Final Walk-Through
Homewood Inspections is even with you at the time of the final walk-through. This will assure you:
  • All repairs as you requested is completed and is done to your satisfaction.
  • A second look at you home you are buying. Sometimes during an inspection certain parts of the home is accessible due to storage, parked cars in the garage, or just ordinary items found throughout the home such as furniture.
  • Components you wish to be tested again, such as the heating or air condition units.
  • Additional questions you may have about the home. An example might be in case of emergency, where is the main electrical shut off switch to the furnace located?

Water  Quality
A concern about water quality often leads consumers to ask questions such as "What is in my water?" or "Is my drinking water safe?”. All water from natural sources contains dissolved substances. These substances are often called contaminants. These substances present in water can result from either natural processes or human activities. Research has shown some substances may be harmful only when present at high enough concentrations.

Public Water Supplies
In 1974 Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to protect public health by regulating the nations public drinking water supply and protecting sources of drinking water. The SDWA is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its state partners.

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act. public water systems are required to regularly test and treat water for certain contaminants according to the rules and regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  However that does not guarantee your drinking water is safe. Problems with your water from a public system could indicate problems in your home's plumbing, connections or treatment systems. Testing is the first step to determine the cause and will aid you in fixing the problem.
Private Water Supplies
Most private systems are in rural or suburban areas. Private well owners are responsible for monitoring the quality of their water.

Some possible contaminants to be concerned about:

  • Inorganic chemicals include dangerous metals such as mercury, lead and arsenic; sodium; nitrates and nitrites; asbestos; fluoride; and a variety of natural minerals. Some inorganic are associated with a variety of health problems. Lead is known to cause brain damage and is highly toxic to infants and pregnant women, even in minute doses. It usually comes from lead water pipes, old pipe solder, or lead-based brass fixtures.
  • Organic chemicals are pesticides, solvents, and other chemicals that can seep into ground water supplies. Some are known as volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) because they change (they may evaporate, for example). Most are linked with cancer and/or nervous system, liver and kidney disorders.
  • Radon and other radio nuclides are present in the water of certain regions. These can enter the air you breathe through showers and steam--you don't have to drink the water. They come from naturally occurring radon, uranium, and radioactive waste and are known to increase cancer risk.
  • Microbes, parasites, protozoa, bacteria and viruses are, by far, the most common cause of immediate, acute illnesses from polluted water. They occur in nature or often result from "back flows" of septic waste into the clean-water supply. They're much more common in wells than in metropolitan water systems.

Testing for possible contaminants on a regular schedule is the only way to be certain your water supply is safe.


Septic Inspections
Where there is no city sewer, a sewage disposal system is needed to get rid of waste after it leaves the house. The wastewater should never run out into the ground, or dump into a stream or lake. All waster water must be treated before disposing of them. The simplest, is a septic system.

If properly designed, constructed and maintained your septic system can provide long-term, effective treatment of household wastewater. If your septic system is not maintained, you might need to replace it, costing you thousand of dollars. A malfunctioning system can contaminate groundwater that might be a source of drinking water. If you sell your home, your septic system must be in good working order.

To maintain you septic system you should:
  • Inspect your system (every 3 years) and pump your tank as necessary. Generally every 3 to 5 years depending on the size of your system. Systems with electrical components (switches, pumps, etc) need to be inspected more frequently.
  • Use water efficiently
  • Don’t dispose of household hazardous waste in sinks or toilets.
  • Care for your leach fields.
  • Plant only grass over and near you system. Roots from trees or shrubs might clog and damage the leach fields.
  • Never drive or park vehicles on any part of the system. This will compact the soil.
  • Keep roof drains, basement sump pumps and other rainwater or surface water drainage systems away from the leaching fields. Flooding this area will slow down or stop the treatment process and can cause plumbing fixtures to back up.
Basic components of your septic system
There are four major components:
1) A house sewer line carries the waste to the septic tank

2) A septic tank which prepares the waste material for disposal into the leaching system

3) A liquid distribution box may be used to uniformly distribute effluent through the leaching system

4) A leaching system which may consist of a leaching field, trenches, leaching pits (dry wells), beds or galleries which help purify the effluent by filtration through the soil
Radon
Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas. You cannot see, smell or taste radon. Certain soils may contain high levels of radon because of their uranium content. Well water that passes through underground areas containing uranium may be another important source of radon. Radon can be found everywhere in the world, and high levels have been found in Connecticut.

Exposure to radon increases your risk of developing lung cancer. As you breathe, radon enters your lungs and releases small bursts of energy and particles that can damage lung tissue. Lung cancer may not occur for many years after exposure to radon.

Not everyone will develop lung cancer, but your risk of developing it increases as the level of radon and the time you are exposed increases. When exposure to radon is combined with smoking or inhaling someone else's smoke, the risk may increase dramatically.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon causes more cancer deaths than any other single pollutant except tobacco smoke. They estimate that in the United States as many as 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year may be caused by radon. In Connecticut, as many as 300 lung cancer deaths each year are estimated to be caused by radon.

Since radon is a gas, it moves easily through rock and soil and into the air. Outdoors, radon levels are low. In an enclosed space like a house, radon can increase to high levels. Long-term exposure to high levels increases your risk of lung cancer. Radon gas can get into your home through cracks in foundations and block walls, sump pumps, drains and other openings in cellar, floors and walls. It can also be released into the air by running water from faucets and showers if the source of water is a well with high levels of radon.

Radon in air and water can easily be measured, but the only way to know if you have high levels of radon is to test. .
Wood Destroying Insect Inspection
Wood destroying insects are common throughout the country. They cause untold millions of dollars in damage every year. A professional wood destroying insect (WDI) inspection can aid in determining if any of these insects are currently active in your home, or if there is any serious damage from previous infestations. Because of the potential for serious damage, most banks and lending institutions require a WDI inspection prior to approving a mortgage.

The most common species of termite found in Connecticut is the Eastern Subterranean Termite, so named because it lives in nests in the ground, from which the worker termites travel to and from the house (or other available wood) to feed.

Main beam eaten away by insects
Water Flow and Pressure Testing
Some areas of the home where mold can be found include:
  • Basement, kitchens area, around bathrooms vanities and washer/dryer area
  • Leaky roofs
  • Plumbing leaks
  • The underside of carpets and pads
  • The surface of walls behind furniture (anywhere condensation forms)
  • Ceiling and the top side of dry wall, wall paper or paneling
  • Inside your heating or air condition systems and duct work
  • Clothing
  • Food

For some people a few mold spores can cause health problems. For most people, it may take much more. The groups of people to be at higher risk include infants and children, elderly, and individuals with existing respiratory conditions or sensitivities such as allergies and asthma. Exposure to large amounts of mold is not healthy for anyone.

If you have health problems that you believe are related to mold, you should consult with your physician and take steps to eliminate the excess moisture, and remove the mold. If the job is too large or you’re allergic to mold spores consider using a professional cleaning company.

To clean mold from a home:
  • identify and remove the source of moisture. Test and/or a home inspection can help you with this.
  • Mold contaminated materials that cannot be dried out and thoroughly cleaned should be discarded. This may included, ceiling tiles, sheetrock, wood products and carpets.
  • Clean mold on hard nonporous materials such as plastic, glass and metal with bleach and water solution (1 part bleach with 9 parts water), Careful, bleach can irritate your eyes, nose and throat Ventilate the area well and wear rubber gloves and eye protection. Allow the bleach solution to dry naturally for 6 to 8 hours.

Mold
Mold is microscopic organisms that are found virtually everywhere both indoors and outdoors. Molds are type of fungi that live on plants, foods, dry leaves, wood and other organic materials. Mold spores are tiny structures that are the reproductive part of the microorganism. A group of mold spores can be seen by the naked eye. The spores often look velvety or powdery, and appear in colors ranging from pale white, yellow, orange or green, to dark brown or black.

Mold needs three things to grow:
1. A wet or damp environment.
2. A food source such as leaves, wood, paper products, wall board, insulation materials, ceiling tiles and other organic based materials.
3. Temperature similar to what humans live with.

Mold growing under a window
Termites are difficult to find since they live in the soil and only enter the structure to feed.  These insects do not like to be exposed to light or dry air so they eat within the wood and rarely break the surface, making them all the more difficult to spot. Homeowners may not be aware of their presence.  
Carpenter ants can occur in any home and are generally drawn in by favorable conditions such as damp, decayed wood.

Powder post beetles are primarily a pest of older homes but will infest newer homes if damp wood is available. 

You can make your home less inviting to wood destroying insects. Here are some ways to protect your home against wood destroying insects.    
  • Keeps your house wood framing clean and dry.
  • Eliminate any standing water and its source.
  • Keep gutters and downspouts clean, in good repair and free of clogs.
  • Use splash blocks where necessary.
  • Maintain proper ventilation and remove obstructions the prevent access to the crawlspace.
  • Repair leaking plumbing or any drainage under the house.
  • Remove wood, such as scrap lumber, foundation from boards, tree stumps and firewood from beneath and around the home. Stack firewood off the ground and away from the home.
  • Cut back all shrubs/bushes away from the foundation of the home.
  • Remove or correct any wood to ground contact such places as basement window frames and where planters are installed against the side of the house is necessary.
  • To discourage dry wood termites, keep the exterior well painted, in good repair, seal all cracks and screen all vents.

Taking precautions such as these, along with monitoring for insect activity will help to guard your house against insect damage.

However even taking these precautions does not always prevent wood destroying insects from getting into your home. Inspection is your best defense. Inspection for termites and other wood destroying insects is best left to a licensed professional

Testing your flow and pressure of your water supply (especially in a private well system) is a vital part of a home inspection. This help guides you in the use of your water needs. You will know when to run you heavy demands of water (washing clothes, showers, etc) or if you need an additional well or water source to run certain items like your irrigation system.

This test will establish gallons per minute (GPM) and pounds per square inch (PSI). Normal pressure should be maintained at approximately 3-5 GPM and 40-60 PSI.
Homewood  Inspections
LLC
For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.  - Heb. 3:4
Note: Due to the lack of regulations and the lack of demand for this service, Homewood Inspections has temporary suspended offering mold inspections services.
  Email:  info@ct-homewood.com
  Telephone:     203.640.7526
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