Buildings –

• Foul-smelling or stale air
• The smell of exhaust fumes
• Large areas of condensation or water vapor on walls or windows

 
What’s the best prevention?
 
Be sure all fuel-burning equipment is installed and operated properly

• Have equipment inspected annually by a qualified professional
• Provide adequate ventilation in your home
• Never burn charcoal indoors or in an enclosed space
• Open your garage door before starting vehicles

 
The surest way to know if there is carbon monoxide in your home is to use a Carbon Monoxide detector. If you suspect CO poisoning or a natural gas leak, leave the building immediately and call 911.
 
Your safety matters to us!

Have a Question - Ask a Columbus Ohio Home Inspector

Polybutylene was used for many years as piping for plumbing systems inside of residential homes. It was manufactured between 1978 and 1994, and popular because of its astonishing benefits which included:

• Flexibility
• Resistance to freezing
• Easy to install
• Cheap to purchase

Around 10 million U.S. homes had polybutylene installed during this time period; however, production of the material was stopped due to many homeowners stating that it damaged their home when it ruptured. If a home still contains polybutylene, homeowners can face expensive costs to have repairs made if their plumbing system fails and in hiring a professional to install new pipes.

The Cause of Polybutylene Failures

The University of Illinois at Chicago conducted two studies regarding polybutylene failure which showed that disinfectants used during the water treatment process were the main cause of the problems. These disinfectants causes the material to flake away at various locations within the plumbing system which can result in catastrophic pipe leaks. More than $1 billion dollars in lawsuits have been paid to homeowners who had polybutylene installed and experienced a malfunction; however, these settlements have since expired and homeowners with PB piping are now faced with the costs of repairs or replacement.

Remove Polybutylene Pipes Immediately

Currently, no federal regulations are in place that require the replacement of PB pipes; however, it is highly recommend that you take action immediately to avoid potential leaks and major water damage. In addition, some insurance companies will not even insure the home if PB piping is present.

How to Determine if Polybutylene Piping is in your Home

PB pipes can be identified by the following characteristics:

• PB2110 is often stamped on the pipes;
• PB pipes measure ½” to 1”;
• The pipes are usually gray colored, but other piping colors include black, blue, silver and white. Blue polybutylene pipes are most commonly used outside;
• Most PB pipes are curved and very flexible;
• PB pipes are not used for drain or waste piping.

If you suspect you might have PB piping, contact a qualified Home Inspector to evaluate your plumbing system.

With the cool fall temperatures upon us, now is a great time to get your home ready for the winter.  Below are a few home maintenance tips to get you through the fall and winter.

On The Outside...

• Examine your windows from the outside to ensure that there are no holes or wood in need of replacement. Fill in any gaps around the window and trim with caulking and replace any rotten wood that is discovered.
  
• Fall is the perfect time to paint the outside of the home and a fresh coat of paint can greatly enhance the appearance in a dramatic fashion.
• Is the roof of the home showing signs of wear and tear? If it is, proper steps must be taken to repair the roof before major damage occurs. Use this time of the year to check the roof, or hire a pro. Look for shingles that have cracked, are bulging, curling or cupping. Also look for any missing shingles that you may see along the roof or that have even fallen to the ground.

• Ensure your water lines are protected.  Turn the exterior hose bibs off and drain the pipes when done. Ensure that no water is left in the pipes, because freezing water will cause pipes to break.
  
• Clean the gutters and downspouts of the house, removing leaves, dirt and other debris that causes blockages. Ensure downspouts are properly connected to the underground drain so that water does not accumulate along the foundation wall.
  

 
Stay Warm this Winter...

• Check your duct work for leaks at joints and fitting. Heating tape is relatively inexpensive and and can be used to prevent hot air from escaping the duct work in the basement before it reaches the intended location.
  
• If you use a fireplace that burns wood, clean the chimney and repair any gaps or cracks in the flue.
  
• If you have an attic, check the insulation. It should be well insulated, which will greatly reduce heating costs.
  
• Replace air filters inside your furnace.
  
• Check the doors and windows for wear and tear on the seals. Drafts can let cold air in and increase heating costs. Caulk can be used to repair windows and doors.
  

For Your Lawn...

• If you have a garden, fall brings danger to your beautiful flowers. Remove annuals and mulch the garden.
  
• Trim the branches from trees that could fall and damage your house.
  
• Aerate your lawn.
  

 
Other Tips...

• Pests come inside when the temperatures get cool outside. Install screens to vents to prevent pests from entering and seal any other holes through the exterior walls especially around utility penetrations such as the AC refrigerant line and electrical line.
  
• Check the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure that they are still working properly. This is also a good time to replace the batteries in these units.

Let us know if you have any questions regarding the proper maintenance of your home's multiple systems. Our Home Inspector's can perform a maintenance inspection and guide your through the systems that are in need of maintenance. Contact a Columbus Home Inspector today for more information.

During our inspections, we still find many older homes have Knob and Tube Wiring.  This type of wiring is a fire hazard and should be removed and replaced with new wiring by a qualified electrician.

The system is comprised of wiring supported with ceramic knobs with tubes that run through the wood joists and framing and at locations where the wires intersect.

​Knob and Tube wiring is considered unsafe for several of the following reasons:

• The dissipated heat from knob-and-tube wiring can pose a fire hazard if the wires are enveloped in building insulation. A possible exception is fiberglass insulation, which is fire-resistant, although even this type of insulation should not cover knob-and-tube wiring. The homeowner or an electrician should carefully remove any insulation that is found surrounding KT wires.
• Knob-and-tube wiring is more vulnerable to damage than modern wiring because it is insulated with fiber materials and varnish, which can become brittle.
• Some insurance companies refuse to write fire insurance for houses with this type of wiring, although this may be remedied if an electrician can verify that the system is safe.
• Disregarding any inherent inadequacies, existing KT cable systems are likely to be unsafe because they are almost guaranteed to be at least 50 years old.

If you have any concerns about Knob and Tube wiring in your house, contact us to speak with a qualified home inspector.