Clothes Dryers, A Leading cause of House Fires in the Deltona.

Clothes dryers have become an indispensable part of American family life.  Today, people are not aware that clothes dryers are a leading cause of fires in the home – approximately 15,000 every year.   It is important to rigorously inspect and clean dryers.  A little preventative maintenance can keep them in good working order and keep your family safe.

Causes of dryer fires?

One of the most common causes of dryer fires is lack of maintenance.  When lint traps do not get cleaned as often as they should be, the resulting build-up in the screen or other areas can cause the dryer to perform poorly, operate at elevated temperatures and possibly overheat with dangerous results.  Vent systems must also be checked and cleaned to maintain proper air flow for the same reasons.  The floor area surrounding the dryer must be lint, dirt, and clothes free.  A lint ball, sock or clothing item can easily be sucked from the floor in front or beside your dryer into the heating coils igniting it and the lint in your dryer vents.

Problems also occur when people place improper items in their dryers, such as foam backed rugs or athletic shoes.  Ensure whatever you put in your dryer is approved and safe to place in a dryer.  When in doubt, check the washing instructions on the tag of the clothing or consult the manufacturer’s website for more information.  Plastic or vinyl exhaust vent materials should never be used.    

Reduce your risk of dryer fires!

Ensure that your dryer has rigid or flexible metal venting and ducting materials to help sustain airflow. This will also reduce operating costs and extend the life of the dryer and clothing due to lower drying temperatures.

In addition:

• Clean the lint trap before or after drying each load of clothes.
• Don’t forget to clean the back of the dryer where lint can be trapped.
• Ensure the floor around your dryer is free of debris, lint and clothing.
• The interior of the dryer and venting system should be cleaned periodically by qualified service technician.  If drying time is longer than normal, clean the vent system thoroughly to ensure proper airflow.
• Replace plastic or vinyl exhaust hoses with rigid or flexible metal venting.
• Do not dry clothes or fabric on which there is anything flammable (alcohol, cooking oils, gasoline, spot removers, dry-cleaning solvents, etc.). Flammable substances give off vapors that could ignite or explode. 
• Gasoline should not be stored near dryers or water heaters and should only be stored in approved containers.
• Read manufacturers’ warnings in use and care manuals that accompany new dryers.  Warnings can usually be found on the inside of the dryer’s lid and take only minutes to read.

Did you know that?

• Clothes dryers can be found in 80 percent, or 81.5 million homes throughout the United States.
• A full load of wet clothes placed in a dryer contains about one half gallon of water.  Lint is created from the clothes as water is removed.
• Clothes dryers are one of the most expensive appliances in your home to operate.  The longer it runs the more money it costs you.
• The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that 15,500 fires associated with clothes dryers occur annually. These fires account for an average of 10 deaths and 310 injuries and more than $84.4 million in property damage annually.

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.
 

First Choice Home Inspections

Residential Home Inspections in Central Florida

(386) 624-3893 

Website:  http://1homeinspector.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsLlc

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-choice-home-inspections

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Contaminated Chinese Drywall in Deltona

Health problems and metal corrosion in homes

Contaminated Chinese drywall has high levels of sulfur, which may be responsible for a rotten egg smell in affected homes, blackened or corroded pipes, failure of air conditioners and other household appliances, and health problems such as asthma, coughing, headaches, sore throats, and irritated eyes.

Health Problems Associated With Problem Drywall

Health problems that may be caused by contaminated Chinese drywall include:

• irritated and itchy eyes and skin
• difficulty in breathing
• persistent cough
• bloody nose
• runny nose
• recurrent headaches
• sore throats
• sinus infections
• asthma attacks

Contaminated Drywall Problems

Homeowners with contaminated drywall usually notice:

• a rotten egg smell within the home
• corrosion or blackening of copper and silver items within the walls and home
• frequent failures of air conditioning units and other appliances and electronics

“Contaminated drywall is indicated if two of the below corroborating conditions are present and drywall was installed between 2005 and 2008; or if four of the below corroborating conditions are present and the drywall was installed between 2001 and 2004”, according to the CPSC:

• copper sulfide or sulfur in the home as confirmed by tests
• drywall is marked as coming from China
• high levels of strontium in drywall core
• high levels of sulfur in drywall core
• elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide, or carbon disulfide emitted from drywall when tested in a chamber, and
• Corrosion of copper metal when placed in a test chamber with drywall samples.

Electronics and Appliances

Copper coils turn black

Contaminated drywall corrodes piping and wiring, which causes electronic devices and household appliances to work erratically or fail completely.  Components and devices that may be affected by contaminated Chinese drywall include:

• Central air conditioning evaporator coils
• Refrigerators, dishwashers and electrical ovens and ranges.
• Televisions, computers, and video gaming systems.

Identification and Replacement

According to the CPSC, “A visual observation of corroded air conditioning evaporator coils and/or electrical wiring by trained inspectors is believed to be a prerequisite for consideration of a home as having problem drywall. The Florida Department of Health has long included such corrosion as part of its definition of problem drywall homes.”

The cost of remediation for Chinese drywall can be immense including drywall, plumbing and electrical.  Remediation may include removal of contaminated drywall and installing new, problem-free drywall, removal and replacement of copper; plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems.

Additional articles on Chinese Drywall:

Chinese Drywall (Part 1)

Chinese Drywall (Part 2)
Chinese Drywall Links and Sources

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.
 

First Choice Home Inspections

Residential Home Inspections in Central Florida

(386) 624-3893 

Website:  http://1homeinspector.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsLlc

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-choice-home-inspections

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/+FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsDeltona

Twitter: https://twitter.com/1stChoiceHomeIn

Dangers of Aluminum Solid Branch Wiring

Due to a shortage of copper in the mid-1960s, builders increased the use of aluminum wire in residential electrical distribution systems.   Homes built before 1965 are unlikely to have aluminum branch circuit wiring.  Homes built, remodeled or with electrical upgrades from 1965 to the mid-1970s may contain aluminum wiring.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff and other government Officials have investigated numerous hazardous incidents and fires throughout the nation involving aluminum branch circuit wiring.  The Franklin Research Institute conducted a national survey for the CPSC.  The survey showed that homes built before 1972, and wired with aluminum, are 55 times more likely to have one or more wire connections at outlets that reach “Fire Hazard Conditions” than homes with copper wire.

The fire hazard investigated by CPSC occurs at connections with aluminum wire, including receptacles or switches and junction boxes; or the hazards occur with major appliances, including dishwashers or furnaces, for example. There are several deterioration processes in aluminum wire connections that cause increased resistance to the flow of electric current, resulting in damage that is cumulative in effect. That increased resistance causes overheating, sometimes at hazardous levels, when current is flowing in the circuit.

Signs of electrical system problems include receptacles or switches with face plates that are hot-to-the touch; inoperable circuits; flickering lights; or the smell of burning plastic at outlets or switches.

Aluminum wiring can be replaced or repaired to effectively and permanently reduce the possibility of fire and injury due to failing wire connections and splices. It is highly recommended that you hire a qualified electrician, familiar with aluminum solid branch wiring, to perform this remediation.

Replacement of the aluminum branch circuit conductors with copper wire eliminates the primary cause of the potential hazards, the aluminum wire itself.  Depending on the architectural style of your home, it may be relatively easy for a qualified electrician to rewire your home.  A new copper wire branch circuit system would be installed, and the existing aluminum wire could be abandoned inside the walls. This is the best method available; but for many homes, rewiring with copper is impractical and/or prohibitively expensive.

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.
 

First Choice Home Inspections

Residential Home Inspections in Central Florida

(386) 624-3893 

Website:  http://1homeinspector.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsLlc

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-choice-home-inspections

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/+FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsDeltona

Twitter: https://twitter.com/1stChoiceHomeIn

Polybutylene - Is it a problem?



Acetal fitting shows signs
 of flaking

As a home inspector, I often run across polybutylene plumbing.  Home buyers and home owners always ask, “Is it a problem?”   The facts are polybutylene pipes have an unusually high rate of failure under normal operating loads.  Deterioration linked to water additives like chlorine and fluorides react with the polybutylene piping and acetal (a strong stiff plastic) fittings causing them to scale and flake and become brittle.  Micro-fractures result and the basic structural integrity of the system is reduced.  The system becomes weak and may fail without warning causing damage to the building structure.

Polybutylene is a form of plastic resin that was used extensively in the manufacture of water supply piping from 1978 until 1995. Due to the low cost of the material and ease of installation, polybutylene piping systems were viewed as "the pipe of the future" and were used as a substitute for traditional copper piping.

• Polybutylene pipe is grey, black or blue.  Interior polybutylene plumbing is almost always grey and exterior polybutylene plumbing is mostly blue.
• Polybutylene pipe was installed and manufactured from the late 1970's till the mid-1990's, however, stockpiles of polybutylene pipe at supply vendors, such as supply risers were still known to be available up to 1999.
• The most common sizes for polybutylene pipe are 3/8", ½", ¾" and 1".
• Polybutylene piping was easy to install and often used as a replacement for copper.
• Polybutylene was often routed through the attic, a disaster in waiting.
• Polybutylene piping was used for both residential and commercial water distribution piping.
• Polybutylene pipe connectors can be copper, brass, or plastic. The connector types are barbed with a crimp ring or compression with a plastic or metal ferrule.

Polybutylene pipe with plastic fittings or metal fittings will ultimately suffer damage; polybutylene piping is not reliable under any circumstances. If a pipe has been leaking for some time without the knowledge of a homeowner, severe structural damage to the home can result, making repairs extremely difficult.

Damage from polybutylene pipe leaks can be costly, in some cases more than the original cost of the house.  Insurance companies require a home inspector to note any polybutylene plumbing on a four point inspection report.  Policies may be cancelled or refused for homes with known polybutylene problems, and it is difficult to market a home that has such an unreliable plumbing system.

You can get a good deal when purchasing homes with polybutylene plumbing but have a plumber estimate the cost to replace the plumbing.  Factor in the cost of replacement of the plumbing system into the offer for the property.  Make sure you replace the plumbing system sooner than later.  Polybutylene may be stable for years or it my burst at any time.

In the opinion of this home inspector, the only good polybutylene is no polybutylene.  Polybutylene is unstable and could burst at any time.

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.
 

First Choice Home Inspections

Residential Home Inspections in Central Florida

(386) 624-3893 

Website:  http://1homeinspector.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsLlc

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-choice-home-inspections

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/+FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsDeltona

Twitter: https://twitter.com/1stChoiceHomeIn

Chinese Drywall Additional Information

I have had many calls from homeowners with questions about Chinese Drywall.  I perform home inspections and can identify the signs of Chinese Drywall.  I have performed research into Chinese Drywall and I hope some of the links below can be of use to homeowners and their search for answers.  If you are searching for answers to health questions verify with your home inspector that you do in fact have Chinese Drywall and consult your physician.  

Question:  What year homes were the most effected by Chinese Drywall?

Answer:  Chinese Drywall began arriving in the United States in 2001.  Home built from 2001 on may contain Chinese Drywall.  Homes repaired and remodeled after 2001 may contain Chinese Drywall. The problem with identifying a year that a home may contain Chinese drywall is that some builder suppliers may have had quantities siting in a warehouse or a builder or contractor may have purchased it and not used it until needed.  Homes built, repaired or remodeled up until 2010 or even later may contain Chinese Drywall. 

Good Synopsis, Wikipedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Drywall

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:  http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/drywall/guide_healthcare_providers.htm

US Consumer Product Safety Commission:   http://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Drywall/Topics/Where-has-problem-drywall-been-reported/

FL Dept. of Health:  http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/indoor-air/casedefinition.html

US Institute of Health:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2852858/

US Institute of Health:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2852858/pdf/ijms-11-00647.pdf

New York Times:  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/08/business/08drywall.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all&

Fox News:  http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,514636,00.html

Palm Beach Post:  http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/apr/07/sens-nelson-landrieu-call-recall-temporary-ban-chi/

CNN:  http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/24/chinese.drywall/

Chinese Drywall Litigation

http://www.laed.uscourts.gov/drywall/DrywallMarkings.htm

http://www.claimsjournal.com/news/national/2009/07/27/102525.htm

http://www.jlconline.com/coastal-contractor/chinese-drywall-update-builders-burdened-by-repai.aspx#

IRS Chinese Drywall Deduction

http://articles.dailypress.com/2010-10-01/news/dp-nws-drywall-deduction-20101001_1_chinese-drywall-defective-drywall-drywall-releases-hydrogen-sulfide

http://www.irs.gov/irb/2010-42_IRB/ar11.html

If you suspect you have Chinese Drywall call your local home inspector for a home inspection and ask if they check for Chinese Drywall.  For health and breathing problems consult your physician.  I hope these links will provide you with the information you are seeking about Chinese Drywall.

Chinese Drywall (Part 1)

Chinese Drywall (Part 2)

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.
 

First Choice Home Inspections

Residential Home Inspections in Central Florida

(386) 624-3893 

Website:  http://1homeinspector.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsLlc

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-choice-home-inspections

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/+FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsDeltona

Twitter: https://twitter.com/1stChoiceHomeIn

What is the difference between a home warranty and a new home warranty?

A home warranty is a one-year service contract that helps protect home owners with the cost of unexpected repairs or replacements of their home’s major covered systems and appliances that breakdown due to normal wear and tear.  A home warranty offers a network of pre-screened contractors and qualified technicians, who work in conjunction with the warranty company.

A new home warranty that comes with your new home maybe comfort for your thoughts, but take heed of the fine print. The home warranty is purchased by the builder; the happy feelings of security can quickly turn into a nightmare when something goes wrong.  Many times your builder and the home warranty company insist your particular problem isn’t covered.

As a home inspector, I have seen many situations in which home claims are denied because of one year builder warranty and new home warranty regulations, and even contractors that have gone out of business only to open under a new company name.  A new home warranty is more of a service agreement than an insurance policy.  Be proactive; safeguard yourself by comprehending the policy. When making a home warranty claim, reread your policy thoroughly and be persistent when dealing with the warranty company and builder.

New home warranties cover, workmanship and materials related to a home’s systems and components, including HVAC, the electrical system, plumbing and windows. Most likely it will not cover appliances or components accompanied by a manufacturer’s warranty.  It also usually will not cover alternative accommodations if you have to move out of your home while repairs are being made. 

A new home warranty can last for as long as ten years, but includes shorter coverage terms for certain systems, workmanship and materials. Doors, drywall, and trim are only covered for only the first year; other major structural items may be covered for years longer.  Home warranty coverage only takes effect when severity of defect meets the specified terms covered by the warranty.  A builder will usually warranty workmanship for up to a year.  Make sure you have submitted all claims prior to the year. Schedule a new home warranty inspection to evaluate and document any concerns prior to end of the builders warranty or items limited by a new home warranty.

Get a professional home inspection before you close on the home.   Not only can the home inspection ensure the home is properly constructed, it can also establish the situations of the home at the date it was moved into.  It is always prudent to document as much information as you can before filing a claim.

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.
 

First Choice Home Inspections

Residential Home Inspections in Central Florida

(386) 624-3893 

Website:  http://1homeinspector.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsLlc

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-choice-home-inspections

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/+FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsDeltona

Twitter: https://twitter.com/1stChoiceHomeIn