Chimney Spalling

Spalling is a term used to describe the deterioration of a masonry or stone product due to moisture absorption /entry. Spalling is more commonly seen on chimneys although foundations, retaining walls, sidewalks and driveways are also susceptible. Missing caps, cracked crowns, and improper flashings are some common causes of moisture entry on chimneys which can result in the spalling of the masonry/stone surface. The freeze/thaw cycle of northern climates can rapidly cause deterioration if even a small amount of moisture is present. Overgrown vegetation tends to retain moisture and can cause moisture absorption when close to or in contact with exterior masonry products. Poured concrete areas such as driveways, porches, and patios can have small imperfections in the surface which can allow moisture to penetrate resulting in spalling. Monitoring and preventative maintenance are key to prevent deterioration caused by spalling. Locating and correcting the area of moisture entry and applying a breathable sealant can slow or stop the effects of spalling. This chimney picture was taken by one of our home inspectors on an older home in New Albany Indiana. This particular chimney is in need of some repair.

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Asbestos & Its Dangers

In Indiana & Kentucky, Asbestos is still a concern for this Indiana Home Inspector! If you have questions on asbestos, don’t hesitate to call us with your questions at 1-866-417-9591 or schedule your home inspection
online today! Certainty Home Inspections performs inspections in Southern Indiana and Louisville

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is the name given to a number of naturally occurring fibrous minerals with high tensile strength, the ability to be woven, and resistance to heat and most chemicals. Because of these properties, asbestos fibers have been used in a wide range of manufactured goods, including roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, paper and cement products, textiles, coatings, and friction products such as automobile clutch, brake and transmission parts. The current federal definition of asbestos is the asbestiform varieties of: chrysotile (serpentine); crocidolite (riebeckite); amosite (cummingtonite/grunerite); anthophyllite; tremolite; and actinolite.
What are the health effects of asbestos exposure?
Exposure to airborne friable asbestos may result in a potential health risk because persons breathing the air may breathe in asbestos fibers. Continued exposure can increase the amount of fibers that remain in the lung. Fibers embedded in lung tissue over time may cause serious lung diseases including: asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma. Smoking increases the risk of developing illness from asbestos exposure.
Three of the major health effects associated with asbestos exposure include:
• Asbestosis – Asbestosis is a serious, progressive, long-term non-cancer disease of the lungs. It is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers that irritate lung tissues and cause the tissues to scar. The scarring makes it hard for oxygen to get into the blood. Symptoms of asbestosis include shortness of breath and a dry, crackling sound in the lungs while inhaling. There is no effective treatment for asbestosis.
• Lung Cancer – Lung cancer causes the largest number of deaths related to asbestos exposure. People who work in the mining, milling, manufacturing of asbestos, and those who use asbestos and its products are more likely to develop lung cancer than the general population. The most common symptoms of lung cancer are coughing and a change in breathing. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent chest pains, hoarseness, and anemia.
• Mesothelioma – Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is found in the thin lining (membrane) of the lung, chest, abdomen, and heart and almost all cases are linked to exposure to asbestos. This disease may not show up until many years after asbestos exposure. This is why great efforts are being made to prevent school children from being exposed.
Exposure to asbestos increases your risk of developing lung disease. That risk is made worse by smoking. In general, the greater the exposure to asbestos, the greater the chance of developing harmful health effects. Disease symptoms may take several years to develop following exposure. If you are concerned about possible exposure, consult a physician who specializes in lung diseases (pulmonologist).
For more information on these and other health effects of asbestos exposure see the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s Web site.
Where Can Asbestos be Found?
Asbestos has been commonly used as an acoustic insulator, thermal insulation, fire proofing and in other building materials. Asbestos fibers are incredibly strong and have properties that make them resistant to heat. Many products are in use today that contain asbestos. Most of these are materials used in heat and acoustic insulation, fire proofing, and roofing and flooring.

Damage From Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ant damage in styrofoam insulation.
When this is happening you can hear the ants chewing the insulation and spitting it out. This is one of the things t hat show that carpenter ants do not digest the material that they are chewing. They do the same thing in wood. They are making galleries where they can put their larvae and pupa until they hatch out into ants. This kind of damage has now been found in Icynene Insulation. Carpenter ants certainly have the ability to chew Icynene.

Overgrown Vegetation

Keeping vegetation trimmed back from a structure helps avoid moisture related concerns, staining of the siding and keeps thieves from having a place to hide. Avoid promoting insect infestation by keeping the shrubs trimmed around your home. By removing these unwanted shrubs and trees, you’ll give your home the ventilation it needs to avoid these unwanted problems, keeping your home safe. Your Kentuckiana home inspector will most likely point this minor problem out to you when you have your home inspection performed on your new Kentuckiana real estate.

Louisville Inspector Talks About Brick Veneer Siding

Masonry brick adds value to a home because it has a solid, durable reputation, however many brick homes built within the last few decades aren’t actually constructed of brick. Though solid-brick homes are sturdy, they are very expensive include lots of labor. Brick veneer was created for this reason.

Brick Versus Brick Veneer?

Most importantly, it is not a structural element of the home. True “brick homes” are constructed block-upon-block to hold up the house, whereas brick veneer siding is held up by the house itself. It is real masonry, but like any other siding, it is simply a single layer overlaying the original wooden framework of a house. Using small metal ties, this faux “brickwork” is secured to the home, allowing for a small gap of air between the pre-existing exterior wall and the new exterior facade.

How do you tell the difference?

The easiest way to know the difference is to see when the house was built. If it was constructed within the last 40 years, there’s a good chance it’s not solid-brick. Also, look at the masonry pattern. Solid-brick will run lengthwise (horizontal), with occasional rows where the blocks will be installed so you can only see their ends—this irregular crisscross pattern ensures durable structural integrity. Plus, around windows there will be reinforced arches with the blocks, again, facing in towards the house to reinforce the opening. But brick veneer siding will almost always run lengthwise since they don’t perform any structural responsibility.

Need To Know

Brick veneer siding retains some of the benefits of solid-brick. It is durable and fireproof, which can possibly save you some money on your insurance premiums. Also, masonry is a great way to provide natural insulation against the winter cold and summer heat. But unlike solid-brick, brick veneer siding is an even better insulator because it traps air within the gap between the two exterior walls.

Precautions

Although the masonry itself won’t rot, because there is that small gap between the two walls, moisture can get trapped and cause problems. Additionally, weep holes are often created to ventilate this gap. Plus, brick is porous, so when it rains, water can seep between the block and mortar, creating damage to your home’s exterior. Therefore, when installed, a water-resistant surface must be placed over the home’s original framework to prevent moisture build-up and mold from entering your house.

How To Install

Call a masonry contractor when needing to install brick veneer siding and leave it to the experts.

This Southern Indiana and Louisville Home Inspector performs home inspections on both sides of the river.

SSSSSOOO! What’s Living In Your Attic?

SSSSOOOO! What’s living in your attic?

Do you have an automatic mouse exterminator calling himself “At Home”  or maybe its a bird or squirrel building nests and saying this is it, my new home!   Its not uncommon  in Indiana and Kentucky to find nesting, snake skins or other unwanted pests in attics.  Whatever it is, when Certainty Home Inspections inspects your attic, your sure to know that the problem exists.  If the attic is accessible, we’ll inspect it and tell you exactly what we see lurking in your attic.  We don’t just stick our head in the attic, we walk it, if possible, so that we can see all possible concerns, even the unwanted ones.

Above Left: The only evidence this Snake left behind      Above right: Nest found in an attic

Right: A Snake was trapped trying to enter the soffitt to get into the attic.  Snakes will enter attics due to weather conditions, to find food such as mice and birds and for the heat of the attic.

To book your home inspection and have your attic checked for unwanted pests call Certainty Home Inspections today at 1-866-417-9591

Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing Grounding

Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing

Recently, while our home inspection team was at a continuing education class the instructor brought to our attention a problem associated with Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing or what’s better known as CSST tubing. As the result of recent legal actions related to a potential for physical damage caused by lightning, manufacturers of corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) agreed to a settlement that, in part, places new requirements on the installation of their gas piping products. This paper provides background information on CSST and the actions taken by the manufacturers to address these concerns.

 

In summary, the primary issue is safeguarding against an electric potential in metallic piping. In the case of proximity lightning, a high voltage can be induced in metallic piping that may cause arcing; and for CSST there is concern that arcing may cause perforation of the CSST wall and therefore cause gas leakage.

 

 

Since the codes, product standards, and installation requirements are not harmonized, builders and contractors may find differing and possibly conflicting requirements. Generally, the local jurisdiction having authority and code official will rely upon the manufacturer’s installation recommendations in lieu of other requirements. Currently, the CSST manufacturers’ installation requirements are the most stringent compared to the codes and standards. Users of CSST are advised to abide by the manufacturer’s instructions and also coordinate with local code officials to avoid inspection delays due to conflicting requirements.

 

 

Recently updated CSST manufacturer’s installation instructions now include the requirement to directly bond the CSST system to the electrical system grounding system.

Whats inside your electric panel?

Your electric panel is checked for double tapping and  burnt wiring but who would think to look  for rodents.   Mice are  small enough to get inside  your electric panel  causing a fire hazard that is unknown to you unless you have it inspected by a qualified, licensed, and experienced home inspector. 

Kentuckiana Crawl Space Findings:

Is your crawl space in good shape?

Having a professional home inspection done by a licensed home inspector in Indiana can uncover many different issues in the crawl space area including the following:

Cracked Floor Joist and Band Boards

Standing Water

Plumbing Issues

Termites and Damage

Structural Issues

Rodent Infestation

Certainty Home Inspections services New Albany, Jeffersonville, Clarksville, Sellersburg, Floyd Knobs, Georgetown, Salem, Madison, Bedford, and Seymour areas.  To book your inspection today call 866-417-9591.

Termites In Kentuckiana

Termite Facts :

• Live for 15 years
• Have 4 wings
• Lay 1 egg every 15 seconds
• Burrow tiny mud tunnels to a source of wood
• Leave sawdust near windows
• Enjoy wood resulting from leaky plumbing
• Can destroy entire house in about 2-3 years
• Found in every U.S. state except Alaska
• Help the food chain by recycling wood for the soil

It is often difficult to determine the difference between termites and ants. Termites have two pair of wings (front and back) and are of almost equal length. Ants also have two pair of wings but the fore wings are much larger than the hind wings.

Also, termites have relatively straight antennae while ants have elbowed antennae.

• Ants generally do not swarm at the same time as termites, but it can happen.
• Termites have a thick waist and ants have a narrow waist
• Termites have straight antennae and ants have elbowed antennae
• Termites have four wings that are all equal in length
• Ants have four wings, however, two are larger and two are smaller

 

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