This inspection photo shows a 50A, 220V circuit that serviced the homes Range, Dryer and the Air conditioner, yes, all three appliances on one breaker. The junction box was hanging in mid air, was missing grommets. You may also notice limestone basement walls and a dirt floor. You can’t even begin to list all the reasons this is wrong and unsafe.
Rochester MN Home Inspector Recommends Cleaning and Maintaining Your Wood Burning Fireplace
Protecting Your Home From Rodents This Winter
Why You Should Keep Your Water Heater Properly Maintained
During the course of a home inspection I remind clients that in order for appliances to operate safely and efficiently, they should be maintained on a regular schedule as recommended by the manufacturer. In the photos above you will see a water heater that I came across at a home inspection. Clearly there are some combustion issues.
How Not To Fix A Leaking Drum Trap
Mold Growth On Basement Woodwork
This video is showing mold growth and staining in a split level basement ledge of the exterior wall. The basement was finished off about a year ago, with the mold and staining starting within the last two months. The owner pointed out this problem during the home inspection and asked me if I could help to figure out the cause. This wall was the only one in the basement that had this problem. All other areas were dry at the time of the home inspection.
Rochester MN Home Inspector Explains Radon Mitigation System
Rochester MN Home Inspector Discusses Dryer Fire Hazards
Home Inspection Detects Rotten Egg Smell In Hot Water
Rochester MN Home Inspectors’ State Of The Art Radon Measurement Equipment
The ONLY way to find out if your home has high Radon levels is to have your home tested.50-60% of all homes tested in Rochester MN and Olmsted and the surrounding counties exceed the EPA’s recommended action level of 4 pCi/L. Nationwide, 7% of homes are estimated to have high Radon levels. Levels can vary widely even from home to home in the same neighborhood.
Rochester MN Home Inspector Discloses How to Cut Costs Efficiently, and Green up Your Home
Home Inspectors Recommend Regular HVAC Cleaning
It’s getting cold and you are starting to close up the house for the season. Contaminants that are in your furnace, home, and duct work will circulate through out your home all winter long. Your HVAC (Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning) system can collect molds, fungi, dust, bacteria’s, pollens, and other allergens, that can cause irritation to some or all who live in your home. Believe it or not, the air in your home can be 2-5 times more polluted that the outdoor air according to the EPA.
Your Home and Your Health - Avoid Carbon Monoxide Hazards
Rochester MN Home Inspection Company Shares Sump Pump Basics
Sump Pump
The sump pump protects your home from groundwater forcing its way down through the soil into that hole in the ground we call a basement. A drain tile system below the basement floor will channel water into the sump pump basket. When the water level hits the float in the sump basket, the sump pump lifts this water to the surface outside or into an underground storm sewer pipe that drains away from your home.
The sump pump and drainage system is separate from the sanitary sewer system that drains waste water from your home to the septic system or to a sanitary sewer treatment plant. Your sump pump should not discharge to the sanitary sewer.
During the home inspection, a home inspector will look for indication of water in the sump basket, and will test that the sump pump operates. Test your sump pump every few months. Start the pump by adding water to the sump basket or by lifting the float. The pump should start when the water is 8 to 12 inches below the basement floor slab. The water in the sump basket should be clear, without roots or debris. Watch to be sure the pump removes water from the crock.
The pump may have a float on the end of a rod or wire. Be sure the float operates easily and can't rub against the sump basket or the cover. If the float sticks, the pump will not run, and your basement could have some flooding.
If the pump is older and worn, rusty, or noisy, it should be replaced. The pump should be securely mounted in the sump basket. The power supply should be from an outlet, not an extension cord, and the plug should be securely fastened to the outlet.
If the pump runs more than several times per day or runs often during heavy rain, you should have a spare pump or even a second pump mounted in the sump basket. The second pump could have a float set for a higher water level so that the second pump only runs if the first pump fails. If you live in an area in Southeastern MN where the electrical power fails during storms, I would consider a battery backup for the pump system.
You might also want to consider installing an alarm that will alert you if the sump pump fails. This could save considerable damage from flooding that could result from this failure. Options range from expensive home alarm systems to a simple battery-operated water alarm. You can pick up a water alarm at your locat building supply center.
The Water Detector is a palm-sized unit operated by a 9-volt battery. When in contact with water, it continuously emits an alarm for up to 72 hours. The unit will float and continue to sound an alarm during a flood.