The team at Realty Inspection Services answers common questions
associated with the results of home inspections.Have a question for
us? Ask it here! |
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Q: Why does the wintertime tend to bring high radon test results? |
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TB:
Weather conditions significantly impact the levels of radon in a home. Rain
and snow act as a sealant on the ground, which prevents radon gas from
escaping. Instead, the Radon is forced into the foundation of the home. In
addition, a house closed up due to the cold weather creates a lack of
airflow, which will likewise increase the amount of radon as the gas has
nowhere to escape. Lastly, a home that is bottled up creates a pressure
differential with the air outside. Subsequently, the pressure in the home
creates a vacuum-like effect drawing more radon out of the ground. It
should be noted that, while all of the conditions above tend to produce
higher test results, the Department of Environmental Protection’s protocol
for testing is designed to determine the highest possible
concentration of radon in a home. |
| Q: Is a gas hot water heater located in the
garage safe? |
| TB:
A gas hot water heater can be located in the
garage as long as it is placed at least 18 inches above the floor. If the
gas lighting mechanism of the hot water heater comes in contact with these
flammable gases, a fire could possibly ignite; however, vehicle gas fumes
are heavier than the air and sink to the ground so at 18 inches the unit
should be clear of the gases. |
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Q:
Why
do sump pumps stop working in heavy rain? |
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A:
If
the sump pump does not initiate as the water in the basin rises, the float
switch, which turns on the pump, may be hanging on something in the tank.
Simply repositioning the pump should solve the problem. Debris can also be a
factor since it can interfere with the activation of the float switch. It is
important to make sure that your pump switch and float arm assembly move
freely. To maximize the life expectancy of the unit, you should always
follow the maintenance guidelines as given by the pump manufacturer.
Checking your sump pump should be done on a regular basis, not just during
heavy rains. In addition, a back-up sump pump should be considered.
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Q: How do you decide where to test for radon? |
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A: All inspectors are required to follow the protocol for short-term
(under 90 days) radon testing as recommended by the Department of
Environmental Protection. The DEP recommends “...testing the lowest livable
area of the building and considers the basement, if any, to be the lowest
livable area if it can be used as a living area without major structural
changes. For real estate transactions, this is true even if the basement is
not currently renovated into a finished living space because the buyer may
renovate and use the basement as a living space. Naturally, basements with
ground floors or low ceilings would need major structural changes and,
therefore, would not be considered the lowest livable area.” In addition,
closed house conditions must be maintained for at least 12 hours prior to
the test and for the duration of the test in order to provide the most
accurate test possible. |
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Q:
Is it safe
to use Clorox for laundry if you have a septic system? |
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A:
Clorox is harmful to the
septic because the cleaning agent kills the bacteria necessary for the
decomposition of waste solids. This puts the system at risk for blockages
and back-ups. In addition, you should not introduce grease or cigarette
butts into your system for the same reason. Before putting any product in
your septic, make sure to check the label to see whether it is septic safe
or biodegradable. |
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Q:
What is Federal Pacific electrical circuitry? Is it safe? |
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A:
While Federal Pacific equipment is no longer installed in homes, there is no
recall to remove this equipment as of yet. The danger with Federal Pacific
breakers is that when the circuits heat up, the breakers do not trip, which
could cause the wiring to overheat. Due to the volatile nature of this
equipment, replacement should be seriously considered. |
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