A monthly newsletter courtesy of BK Home Inspections
In This Issue
Household Tip
Week's Wit
Buying A New Air Conditioner?...
Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month
Ever Wonder?
Deck Care
Mosquitoes
Energy Tips
Contact Info
Call BK for
______________


Fun Time Teaser

 

 

True or false,

Since heat rises, attic insulation is only necessary to keep the home warm in the winter and does very little in the summer.

 

See below for answer.

Household Tip

 

 

Furniture Polish:

Mix 2 tsps. lemon oil and 1 pt. mineral oil in a spray bottle.

 

 

Remove lint from clothes

Here is a simple and easy way to get rid of the lint that collects while washing. Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to laundry in the rinse cycle. Your clothes will leave the washer soft, smooth and clean.


Things To Do This Month

 

1. Practice a fire and tornado drill. 

2. Check dryer vent for blockage.

 

3. Clean out gutters.

 

4. Check downspout extensions.

 

5. Clean and inspect AC system.

 

6. Clean and set up de-humidifier.

 

7. Inspect chimney for cracked mortar and deteriorated bricks.

 

8. Tighten hinges on all doors. Clean ceiling fan blades and make sure they are tight.


9. Check for wood/ground contact on exterior.

10. Safely get rid of unused prescriptions and chemicals in home and garage.

Week's Wit

You know your kids are growing up when they stop asking you where they came from and refuse to tell you where they're going. 

 

 
Fun time Teaser Answer

 

The answer is:

False!

Insulation is equally important in the summer to reduce the cooling bills. The attic temperature can reach 140 degrees. The heat radiates through the ceiling making your home hot and uncomfortable. I also makes your air conditioning work much harder.

 

Contact Info
Bob Beisbier
BK Home Inspections LLC
S95 W32855 Hickorywood Tr
Mukwonago, WI 53149
262-993-7755
Certified Master Inspector (CMI)
RHI# 1035-106
ASHI# 212809
InterNACHI #NACHI08082601
DILHR Certified
Infrared Certified
Green Certified
Member WAHI
Member BBB
[email protected] 


 

  
BK News

Mention this newsletter and get $10 off a Radon Test!

The best time to learn about the condition and workings of a house is during a pre-purchase home inspection. We will give you valuable information about the home's operating systems and a detailed report that you can use as a reference for repairs and maintenance. When we are done you will have a clear understanding of the property conditions.

 

Is there an topic that you would like to see discussed? Please let me know and I will add it into next month's newsletter. Thanks!

Sincerely,
Bob Beisbier
BK Home Inspections
Honest, Reliable Service
 
Buying A New Air Conditioner?

Today's best air conditioners use 30% to 60% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as air conditioners made in the mid 1980s. Even if your air conditioner is only 10 years old, you may save 20% to 40% of your cooling energy costs by replacing it with a newer, more efficient model.

Sizing Air Conditioners

Air conditioners are rated by the number of British Thermal Units (Btu) of heat they can remove per hour. Another common rating term for air conditioning size is the "ton," which is 12,000 Btu per hour. How big should your air conditioner be? The size of an air conditioner depends on:

  • how large your home is and how many windows it has;
  • how much shade is on your home's windows, walls, and roof;
  • how much insulation is in your home's ceiling and walls;
  • how much air leaks into your home from the outside; and
  • how much heat the occupants and appliances in your home generate.

An air conditioner's efficiency, performance, durability, and initial cost depend on matching its size to the above factors. Be aware that a large air conditioner will not provide the best cooling. Buying an over sized air conditioner penalizes you in the following ways.

  • It costs more to buy a larger air conditioner than you need.
  • The larger-than-necessary air conditioner cycles on and off more frequently, reducing its efficiency. Frequent cycling makes indoor temperatures fluctuate more and results in a less comfortable environment. Frequent cycling also inhibits moisture removal. In humid climates, removing moisture is essential for acceptable comfort. In addition, this cycling wears out the compressor and electrical parts more rapidly.
  • A larger air conditioner uses more electricity and creates added demands on electrical generation and delivery systems.

In general, new air conditioners with higher EERs or SEERs sport higher price tags. However, the higher initial cost of an energy-efficient model will be repaid to you several times during its life span. Your utility company may encourage the purchase of a more efficient air conditioner by rebating some or all of the price difference. Buy the most efficient air conditioner you can afford, especially if you use (or think you will use) an air conditioner frequently and/or if your electricity rates are high.

Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month

   

June is National Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month. For the approximately 21% of Americans who suffer from these diseases, good Indoor Air Quality is especially important. Elevated levels of mold, as well as animal dander, dust mites, and cockroaches can trigger allergic and asthmatic reactions. Testing for these allergens and responding properly to test results can prevent or reduce symptoms.

The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America estimates that over 60 million Americans suffer from allergies and asthma. Below are brief explanations of these ailments.

Allergies

Hay fever. Hives. Anaphylaxis. These maladies are allergic diseases that occur because the body's immune system overreacts and produces IgE antibodies to otherwise benign agents. The first step in the allergic process is sensitization, which occurs from an initial exposure to a specific antigen. During the sensitization process the body produces large quantities of IgE antibodies that can identify the particular antigen to which the person is sensitized. These antibodies bind to immune cells called basophils and mast cells. When the IgE later crosses paths with the same particular antigen, it triggers the immune cell to release chemicals that cause allergic symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and inflammation.

Asthma

Asthma is a constricting or blocking of the airways characterized by coughing, chest tightness, and trouble breathing. It has various environmental triggers including allergens, exercise, tobacco smoke, and cold air. Breathing difficulty is caused by a contracting of smooth muscles, mucous secretion, and swelling of the bronchioles. Although there is no known cure, asthma can be controlled through medication and environmental and behavioral modification, such as avoiding allergens, exercising in warm air, cleaning bed linens often, etc.

WHERE ARE THE ODORS COMING FROM?

 

 

Have you ever wondered what makes a water-damaged building smell like "Grandma's basement" or sometimes, like a locker room? Those not-so-delightful odors are actually gases released by mold and bacteria that are digesting damp building materials. Technically speaking, these gases are actually metabolic by-products. This is the same process that takes place in your own intestines when you digest food such as a bean burrito. The bacteria in your gut breaks down the sugars in the beans, producing malodorous gases.

  

BACTERIAL ODORS VERSUS MOLD ODORS

 

The gases released by microbes are termed "microbial volatile organic compounds", or MVOCs. Microbial VOCs are dominated by alcohols, but also include ketones, aldehydes, terpenes, esters, amines and sulfides. A commonly recognized MVOC is geosmin - it's this compound that gives soils their "earthy" smell. Bacteria, in general, produce odors that are described as putrid or have that characteristic locker room odor. Molds generally produce odors that are described as musty or are reminiscent of old or damp basements. Some bacteria and molds produce more distinct or unpleasant MVOCs than others. For this reason, the intensity of the musty odor that a water-damaged area produces depends upon which species of microorganisms (microbes) are growing, their level of maturation, and what type of substrate they are digesting.

   

CAN MVOCs CAUSE ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS? 

Musty odors may be a nuisance, but can they really cause adverse health effects? At present, the contribution of MVOCs to building-related health concerns has not been fully studied. We do know, however, that both the MVOCs released by the microbes and the volatile chemicals released by degrading building materials can result in sensory irritation and quite possibly, other adverse health effects. The magnitude of these effects will vary depending on the quantities and combination of VOCs and the individual sensitivities of the occupants.  

 

 

 

TAKE ACTION

 

That musty odor in the basement or near a leaky window, while a great indicator of the presence of dampness and microbial growth, may be having a direct impact on occupant well-being. If a musty odor is detected, address the areas of damage carefully. If the source of the odor is not obvious, or the area of water damage extends beyond 10 square feet, contact a qualified environmental consultant.

 

 

Ever Wonder?
  
Why do banks charge a fee on 'insufficient funds' when they already know there is not enough money?

  

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars; but have to check when you say the paint is still wet?
 

Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are almost dead?

 
Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?

Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?

Whose idea was it to put an 'S' in the word 'lisp'?

Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?


If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?

Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?

Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?

 

Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?

Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?

Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first try

 

 

Deck Care

 
 

 

The inevitable is bound to happen-your deck will age. But you can determine how gracefully it ages.

It's not maintenance-free to put wood outside. When you spend $10 to $20 per square foot of deck, you want to care for your wood. It can be tough when you live in a climate that goes from soaking wet to dry in a short amount of time, but caring for your deck is a true investment in what you've already spent." 

 

Whether your deck is already old or was just installed, these pointers will help extend its life. 

 

1. Treat your deck like your kitchen floor. People often think of a deck as self-cleaning, when in reality it needs to be cleaned as much as your kitchen floor. A major spring and fall deck cleaning is recommended. At these times you should inspect for damage, clean off debris with a hose, sand splinters, and use a stain remover to lift any grill or dirt stains. Throughout the year, keep an eye on your deck. Brush off fallen leaves for better air circulation and so leaves won't rot and leave mildew. If your deck surface is near the ground and air circulation is limited, cover the soil with a polyethylene barrier topped with decorative rock to prevent moisture damage underneath. Clean between decking board cracks and use pot feet to keep potted plants elevated. 

 

2. Clean your deck surface before you stain. One of the biggest mistakes people make is underpreparing their deck surface before applying stain. Always remove existing deck coatings and start with a fresh surface. A good stiff brush and a deck wash removes stains and washes away dead fibers without hurting the ability of your deck to soak up a new stain. Or use a pressure washer. I recommend hiring a professional for this, so you don't accidentally strip the soft grain of the wood. If any areas of the deck have started to splinter or crack, sand them down until a new layer of wood shows through. Read the stain manufacturer's directions, so you prepare the deck surface effectively. 

 

3. Let the deck dry completely before you apply stain. If you've just finished cleaning your deck, wait two or three days before you apply a stain. Give a new deck made from pressure-treated lumber several days to acclimate before you stain. Even if you touch the wood and it feels dry, you can' trust that. If you use a stain when the deck is still wet, the oil won't penetrate the wood, and the stain will sit on the surface instead of seeping in. When you stain, cover as much of the wood as you can, including the ends. 

 

4. Understand how a product performs. Reading labels carefully may sound like a no-brainer, but people often buy a product without understanding how it will perform. For example, if you buy a clear stain, your deck's natural beauty will shine through, but you'll have to re-strain every 12 to 18 months. If you use a semitransparent or tinted stain, you should only have to re-strain every three or four years. Stains with pigment in the oil are more resistant to UV damage. Think of a pigmented stain as having a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30, and a clear stain as having an SPF of 9. You can use exterior paint on your deck boards, but it isn't recommended. Paint sits on top of the wood and never penetrates, so it only provides a thin layer of protection that breaks up under heavy foot traffic. If you want to use paint, apply it only to balustrades or railings. As always, clean the surface to remove any dust or mildew before you apply the paint.

Mosquitoes

 

Mosquito

If you eat bananas, the mosquitoes like you, - something about the banana oil as your body processes it. Stop eating bananas for the summer and the mosquitoes will be much less interested.

 Energy Tips
 

Over 60% of the heat gain in the home during summer comes from thermal radiation through the windows (green house effect). Awnings and reflective glass are very effective to keep the heat out. During the cooling season, keep the window coverings closed during the day to prevent solar gain.

A blockage in your dryer vent could cause your dryer to run longer than needed thus using up to three times more energy to dry a load of wash. There should be a good blast of air coming out of the vent outside while the dryer is running. If not, check for a build up of lint in the exhaust pipe.

A de-humidifier uses more energy per year than any other appliance in the home. Make sure it is clean and working properly. Adjust the humidistat to around 40% humidity. If the unit does not have a functioning humidistat, a control can be purchased at a hardware store and installed between the outlet and the unit easily. A unit that is frosted up is not doing it's job and is wasting energy.

I've checked into solar panels too and the payback is about 15 years. Trouble is we have anywhere between 7-15 hours of daylight and cut that in half for cloudy days. You buy electricity at 12 cents but they buy back at only 3 cents per KwH. Solar is a huge investment. So how about wind? Wind can blow 24 hours a day but find a place to put it without the neighbors having a fit. Again a huge investment. I have been slowly converting to LED's for my lighting. This cuts the lighting portion of the electric bill 90%. I calculated by changing just the kitchen lights to LED's I am saving $16.80 per month or over $200 per year. LED's are still expensive but are slowly coming down. I figure a 11 month payback with the investment of LED's.
Gas seems to be stable or decreasing in price. Water heaters, stove, furnace, and dryers should be gas, much cheaper to run (about half the cost in energy.) Energy star appliances makes a difference also. Refrigerators, AC, dishwashers, top loading washers, etc. If they are over 10 years old or not energy star they are energy wasters. Take a look around the home and make a list all the things wasting energy. I did that and was shocked (no pun intended). I even bought a electric monitor I think it's called a "kill a watt". I put it on an old fridge that I have in the garage. The dumb thing was costing me $170 per year to run. I got rid of that and noticed my electric bill go down immediately. Just look at every outlet in your home. What's plugged into it? Is it needed? Is it wasting electricity? Same with bulbs. Yes it is an investment but one that will save you $$$ down the road. Good luck!

 

 

 

 
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