Raleigh Home Inspection Identifies Leaking Ice-Maker Line and Resulting Mold Growth

During a recent Home Inspection, it was observed that there was an ice-maker line that was leaking…and had been doing so for quite some time. This is not such an uncommon occurrence and can go undetected because the plumbing connection is typically located behind the refrigerator in an “out of sight, out of mind” location.

In this instance, the leakage had maintained the surrounding area in a saturated condition and there was obvious visible mold growth present. Likely, some degree of damage to materials was also present inside the wall; those materials could not be directly observed without some destructive evaluation.

We advised our client that destructive evaluation should be under-taken, to any extent necessary to ensure no damage to hidden materials or components had occurred, and that any damage be repaired. We also advised that any visible fungal/microbial growth should be thoroughly cleaned from all affected areas in accordance with recommendations of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Of course, the leakage that caused the issue should be repaired by a licensed plumber.

Don’t let someone else’s problems become your problems. Have your home inspected by a professional Home Inspector before you buy the home because…You just never know what conditions might be present!

The Sustainable Bathroom – Its All About Water

If we are to be “good stewards” of our planet, we should all be looking for ways to save water using products that are environmentally friendly. As a Raleigh Home Inspection firm, we are not directly responsible for reporting on what types of fixtures are installed in a given home. But if we happen to recognize the installation of upgraded, environmentally friendly fixtures and appliances in a home, we try to let our clients know about that. And our clients appreciate the additional information.

Read on to learn about the WaterSense program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

A sustainable bathroom saves water and money

(ARA) – With so many products claiming to be green these days, it’s hard to know which ones are the real deal. A great indicator for certified sustainability in the bathroom is the WaterSense label, which is granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). By learning how (and which) products meet the criteria, you can easily incorporate the best – and most eco-friendly – products into your bath.

“WaterSense-labeled products help you save water in your home and protect the environment,” says Stephanie Thornton, a representative of the WaterSense Program at the EPA. “Since it was first launched in 2006, the WaterSense program has helped consumers identify water-efficient products that not only meet specific water-savings criteria, but performance criteria as well. Meaning you’ll get the same great performance you’re used to, just using less water.”

WaterSense aims to decrease indoor and outdoor water use through water-efficient products and simple, water-saving practices. The program encourages customers to look for WaterSense-labeled products, which have been independently certified for efficiency and performance, and promotes water-saving techniques that reduce stress on water systems and the environment.

A number of product categories carry the WaterSense label, making it even easier to reduce the water usage in your home.

* Toilets. According to the EPA, you will likely flush the toilet nearly 140,000 times over the course of your lifetime. Switching to a WaterSense-labeled model will help you save up to 4,000 gallons per year and an average of $90 on your water bill.

Whether you’re remodeling a bathroom, building a new home or simply replacing an old toilet that’s past its prime, a high-performance, water-efficient option bearing the WaterSense label is definitely worth considering. As the culprit of nearly 30 percent of your home’s indoor water consumption, older, inefficient toilets waste up to 11 gallons every day.

* Bathroom faucets. Faucets account for approximately 15 percent of indoor household water use – more than 1 trillion gallons across the U.S. each year. You can save water – even when the faucet is running – by installing a model that’s certified to meet WaterSense criteria.

With countless options available in nearly every style and finish, it’s easy to reduce water usage and be stylish at the sink. Plumbing manufacturers continue to transition their products to meet WaterSense guidelines, and in 2009, Moen Incorporated received WaterSense certifications on all its lavatory faucets. Designed to help environmentally-conscious consumers optimize water flow without sacrificing performance, the faucets feature a 1.5 gallon per minute (gpm) flow rate versus the industry standard of 2.2 gpm, resulting in water conservation of up to 32 percent.

* Showerheads. As the newest category to earn WaterSense labeling, traditional showerheads can use up to 30 gallons of water per household, per day. Installing a Watersense-labeled showerhead could make a big difference, saving more than 2,300 gallons per year.

Moen was one of the first manufacturers to receive this certification for showerheads, with 17 models currently certified to meet WaterSense criteria. The newly certified water-efficient showerheads represent every category in Moen’s showering portfolio – including wall-mount, rainshower and hand shower showerheads – and feature flow rates ranging from 1.75 gallons per minute (gpm) to 2.0 gpm, versus the industry standard of 2.5 gpm. The result is water conservation of up to 30 percent.

“Best of all, the showerheads still provide a great experience without sacrificing performance,” says Mike Reffner, group product manager, Moen. “Moen isn’t just using a restrictor to reduce flow – it has redesigned its showerheads to deliver the same level of showering consumers expect from Moen, but with less water.”

A product that meets WaterSense criteria features the WaterSense label on its packaging, making it easy to spot these sustainable products at your local retail and wholesale locations. By incorporating these products into your home, you can expect exceptional performance, a smaller water bill and the great feeling that comes with saving water for future generations. For more information about Moen products certified to meet WaterSense labeling criteria, call (800) BUY-MOEN (800-289-6636) or visit moen.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Exterior wall penetrations need to be sealed to keep the water out!

A most common condition that we find during a Home Inspection, is that exterior wall penetrations haven’t been sealed against water entry. At locations where various appurtenances e.g. water piping, electrical wiring or conduit, gas piping, etc. pass through the wall, the gap around the material needs to be caulk-sealed. It may not be the most important, or the most harmful of condition we find, but it certainly can be harmful and it has the potential to cause water-related damage to the home; if it has already caused any such damage, then it is obviously an important issue. Usually, the corrective action is simple and inexpensive to implement. And, whenever we see these types of deficiencies, it makes us look just a little bit closer for other related issues. So be sure that all exterior wall penetration are well-sealed to keep the water out!