Confidence Home Inspection Blog

Clean Filters Make Safe Stoves

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:17:00 +0000

Your stove's vent hood is there for every cooking adventure, but doesn't get much credit. Show your appreciation by keeping it in tip-top shape. Clean standard filters with a degreasing solution, followed by warm, soapy water, or put it on the top rack of your dishwasher. In units that use activated charcoal filters, replace those filters on a regular basis.

Hemcrete®: Carbon Negative Hemp Walls

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 21:24:00 +0000

Buildings account for thirty-eight percent of the CO2 emissions in the U.S., according to the U.S. Green Building Council, and demand for carbon neutral and/or zero footprint buildings is at an all-time high. Now there is a new building material that is not just carbon neutral, but is actually carbon negative. Developed by U.K.-based Lhoist Group, Tradical® Hemcrete® is a bio-composite, thermal walling material made from hemp, lime and water. What makes it carbon negative? There is more CO2 locked-up in the process of growing and harvesting of the hemp than is released in the production of the lime binder. Of course the equation is more complicated than that, but Hemcrete® is still an amazing new technology that could change the building industry.

Good looking, environmentally friendly and 100% recyclable, Hemcrete® is as versatile as it is sustainable. It can be used in a mind-boggling array of applications from roof insulation to wall construction to flooring. Hemcrete® is waterproof, fireproof, insulates well, does not rot [when used above ground] and is completely recyclable. In fact, the manufacturers say that demolished Hemcrete® walls can actually be used as fertilizer!
Available for years in the U.K., Hemcrete® is only now finding its way into North America. The species of hemp used to manufacture Hemcrete® is illegal to grow in the U.S., making Hemcrete® an expensive option for U.S. builders for now. As pressure for more sustainable building materials grows, lawmakers are certain to revisit this and other similarly restrictive statutes, particularly if there is money to be made. And judging from the success of Hemcrete® in Europe and elsewhere, there is plenty to be made; it is so profitable overseas that Hemp Technologies, one of the biggest manufacturers of hemp products in the UK, is actively recruiting as many new growers as it can.

Cleaning Decks with Laundry Detergent

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Mon, 16 May 2011 16:28:00 +0000

Is your wood deck looking winter worn? Laundry detergent can be used for more than just colors or whites. Here is a great outdoor use for your laundry detergent. As the weather gets warmer, you may want to clean all traces of winter from your wood deck. Powdered laundry detergent and hot water is usually enough to spruce up your winter worn deck. This mixture acts as an abrasive and a cleanser. To eliminate mildew from your wood deck, use a 10 percent bleach solution. Use a power washer for extra cleaning power, and finish with a thorough rinse for a bright summer deck.

Swing Set Safety Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 03:11:00 +0000

· Ensure the swing set is erected at least 6 feet away from any building or fences. Position the swing set in a shaded area, so that surfaces won't get too hot to the touch. Use sand or pea gravel, or a rubberized surface under the swing set, as these materials absorb the impact of a fall much better than dirt or grass. Make sure toddler swing sets are at least 2 feet above ground so kids can't use it on their own

Refrigerator Seal Dollar Bill Test

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:45:00 +0000

You can save cold hard cash on your utility bills by actually putting a dollar bill in your refrigerator. It's essential that your refrigerator door seal is tight. Leaky doors waste lots of energy over the course of the year. To test the door, close it over a dollar bill. If the bill pulls out easily, you may need to adjust the latch or replace the seal to save some cold hard cash.

Cold Water Cash

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:07:00 +0000

To save money while washing clothes, try using cold water instead of hot water. Improved detergents and modern technology mean you need a lot less hot water for your laundry, and instead can use cold water. Replace your old washing machine with a new energy efficient model and you can use cold water to save cold hard cash while washing your clothes.

Get Leg Up On Ladder Safety

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:40:00 +0000

This common household accident causes more that 150,000 emergency room visits each year and is one of the most common causes of falls. Worn or improperly used ladders cause hundreds of thousands of serious injuries each year. To stay safe, make sure your ladder has slip-resistant rungs and feet. Inspect it for cracked uprights, split rungs or loose rivets. When using an extension ladder, make sure the bottom is pulled away from the wall by at least one quarter of the height you need to work at (refer to the illustration above for proper setup) and never stand on the top rung of any type of ladder.

Tip for your next paint project...

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:38:00 +0000

You think you’re ready to tackle that paint job – but do you have a rubber band? You’ll need one. Here’s why. Stretch a heavy-duty rubber band across the top of the paint can, anchoring it at the handles. When you wipe a paint-loaded brush across it, excess paint will land in the can rather than in the lip. You’ll not only save paint, but re-sealing the lid will also be much easier.

Season for Fires…

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 21:37:00 +0000

Winter months most common for fires

January is the peak month for residential fires. When heating systems kick on, residential fires peak. Not so surprisingly, February and December follow close behind as peak months for residential fires, but keep in mind that fire safety is important all year long. If your furnace has not been inspected lately now is the time. Practice fire drills and check potential danger areas at least every 3 months, and always remember to test the batteries in your smoke detectors. Taking these precautions can drastically lower the risk of a residential fire occurring in your home.

Ceiling Fan For Winter Warmth

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 22:14:00 +0000

Are you using your ceiling fan in the winter months? There is a spin on why you should. During the winter, set your ceiling fan to turn clockwise to move rising warm air, down into your room. When the weather heats up, set the fan to turn counter-clockwise for a cooling breeze.

Dryer Safety

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 22:50:00 +0000

Plastic is great for most things around the house - but NOT when it comes to your dryer vent hose. Plastic exhaust hoses used by older dryers can collect lint and become a serious fire hazard. Check your dryer hose today - if it's white and plastic, replace it immediately with a flexible metal vent.

Insulate Your Attic Stairs

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 21:42:00 +0000

Prevent Leaks to Keep House Warm

Imagine leaving a window open all winter long – the heat loss, the cold drafts, the wasted energy! If your home has a folding attic stair -- that may be just what is happening every single day. But there is something you can do about it. Products like PINKCap® Attic Stair Insulator from Owens Corning are designed to reduce heat loss from an attic ladder access opening. They are fully assembled and easy to install without any tools. These lightweight products fit through the attic opening from below and slide into place to cover the opening and encase the retractable ladder.

Clearly Posted Home Address

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 15:11:00 +0000

If called for help, could the right people find your house? By placing large numbers on your home or mailbox, police and other emergency vehicles can locate your house quickly. If you have a long driveway or obscured entranceway, be sure your address is in plain view and well lit.

Pumpkins and Plumbing Don't Mix

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:29:00 +0000

Every Halloween season, American plumbers get the call to repair garbage disposers and kitchen sink drains clogged with sticky pumpkin pulp and seeds. The goopy by-product of jack-o-lantern enthusiasts is, unfortunately, ideal for clogging household drains. The pulp dries and hardens inside pipes and disposers causing all sorts of problems. Never put pumpkin guts down the kitchen sink or worse, attempt to flush them down your toilet! To guard against Halloween drain disasters, carve pumpkins on a bed of newspapers, then wrap up the mess and throw all pumpkin-related materials into the garbage can.

Childproof Window Guards

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 16:59:00 +0000

Keep your children safe around windows in your home

Leaving windows open in warm weather lets air circulate while screens help keeps bugs out, but without childproof window guards this can pose a potential danger of a fatal fall. Modern screens are not strong enough to protect kids because today's window screens are not made of the tough aluminum used years ago; instead these window screens are fabricated from a much weaker vinyl that will not stop someone from falling out. Therefore, it is more important than ever to use childproof window guards that keep kids away from windows but are easy to open by an adult.

Don't Take Bath On Hot Water Bills

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 16:56:00 +0000

Are you taking a bath on your hot water bills? Here’s a tip to help you use less and spend less. Simply lower the temperature! With electric water heaters, drop the thermostat from the average setting of 140 degrees to just 110 degrees. With gas units, lower the temperature dial incrementally, and then use a thermometer to check the water temperature at the faucet nearest the heater itself until it reads 120. Doing this will provide plenty of hot water for showers, save energy costs and protect children from accidental scalding as well.

Water Heater Timers

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:04:00 +0000

By adding a water heater timer, you can lower your water heating costs. While using an electric water heater can be the most expensive way to produce hot water, adding a simple water heater timer will program your water heater so water is heated only when you need it -- like early in the morning. For the rest of the day, the water heater timer turns the water heater off and saves you lots of energy dollars in the process.

Programming Your Thermostat

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:00:00 +0000

The EPA's research has shown that most consumers with programmable thermostats do not know how to use them to maximize energy savings. When programmed properly, these products can save about $180 a year on energy bills - but the majority of consumers have not achieved their full energy and dollar savings potential. The goal of a new Energy Star campaign is to help homeowners take full advantage of their programmable thermostats. For example:
In the summer, raise the temperature setting by 7 degrees when you're away and 4 degrees when you're asleep.
Save even more by using the Vacation and Hold features to manage temperatures while you're away from home for an extended period.
Lower the temperature setting by 8 degrees when you're away or asleep in the winter
Learn more at www.energystar.gov/programmablethermostats.

Great Burglar Deterrent

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 15:50:00 +0000

Dark homes invite burglars, but keeping lights on all the time gets expensive. The answer? Motion detectors. These lights surprise unwanted visitors by coming on when anyone gets within 50 feet of your house. It's a great deterrent for burglars and with most units you can select how long the lights stay on once tripped by the motions sensor.

Leaky Outlets

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 16:03:00 +0000

Drafty windows aren't the only way air leaks into your home. Your outside walls may have some even bigger holes to worry about. Outlets on the exterior walls of your home can be big energy wasters. But air leaking through these holes can be easily sealed. To do that, turn the power off at the breaker, remove the outlet or light cover plates and install inexpensive foam gaskets. This will seal out drafts and stop energy dollars from leaking right out of your wallet.

Don't Launder Money in Dishwasher

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 20:27:00 +0000

Want to cut your dishwasher energy costs by one-third? It’s easy with a simple flick of a switch. Most automatic dishwashers have a “power dry” switch to speed up the drying process. If you’re not going to run another load, turn the switch off. The dishes will still dry spotless, and you’ll save about one-third of the energy costs..

Wasp Season..

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 19:05:00 +0000

According to the National Pest Management Association wasp populations peak when summer ends. Right now they are reaching their highest numbers, having had the entire summer to reproduce. I found this nest blocking a vent hood exhaust flap during an inspection of a new build yesterday. Right now is a good time to walk around your home to check for wasp activity. Pay particular attention to the areas under your eaves...

Corroded Gas Line Plumbing..

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 18:57:00 +0000

The gas line for this home built in 1994 (top picture) has developed significant corrosion. This is a common problem found on many inspections. Corrosion prevention is easy and inexpensive. Products such as ZeroRust spray and 3M Scotchrap All-Weather Corrosion Protection Tape are great for controlling gas line rust issues.

One more example to illustrate the great axiom: "An ounce of inspection, can save you a pound of repair!"

12 IDEAS TO CUT ENERGY USAGE

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 18:48:00 +0000

For those who did not get a chance to read the Dallas Morning News article on energy conservation tips here is a summery of the highlights:
AT A GLANCE Ideas to cut usage

Clean or replace air conditioner filters monthly.
Use drapes, blinds and shutters to slow energy loss.
Don't block vents with drapes or other obstacles.
Seal windows with caulk and use weatherstripping on doors to keep cool air in.
Replace incandescent lights with florescent bulbs, which are often subsidized. They use substantially less power than traditional bulbs.
Unplug cellphone charging cables when not in use. They draw power even when they're not charging.
Set thermostats to 78 degrees.
Use ceiling fans to push cool air down.
Turn off computers and electronics when not using them - try their "sleep" mode to save energy.
Fill dishwashers, cloths washers and dryers to capacity.
Use your microwave to cook food.
Make sure your refrigerator has at least 1 inch of space around it for proper ventilation; it will use 10 percent more energy if it has poor ventilation.

SOURCES: Oncor; TXU Energy
I hope everyone finds these tips to be helpful. Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas if you have any other energy saving tips that aren't listed above.

Until next time.

Sustainably yours,
Scott Medlin

Clean-up and disposal of broken florescent lighting

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Medlin) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 18:44:00 +0000

We all know the compact florescent (CFL) replacement bulbs have become a popular energy saving alternative to the older, conventional incandescent bulbs. They last longer, deliver equal brightness and consume much less energy. Sounds perfect right? Well, almost. There is one important draw-back to CFL's and other florescent bulbs. They have been proven to release toxic levels of mercury into the air if they are broken. With this post I wanted to provide some tips on how to safely clean up and dispose of broken florescent bulbs. Follow these safety tips anytime you find yourself dealing with broken florescents.

1. Ventilate the room, open windows and let the room air out. Avoid breathing in the air after the bulb breaks.
2. Don't re-enter for 30 minutes if possible. Let the room completely air out before re-entering.
3. Pick up the large pieces of broken glass first. The smaller pieces can be lifted with tape later.
4. Place glass in a sealable container before throwing away.
5. Do NOT use a vacuum cleaner as this worsens the problem by blowing the toxins back into the air
6. Do NOT use a broom and dustpan. As with the vacuum cleaner this also exacerbates the issue by putting the toxins back in the air.

I hope everyone finds this information to be helpful. Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas if you have any other tips that aren't listed above.

Until next time.

Sustainably yours,
Scott Medlin