Here is a shocking fact. The second leading cause of lung cancer is radon. In the United States, the EPA estimates that about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year are radon related and in Canada that number stands at approximately 3,000.
Radon, a dangerous gas, is colorless, odorless, tasteless and radioactive. It is formed by the breakdown of uranium, a natural radioactive material found in soil, rock and groundwater.
Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the United States and Canada is estimated to have an elevated radon level. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem - this means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements since this secret killer comes from the ground not from construction materials.
How Radon Can Get Into Your Home
Cracks in Solid Floors
Construction Joints
Cracks in Walls
Gaps in Suspended Floors
Gaps Around Service Pipes
Cavities Inside Walls
The Water Supply
Radon testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. Pillar To Post Home Inspectors conduct a short term test using a continuous monitor to provide a snapshot of the home to see if it has elevated levels of radon. Testing takes approximately 2-3 days and results are provided and interpreted and the report is sent directly to the client. Recommendations will then be made for a mitigation system. Even owners of condominiums, houses built on slabs, and other situations need to check on the air quality and the presence of radon in their living quarters.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please visit our page to learn more about radon resources, as well as how to contact your local home inspector.
Residential fires take their toll every day, every year, in lost lives, injuries, and destroyed property. According to the National Fire Protection Association, a home structure fire was reported every 86 seconds in the U.S. in 2014. The fact is that many conditions that cause house fires can be avoided or prevented by homeowners. Taking the time for some simple precautions, preventive inspections, and concrete planning can help prevent fire in the home - and can save property and lives should disaster strike.
All electrical devices including lamps, appliances, and electronics should be checked for frayed cords, loose or broken plugs, and exposed wiring. Never run electrical wires, including extension cords, under carpet or rugs as this creates a fire hazard.
Fireplaces should be checked by a professional chimney sweep each year and cleaned if necessary to prevent a dangerous buildup of creosote, which can cause a flash fire in the chimney. Cracks in masonry chimneys should be repaired, and spark arresters inspected to ensstrure they are in good condition and free of debris.
When using space heaters, keep them away from beds and bedding, curtains, papers - anything flammable. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for use. Space heaters should not be left unattended or where a child or pet could knock them over.
Use smoke detectors with fresh batteries unless they are hard-wired to your home's electrical system. Smoke detectors should be installed high on walls or on ceilings on every level of the home, inside each bedroom, and outside every sleeping area. Statistics show that nearly 60% of home fire fatalities occur in homes without working smoke alarms. Most municipalities now require the use of working smoke detectors in both single and multi-family residences.
Children should not have access to or be allowed to play with matches, lighters, or candles. Flammable materials such as gasoline, kerosene, or propane should always be stored outside of and away from the house.
Kitchen fires know no season. Grease spills, items left unattended on the stove or in the oven, and food left in toasters or toaster ovens can catch fire quickly. Don't wear loose fitting clothing, especially with long sleeves, around the stove. Handles of pots and pans should be turned away from the front of the stove to prevent accidental contact. Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher within easy reach. Extinguishers specifically formulated for grease and cooking fuel fires are available and can supplement an all-purpose extinguisher.
Have an escape plan. This is one of the most important measures to prevent death in a fire. Visit ready.gov for detailed information on how to make a plan. Local fire departments can also provide recommendations on escape planning and preparedness. In addition, all family members should know how to dial 911 in case of a fire or other emergency.
Live Christmas trees should be kept in a water-filled stand and checked daily for dehydration. Needles should not easily break off a freshly-cut tree. Brown needles or lots of fallen needles indicate a dangerously dried-out tree which should be discarded immediately. Always use nonflammable decorations in the home, and never use lights on a dried-out tree. Candles add a festive feeling, and should be placed in stable holders and located away from curtains, drafts, pets, and children. Never leave candles unattended, even for a short time.
Holiday lights should be checked for fraying or broken wires and plugs. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines when joining two or more strands together, as a fire hazard could result from overload. Enjoy indoor holiday lighting only while someone is home, and turn them off before going to bed at night.
Your local Pillar To Post office wishes you and your clients a happy and safe holiday season.
Serving Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties with the largest home inspection company in North America, Joseph and Sylvie Lang have endured both a volatile housing market and unfavorable economic conditions to become a top franchisee in the system. Providing inspection services to homes in one of the largest housing markets in the United States, the couple has managed to grow their business through adversity, while also growing their family as well. Click here to read more.
Pillar To Post
welcomes your comments and concerns. You can contact us: Click Here
Change is constant. Whether it’s in the workplace or our relationships, nothing
in life ever remains quite the same.
Regardless of the gravity of change, it can always be a little scary. So scary,
in fact, that some people are downright crippled by the idea of it causing them
to remain stagnant in anxiety. We can’t control every aspect of our lives and we
can’t stop change from happening. But how we respond to change will greatly
affect our overall life experience.
1. Don’t fight it I once heard one of my favorite yoga
instructors say suffering is what occurs when we resist what is already
happening. Life changes are usually out of our control. Rather than trying to
manipulate the situation and wishing things were different, try flowing with it
instead. Some initial resistance is natural if we’re going into survival mode.
Just make sure you are conscious of when this resistance is no longer serving
you.
2. Find healthy ways to deal with your feelings Whenever
we’re in transitional periods it can be easy to lose track of ourselves.
Sometimes we feel like we’re being tossed about by life. One way we can channel
these feelings is by finding healthy ways to release them. For instance,
whenever I find myself in a difficult transitional phase I find physical
activity helps me channel my emotions and release endorphins. It also helps me
get in shape which increases my mood and energy levels.
3. Reframe your perspective Reframing perspectives is a very
powerful tool. It helps to take a situation you are struggling with, such as a
major life change, and find some sort of empowerment in it.
Examples of disempowered thinking during life changes include casting blame,
focusing on negative details or victimizing. These perspectives can make awkward
transitional phases much worse than they have to be. Meanwhile if we come from a
more positive perspective such as finding a lesson in the situation, realizing
that there may be an opportunity for something or that everything passes we can
come from a greater place of ease.
4. Find time for self-reflection Having time to reflect is
important at any stage in your life, but it’s especially important during
transitional periods. We need our time to step back and get centered when things
can get a little crazy.
As a result, big life changes are perfect for doing some self-reflection. They
are opportunities to check in with ourselves and practice getting grounded for a
few minutes.
Self-reflective exercises include meditating, yoga or journaling - all of which
require some quiet time to get yourself together. If handled in a positive
manner transitional periods can pave the way for some serious self-growth,
reflection and awareness.
Amanda Abella Freelance writer & life coach
Few people are aware of the danger that clothes dryers can pose which is one of
the reasons that dryer maintenance is so often overlooked. Fires can occur when
lint (a highly combustible material) builds up in the dryer or more commonly, in
the dryer’s exhaust duct. This blockage causes excessive heat to build-up in the
dryer.
Some warning signs that your dryer vent may be blocked
are: 1. excessive heat in the laundry room 2. a musty
smell 3. clothes that are still damp after a cycle 4. a large amount of
lint and debris
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important that you take steps to clear
your vent right away.
Keep Your Dryer as Lint-Free as Possible 1. Use a lint brush
or vacuum attachment to remove accumulated lint from under the lint trap and
other accessible places on a periodic basis. 2. Every 1-3 years, have the
dryer taken apart and thoroughly cleaned out by a service technician. 3.
Clean the lint trap after each load.
If you regularly clean out your dryer’s exhaust vent, you’ll not only
significantly reduce a very common fire hazard but you’ll also save money as
your dryer will last longer and run much more efficiently.
Before You Go… 1. Never let your clothes dryer run while you
are out of the house or when you are asleep. 2. Thoroughly read manufacturers
instructions regarding the safe use of their dryers.
If all else fails, you can always go back to an old-fashioned clothesline. There
have never been any reported clothesline fires!
Moving can be stressful so planning is the key. The more
organized you are, the less stress you’ll endure and the more fun you’ll enjoy!
Start off by packing non-essential items like pictures and books. This is the
perfect time to ruthlessly purge your “stuff” and either donate or sell items
you no longer need. Here are a few packing tips for the rest of your things:
• Unscrew light bulbs from lamps • Water plants the day before the move •
Take a photo of how your electronics are connected • Lay towels between
pictures before bundling them up • Label the sides of boxes so you can read
them when they have been stacked
The best way to ensure a smooth move is to write out a plan of action. Make a
checklist and a timeline that clearly states what needs to be done.
If you follow these tips, you’ll have fond memories of the last day in your old
home - just don’t forget to take one last family photo before you leave.
How many of us really know every item sitting in our closets? Once you discover
closet cleaning has a science to it, you should find it easier to build it into
a positive habit. Here are some tips to tackle your closet without separation
anxiety.
1. Focus. Cleaning out your entire wardrobe in
one shot can be overwhelming. Instead of waiting for clothes to pile
up, try focused purging. Sort out one drawer at a time, or just try
shoes and boots.2. Favor. Think about the last
time you wore those perfect pants. If you can’t put your finger on
when, it is probably time to donate and give back to the community.
3. Finalize. If all your clothes disappeared,
what fewer items would you wish were right back in your closet?
Once you decide which items are keepers, you should quickly spot
the ones you can part with and donate.
The basement is usually the last place people think to insulate, yet it can
account for up to 1/3 of heat loss in a home.
Insulation can significantly cut down on energy use. It also creates a
comfortable space – a boon to people who wish to extend their recreation and
living space into the basement.
Where Should the Insulation Go? From a building-science
point-of-view, it is better to insulate the outside of the foundation. From a
practicality point-of-view, however, insulation is easier to apply from the
inside, especially if done while renovating.
Here are the exterior versus interior pros and cons:
Exterior Pros • You can fix any foundation issues at the
time. • Insulation will not take up basement space. • The foundation
itself will be warmer. • The foundation stays dry inside, reducing or
eliminating mold and mildew.
Exterior Cons • Disruptive and expensive: you have to dig
soil to get at the foundation. • The above-grade portion of the foundation
insulation is difficult to finish and protect. Rigid-foam insulation is the most
common exterior insulation material, most often finished with stucco, a fragile
finish that gets damaged from lawn tools, etc.
Possible fix: use exterior insulation for the below-grade part of the exterior
and then insulate the above-grade part from the inside.
Interior Pros • Much easier to install and less expensive
than exterior. • Can be done while renovating the basement.
Interior Cons • Foundation wall will be at exterior
temperature (cold), making it prone to condensation. • Any moisture that gets
into the wall system does not dry readily, making the wall prone to mold.
Problems with Traditional Interior Techniques Since interior
insulation is by far the most common approach, traditionally, a moisture barrier
is applied to the foundation. Fiberglass batts sit against this barrier and then
a vapor barrier is applied to the batts on the interior.
Other interior insulation strategies work much better, such as foam-based
insulation that is more tolerant to moisture.
The season you look forward to most says a lot about your most alluring traits.
If you prefer…
Winter: You are poised yet perseverant. Tenacious & driven
you are able to plow through obstacles. Few things, be it a snowstorm or a
setback, can keep you down.
Spring: You are a determined optimist. Spring is synonymous with
potential - the almost palpable feeling in the air that anything is possible.
You don’t quit until all your goals have come to fruition.
Summer: You are an exuberant doer. This is hope fully realized.
You bring an exuberant passion to whatever you do and have a spark to your
spirit that’s just as bright as summer sun.
Fall: You are multifaceted. Smart & sophisticated you are
drawn to autumn’s understated beauty. You know that when fall arrives, there’ll
be a cornucopia of fun & pursuits to do.
1. Turn the space under a staircase, in a closet or an attic into a home
office. For a custom look, add a desk and built-in cabinets, or
just fit in a small table and chair and hang a memo board on the wall behind.
2. Make the most of wasted space above your kitchen sink. Add
two wire shelves in the open area above the sink directly between the cabinets.
This should make a perfect, safe spot for draining fine china and glassware or
for holding soap and sponges.
3. Use kitchen cabinet sides for extra storage space. Hang a
metal rack to hold pot lids or a towel bar to hold dish towels.
4. Stack two benches. To create impromptu shelves use the
benches to hold books or baskets full of CDs or videotapes.
Deal with dampness first – Most experts agree that
you should deal with any dampness issues before insulating the
basement from the interior.
Seek out knowledgeable contractors – Do not
simply follow traditional conventions. Significant advances in
the best techniques for insulating basements mean better
results.
Fix basement windows – One of the most effective
strategies for improving the thermal efficiency of your home is
to seal air leaks. Seal and weather strip basement windows,
which are often neglected.
There are no inspections available with this FBO within +/- 4 days of your preferred inspection date. Please pick another inspection date, or contact us.
icon and select "Add to Home Screen".
Serving Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties with the largest home inspection company in North America, Joseph and Sylvie Lang have endured both a volatile housing market and unfavorable economic conditions to become a top franchisee in the system. Providing inspection services to homes in one of the largest housing markets in the United States, the couple has managed to grow their business through adversity, while also growing their family as well. 
Moving can be stressful so planning is the key. The more
organized you are, the less stress you’ll endure and the more fun you’ll enjoy!
