Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
Five Things You Should Know About Home Inspections
| Five Things You Should Know About Home Inspections by Paul Rogoshewski of Harmony Home Inspection 12-11-2004 |
I could write a book about each of the subjects below. In the interest of giving the buyer some useful information before the home inspection, I have tried to summarize the most common things I tell my customers, friends, and business associates about home inspections in Massachusetts.
1.) Most real estate agents work for the Seller. Unless you have a signed contract that they are representing you as a Buyers agent, their fiduciary responsibility is to maximize the profit for the Seller. If they are a Sellers agent and recommending home inspectors to you, it may not be in your best interest to take their recommendation. In some states, Massachusetts for example, it is unlawful for Sellers agents to recommend home inspectors. Hire a home inspector you trust. If you're on your own, look for a home inspector that can demonstrate education, experience, and professional affiliation. If the state has licensing, check the State licensing board or the Better Business Bureau for a complaint history of the company. Don't go by the price of an inspection. You get what you pay for.
2.) Septic systems are usually not part of a home inspection but are a major cost component of the house and should be inspected prior to purchase. Some states like Massachusetts, for example, require that septic systems be inspected before the sale of the property. These inspections are for the protection of the environment and are on a pass/fail basis. They do not tell you that replacement time may be near. Depending on a number of factors, the average life of a septic system is around thirty years. If the septic system was not pumped regularly, if a garbage disposal was used, if fine grained soils exist in the area, life expectancy can be shortened. Septic system replacement can range from under ten to over thirty thousand dollars. It is a very good idea to visit the local board of health for further information about the house, the area, and the average life and replacement costs of neighboring systems.
3.) Radon is a radioactive gas that is a by-product from the decay of naturally occurring uranium deposits in certain underlying rock formations. It has been designated a cancer producing agent by the EPA and corrective action is recommended when radon levels exceed 4 PiC/Liter in indoor air. A 1998 Harvard University study still rated radon as the #1 health and safety risk in the home, causing a projected 15,000 deaths a year in the US due to lung cancer. I believe getting the house tested for radon levels is important to your health. Please note that any testing done before you actually move in will be preliminary in nature. Radon levels may vary according to season, barometric pressure, and other factors. It is always recommended that further testing be conducted once you occupy the house.
4.) If you are thinking of buying a house with a private well, your Lender may require a water quantity, or flow test. Also, if the well flow has not been checked within the last year or two, a pump test is recommended. The FHA performance standard is that the water supply provide a minimum of 5 gallons per minute of flow over a four hour period for a total of at least 1200 gallons pumped without any significant drop off in flow. The pump test can be done during the inspection if the inspector performs this. If you have no recent (within a year) water quality test data from the owner, I also recommend a comprehensive water analysis, which includes a variety of metals, inorganic substances, and about sixty toxic organic chemicals. If the home is located near a farm, apple orchard, or recreational lake, it is advisable to consider testing for pesticides as well. A standard water analysis is the bare minimum accepted by FHA/VA loan requirements, but I feel that this is inadequate in today's' environment. Your home inspector can take water samples at the time of the inspection.
5.) Getting a termite inspection is essential if you are buying a single or multi-family home, a townhouse, or a lower level garden style apartment. The eastern subterranean termite can do major damage to the structure of a home and can go undetected for years. Many home inspectors offer pest inspections in addition to the standard home inspection. Also included in the pest inspection would be an inspection for carpenter ants, powder post beetles, and carpenter bees, which are all wood destroying organisms.
Paul Rogoshewki is an ASHI certified and a Massachusetts Licensed Home Inspector #243. He is a graduate of the esteemed North Eastern University Home Inspection Program and has over fifteen years experience in home inspections, building analysis, energy conservation, and residential construction. Paul is a very active member and Director in the local New England chapter of the American Society of Home Inspectors. Mr. Rogoshewski performs home inspections in the Boston Suburban, MetroWest, and East Central Massachusetts area. Visit Paul’s website at www.harmonyhomeinspection.com, send him an E-mail, or call him at (978) 568-8100 for more information.
The Benefits of Carpet Maintenance
There is a widespread perception that carpet cannot be kept clean (sanitary) and that because of its inability to be kept clean, carpet contributes significantly to the deterioration of indoor environmental quality, especially indoor air quality. This unnecessary misconception often leads to policy decisions for removing carpet from many environments such as schools, health care facilities, and public agencies.
Decisions to remove carpet as a response to ineffective cleaning often deprive consumers and occupants of many desirable features provided by carpet, but simply transfers environmental problems related to cleaning breakdown to environments that do not have carpet.
Carpets that are not cleaned and properly maintained can cause many health problems inside the building environment. It is estimated that patients allergic to biopollutants (fungi, mites, cockroaches, bacteria) make 500,000 to 1,000,000 hospital visits each year. From a public health perspective, it is difficult to justify indoor carpet unless a routine and effective cleaning program can be assured. Such a program calls for properly trained personnel applying appropriate cleaning methods and using environmentally-sound cleaning technology.
Given that neglected carpets pose a health hazard, some public health and medical authorities now take a strong position against it. They argue that carpet should not be installed in any building unless its owners plan to clean it frequently using an external extraction method. Some health authorities even advocate passing a law that would make it illegal to install carpet where there is high humidity, moisture, or other conditions that promote the growth of biopollutants – regardless of the owners’ intention to clean it. (Please note that this author does not agree with their position. We can manage carpet very well without another law.)
Decisions to remove carpet as a response to ineffective cleaning often deprive consumers and occupants of many desirable features provided by carpet, but simply transfers environmental problems related to cleaning breakdown to environments that do not have carpet.
Carpets that are not cleaned and properly maintained can cause many health problems inside the building environment. It is estimated that patients allergic to biopollutants (fungi, mites, cockroaches, bacteria) make 500,000 to 1,000,000 hospital visits each year. From a public health perspective, it is difficult to justify indoor carpet unless a routine and effective cleaning program can be assured. Such a program calls for properly trained personnel applying appropriate cleaning methods and using environmentally-sound cleaning technology.
Given that neglected carpets pose a health hazard, some public health and medical authorities now take a strong position against it. They argue that carpet should not be installed in any building unless its owners plan to clean it frequently using an external extraction method. Some health authorities even advocate passing a law that would make it illegal to install carpet where there is high humidity, moisture, or other conditions that promote the growth of biopollutants – regardless of the owners’ intention to clean it. (Please note that this author does not agree with their position. We can manage carpet very well without another law.)
Article is reprinted by permission of HealthyHumanHabitat.org 
- an online journal established to publish a broad range of science and management topics related to environmental conditions, human health, and economic well-being.
- an online journal established to publish a broad range of science and management topics related to environmental conditions, human health, and economic well-being.
Inevitably, however, the public health perspective has to be weighed against our aesthetic expectations and conventional practice. Aesthetically, carpeting is associated with luxury, with quiet and dignity – with lawyers’ offices, doctors’ waiting rooms, with small boutiques, expensive restaurants, and funeral parlors. Carpet does in fact help to reduce harsh noises produced by pedestrians and equipment. Conventionally, carpeting in many offices and businesses is a mark of success and an expression of style. It can provide thermal insulation, especially in winter. It is also kinder to the backs and feet of workers and customers who stand all day.
At the same time, it is wrong to assume that all carpet will ultimately get contaminated and adversely affect health. This is simply not the case. Most people who live and work on carpet are obviously healthy. Carpet retailers are not helpful when they sell their carpet on the basis it will never need cleaning.
Typically, manufacturers’ recommendations for cleaning provide adequate guidelines. They call for frequent vacuuming and periodic professional cleaning that emphasizes extracting foreign substances and minimizing residue. In the long run, these measures protect the carpet and promote environmental health.
Most people clean carpets because they look bad. Rarely does anyone acknowledge that their carpet needs to be cleaned to protect their health. In spite of this, every time we extract pollutants from carpets we enhance the quality of the indoor environment by reducing exposures and protecting health.
For some time, we have known that outside contamination levels, especially in soil, can reach the same concentrations indoors. Researchers have just begun to describe the chemical and biological contents of carpet dirt and house dust.
Studies also show that vacuuming with ineffective equipment does not reduce the level of fine particles indoors. Particles of less than one micron tend to pass through vacuum cleaning bags. They build up over time and can cause great harm as they penetrate deep into our lungs. Furthermore, studies show that soil gases such as the harmful decay products of radon and a variety of organic compounds including pesticides – enter the microenvironment and adhere to particles or the surfaces of carpet and fabric. Until those fibers are cleaned, the potential for human exposure and health risk remains high.
At the same time, it is wrong to assume that all carpet will ultimately get contaminated and adversely affect health. This is simply not the case. Most people who live and work on carpet are obviously healthy. Carpet retailers are not helpful when they sell their carpet on the basis it will never need cleaning.
Typically, manufacturers’ recommendations for cleaning provide adequate guidelines. They call for frequent vacuuming and periodic professional cleaning that emphasizes extracting foreign substances and minimizing residue. In the long run, these measures protect the carpet and promote environmental health.
Most people clean carpets because they look bad. Rarely does anyone acknowledge that their carpet needs to be cleaned to protect their health. In spite of this, every time we extract pollutants from carpets we enhance the quality of the indoor environment by reducing exposures and protecting health.
For some time, we have known that outside contamination levels, especially in soil, can reach the same concentrations indoors. Researchers have just begun to describe the chemical and biological contents of carpet dirt and house dust.
Studies also show that vacuuming with ineffective equipment does not reduce the level of fine particles indoors. Particles of less than one micron tend to pass through vacuum cleaning bags. They build up over time and can cause great harm as they penetrate deep into our lungs. Furthermore, studies show that soil gases such as the harmful decay products of radon and a variety of organic compounds including pesticides – enter the microenvironment and adhere to particles or the surfaces of carpet and fabric. Until those fibers are cleaned, the potential for human exposure and health risk remains high.
Carpet Maintenance Analysis
| Substances in Carpet | Mitigation guidance | Vacuuming Effect | Hot Water Extraction Effect |
| Soils | Walk-off Mat and Frequent Vacuuming | High | High |
| Atmospheric Dusts | Vacuuming, Cleaning and Ventilation | Moderate to High | High |
| Toxic PM | Walk-off Mat and Frequent Vacuuming | Moderate to High | High |
| Fibers | Containment | High | High |
| VOC | Ventilation | N/A | N/A |
| Chemical/Pesticide | Activity Management | Low | High |
| Allergens | |||
| Pollen | Walk-off Mat and Frequent Vacuuming | High | High |
| Fungi | Dry, Walk-off Mat and Frequent Vacuuming | High | High |
| Mycotoxin | Dry, Walk-off Mat and Frequent Vacuuming | Moderate to High | High |
| Mite | Dry, Frequent Vacuuming | Moderate to High | Moderate to High |
| Cockroach | Dry, Frequent Vacuuming | Moderate to High | Moderate to High |
| Cat and Dog | Activity Management | Moderate | Moderate to High |
| Infectious Agents | |||
| Bacteria | Frequent Cleaning | Low-Moderate | Moderate-High |
| Endotoxin | Frequent Cleaning | Moderate to High | High |
| Viruses | Frequent Cleaning | Low | High |
Sources
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, “Strand Laboratory Method for Evaluation of Carpet-Embedded Dirt Removal Effectiveness of Household Vacuum Cleaners, Vol 15.07, 376-390, 1986.
ASTM D 5438-94. Standard Practice for Collection of Dust from Carpeted Floors for Chemical Analyses. American Society of Testing and Materials.
Ayliffe GAJ, et. al, Cleaning and Disinfection of Hospital Floors, Brit Med Journal, 2:442-445, 1966.
Gschwandtner, Gerhard, Dennis Sanders, Michael A. Berry, Measurements of Indoor Particulate Pollution from Household Vacuum Cleaning, paper presented at the 82nd Annual Meeting of the Air and Waste Management Association, Anaheim California, June 25-30, 1989.
Lefcoe, N.M. I.I. Incult, Archieve Environmental Health Vol. 22, pages 230-238, 1971.
Lefcoe, N.M. I.I. Incult, Archieve Environmental Health Vol. 30, pages 565-570, 1975.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, “Strand Laboratory Method for Evaluation of Carpet-Embedded Dirt Removal Effectiveness of Household Vacuum Cleaners, Vol 15.07, 376-390, 1986.
ASTM D 5438-94. Standard Practice for Collection of Dust from Carpeted Floors for Chemical Analyses. American Society of Testing and Materials.
Ayliffe GAJ, et. al, Cleaning and Disinfection of Hospital Floors, Brit Med Journal, 2:442-445, 1966.
Gschwandtner, Gerhard, Dennis Sanders, Michael A. Berry, Measurements of Indoor Particulate Pollution from Household Vacuum Cleaning, paper presented at the 82nd Annual Meeting of the Air and Waste Management Association, Anaheim California, June 25-30, 1989.
Lefcoe, N.M. I.I. Incult, Archieve Environmental Health Vol. 22, pages 230-238, 1971.
Lefcoe, N.M. I.I. Incult, Archieve Environmental Health Vol. 30, pages 565-570, 1975.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
A Guide to Identifying Common Ant Species
Ants 101
Missy Henriksen
Thursday, September 6, 2012
A Guide to Identifying Common Ant Species
With more than 700 species in the United States, it's not surprising that ants can quickly become a source of disgust, frustration and concern for homeowners. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize that this pest can also pose health and property risks – from food contamination to costly property damage.
Luckily, there are many ways to effectively reduce the potential development of a major ant infestation. To prevent these unwelcome visitors from invading your home, eliminate moisture or standing water near the home by repairing leaking hose bibs and other supply lines, downspouts, drain lines and air conditioner condensate lines. Also, keep tree branches and other plants cut back from the house, as ants often use these branches to get into your home.
Homeowners must pay close attention to signs of an infestation and take action if ants are found. The first step to eliminating an infestation is to identify the ant species, which will help determine the necessary course of treatment. However, this can be a challenge for someone without proper training. You should contact a pest control professional to assist with the pest problem, but you can also use this guide to help determine the ant species:
Argentine Ants
- Appearance: Argentine ants are dark brown and between 1/16-1/4 inch in size.
- Region: This species is found mainly throughout the southeastern United States.
- Habitat: Argentine ant colonies are located in wet environments near a food source.
- Threat: Argentine ants do not pose a health threat, but they can contaminate food and excrete a musty odor when crushed
Carpenter Ants
- Appearance: Carpenter ants are usually reddish black in color and 5/8 inch in size.
- Region: This species is located throughout the United States, but is most common in cool, damp climates found in the northern part of the country.
- Habitat: Carpenter ants build their nests outdoors in various wood sources and frequently enter buildings through damaged wood, cracks around doors and windows, or holes in a structure meant for wires. They will also crawl along shrubs or tree limbs that touch a structure far above the ground.
- Threat: Carpenter ants can cause severe property damage as they tunnel through wood to build nests. However, the extent and cost the damage usually depends on the number of nests inside the structure and how long they've been active.
- Appearance: Caribbean crazy ants get their common name from the worker's habit of running in an erratic, jerky manner when searching for food. Crazy ants are dark brown to black in color with a gray sheen. They range from 1/16-1/8 inch in size.
- Region: Crazy ants are found throughout the United States as this species is highly adaptable to both dry and moist habitats.
- Habitat: Crazy ants tend to enter homes in the autumn or after rainfall because both conditions reduce the supply of honeydew – their main food source. Inside, these ants usually nest underneath floors or carpeting. Outdoors, the nests are shallow and commonly found in soil under objects or next to foundations.
- Threat: These ants do not pose a health threat, but if they gain entry to a structure, they can become a nuisance.
- Appearance: Odorous house ants are dark brown to black in color and range in size from 1/16-1/8 inch.
- Region: This species is found in all regions of the United States.
- Habitat: Typically living for several years, odorous house ants are known to make their homes in exposed soil. They also nest in walls cracks and under floors inside homes.
- Threat: These ants do not pose a public health risk or cause structural damage to buildings, but they can contaminate food and should be avoided. In addition, they give off a rotten coconut-like smell when crushed, which is why they are known as “odorous” ants.
- Appearance: Pavement ants are darkish brown to black in color and are about 1/8 inch long.
- Region: This species is found throughout the United States.
- Habitat: Pavement ants get their name because they make their nests in or under cracks in pavement. They can infest structures by entering through holes in the concrete.
- Threat: These black pavement ants do not pose a public health risk, but they can contaminate food and should be avoided.
- Appearance: Fire ants are dark reddish brown in color and range from 1/8-3/8 inch long.
- Region: This species is found in the southern United States from Maryland to Texas, California and New Mexico.
- Habitat: Red imported fire ants build their nest mounds outdoors in landscape areas or near a structural foundation. They can also gain entry to a building through holes or cracks in the exterior structure.
- Threat: Red imported fire antsattack with a painful sting when their nests are disturbed. The sting often results in a raised welt that becomes a white pustule. Anyone allergic to insect stings will react more severely.
Brought to you by the National Pest Management Association
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
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