the furnace going off for lack of fuel. Inspection-Findings-Solutions-Understanding Your Home - Sample Page 133 of 177 Table of Contents
Inspection-Findings-Solutions-Understanding Your Home - Sample• Wearing of ball bearings – this problem results in a scraping sound. • Mechanical problems – sometimes something may be loose, and this may be indicated by the system operating noisily. These are just a few of the problems that may be experienced in a forced air furnace. A professional will ensure that these problems are detected early and addressed. The professional checklist Thermostat This is always where the professional begins their checkup. The first thing is to ensure that the furnace starts running when the thermostat is turned up. The next thing will depend on the results of this test. If the furnace runs smoothly, the next thing is to check if the flames are oval and blue in color. If they are not, then adjustments need to be made to the fuel-air mix. When the system starts running and then goes off, there may be a problem of overheating of the heat exchanger. Safety mechanisms in the system may be shutting off the furnace whenever it starts. Sometimes the thermostat itself may be causing the furnace to start and stop. A test is then run on it resulting in recalibration or replacement of the device. Ductwork This involves checking the ductwork for rust, mold, and dust. Open joints must be sealed with appropriate material and ducts with rust repaired or replaced. A professional must clean the ductwork when conducting the annual maintenance for homes where people have allergies. This should also apply in homes where animals are present. The recommended cleaning of ductwork though is once every three years. Oil filter This filter needs to be changed annually. The replacement should be the same as the one in place. After replacement the professional will dispose the older one according to safety standards. The blower and blower belt The area housing the blower is cleaned and the tension of the belt checked and adjusted. Page 136 of 177 Table of Contents
Combustion chamber Here the professional checks the chamber and then cleans it up after turning off the electricity and gas. A professional will test the system and then work through it to identify problem areas and recommend fixes. They will clean what needs cleaning and adjust what needs adjusting. At the end of each professional maintenance the system should run quite smoothly and leave the owner confident of a properly working furnace. Inspection-Findings-Solutions-Understanding Your Home - Sample All About Central Air Conditioning Central air conditioning is a system that works to control the temperature in your house, cool air and improve air circulation. It draws out hot air and releases cool air Page 137 of 177 Table of Contents
Some professionals try to get the fan moving with a stick and if it does, then this confirms that the capacitor has a bad start problem. The capacitor sends power to the fan to get it going as power from the motor is not sufficient enough to start it. Capacitors can be damaged by heat from the motor or from the atmosphere during summer. Replacing the capacitor involves turning of the power to the system. Then discharge the power from the capacitor using an insulated screwdriver and then replacing it. Burnt out condenser fan To check this, turn on the AC and note whether the fan is running. In this case though you try pushing the fan with a stick or screwdriver, you’ll find that it is stuck. Oiling the motor is an easy option but this solution is not long lasting. The better solution is to replace the motor. While doing this it is also a good idea to replace the capacitor as well. Inspection-Findings-Solutions-Understanding Your Home - Sample Check the refrigerant In all cases where the unit is having a problem of low refrigerant, the problem is always a leak. This is because the system is closed and comes with enough refrigerant to run for the life of the unit. The leak could be in the cooling coils, the condenser unit or the connection. Most times the leak is found in the coils on top of the furnace. These leaks are difficult to fix and even when fixed may only last a season. An option to do is to refill the refrigerant as this will last at least a year before it runs too low again. This is a much cheaper alternative to replacing the coils. Freezing of the coils on top of the furnace This can be caused by the system being low on Freon. It can also happen when the client has been shutting off the downstairs registers in an attempt cool the upper part of the house. Shutting off the system while changing the fan settings from ‘automatic’ to ‘on’ settings will allow the ice to thaw off. Have some towels on the ground to absorb the water that will flow down the unit. The solution for the low Freon is to refill it. Advising the client to only partially shut the registers will stop the freezing problem as well. Clogged condensate drain This is detected when there is water coming down the furnace even though the AC is working properly. The drainpipe from the evaporator may be clogged. Take it off, remove the fitting and then clean it. Page 142 of 177 Table of Contents
Faulty control board Sometimes the AC will be malfunctioning by signals from the thermostat not being received in the condenser or cooling unit. Sometimes the condenser and the cooling unit go on at the same time. When the control board malfunctions the coils on the furnace may freeze over fast. The solution to this problem is to either repair the control board or replace it. Heat Pumps Inspection-Findings-Solutions-Understanding Your Home - Sample Page 143 of 177 Table of Contents
CHIMNEYS & FIREPLACES Inspection-Findings-Solutions-Understanding Your Home - Sample Chimneys Chimneys are a common feature of many homes. Beautiful brick chimneys have graced older homes giving them an elegant and classic look. Today factory-made chimneys and metal chimneys have come up to compete with the brick chimney. However, many times these are designed to look like it. There are many different types of chimneys to choose from today. These include the following. Page 159 of 177 Table of Contents
Cons • They are solely dependent on electricity. When there is a power outage the system will be completely off, and you’ll require a secondary heating option. • They give off fake flames which may be easily detected by the keen eye. • An electric fireplace is not something that’ll function as a primary source of heat. They don’t provide sufficient heat for large rooms. • Electric fireplaces also use the maximum power from an outlet. It is not advisable to have them sharing an outlet with other appliances as you may end up with a blown fuse. Maintaining electric fireplaces As mentioned earlier, these are the easiest fireplaces to maintain. They do not emit gases as a result of combustion since no combustion is actually taking place. Electric fireplaces are also made of or coated with non-corrosive materials that ensure they retain their new look for a long time. • The first step in maintenance is to switch off the unit and unplug it. Have the manufacturer’s manual on standby as it is useful for this purpose. • Check the manual to see how the bulbs in your system are accessed. This could be from the front or from the back. Replace the bulbs with similar ones or those recommended by the manufacturer. Some bulbs such as halogen gloves require that you wear gloves when handling them. After changing the bulbs put back the back panel and screw it in. • Vacuum the fan and brush it if it needs this. Also check whether the fan is rotating properly. You may need to lubricate it with an appropriate lubricant. • Finally wipe the glass display with a soft cloth dampened in soapy water. Use this to wipe the unit and then dry it completely. Electric fireplaces are the go-to solution for those with space limitations as well as those who are working with a small budget. They serve their purpose well without adding you more work or contaminating your air. Inspection-Findings-Solutions-Understanding Your Home - Sample Page 168 of 177 Table of Contents
Inspection-Findings-Solutions-Understanding Your Home - SampleTERMITES Termites are insects that attack your wood fixtures. They live in large colonies and if left unchecked can cause serious damage. Sometimes termite damage can affect the structural integrity of a home requiring expensive repairs. It greatly depends on the type of termites, and how long the infestation period is. Termites live in dark spaces where they are hard to detect. As a result, some termite infestations are only discovered when the damage caused is severe. Homeowners should always be on the lookout for these little creatures and evidence of their presence. Indicators of termite infestation Damage to wooden structures One of the obvious signs is damage to your wooden structures. Dry wood termites do not eat in a pattern, but subterranean termites do. You’ll notice frass (fine powdery refuse) left on the ground beneath the structure they were feeding on. The piles of frass indicate that something around is being fed on. Termite tubes Termite shelters called tubes are another sign to look out for. Termites build these shelters along walls, pipes and wooden structures. They are made of soil and may be different shades of brown. Interestingly, these tubes also indicate how serious your infestation is. Wide tubes of 50 mm (almost 2 inches) or wider show that the termites have found food and are transporting it through the tubes. Narrower ones about 10 mm thick indicate that the soldier termites are searching for food. Hollow wood Hollowness of wood fixtures and floors is also an indication of termite damage. Termites will make their way into the wooden fixture and eat it from within. Floors when weakened begin to sag. Preventative measures for new homes When constructing your home take deliberate measures to prevent termite infestations. These include: • Have the builder put in a basaltic termite barrier underneath the house. This barrier is designed to keep termites from penetrating it. • Use treated wood and wood that is termite resistant in the construction of your home. • If you’ll have a basement or crawl space, ensure that it is moisture sealed. Damp conditions attract termites as well as mold and mildew. Page 169 of 177 Table of Contents
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS RadonInspection-Findings-Solutions-Understanding Your Home - Sample Radon is a gas that occurs naturally in the home environment. It is produced when radioactive metals in the ground break down. These metals including uranium, radium and thorium are found in the soil, rocks and ground water underneath the home. When the radioactive metals break down radon gas is released. This odorless and colorless gas then seeps into your home through cracks in walls and floors. Detecting radon in the home Where does radon occur? Radon gas is found all across the United States. This naturally occurring poison only varies in the amount present in a particular area. States like North Dakota and Iowa have radon levels that are significantly higher than other states. Because of its prevalence many states have come up with legislation regulating construction of new buildings. Contractors are required to make homes radon- resistant or to take recommended steps to reduce its entry into the home. Detecting radon as a homeowner This gas is impossible to detect by smell, sight or taste. Testing is the only way you'll be absolutely sure that the radon levels in your home are safe. Radon is measured in units called picocuries per liter (pCi/L). A radon reading below 4 pCi/L is considered safe. The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that you do something about levels higher than this amount. Radon Testing Kits Radon testing kits are a good way to test the amounts of radon in your home. These kits are purchased and then placed in a room in the home. Depending on the period you're going for, the kit may be left in the room for 90 days or more. Afterwards you'll send it to the labs and have the levels tested. The longer the kit stays in the home, the more accurate the results will be. With these results you'll then know whether any action is required. Effects of radon exposure Radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer. Its inhalation leads to the development of this deadly disease. This radioactive gas actually comes second to smoking as a leading cause of lung cancer. Lung cancer especially with early detection is a treatable disease. However, the facts are that it leads to thousands of deaths each year. The EPA estimates that at least 15000 lung cancer deaths in the United States are attributable to radon Page 171 of 177 Table of Contents
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