When installing wood roofs, it is very important to ensure that the joints in adjacent rows do not align. Sidelap is the distance from one joint, to the joint in an adjacent row. The minimum sidelap is 1.5 inches. The joints in alternate rows should not align either.  When the joints align there is a greater chance of leaks to occur.  Most roofers understand this, and I have never seen a roofer install shakes with the joints aligned.

 

Shingles Spaced sheating

richmond home inspector

However, sometimes the shakes can split due to hail strikes or other causes. Sometimes, this can result in the joints of the shakes to be aligned. In the photo below you, the middle arrow is pointing to a split shake.  Now, the joints in the three rows are aligned.  As the water gets in at the top joint, it will have an easy path to the attic below.  If you have a leak, this should be something your inspector should look for.

 

 If you need a home inspection in Richmond, Chesterfield, or any surrounding counties, call us at 804-269-4321.

Testing for Radon in Richmond Apartments

It is not uncommon for tenants of apartment buildings to ask us whether or not their unit should be tested for Radon. The simple answer is yes. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US.  If you smoke, and you are exposed to high levels of Radon, your chances for getting lung cancer are significantly increased.  Radon is a problem in Richmond, and high concentrations can be found in all buildings including apartment buildings. If you are concerned about your exposure to Radon, the first step is to ask your landlord if the building has been tested for Radon. If not, you can see if they are willing to have the whole building tested for radon.

If your landlord has not, and is unwilling to test your building for Radon, it would be prudent to get your own unit tested.  High concentrations of radon have been detected in all floors of high rise apartment buildings. Radon tests are a cost effective way to determine your exposure. If you want us to perform a Radon test in your apartment, call us at 804-269-4321.

Call us at 804-269-4321 to schedule your Richmond Radon Test

The Radon concentration level at which the EPA recommends mitigating for is 4 pCi/L and above. Results from airchek.com estimate that around 29% of homes in Goochland have Radon concentration levels that require mitigation. 22% of homes in Goochland have Radon concentration levels that you should consider mitigating for. Call us at 804-269-4321 to get your home tested for Radon.

Radon in Goochland    Results under 2 pCi/L

   Results between 2 and 3.9 pCi/L

   Results 4 pCi/L and above

Radon Risk in Goochland Virginia

Radon Risk in Goochland Virginia

What is radon?

According the EPA ,Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas.  It is a gas that decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As they break down further, these particles release small  bursts of energy. This can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer over the course of your lifetime.

Radon Particle

How does radon enter your home?

Radon breaks down into a gas from Uranium which is found in almost all soils. The gas is able to travel through the soil and into your home through cracks in the foundation, expansion joints or gaps in the foundation, gaps or voids in the subfloor, contaminated water, and even granite counter tops.  The radon gets trapped in the house and many factors can determine its concentration levels.

Radon Entry Points

 

What is the risk in living with radon?

Radon causes 20,000 lung cancer deaths a year. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It is second only to smoking.  If you smoke, or are exposed to second hand smoke, and you are exposed to radon, your chances to get lung cancer are significantly increased. The EPA as provided these charts to represent the risks associated with radon exposure.

Radon Risk If You Smoke

Radon Level

If 1,000 people who smoked were exposed to this level over a lifetime*…

The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**…

WHAT TO DO: Stop smoking and…

20 pCi/L About 260 people could get lung cancer 250 times the risk of drowning Fix your home
10 pCi/L About 150 people could get lung cancer 200 times the risk of dying in a home fire Fix your home
8 pCi/L About 120 people could get lung cancer 30 times the risk of dying in a fall Fix your home
4 pCi/L About 62 people could get lung cancer 5 times the risk of dying in a car crash Fix your home
2 pCi/L About 32 people could get lung cancer 6 times the risk of dying from poison Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L
1.3 pCi/L About 20 people could get lung cancer (Average indoor radon level) (Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult.)
0.4 pCi/L About 3 people could get lung cancer (Average outdoor radon level)
Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be lower. * Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003). ** Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports.

Radon Risk If You’ve Never Smoked

Radon Level

If 1,000 people who never smoked were exposed to this level over a lifetime*…

The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**…

WHAT TO DO:

20 pCi/L About 36 people could get lung cancer 35 times the risk of drowning Fix your home
10 pCi/L About 18 people could get lung cancer 20 times the risk of dying in a home fire Fix your home
8 pCi/L About 15 people could get lung cancer 4 times the risk of dying in a fall Fix your home
4 pCi/L About 7 people could get lung cancer The risk of dying in a car crash Fix your home
2 pCi/L About 4 person could get lung cancer The risk of dying from poison Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L
1.3 pCi/L About 2 people could get lung cancer (Average indoor radon level) (Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult.)
0.4 pCi/L (Average outdoor radon level)
Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be higher. * Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003). ** Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports.

What about radon in Richmond?

Here is a chart of average radon test results in and around Richmond.  The EPA considers Richmond, Henrico, New Kent, Charles and Prince George as low potential zones but they recommend radon testing regardless of zones. Goochland, Powhatan, Chesterfield, Hopewell and Petersburg are in Zone 3, which is the high potential zone. Average test results in this zone are above 4 pCi/L which should be mitigated for health reasons. We recommend testing your home regardless of location.

Radon in Richmond Virginia
Radon in Richmond Virginia

What now?

Radon does not have to be scary. Give us a call and let us test your home for radon. We test for radon in Richmond, Henrico, New Kent, Charles, Goochland, Powhatan, Chesterfield, Hopewell and Petersburg.  If the tests are above 4 pCi/L, we will perform another test.  Two tests above 4 pCi/L and the EPA recommends having a radon mitigation system installed in your home. Here is a standard radon mitigation system

Radon mitigation
Radon mitigation

What is Radon?

Is there Radon in Richmond?

Is there Radon in Chesterfield?

Is there Radon in Dinwiddie?

Is there Radon in Goochland?

 

 Is there Radon in Dinwiddie?

The Radon concentration level at which the EPA recommends mitigating for is 4 pCi/L and above. Results from airchek.com estimate that around 22% of homes in Dinwiddie have concentration levels that require mitigation. 38% of homes in Dinwiddie have concentration levels that you should consider mitigating for. Call us at 804-269-4321 to get your home tested for Radon.

Radon in Dinwiddie    Results under 2 pCi/L

   Results between 2 and 3.9 pCi/L

   Results 4 pCi/L and above

Radon Risk in Dinwiddie Virginia

Radon Risk in Dinwiddie Virginia

What is radon?

According the EPA ,Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas.  It is a gas that decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As they break down further, these particles release small  bursts of energy. This can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer over the course of your lifetime.

Radon Particle

How does radon enter your home?

Radon breaks down into a gas from Uranium which is found in almost all soils. The gas is able to travel through the soil and into your home through cracks in the foundation, expansion joints or gaps in the foundation, gaps or voids in the subfloor, contaminated water, and even granite counter tops.  The radon gets trapped in the house and many factors can determine its concentration levels.

Radon Entry Points

 

What is the risk in living with radon?

Radon causes 20,000 lung cancer deaths a year. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It is second only to smoking.  If you smoke, or are exposed to second hand smoke, and you are exposed to radon, your chances to get lung cancer are significantly increased. The EPA as provided these charts to represent the risks associated with radon exposure.

Radon Risk If You Smoke

Radon Level

If 1,000 people who smoked were exposed to this level over a lifetime*…

The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**…

WHAT TO DO: Stop smoking and…

20 pCi/L About 260 people could get lung cancer 250 times the risk of drowning Fix your home
10 pCi/L About 150 people could get lung cancer 200 times the risk of dying in a home fire Fix your home
8 pCi/L About 120 people could get lung cancer 30 times the risk of dying in a fall Fix your home
4 pCi/L About 62 people could get lung cancer 5 times the risk of dying in a car crash Fix your home
2 pCi/L About 32 people could get lung cancer 6 times the risk of dying from poison Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L
1.3 pCi/L About 20 people could get lung cancer (Average indoor radon level) (Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult.)
0.4 pCi/L About 3 people could get lung cancer (Average outdoor radon level)
Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be lower. * Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003). ** Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports.

Radon Risk If You’ve Never Smoked

Radon Level

If 1,000 people who never smoked were exposed to this level over a lifetime*…

The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**…

WHAT TO DO:

20 pCi/L About 36 people could get lung cancer 35 times the risk of drowning Fix your home
10 pCi/L About 18 people could get lung cancer 20 times the risk of dying in a home fire Fix your home
8 pCi/L About 15 people could get lung cancer 4 times the risk of dying in a fall Fix your home
4 pCi/L About 7 people could get lung cancer The risk of dying in a car crash Fix your home
2 pCi/L About 4 person could get lung cancer The risk of dying from poison Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L
1.3 pCi/L About 2 people could get lung cancer (Average indoor radon level) (Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult.)
0.4 pCi/L (Average outdoor radon level)
Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be higher. * Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003). ** Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports.

What about radon in Richmond?

Here is a chart of average radon test results in and around Richmond.  The EPA considers Richmond, Henrico, New Kent, Charles and Prince George as low potential zones but they recommend radon testing regardless of zones. Goochland, Powhatan, Chesterfield, Hopewell and Petersburg are in Zone 3, which is the high potential zone. Average test results in this zone are above 4 pCi/L which should be mitigated for health reasons. We recommend testing your home regardless of location.

Radon in Richmond Virginia
Radon in Richmond Virginia

What now?

Radon does not have to be scary. Give us a call and let us test your home for radon. We test for radon in Richmond, Henrico, New Kent, Charles, Goochland, Powhatan, Chesterfield, Hopewell and Petersburg.  If the tests are above 4 pCi/L, we will perform another test.  Two tests above 4 pCi/L and the EPA recommends having a radon mitigation system installed in your home. Here is a standard radon mitigation system

Radon mitigation
Radon mitigation

What is Radon?

Is there Radon in Richmond?

Is there Radon in Chesterfield?

Is there Radon in Dinwiddie?

Is there Radon in Goochland?

 

 

 

Is there Radon in Chesterfield?

The Radon concentration level at which the EPA recommends mitigating for is 4 pCi/L and above. Results from airchek.com estimate that around 28% of homes in Chesterfield have concentration levels that require mitigation. 22% of homes in Chesterfield have concentration levels that you should consider mitigating for. Call us at 804-269-4321 to get your home tested for Radon.

VA_Chesterfield    Results under 2 pCi/L    Results between 2 and 3.9 pCi/L

   Results 4 pCi/L and above

 

Virginia Radon Zones

Radon Risk in Chesterfield Virginia

Radon Risk in Chesterfield Virginia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is Radon?

Is there Radon in Richmond?

Is there Radon in Chesterfield?

Is there Radon in Dinwiddie?

Is there Radon in Goochland?

What is radon?

According the EPA ,Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas.  It is a gas that decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As they break down further, these particles release small  bursts of energy. This can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer over the course of your lifetime.

Radon Particle

How does radon enter your home?

Radon breaks down into a gas from Uranium which is found in almost all soils. The gas is able to travel through the soil and into your home through cracks in the foundation, expansion joints or gaps in the foundation, gaps or voids in the subfloor, contaminated water, and even granite counter tops.  The radon gets trapped in the house and many factors can determine its concentration levels.

Radon Entry Points

 

What is the risk in living with radon?

Radon causes 20,000 lung cancer deaths a year. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It is second only to smoking.  If you smoke, or are exposed to second hand smoke, and you are exposed to radon, your chances to get lung cancer are significantly increased. The EPA as provided these charts to represent the risks associated with radon exposure.

Radon Risk If You Smoke

Radon Level

If 1,000 people who smoked were exposed to this level over a lifetime*…

The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**…

WHAT TO DO: Stop smoking and…

20 pCi/L About 260 people could get lung cancer 250 times the risk of drowning Fix your home
10 pCi/L About 150 people could get lung cancer 200 times the risk of dying in a home fire Fix your home
8 pCi/L About 120 people could get lung cancer 30 times the risk of dying in a fall Fix your home
4 pCi/L About 62 people could get lung cancer 5 times the risk of dying in a car crash Fix your home
2 pCi/L About 32 people could get lung cancer 6 times the risk of dying from poison Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L
1.3 pCi/L About 20 people could get lung cancer (Average indoor radon level) (Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult.)
0.4 pCi/L About 3 people could get lung cancer (Average outdoor radon level)
Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be lower. * Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003). ** Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports.

Radon Risk If You’ve Never Smoked

Radon Level

If 1,000 people who never smoked were exposed to this level over a lifetime*…

The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**…

WHAT TO DO:

20 pCi/L About 36 people could get lung cancer 35 times the risk of drowning Fix your home
10 pCi/L About 18 people could get lung cancer 20 times the risk of dying in a home fire Fix your home
8 pCi/L About 15 people could get lung cancer 4 times the risk of dying in a fall Fix your home
4 pCi/L About 7 people could get lung cancer The risk of dying in a car crash Fix your home
2 pCi/L About 4 person could get lung cancer The risk of dying from poison Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L
1.3 pCi/L About 2 people could get lung cancer (Average indoor radon level) (Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult.)
0.4 pCi/L (Average outdoor radon level)
Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be higher. * Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003). ** Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports.

What about radon in Richmond?

Here is a chart of average radon test results in and around Richmond.  The EPA considers Richmond, Henrico, New Kent, Charles and Prince George as low potential zones but they recommend radon testing regardless of zones. Goochland, Powhatan, Chesterfield, Hopewell and Petersburg are in Zone 3, which is the high potential zone. Average test results in this zone are above 4 pCi/L which should be mitigated for health reasons. We recommend testing your home regardless of location.

Radon in Richmond Virginia
Radon in Richmond Virginia

What now?

Radon does not have to be scary. Give us a call and let us test your home for radon. We test for radon in Richmond, Henrico, New Kent, Charles, Goochland, Powhatan, Chesterfield, Hopewell and Petersburg.  If the tests are above 4 pCi/L, we will perform another test.  Two tests above 4 pCi/L and the EPA recommends having a radon mitigation system installed in your home. Here is a standard radon mitigation system

Radon mitigation
Radon mitigation
Chesterfield home inspector explains effervescence I have had it! My ability to remain collected, and composed in the face of absurdity has, for the present moment, left me.  Why? I am sick of hearing, and seeing home inspectors in Richmond, use the word effervescence. Effervescence is the process of bubbling as gas escapes a liquid. Perhaps we all witnessed some effervescence last night during our New Year festivities, as we unplugged our bottles of champagne. Effervescence can even mean lively or charismatic. Perhaps you experienced that last night as well. Regardless of which definition you apply to it, it does not mean what many home inspectors believe it means, and it is driving me nuts!

What word are these home inspectors actually reaching for? Efflorescence! Chesterfield home inspector To keep it simple, efflorescence is the white powdery substance found on porous building materials such as masonry walls. As moisture moves through the wall, it brings salts with it, and as the water evaporates, it leaves behind the white substance. When a home inspector observes a significant amount of efflorescence, its an indication of a moisture problem. Since moisture is home enemy number one, the source of the moisture needs to be identified and measures taken to remove the source. The efflorescence itself is harmless, but where we find a lot of efflorescence, we also find mold, termites or other moisture damage.

 

 

Chesterfield Home Inspector The moisture can come from not having gutters,having gutter downspouts terminate too close to the home, running sprinklers too long, or even up from the ground.  Most home inspectors can generate an accurate hypothesis on the origins of the moisture, but it is beyond the scope of an inspection to definitively determine the origins, or prescribe a repair. The point is, a home inspector should be able to properly identify, explain, and assign the