Within a month of each other I filled two spas and tested them. But then I drained them and one leaked into the dining room and the other onto the porch! Foreclosure properties present hazards whenever I turn on the water or gas to the house. I position realtors and clients on each level to shout out warnings to me so I can turn off supply valves immediately. Just the other day I had completed several hours of an inspection in a big house when all four upstairs smoke detec

If you don't know what these things are click on them and be taken to Home Depot's new aggregation of all things Internet of Things, which is the future. Which, as always, can be scary. Just heard some discussion at the hackers' conference where they were easily able to get passwords for smart locks and take over control of automatic cars. Yeah, but new gadgets can be lots of fun! That's the secret to life, right? Always try to have fun doing something you really care ab

Radon is a decay product of Uranium, which has 92 protons. Lose six and you get Radon. Lose four more and you quit with Lead (82). Radon (86) decays into Polonium with 84 protons. Polonium is what Marie Curie found in pitch blend, she named it after her native Poland, but her exposure to it gave her leukemia and killed her... after she was the first to ever get a Nobel in Chemistry and Physics! Polonium releases alpha particles, two protons and two neutrons, a Helium nuc

This kit also requires a $40 lab fee for putting the fibers under a microscope. It may allieviate some concern whether those ceiling tiles that are falling down have asbestos in them. If they do it will require specialized safety equipment (bunny suits) to remove them. Asbestos is only a danger if it's particalized and inhaled. Asbestos is also common in old floor tiles. Click on image for link. #detectors

Video doorbell can be operated from anywhere with your smartphone! Not home? Say you can't come to the door now because the pitbulls are ornery! Click here for link! #detectors #safety

This system costs $15 a month...that's it! No wires, total control from your phone. SimpliSafe. Click on image for link. #detectors #safety

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A PHOTOELECTRIC SENSOR. LOOK FOR A "P" ON THE PACKAGE. Smoke detectors are now recommended in each bedroom, hallway and each floor. They are to be placed not less than 4 nor more than 12 inches from a corner (presumably because smoke adheres to walls as it rises). Combination smoke/CO detectors are now available. Note also continunous radon detectors can be purchased (see previous post on this blog). Now all we need are detectors that will beep right

This device uses your home wifi to call you if your ordinary detectors start beeping! Other systems require their own wireless devices at a significantly higher cost! Just plug it in and download the app! Click on image for link. #detectors #safety

Paints used before 1978 may have lead in them. If it's not pealing and won't be disturbed then it's no problem. However, if you are going to renovate, workers will have to wear bunny suits and respirators. This inexpensive test gives instant results. Click on image for link. #detectors #safety

Mold is everywhere! Get those towels totally dry! Spray bleach down the overflow holes in your sinks! Use bleach spray or Softscrub with bleach on your tubs every week! Most of all, keep that fresh air coming in! It's the airborne spores that get you...if they are sucked outside they can't grow more mold nor harm you presently. These kits promise results that previously required a sample be sent to a lab, in five minutes! Click on image for link. #mold #detectors #safety

Who doesn't love data? These monitors help you stay in control of your family's safety! Radon amelioration is all about improving venitilation. There are many benefits of improving air flow in your basement and/or crawlspace... getting rid of moisture, spores, combustion materials and radon. Be sure to check out the fans designed for this on previous blog posts at this site. For radon, usually a vent pipe is placed in the sump and a fan run continuously. Sometimes, just