BLOG.INNOVATIVEHOMEINSPECTION.COM

Why I like Being A Home Inspector

John Scaparo — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 16:15:48 GMT

"Jim and I were extremely happy with the inspection you did on our new home. It always makes you a little nervous to use someone that is not referred to you, but you far exceeded any expectations we had and we certainly make the right choice. The amount of time and patience you had in explaining everything to us will go a long way in maintaining our home. The report was so detailed and easy to read it will be a good reference for a long time to come. We look forward to referring you to any of our friends! Thanks again!
-Anette and Jim
Plymouth, Michigan

Hot Water Heater Dangers

John Scaparo — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:04:33 GMT

On today's inspection I found a water heater that needed immediate service. The photo below tells it all. This is not the pilot flame, it is the actual flame after I turned up the thermostat knob. There was a delay then large flame that settled out to this this. The burner is so covered with soot that the burner openings were plugged preventing proper distribution of the gas. Note the orange flame, this is an indication of incomplete combustion that produces deadly carbon monoxide. It is recommended checking the water heater burner at least annually and if you see soot build up or orange flames its time for service. Don't delay maintenance it can be deadly. Luckily for these home owner this condition was caught before a potentially serious accident.

Gas Water Heater Combustion

John Scaparo — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 03:28:48 GMT

It's time for service when you see orange flames like this. This is an indication of incomplete combustion that creates dangerous Carbon Monoxide. This unit had flame roll when the burner fired up to the extent the flame shield and front of unit had a build-up of soot. During your maintenance check for an orange color flame or build up of soot or discoloration on the flame guard or above the burner chamber on the exterior of the water heater. If you do, then its time to have the unit evaluated and serviced by a licensed contractor to ensure proper and safe operation. Note typical life of a water heater is 8 - 12 years. If your water heated is approaching this age or older it is recommended you budget for replacement. They can and will fail without warning and can result in a costly clean up. Visit my Home Inspection site for more information and types of services available. You can also see more home inspection defects like this or visit my Home Defect Page to see if your home has any of these defects.

Deck Safety: Construction

John Scaparo — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 05:14:38 GMT

A deck is a large, raised wooden floor attached to the back of a house and contained by a perimeter railing for safety. Decks are rarely covered, and usually have a rough or informal look that is not integrated with the rest of the house's design. They are typically intended to be locations for large outdoor social gatherings, such as barbecues and birthday parties. Access to the deck may be from the ground through a stairway, or from the house through a back door.

Exterior decks and balconies appear to be simple to build, most people don't realize that exterior decks and balconies are structures that need to be designed and built to adequately resist certain stresses and loads to prevent collapse. Every year in North America over 2 million decks are built or replaced each year. It is estimates that of the 45 million existing decks, only 40% are safe. Like any structure, a decks and balconies must be designed to support the live loads such as weight of people, snow, and personal objects. These structures must be able to resist lateral and uplift loads that can act on the deck structures. Deck stairs must properly be attached to the deck structure with steps that have uniform tread and risers. The decks must have guardrails and handrails that are firmly attached, at proper height and must be graspable. Their must be balusters properly spaced to protect small children from entrapment. The hidden under structures such as their posts, beams and support are more complex but equally important. Now this is not the complete list but meant to give you an awareness of some of the design features to protect you and your family.

Today's home inspection I came across a deck and make-shift stairs and railing. This structure was not professional built to standard deck building practices. In fact, there were so many defects I report that the structure is not safe and should not by used until replaced. Now this may be an extreme case but more common than one would believe. Below are a couple of photo's of the structure used as a deck.

For your safety and safety of your friends and family it is recommend having a Certified Professional Inspector or Licensed Builder inspect your deck or balcony if you suspect a problem or before you buy that dream home. It just might save your life or serious injury.

Visit my website to lean more www.innovativehomeinspection.com. This article is published by Innovative Home Inspection, we are "helping to secure your home investment". We provide Profession Home Inspection Services including Mold and Radon Testing throughout SE Michigan including Canton, Plymouth, Novi Michigam.

Home Electrical Light Defects

John Scaparo — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 17:20:43 GMT

My favorite Canton Michigan Home Inspection Lighting Defects photos for this week.

Photo 1, closet recessed lighting...... Photo shows an 150 watt incandescence light bulb and fixture in a wood enclosure and covered by a plastic drop ceiling light panel cut to size. This is a serious fire hazard and needs immediate correction. My client thank me for removing the plastic cover and identifying the hazard.

Photo 2, here is one of those safety hazards that can be over looked and one that can result in a serious injury. The glass globe for the light fixture on the ceiling obstructs the cupboards doors from fully opening. The globe was loose from being banged and a matter of time before it jarred loose or broke above the occupant.

Garage Attic Fire Wall: Does You Home Have This Fire Hazard?

John Scaparo — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 14:55:38 GMT

Often overlooked is the fire wall separating the garage from the main living area in the attic over the garage. The photo shows what is all to common when I inspect the garage attic area. In this photo there is no Fire Wall separating the garage attic from the main living area of the home. This is a serious fire hazard and risk to life. If a fire should start in the garage, the toxic fumes and flames can easily burn through the wood access panel (wood pull down stairs, panel, screen panels, no panels) and spread to the main living area. To correct this, a properly sealed 5/8-inch Type X drywall or equivalent wall needs to be install that separates the garage from living area and a 20-minute fire-rated attic access panel. Click here to see more home defects and home inspection services.

How Is Your Deck Constructed?

John Scaparo — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:17:40 GMT

Each year in North America 2 million decks are built or replaced each year. It is estimates that of the 45 million existing decks, only 40% are completely safe.

Decks appear to be simple to build, most people don't realize that decks are structures that need to be designed to adequately resist certain stresses. Like any other house, a deck must be designed to support the weight of people, snow loads, and personal objects. A deck must be able to resist lateral and uplift loads that can act on the deck structures. Deck stairs must be safe and handrails graspable. And, finally, deck rails should be safe for children by having proper spacing.

Today's inspection I came across a deck and make-shift stairs/railing added. This structure was not professional built to standard deck practices. In fact, there were so many defects I report that this deck and stairs/railing is not safe and should not by used until replaced. Below are a couple of photo's of the structure used as a deck.
Click to see if the home you are buying has any of these defects.

Livonia Basement Mold From Sewer Back Up

John Scaparo — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 23:42:35 GMT

With all the rain we have had this spring season, many homes in Metro Detroit have experienced sewer back ups, sump pump back ups and basement leaks. I have been busy over the last couple of weeks providing Mold Assessments and Indoor Air Quality Testing for airborne mold spores to homes wet basements in Plymouth, Canton, Westland, and Livonia area. Especially the finished basement where they have become musty and mold growth under carpets, on the finished wall surfaces, behind paneling, and in the wall cavity is present. If your basement has a musty odor or flooded call me for a no cost consultation or view my website http://www.innovativehomeinspection.com/Radon-Mold-Testing.html Delaying repair can be a costly mistake.

Grace Center Of Home Walk A Mile In My Shoes Co-Sponors

John Scaparo — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 19:46:02 GMT

Thank you everyone who supported us in co-sponsoring "Walk A Mile In My Shoe" to benefit Grace Centers Of Hope homeless programs. This years walk attracted over 800 walkers and raise more than $60K. My family and me will see you next year.

Noisy sump pump or something worst?...........

John Scaparo — Wed, 25 May 2011 23:49:00 GMT

Now I know what caused the rattle sounds when I tested the pump. The submersible sump pump was discharging Pea Gravel and Soil that accumulated in the pit from the drain tile. At first glance you might think the sump pit just needs to be cleaned of the debris. Removing accumulated sediment is important to extent the life of the pump but the real concern is the presents of the pea gravel. The gravel is signaling a failed drain tile that is allowing gravel and soil into the sump pit. Over time the drain tile may become plugged leading to a wet basement and costly repair. If your sump pit is filled with gravel and soil contact a licensed contractor specializing in foundation drainage systems to evaluate and remedy. Contact me today to schedule your Canton Michigan Home Inspection, Mold and Radon Testing or visit http://InnovativeHomeInspection.com/ .

Faulty Gas Furnace Heat Exchanger Burners And Blower Motor

John Scaparo — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 23:56:00 GMT

Today I inspected a gas furnace that was 41 years old and still in operation. Average gas furnace life is 15-25 years with proper maintenance. The furnace produced plenty heat but condition not safe to operate.

This furnace had not been serviced in years and water leak from the humidifier was neglected for some time based on the level of rust to the heat exchanger gas burners and inside of cabinet. The owner is very lucky that nothing serious has occurred such as a heat exchanger carbon monoxide leak or electrical fire from the blow motor if it were to detach from the cabinet and short out the electrical.

The gas furnace was noisy and the whole cabinet vibrated when turned on with normal controls. I shut the furnace down and removed the access panel to find the source of the noise and vibration. The blower motor was being supported with a couple of 2x4. The base of the Furnace was rusted through and not able to support blower motor. Annual maintenance and furnace inspection service is recommend to ensure safe operation.

Clothes Closet Light Fire Safety Hazard

John Scaparo — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 04:42:00 GMT

When buying a home, your home inspector may find this common electrical defect especially in older homes as the photos show below. People don’t often think about the fire risks posed by the light fixture in their clothes closet, but it’s one of the few places in the house where a source of high heat can get too close to flammable materials. Lighting must be installed safely with adequate separation from clothes, boxes and other flammables stored in the closet. Additionally, the quality of the light, as well as bulb efficiency, will influence your lighting choices.

Clearances permitted by the 2003 Michigan Residential Code, E3903.11 Luminaries in clothes closets.

1. Surface-mounted incandescent luminaries shall be installed on the wall above the door or on the ceiling, provided there is a minimum clearance of 12 inches (305 mm) between the fixture and the nearest point of a storage space.

2. Surface-mounted fluorescent luminaries shall be installed on the wall above the door or on the ceiling, provided there is a minimum clearance of 6 inches (152 mm) between the fixture and the nearest point of a storage space.

3. Recessed incandescent luminaries with a completely enclosed lamp shall be installed in the wall or the ceiling provided there is a minimum clearance of 6 inches (152 mm) between the luminaries and the nearest point of a storage space.

4. Recessed fluorescent luminaries shall be installed in the wall or on the ceiling provided there is a minimum clearance of 6 inches (152 mm) between the fixture and the nearest point of a storage space.

Visit my Facebook photo fan page to view example photos of home defects. If you have experienced any of these defects call today for a no cost consultation and quote.

Common Plumbing Defect That Can Cost You.

John Scaparo — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 16:00:00 GMT

Incorrect installation of shut off valves under the kitchen and bathroom sinks is a common plumbing defect I find during home inspections . In these pictures you can see that the shut off valve handles are installed to close to the plumbing drain pipe and garbage disposer and can they can not be shut off if a leak should occur with the supply lines or connections to the sink. This is just sloppy workmanship. This may not look like a major defect but explain that to a new home owner who has thousands of dollars in water damage to the cabinet, walls or flooring if they are not able to shut off the water during a leak. It an easy fix but expensive if you need to call a professional plumber to do the repair. For more defect picture visit my Face Book Home Defect Page.

Do it yourself home inspection checklist costs buyer thousands of dollars

John Scaparo — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 03:20:00 GMT

Investing in a Professional Home Inspection before you purchase your dream home can save you thousands of dollars in repair costs. I was contacted by a home owner who suspected black mold in his attic. When I inspected his attic the entire roof underlayment and insulation was covered with varying degrees of black, green and white fungal growth. The home owner said when he bought the new home eight years ago there was no visible attic mold or roof leaks when he inspected it. The home owner embarrassedly said that he used an inspection checklist that he found on the web and did the home inspection to save a couple hundred dollars. If he had hired a Professional Home Inspector the defects that lead to the fungal growth could have been avoided; saving the home owner thousands of dollars in mold remediation, roof and insulation replacement costs, and anguish. The home defects that lead to the attic mold growth were caused by the bathroom vents exhausting moist air directly into the attic combined with inadequate attic ventilation that trapped the moisture. This is the perfect environment for fungal growth. Exhaust vents exhausting in to the attic, plugged soffit vents, and lack of roof vents are common defects that go unnoticed by the untrained who use a do-it yourself inspection checklists. Don’t make the same mistake this home buyer did to save a few dollars. It’s not worth it. Protect your home investment and a hire certified home inspector.

What is that Ceiling Stain?

John Scaparo — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 20:43:00 GMT

By John Scaparo, Professional and Certified Canton Michigan Home Inspector. For more information visit my website.

What appears to be a dark stain on the ceiling is not a water stain or fungal growth. Notice there is no water stain or evidence of moisture on the back side of the drywall in this area above the dark ceiling stain.

The darken area is known as ghosting. Typical ghosting is observed on the ceiling or walls where there is thermal bridging, air leak or defects in the insulation. These conditions create a temperature differential (Cool Spot) that when the moisten-laden air in your home comes in contact with this cooler ceiling or wall surface it condense forming surface dampness. The moist surface then pick up the tiny dust particles in the indoor air and when the area dries out the particles are left over. Over time the dust particles accumulate to form a visible stain like appearance. In the photo notice the darken area on the ceiling. The area is also next to a basement single pane window that was not properly sealed. There was noticeable air exchange because of the window leak and a considerable temperature drop in this area. On the back side of the drywall there was no water stain that could have caused the ceiling stain. The recommendation to fix this problem is to eliminate or minimize the temperature differential that causes the surface condensation first by caulking the window air leak or install an insulated type window such as a dual pane or block window.

Things to consider before selling off your property

John Scaparo — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 00:37:00 GMT

Real estate investment requires a lot of knowledge and research work. So, whether you’re buying or selling a house, you must keep certain things in mind before you do it. If you’re not able to pay back your mortgage , you can always consider taking out a refinance mortgage that has many advantages. Before you sell off your house, consider the steps so that you don’t fall in any mishaps.

What to look for before you sell off your property

Everything must go by a plan so that you don’t repent later. Before you start making repairs and stage your home for selling, do create a plan that’ll be easy for you to follow and also yield fruitful results. Check out what things you must consider before selling off your house:

1. Hire a real estate agent

If you do things on your own, you may land in trouble. If you hire an agent, he’ll help you take decisions that will help you in the long run. Interview the agents you want to hire and see whether they have the required knowledge. Don’t be over-enthusiastic regarding your home selling and try to be patient. Just check if your agent has fair idea about the marketing strategy for your house. If you’re happy with the things, you can hire the agent. The agent must be able to advise you on preparing a house for sale, how much profit can you earn in the current market state, How to stage your house for sale, etc.

2. Sell off and then buy

If you’re in the look out for another house to buy, you must deal with selling off your property first and then buy another house. You need to check how much you’re getting after selling the house and how can you put the money to use while buying the new house. Just check whether or not you need to take out mortgage for it. Just be practical when you’re dealing with both home buying and home selling process. Just don’t get carried away with beautiful pictures of the homes and take decisions that’ll help you in the future.

3. Consider your reasons for selling

Before you do anything, it’s advisable that you contemplate your reasons for selling off your house. If they are not good enough, don’t sell off. If you don’t want to face foreclosure or want to go for short sale, there is always an option to refinance your mortgage. It’ll not only help you build equity for your house but also help you pay back your mortgage at lower rates. Just talk to your lender regarding it. This is not a decision to be taken in haste and requires a lot of pre-planning.

4. Find a suitable lender

This is really an important step you should consider when you’re selling off your house. If you have any pending amount of mortgage to pay back, you can ask from your lender how much is left for you to repay. If you don’t want to refinance your mortgage, you can ask for beneficiary demand from your lending institution which is to live debt free on your home. You can also ask for Good Faith Estimate or a GFE to compare rates and costs. Go for the best mortgage loan types so that you can pay back the mortgage more affordable in the long run.

5. Hiring a Certified Home Inspector to Move-In Certify your home

Your inspector will identify the potential defects or the system or components that need maintenance or repair. This is an opportunity for you to repair or replace those items or factor them in during negotiation of the sale. It is important to identify the problem areas before the Buyers Inspector does. This give you the Sellers advantage and you will be better able to get your asking price and sell the home faster.

Increasing Home Energy Efficiency

John Scaparo — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 02:54:00 GMT

By Nick Gromicko, Rob London, Kenton Shepard and John Scaparo

InterNACHI advises that energy-efficient homes require less energy to perform household functions as homes that are less energy-efficient. There are many adjustments that homeowners can make to reduce the amount of energy required by their homes.

Interesting facts about energy consumption in the United States and Canada:

The United States is the world’s largest consumer of energy, and the world’s seventh largest consumer of energy per capita.
Canada consumes more energy per capita than the United States.
Buildings account for 72% of all energy consumed in the United States.
18% of all emissions in the United States comes from operating homes.
In the average household, the TV is left on stand-by for 17 hours per day.

Why make your home more energy-efficient?

Federal, state, utility and local jurisdictions' financial incentives, such as tax breaks, are very advantageous in most parts of the U.S.
It saves money. It costs less to power a home that has been converted to be more energy-efficient.
It increases indoor comfort levels.
It reduces our contributions to climate change. Many scientists now believe that excessive energy consumption contributes significantly to global warming.
It reduces pollution. Conventional power production introduces pollutants into the air that find their way into the soil and water supplies.

Heating and Cooling

As much as half of the energy used in homes goes toward heating and cooling. The following are a few ways that energy bills can be reduced through adjustments to the heating and cooling systems:

Add insulation to the building envelope (walls, floors and ceiling) to bring the home up to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-recommended limits for the climate zone in which the home is located.
Insulate heating ducts. Up to 40% of energy can be lost in uninsulated heating ducts routed through unheated space. This means that up to 45 cents of every dollar spent on heating can be wasted.
Install a ceiling fan. Ceiling fans can be used in place of air conditioners, which require large amounts of energy.
Periodically replace air filters in air conditioners and heaters.
Set thermostats to an appropriate temperature. Specifically, they should be turned down at night and when no one is home. In most homes, about 2% of the heating bill will be saved for each degree that the thermostat is lowered for at least eight hours each day. Turning down the thermostat from 75°F to 70°F, for example, saves about 10% on heating costs.
Install a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat saves money by allowing heating and cooling appliances to be automatically turned down during times at which no one is home and at night. Programmable thermostats contain no mercury and, in some climate zones, can save up to $150 per year in energy costs.
Install a wood stoves or a pellet stove. These are more efficient sources of heat than furnaces.
At night, curtains drawn over windows will better insulate the room.

Appliances and Electronics

Appliances and electronics are responsible for about 20% of household energy bills in a typical U.S. home. The following are tips that will reduce the required energy of electronics and appliances:

Refrigerators and freezers should not be located near the stove, dishwasher or heat vents, or exposed to direct sunlight. Exposure to warm areas will force them to use more energy to remain cool.
Computers should be shut off when not in use. If unattended computers must be left on, their monitors should be shut off. According to some studies, computers account for approximately 3% of all energy consumption in the United States.
Use efficient “Energy Star” -ated appliances and electronics. These devices, approved by the DOE and the EPA’s Energy Star program, range from TVs, home theater systems, DVD players, CD players, receivers, speakers and more. According to the EPA, if just 10% of homes used energy-efficient appliances, it would reduce carbon emissions by the equivalent of 1.7 million acres of trees.
Chargers, such as those for laptops and cell phones, consume energy when they are plugged in. When they are not connected to electronics, chargers should be unplugged.
Laptop computers consume considerably less electricity than desktop computers.

Electric Lighting

The average household dedicates 11% of its energy budget to lighting. Traditional incandescent lights convert approximately only 10% of the energy that they consume into light, while the rest becomes heat. The use of new lighting technologies, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), can reduce energy use required by lighting by 50% to 75%. Advances in lighting controls offer further energy savings by reducing the amount of time lights are on but not being used. Here are some facts about CFLs and LEDs:

CFLs use 75% less energy and last about 10 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
LEDs last even longer than CFLs and consume less energy.
LEDs have no moving parts and, unlike CFLs, they contain no mercury

Daylighting

Daylighting is the practice of using natural light to illuminate the home's interior. It can be achieved using the following approaches:

skylights. It’s important that they be double-pane or they may not be cost-effective. Flashing skylights correctly is key to avoiding leaks.
light shelves. Light shelves are passive devices designed to bounce light deep into a building. They may be interior or exterior. Light shelves can introduce light into a space up to 2½ times the distance from the floor to the top of the window, and advanced light shelves may introduce four times that amount.
clerestory windows. Clerestory windows are short, wide windows set high on the wall. Protected from the summer sun by the roof overhang, they allow winter sun to shine through for natural lighting and warmth.
light tubes. Light tubes use a special lens designed to amplify low-level light and reduce light intensity from the midday sun. Sunlight is channeled through a tube coated with a highly relective material, then enters the living space through a diffuser designed to distribute light evenly.

Cooking

An enormous amount of energy is wasted while cooking. The following recommendations and statistics illustrate less wasteful ways of cooking:

Convection ovens are more efficient that conventional ovens. They use fans to force hot air to circulate more evenly, thereby allowing food to be cooked at a lower temperature. Convection ovens use approximately 20% less electricity than conventional ovens.
Microwave ovens consume approximately 80% less energy than conventional ovens.
Pans should be placed on the correctly-sized heating element or flame.
Lids make food heat more quickly than pans that do not have lids.
Pressure cookers reduce cooking time dramatically.
When using conventional ovens, food should be placed on the top rack. The top rack is hotter and will cook food faster.

Leakage Through the Building Envelope

Sealing holes and cracks in the home’s envelope helps reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen and noise. A tightly sealed home can improve comfort and indoor air quality while reducing utility bills. Tightening the home reduces the number of air changes per hour. The following are some common places where leakage may occur:

electrical outlets;
mail slots;
around pipes and wires;
wall- or window-mounted air conditioners;
attic hatches;
fireplace dampers;
weatherstripping around doors;
baseboards;
window frames; and
switch plates.

Strategies for filling cracks:

Caulk can be used to fill small gaps. Caulk can be obtained at hardware stores.
Expandable foam can be used to fill larger gaps.
Foam gaskets can be used to seal electrical outlets.

Windows and Doors

About one-third of the home's total heat loss usually occurs through windows and doors. The following are ways to reduce energy lost through doors and windows.

Seal all window edges and cracks with rope caulk. This is the cheapest and simplest option.
Windows can be weatherstripped with a special lining that is inserted between the window and the frame. For doors, weatherstrip around the whole perimeter to ensure a tight seal when closed. Install quality door sweeps on the bottom of the doors, if they aren't already in place.
Install storm windows at windows with only single panes. A removable glass frame can be installed over an existing window.
If existing windows have rotted or damaged wood, cracked glass, missing putty, poorly fitting sashes, or locks that don't work, they should be repaired or replaced.

Indoor Water Conservation

The following systems can be installed to conserve water usage in homes:

low-flow showerheads. They are available in different flow rates, and some have a pause button which shuts off the water while the bather lathers up.
low-flow toilets. Toilets consume 30% to 40% of the total water used in homes, making them the biggest water users. Replacing an older 3.5-gallon toilet with a modern, low-flow 1.6-gallon toilet can reduce usage an average of two gallons-per-flush (GPF), saving 12,000 gallons of water per year. Low-flow toilets usually have "1.6 GPF" marked on the bowl behind the seat or inside the tank.
vacuum-assist toilets. These types of toilets have a vacuum chamber, which uses a siphon action to suck air from the trap beneath the bowl, allowing it to quickly fill with water to clear waste. Vacuum toilets are relatively quiet.
dual-flush toilets. Dual-flush toilets have been used in Europe and Australia for years, and are now gaining in popularity in the U.S. Dual-flush toilets let you choose between a 1-gallon (or less) flush for liquid waste, and a 1.6-gallon flush for solid waste. Dual-flush 1.6-GPF toilets reduce water consumption by an additional 30%.

Solar-Thermal Heating

Solar water heating first became popular in the 1970s when federal, state and utility incentives encouraged their installation, as is happening again now. Inspectors will see many of these older systems still in place but no longer working. In practice, inspectors will encounter a wide variety of system configurations and components, and recommending a specialist inspection is a good idea in order to pass on liability. These systems can be expensive. The idea is fairly simple. Solar insolation heats a circulating fluid which transfers its heat to a storage tank from which home hot water can be drawn, either directly to plumbing fixtures, or to supply pre-heated water to boilers or hot water heaters.

Various types of solar-thermal heating can be installed, such as:

evacuated tube collectors;
flat-plate collectors; and
parabolic through-collectors.

In summary, there are a variety of adjustments to the home that homeowners can make to increase the energy-efficiency of their homes.

What caused that ceiling stain around the bathroom exhaust vent?

John Scaparo — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 01:58:00 GMT

This ceiling stain is not an uncommon problem in many homes that have uninsulated metal ducts or flexible foil or plastic exhaust ducts that have an exterior exhaust vent cover without the webbed pest guard. In this case, small birds were able to enter and found the exhaust vent duct a safe place to nest. The birds broke through the flexible foil vent duct and made a cozy nest in the insulation.Unknowing to the home owner the damaged duct no longer exhausts the the moist air to the exterior but now into the attic. The moist air condenses when in contact with the cooler attic air and uninsulated metal duct section to form water droplets in the local area of the exhaust discharge and drips from the vent duct onto the attic side of the drywall. Over time, the condensation soaks through the drywall forming a visible stain on the bathroom ceiling. Apart from the visible ceiling stain this condition can also cause attic mold to form on the roofs under sheathing in this area. To prevent this situation from happening in your home it is recommended replacing the temporary flexible foil or plastic type duct with a permanent installed metal duct that is properly secured with a protective exterior webbed vent cover to prevents access by birds or rodents.The cost difference between metal and flexible ducts is only a few dollars and much cheaper and less frustrating than the repair the home will be face with in this situation.

Visit my website Canton Michigan Home Inspections or Plymouth Michigan Home Inspector for more information information like this or to view common home defects identified from my home inspections.