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March 2010 Newsletter
Cement Products and Cracks
Cement products commonly crack. Generally speaking, some cracking is to be expected with most cement products. However, for every crack there is a force that caused it, and it is beyond the ability of a home inspector to determine the cause of most cracks by looking at it one time.
What do all cracks have in common regardless of size? They all started as a small crack. Since our inspection is a pint in time, it just may be we are looking at tomorrow’s large crack when we see a hairline crack today.
The “apparent” cause of some cracks might be obvious, such as drainage or settlement problems. We will report these conditions in our report with the appropriate recommendations for corrections and/or further evaluation. However, cause is not always apparent, or the apparent cause can be deceiving or could be from multiple causes!!
The cause of cracks in cement products can be from a myriad of causes ranging from improper mixture of materials, placement and/or curing, to shrinkage, settlement, and/or racking. Determining the cause of cracks is beyond the scope of a home inspection. If needed, we can provide our clients with names of the appropriate person to determine the cause of the cracking.
Bothe CREIA and ASHI standards of practice do not require professional home inspectors to determine the cause of anything. We are generalists who report what we see.
Five C's of Credit
(From CanadaRealtyNews.com) Lenders are in business to make money and they want to make sure they will get paid back in full. To maximize the possibility of being paid back, the bank wants to have sufficient assurance that a person can and will pay back a loan. When you apply for a mortgage, lenders carefully analyze the details of your application before agreeing to proceed with financing. Your numerical credit score from a credit agency is a primary determinant, but many lenders make use of at least five basic components of credit analysis (the so-called Five Cs of Credit). They are: Character, Collateral, Capital, Credit and Capacity. We have described and discussed them on our web site here to help you understand the measures a mortgage lender evaluates when deciding on a loan.
How Long Should an Appliance Last?
Most appliances and small electrical products have fairly predictable life expectancies. Depending on the original cost, manufacturing quality, and how heavily it´s used, an appliance may last a longer or shorter period than shown in the latest Association Management table. Nevertheless, it´s useful information to help make sure you get your money´s worth. Just knowing that the microwave is going to die after only 10 years, or that you need to budget for a replacement for your gas range after about 20, helps plan for the inevitable expense. And if you are buying used appliances, it´s a good indicator of how long you can expect a five-year-old top-loading washer to last. The table was derived from different sources including manufacturers´ websites and consumer resources, and is intended only as an estimate. Care and maintenance as well as proper installation also play big roles in performance and longevity.
Spring Lawnmower Maintenance
Wow! It's already time to think about getting your lawnmower tuned up and in shape for its spring and summer chores. You'll need to do all the usual things, like change the oil and oil filter, check/change the air filter, sharpen the blades, check tires on riding mowers and so forth. If you are not an adept DYIer or don't have the time, take your mower to your local dealer or mower repair center for a checkup. They usually run a spring special for this type of service. If you want to DIY there is a good guide at Easy Lawn Care Help.
Spring Drainage Check
For homes in most regions of the country, rain gutters and downspouts are necessary to collect and carry away rainwater. Without them, water would erode the soil around the foundation, splash dirt onto the siding and likely leak into the basement or crawlspace. Make sure water will properly drain away from the house. The ground should slope a minimum of 6 inches (1.5 cm) within the first 10 feet (3 meters) to drains or swales to ensure drainage away from the structure. Swales are grassy depressions in the ground designed to collect storm water runoff and prevent pooling or ponding. Swales should be sloped a minimum of 2% when located within 10 feet of the building foundation. Check the gutter downspouts and extension pieces to ensure water doesn't accumulate near the foundation of the house. Puddles/ponding from heavy rains should drain within 48 hours.
NEWS
Investors breathed a sigh of relief Wednesday when Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke told Congress that interest rates are likely to remain low for an extended period. The economy, he said, "still requires support for recovery." Investors see these low rates as a boon to a recovery of employment and business. Bernanke's announcement also took the edge off the news Wednesday that housing sales hit a new low in January. "Even though nothing he said was particularly new, it was just enough to calm the ruffled feathers that were out there," said Jim McDonald, chief investment strategist at Northern Trust in Chicago. Source: Associated Press, Tim Paradis (02/24/2010)
November 2009 Newsletter
Chinese Drywall
Sabre Announces Roll-Out of permanent Solutions to ChineseDrywall Problems
Slingerlands, New York – October 15, 2009 – Sabre TechnicalServices announced today that the roll out of its chlorine dioxide-basedsolution to the problems experienced by U.S. homeowners and builders whosehomes are impacted by contaminated Chinese drywall. Sabre’s solution is an adaption of itspatented chlorine dioxide decontamination process to deal specifically withindividual residences and smaller buildings.
Saber has a long history of safe and effective applicationsof chlorine dioxide in a wide variety of industries, including water treatment,food processing and oil and gas. Thatexpertise and technology has now been applied to the problems related tocontaminated drywall providing a permanent solution.
The Sabre Process
Since 2001, Sabre’s patented chlorine dioxide technology hasbeen internationally recognized for its effectiveness in eliminatingcontamination from buildings. Sabresuccessfully used its process to eliminate anthrax contamination from the HertSenate Office buildings, two Post Office Distribution Centers and several otherbuildings. In 2005, the National Academyof Sciences determined chlorine dioxide, as applied using Sabre’s proprietaryprocess, to be “the standard for the decontamination of buildings”.
Sabre has successfully treated hundreds of large structuresfor pervasive mold, pathogens, viruses and other sources of contamination,providing permanent solutions to the critical problems facing thesestructures. They have included an 8million cubic foot pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, a 1760-room, 400,000square foot hospital in southern California (which was repopulated withpatients and staff in less that a week – just three days after Sabre completedthe treatment), and a number of shopping centers, office buildings,restaurants, churches, condominiums and individual homes.
Chlorine Dioxide as aSolution to Problem Drywall
In recent months, Sabre has worked to adapt its chlorinedioxide decontamination process to an emerging problem in the southeastern U.S.– contaminated drywall. In certain homesand structures, particularly those exposed to temperature and relative humidityconditions common to the southeast, this drywall has been identified as thesource of problematic gases which give off a characteristic “rotten egg” smelland cause a blackening and corrosion of copper. A recent study funded by the Florida Department of Health determinedthat the contaminated drywall is releasing a variety of reduced sulfur gases,including hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide and carbon disulfide.
Chlorine dioxide permanently solves this problem because itis a highly penetrating gas that seeps into building materials and allcavities, reacting instantaneously with reduced sulfur compounds convertingthem to safe, inert compounds, eliminating odors and stopping corrosion. Sabre recognized that its proprietarychlorine dioxide treatment process, which has been perfected through thesuccessful decontamination of hundreds of structures, could be used as apermanent solution to drywall challenges. Accordingly, Sabre has adapted its equipment to specifically addressindividual residences and smaller buildings.
This process is effective and efficient. It provides a permanent solution to problemdrywall and allows residents to reoccupy their homes in less than one week,from start to finish. The Sabre chlorinedioxide treatment process is safe, permanent, cost less that the alternative“rip and rebuild” process, and takes significantly less time.
About ChlorineDioxide
Chlorine Dioxide has been safely used in a variety ofindustries for decades as a powerful selective oxidant and an EPA- registeredbroad-spectrum micro biocide. It is usedin hundreds of municipal water treatment facilities in the U.S. for controllingbacteria and odors, including odors from reduced sulfur compounds. It is used in food processing for odor controland as a food content micro biocide that has organic food status (e.g. babycarrots are rinsed in it to control bacterial growth, and chickens are rinsedin it to eliminate salmonella and other pathogens).
About The SabreCompanies LLC
The Sabre Companies are technology and services companiesspecializing in solving problems and developing solutions related to biologicaland chemical contamination and pollution. The companies’ numerous patents on chlorine dioxide generation andprocess applications allow them to provide unique solutions to many industries.
October 2009 Newsletter
ELECTRICAL SAFTEY
I don't know about you, but something I cannot see that can hurt me or a loved on scares me. We forget that electricity can be dangerous since we use it everyday in out lives. Our led alarm clock requires electricity. We often over look the down side of electricity i.e. it can cause fires and it has the capacity to electrocute unsuspecting users. Some recent statistics show that there were over 160,000 house fires attributed to electricity. In addition, over 400 Americans are electrocuted each year. What can we do to prevent these unfortunate conditions?
Electrical Safety Tips
· Use common sense when dealing with electrical issues
· If you feel uncomfortable about an electrical issue, contact a licensed professional contractor immediately.
· If you smell smoke or a burning electrical odor, check for warm/hot appliance cords, switches or receptacles. Contact a licensed electrical contractor immediately for further investigation and repairs.
· Appliance cords should never be installed beneath carpets. Foot traffic can damage the cords insulation resulting in a potential fire.
· Extension cords are for temporary use. If you have the appliance cord installed for more than 60-90 days, you should seriously consider installing a permanent 110 volt receptacle.
· If you receive a shock from any cord, outlet or appliance, immediately unplug it! Consult a licensed electrical contractor to investigate and repair.
· Old cords become brittle over time and often are frayed. Recommend replacing old cords to prevent possible shock or electrocution.
· If your home was built prior to 1950, you probably have a 2-wire, under grounded electrical system. Three (3) prong grounded outlets are often installed to accommodate "u-ground" plugs. Be aware that without a ground wire, these are not grounded outlets. Installing a ground-fault circuit interrupter receptacle at the outlet locations will provide protection against shock or electrocution.
· Again, use common sense when dealing with electrical issues.
September 2009 Newsletter
"Unoccupied Properties"
As professionals, we know that homes are not that well cared for even when they are occupied. Many things we report are the result of neglect or lack of regular routine maintenance.
When a house is empty for any length of time, many problems may occur. These problems are very prevalent in today's market with foreclosures, short sales, and bank owned properties. These properties represent an opportunity for home buyers and inventors. However, buyers should always be aware of potential problems and dangers when purchasing a home in today's market. For example;
When a house is non-occupied and closed up, the potential for mold growth increases.
· Valves, gaskets and appliances that are not used for extended periods of time, often create problems, i.e. gaskets and hoses may dry out and result in leaks or flooding.
· Sewer traps may dry out and loose their seals allowing methane gas to enter the house. Sewer gas is not only unhealthy but also highly flammable.
· Un-welcome guests (vandals and thieves) might remove salvageable items from the home i.e. copper pipe, copper wiring; A.C. refrigerant lines.
· Insects, rodents, and small animals can damage and infest a home and cause physical damage. They can also leave fleas and droppings which can cause unsanitary conditions.
· Damage or blocked waste and sewer lines are common in vacant homes.
These are a few of the items we encounter in today's market. Home buyers who come across unoccupied homes should be extra careful and always obtain a home inspection from a CREIA or ASHI certified inspector.
  
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