Gatekeeper Inspections

Wire Protection

Scott — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:37:55 +0000

Any time you hard-wire an appliance, it needs to be attached within 12″ of its connection to the appliance as a safety precaution. This is typically code in most areas. Check out this quick video to see what should be done.

http://vimeo.com/30492777

HVAC – Duct Dampers Explained

brian — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:05:33 +0000

As we enter changing seasons, heating and cooling requirements also change. One way to help control your HVAC is with duct dampers. They are explained here, in this incredibly helpful video.

Microwave vs. Cook-top: Potential fire hazard?

brian — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 21:45:20 +0000

A microwave that is installed too close to a cooktop is a potential fire hazard. How do you recognize an incorrect installation?

D.C. Metro Housing: some factiods

Scott — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:57:45 +0000

The DMV (District, Maryland and Virginia) continues to be a leader in the U.S. home market. Here are some recent articles that contain some interesting information for the prospective home buyer and real estate agent.

Inman News

WTOP News

from Gatekeeper Inspections

Asbestos Health Concern: Mesothelioma

Scott — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 23:06:39 +0000

Asbestos is the term given to six naturally occurring minerals that have been used in thousands of applications around the world. Widely utilized in a variety of industrial and building applications throughout the 20th century, asbestos was highly regarded for its heat and fire resistant qualities and became the ideal choice for manufacturers as a method of insulation. It was discovered much later that this mineral is extremely toxic and hazardous to one’s health, causing several serious health conditions.

Homes and buildings built before 1980 have the highest chance of containing asbestos, but even those built in the 1990’s due as well. This is because of the vermiculite insulation that came from a mine that at one point heavily produced the mineral.

As a homeowner, you can avoid asbestos exposure by taking some easy precautions. If asbestos is suspected, professional home inspections will be beneficial to make sure your property is free and clear of asbestos or any other harmful materials.

Tips in the Home

Homes may require structural inspections or renovations and a professional home inspector can identify the materials and provide an expert consultation for you. Technological advances have made the home inspection industry into a valuable process that rapidly study areas of concern in your property.

In order to protect your investment, professional consultants can provide an evaluation of the home. Consultants will identify material defects structures and components of the home, in adherence to or exceeding national, state, and industry regulations and standards.

Asbestos can appear in roof shingles, attic insulation, pipe coverings, joint compounds, electrical wires, furnace cement, fire brick and gaskets. If asbestos materials are present, most contractors will advise home owners to leave it alone. Sometimes the best action is no action at all. Asbestos that is left undisturbed and is not in a deteriorated state will not pose any health risks because its fibers have not been release into the air.

When an individual inhales asbestos fibers, they can become lodged and ingested into ones chest cavity. This can lead to an aggressive form of asbestos lung cancer known as mesothelioma. With limited treatment options, a long latency period that lasts 20 to 50 years and difficulty diagnosing the disease, a person’s mesothelioma life span not as positive as one would hope.

It is not always an easy process to determine whether or not a particular insulation contains asbestos. Anyone who is unsure about the insulation in their home should have the materials in question inspected and tested. Again, exposure is very preventable by taking the right precautions!

Asbestos Removal & Healthy Alternatives

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality is committed to protecting the public from asbestos-containing materials by educating and assisting with asbestos removal, transport and disposal. The removal of asbestos must be performed by licensed abatement contractors who are trained in handling toxic substances. Depending on the condition of the asbestos, many experts feel it is better to seal it off than remove it. These licensed contractors who remove asbestos, will be familiar with the regulations in protecting you and themselves from exposure to asbestos.

Green alternatives to asbestos include the use of cotton fiber, lcynene foam and cellulose. Cotton fiber is made from recycled batted material and treated to be fireproof. A water based spray polyurethane foam, lcynene features no toxic components. These healthy options have the same beneficial qualities as asbestos, minus the health deteriorating and toxic components.

What’s a home inspection? Wikipedia to the rescue.

Scott — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 22:44:36 +0000

New home buyers are starting to realize that a home inspection is an important part of any new home purchase. The home buying process can be a daunting one- having the right people on your team goes a long way. So after you have a great agent, loan officer, support staff (significant other or man’s best friend count) and you’ve found the right home, you need a home inspector. But what exactly do they do?

There are many resources on the internet, for instance ASHI and NACHI. Another option could be a 3rd party- Wikipedia is not in the business of home inspections, but offers a good description of what’s involved. Check out Wikipedia here.

Ofcourse, talking to a real live person can’t be beat. Feel free to call or email Gatekeeper Inspections for home inspection advice too, we’re here and we can help.

Gatekeeper Inspections
Gatekeeper Inspections Contact Page

Good retaining walls are hard to find!

Scott — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 16:07:57 +0000

Here’s a good example of how to build a retaining wall. If you need to have one installed, or want more information on what you’ve got, check this out!

Real Estate- Where is it Safe to Buy?

Scott — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:26:42 +0000

Interesting article by Smart Money- chance of your home declining in value. Looks like D.C. is doing pretty well overall, but not the best.

Smart Money – Where is it Safe to Buy?

Home Inspection or Appraisal: What’s the Difference?

Scott — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 13:50:42 +0000

Here’s an interesting article from ASHI for the new home buyer:
Home Inspection or Appraisal: What’s the Difference?
There are a lot of new terms and services to understand when undertaking the purchase of a new home, articles on the ASHI site and here can help get you through the process.

TP101

Scott — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 17:58:11 +0000

When adding fixtures to bathrooms, you can’t forget the little things. A light-hearted look at some missing equipment!