Understanding My Radon Gas Test Results

There are Two General Ways to Test for Radon:

SHORT-TERM TESTING:

The quickest way to test is with short-term tests. Short-term tests remain in your home for two days to 90 days, depending on the device. “Charcoal canisters,” “alpha track,” “electret ion chamber,” “continuous monitors,” and “charcoal liquid scintillation” detectors are most commonly used for short-term testing. Because radon levels tend to vary from day to day and season to season, a short-term test is less likely than a long-term test to tell you your year-round average radon level. If you need results quickly, however, a short-term test followed by a second short-term test may be used to decide whether to fix your home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoJw5fXzAUA

Window Caulking Maintenance

After a period of time it may become necessary for you to re-caulk around the windows of your home. Often times the sun will take its toll and cause cracking and separation of the caulk surrounding your windows. When the caulk pulls apart or cracks this will allow water to penetrate into the window are. Caulk forms a seal for cracks that is flexible. Caulk is recommended on cracks or joints that are less than ¼ of an inch. Caulking varys in strength, properties, and prices but can be used for several repairs around the house. Use caulking around bathtubs, wall trim, windows, and doors. Caulking helps to seal out cold air and it can even help with water damage when used around windows. Water-based caulk can be cleaned with water, while solvent-based compounds require a solvent for cleanup.

Be sure to use the appropriate caulk depending on the job you are performing since there are many types of caulk to choose from. First, decide if you want to use water or solvent based caulk, then decide the kind of caulk you’ll use such as, silicone, painters, latex, kitchen and bath, asphalt or rubber. If in doubt, ask your local home improvement store what would be best. The best time to apply caulk is during dry weather when the outdoor temperature is above 45°F (7.2°C). Low humidity is important during application to prevent cracks from swelling with moisture. Warm temperatures are also necessary so the caulk will set properly and adhere to the surface.

When caulking around the home be sure to follow these tips:

1. Clean all areas that will need to be caulked. Remove any old caulk using a putty knife and make sure to dry the area well.
2. Hold the gun at a 45 degree angle so that when squeezing the caulk it goes into the crack
3. Try to caulk in one continuous line without any breaks or stops
4. Be careful to use enough caulk do not try to be skimpy with what you use.
5. Make sure the caulk is sticking as you apply it to create a nice line of caulk
6. Let go of the trigger before pulling the gun away to avoid excess caulk
7. If the caulk shrinks, reapply it or if it comes out, take a putty knife and push it back into the crack or joint.

You will need approximately ½ a tub of caulk per window plus a caulk gun to perform this maintenance.

We are home inspectors for the following cities:

Jeffersonville, Clarksville, Seymour, New Albany, Bedford, Charlestown, Sellersburg and other southern Indiana and also, Jefferson county in Kentucky.

Pipe Boot Cracking

When walking a roof surface, one of the items we are looking for is a cracked boot commonly known as a neoprene roof boot. The neoprene is a flexible rubber like material that is found to be dependable for a period of about 7-8 years. The suns UV rays and heat can cause premature cracking of this boot. Once this boot becomes cracked water can filter into the house, causing leaks to need attention. If left unattended, these leaks can lead to mold, weakened roofs and ceiling damage. Typically boots will last about half the life span of the asphalt shingles you use and roofers will often suggest you replace the boot at least once during the life expectancy of the shingled roof. Commonly, roof boots will get the majority of their wear and tear on the south side of the house and on the south side of the boot. On occasion, if the crack is not too significant, you can use tar to patch for a short period of time until further repairs can be made and the roof boot be properly replaced. If one boot becomes cracked, you may consider checking and replacing all if needed, and possibly reduce the costs of replacing just one at a time.

As Clarksville Indiana Home Inspectors,we perform home inspections in several counties in Indiana where it is very common to see cracked boots throughout an Indiana home inspection.

Installing A Door Knob

Do your door knobs close and open the way they should?   Change the door knob, it may be that simple.

We enter and exit our doors several times every day and it’s typical for the doorknobs to become worn out and require to get exchanged.Take a moment to stop and look at the number of times your doors get closed and opened each day.Most people have the necessary ability to remove and replace the door knobs within their home using a screwdriver and some patience; here is some information about how to help make your doors close and open efficiently.

The type of door knob you may need depending on whether or not they are to be used on an exterior door or an interior door.

Outside doorknobs is going to generally be a heavier duty kind doorknob with a heavy duty lock. If you replace the exterior door knob you are normally have a deadbolt lock that needs to be replaced whenever you change your door lock in order to have matching keys for both locks.

Inside doors use a simple doorknob and are available in two typical sizes; 2-3/8 inches and also 2-3/4 inch. How you can figure out which size the door has would be to measure from the sharp edge of your door to the center of the door knob. If you buy a replacement door knob be sure it will match up with your door size.

To remove the current doorknob use the proper kind of screwdriver and take the two screws out completely. Tug on the knobs from each direction and the door knobs should come a part on either side.

To take out the latch extract the pair of screws on the door edge as well as the face plate as well as latching mechanism will pull out. Now remove the strike plate from the door facing by taking out the 2 screws which have been holding it in position.

Now that you are well prepared to get going with your installation; for those who selected an adjustable doorknob make sure it is set in the appropriate setting.

You need to install the latch 1st; slide it through the small opening ensuring it does not bind up and screw it back into place. Simply somewhat snug your anchoring screws, this tends to let you shift it around a bit to get the knob assembly to work a little more smoothly, you can tighten all of them later on.

Now you have everything prepared to slide the doorknob assembly directly onto place, put the side in first that receives the anchoring screws, the actual spindle will have to go all the way through the latching assembly and as well as fit through the opening accurately.

While you’re holding it just barely rotate the knob back and forth, this allows you realize you have it in the right way.

At this time slide the opposite knob assembly directly into place and begin the screw in correctly. Once more; just sung the screws and make sure the doorknob works freely.

At this point place the strike plate located on the door facing simply by being certain that it fits in the slot accurately and installing the screws.

Slowly and gradually examine the door to make any necessary modifications.

Straightforward work saving tip; Make sure you turn any locking mechanisms along with the latch the proper direction initially, you can certainly insert them in facing the wrong direction, then you will have to re-do your work.

For more information on tips to maintaining your home visit our Home Maintenance & Safety section on our website.  Certainty Home Inspections has three licensed home inspectors serving the Louisville Kentucky area and Southern Indiana area including Jeffersonville, New Albany, Seymour, Bedford,  Sellersburg, Charlestown and Clarksville Indiana.  We provide several services including septic, termite, mold, radon and well water testing.  We also perform Indiana Housing and Rural Development loan inspections.  Call us today to book your next inspection 866-417-9591.