Thursday, January 31, 2013

Black Mold Removal-- Can You Do It On Your Own?

Black mold removal is something that you have to be careful with due to the fact that black mold is toxic. You really do need to have dependable data about what black mold looks like and just how it forms. It only takes a short period of time to do the necessitated examining and inspection of your home to make sure that it is a safe place for your family members. You ought to be particularly aware of any allergies that anyone in your home possesses. This could be your very first hint that you need to look at black mold removal.

Basements and bathrooms are the prime locations for black mold examining and inspection in homes. This is due to the fact that these are the areas in the house most known for being damp and having a lot of moisture. Black mold can form on any surface-- cement, tiles, or even the counter top if you don't take special care to keep it tidy and dry. There are examining kits for black mold that you can put to use yourself, so screening and inspection of your household is not a high-priced recommendation. There are also effective products on the market for black mold removal.

When you do the black mold screening and inspection and find a few spots where there is black mold, before you start black mold eradication, make sure the area is well-ventilated. If the black mold is centered in a little area, you can effortlessly clean it with chlorine bleach and water, for difficult jobs you will need to use a commercial black mold removal product. You do have to make sure that you dry out the spot entirely because any unwanted moisture will just be a new breeding ground for the black mold to return.

Testing for black mold firstly requires looking to see if there is any noticeable mold on the wall structures or floors of your cellar. Having said that, mold is not always visible due to the fact that it can form in gaps and really tiny spaces. With black mold testing and assessment, you are really analyzing the air quality in your household due to the fact that the moment mold spores are present they are going to be air-borne. Basic screening using a petrie dish consisting of a disc will let you know within two days if you have to look into black mold eradication.

Once you get ready to begin black mold removal, wear a face mask and rubber gloves so that you don't breathe in the black mold spores or let them touch your skin. This can cause severe breathing problems. There are eradication items on the market that get rid of the black mold. But make sure you always read the label and make sure that you adhere to all safety procedures for use of the product. Black mold removal is something that you may have to do numerous times to make sure you kill all the mold spores.


Discovery Inspections
http://www.discoveryinspectors.com/
420 Dividend Drive, Suite A-2
Peachtree City, GA 30269
(678) 253-4716

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Things You Need To Know For Your Next Plumbing Job

Lots of people try to do their own plumbing in order to conserve cash on repair expenses. They typically fail due to a lack of effective plumbing knowledge or using the wrong tools for the task. Read the tips in the following article if you would like to do your own plumbing without doing even more damage than good.

When it is not being used, be sure that you check on your water meter. Inspect on the meter 8 hours later. If the meter has changed, even a small amount, this could be an indication that there is an undiscovered water leak, which can be a severe trouble.

Use a hair trap on your bathroom drain to make sure it doesn't end up plugging your plumbing. A simple grate can be put over the drain and hair can be pulled off each time you shower. If your pipes do end up plugging you can purchase a snaking device which will go down and get all the hair for you.

When having an assessment about a job with the plumbing contractor, take the opportunity to get to understand them and their company better. Inquire about their experience with the sort of task that you are wanting to have done. Being comfortable with your contractor is important. They could be spending considerable amounts of time in your residence depending on the complexity of the task. You want to be convinced that they're up to the project.

Occasionally in the case of small and or significant emergencies most of us have to become Mr. Fix it ourselves. , if you've got clog in your drains the initial action is to try a commercial de-clogger like Drano.. Merely pour it down the drain, wait 10 minutes, and presto, your drain ought to be clear.

You always need to have a backup person when you are working on any kind of plumbing project. This is because, when working with water, you never know when an emergency can happen and that second pair of hands could come in very useful! This can even be an inexperienced individual who is able to follow directions.

To obtain the best possible cost from a plumbing professional, shop around and keep notes. When you get a price quote from the initial plumbing contractor you call, you can subtly discuss that rate to the second and see if they will beat it. You could drive down the price considerably if you keep doing this down a list.

When leaving on vacation or leaving your vacation home, be sure to switch off the primary water before you leave. , if something takes place while you are gone you could cause some significant damages from a flooded basement or a damaged pipeline in the wall that drips for weeks until you return.

While you might not have the ability to take on every issue that comes up, you can surely feel more confident about dealing with a few of the standard stuff. Take any scenario step by step, and you will find that it's not as tough as you may have thought.

Lots of individuals try to do their own plumbing in order to conserve cash on repair costs. They typically fail due to a lack of effective plumbing understanding or by making use of the wrong devices for the job. If you would like to do your own plumbing without doing more harm than good, then read the tips in the following article.

Use a hair trap on your bathroom drain to make sure it doesn't end up clogging your plumbing. When you are working on any kind of plumbing task, you always need a backup person.

Discovery Inspections
http://www.discoveryinspectors.com/
420 Dividend Drive, Suite A-2
Peachtree City, GA 30269
(678) 253-4716

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Winterize Your Home In Just A Weekend

Getting ready for Jack Frost's arrival can send a shiver down any homeowner's spine. A long to-do list for getting your home prepared can feel overwhelming, leaving you wondering where you will find the time and resources. But, with some positive outlook, simple tips and access to a few rental tools, you can easily winterize your house in just one weekend, leaving plenty of time to enjoy fall's splendor.

Prepare Your Yard And Landscaping

Cold temperature levels cause grass and other plants in your yard to go dormant. Spend a couple of hours preparing your yard for beautiful greenery next year.

Start by aerating. Renting an aerator is an affordable and efficient way to reduce thatch and provide additional space in the soil for water and oxygen to reach the roots. Find a local American Rental Association (ARA) member business close to you by going to RentalHQ.com. After aerating, spread a quality winter fertilizer to give your grass the nutrients it needs in order to grow strong. If you live in an area with severe winters, don't forget to cover roses and delicate perennials so that they are secured.

Winterize Your Deck

The severe winter elements can take a major toll on decking, so it's important to protect it. With a little time and effort, your patio will make it through winter season unharmed and ready for outdoor fun in spring.

To maintain the structure's integrity intact and wood looking beautiful, clean and seal your patio before winter arrives. Start by renting a pressure washer at your local ARA member rental store. The trained rental associate will provide you guidance on safe and efficient operation of the pressure washer. Shortly after you clean your deck, let it dry thoroughly and then apply paint or sealant.

Prune Your Shrubs

Unstable trees and dead branches can break and fall during winter, potentially damaging your house, your car, a power line, or much worse. Be a responsible property owner and cut weak or dead branches in the fall so you do not have to stress.

A chainsaw is the easiest way to deal with dead branches and will take a lot less time than hand sawing. You can rent a chainsaw to cut the wood into small logs or sections for disposing of appropriately. Chippers can also be rented for grinding up the timber and using it for mulch in the springtime.

Seal Windowpanes And Doors

When temperatures drop, the small leaks in windows and doorways become apparent. Avoid a cold house and high electricity bills by caulking your windows and weather stripping doors.

Weather stripping is affordable and simple. Put the adhesive strip in between the door and frame for a tight seal that confines the amount of air that gets in or leaves when the door is closed. Caulking windows is a simple procedure as well when you have a caulk gun. If you need a tall ladder to reach second story windows, consider renting it since you'll likely use it infrequently. While you have the ladder, clean your gutters of fallen leaves and various other particles that can create backups and ice dams.

All you need to have is one weekend to prepare your house and yard for the cold weather ahead. Plus you'll get to experience the sharp autumn air while you get these quick and simple jobs done.


Discovery Inspections
http://www.discoveryinspectors.com/
420 Dividend Drive, Suite A-2
Peachtree City, GA 30269
(678) 253-4716

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Beat The Heat With Water Conservation And Home Protection Strategies

The peak water usage time, that typically starts in late July or early August, arrived early this year with record temperatures as well as widespread drought. During the warmer months, the typical American uses roughly four times as much water as they do the rest of the year. More time outdoors translates into additional sweat and dirt, which leads to taking more frequent showers as well as washing additional loads of laundry. Meanwhile, outdoors, fighting temperature and shortage of rain calls for heavy lawn and garden watering.

All of the increased activity adds up. Fortunately, the plumbing professionals at Roto-Rooter suggest a list of water protection and conservation tips to beat the heat.

1. Check the temperature gauge on your water heating unit. It ought to be set no higher than 125 degrees to avoid scalding and minimize energy usage. Summer is a good time to turn the heat level down, particularly when away vacationing to minimize energy costs.

2. Replacing a previous shower head can save around 7.5 gallons of water per minute without losing water pressure. Also, try washing mineral deposits from the shower head by unscrewing it, soaking it in vinegar overnight and then gently scrubbing with a toothbrush to get rid of deposits.

3. In order to increase efficiency with every load of laundry, inspection washing machine hoses for rupture. Turn valves on and off in order to check for leaks.

4. Water must flow easily from outside spouts whenever watering the yard, washing the car or truck or filling the pool.

5. If everything is functioning as it should, be conscious about conserving water. Water your yard before sun up or following sun down to minimize wasted evaporation.

6. When you will be out of town vacationing and have no house-sitters requiring the washing machine, you can shut off the machine's water supply.

7. If traveling, put in a rain shut-off device on your automatic sprinklers to eliminate unnecessary watering. Another beneficial device is a flood alarm which functions like a smoke alarm, triggering an alarm to warn your house-sitter of a potential flood or leak.

8. Make sure that yard drains, rain gutters as well as downspouts are cleaned out, open and free of debris.

9. Be cautious of standing water. Excess water can arise from dripping or broken pipes or a damaged sewer line. Standing water is not healthy for little ones or pets, and is actually a breeding ground for bugs and germs. Examine the lawn for areas that are too wet and with unusual plant or grass growth.

10. When your location is experiencing or expecting dry spell, schedule a pipe and drain inspection. Prolonged periods of extremely dry soil may cause stress on pipes causing cracks. This can easily create a very serious and expensive problem for homeowners, therefore it is best to get in front of it with an examination.


Discovery Inspections
http://www.discoveryinspectors.com/
420 Dividend Drive, Suite A-2
Peachtree City, GA 30269
(678) 253-4716

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Year-Round Lawn Security Suggestions For Families

Your lawn is a space where you appreciate quality time with your relatives - from running around with your youngsters in the autumn leaves to playing catch with your furry friend in the snow. It is an area to escape, but don't forget accidents can happen anywhere at any time, and just like you childproof your house, you need to ensure your yard is safe also.

Keeping your yard secure starts with your fence. A backyard without a fence is kinda like a home with no walls. Fences help protect kids from danger, keeping kids out of swimming pools, hot tubs and ponds or keeping them inside the backyard, away from busy traffic or strangers. Fences may also help keep your own pets in your lawn, and other animals out. They can decrease your liability by protecting against injuries to unwanted people on your property, or damage or injury caused by escaped animals.

"A good weekend winterizing project is making sure your fences and gates are operating properly and are also protected from rust, a harmful force that can render gate equipment useless or hazardous," states Jim Paterson, senior vice president of D&D Technologies, which produces gate latches and hinges made of ultra-strong engineering polymers. "In our analysis, we discovered that when homeowners think about their fencing needs, rusty metal gate hardware that no longer functions correctly or becomes a threat to children was their top concern. Rust-free and adjustable gate hardware is available.".

Seasonal weather, ground settling and other issues can easily cause a gate to become misaligned over time and not operate properly. It's important to have gate equipment that can be quickly adjusted to overcome this. TruClose self-closing, tension adjustable hinges are an ideal solution. Some designs are vertically and horizontally adjustable also. Incorporated with D&D adjustable, locking gate latches will ensure your fence will always function properly.

Extra preventative measures to do when childproofing your yard:

Secure and cover all protruding bolts on swing sets and do not attach ropes or cords, which can become strangulation hazards.

Remove old tree stumps and rocks, level concrete footings to avoid falling.

Seal wooded items such as decks, swing sets and picnic tables right before stormy weather comes.

Thoroughly fence swimming pool and spa areas with adjustable self-closing hinges like TruClose and catch gates, guaranteeing latches are out of the grasp of kids such as the Magnalatch Safety Gate Latch. Both products carry a lifetime warranty and are adjustable both vertically and horizontally for fast and easy changes.

Get rid of access to yard equipment and chemicals. Put these items totally out of the reach of children.

Keep a first aid kit and a rescue kit for those lawns with water features easily available.

Your yard may be one of the most exciting areas for your kids through the entire year. A little precaution along the way will keep it safe and provide incredible memories for your family.


Discovery Inspections
http://www.discoveryinspectors.com/
420 Dividend Drive, Suite A-2
Peachtree City, GA 30269
(678) 253-4716