Eragorn Northe

The purpose of this article is two fold. First, at Der Hous Inspector, we'd like you to take measures to keep your garage free from fire. Fortunately, there are ways this can be done, some of which are described below.

Secondly, garage fires do happen, and we'd like you to make sure that a fire cannot not easily spread to the rest of your house. While you can perform many of the recommendations in this article yourself, it is a good idea to hire an InterNACHI inspector to make sure your home is safe from a garage fire.

Why do many garages pose a fire hazard?

• Where are you most likely to do any welding, or any work on your car? These activities require working with all sorts of flammable materials.
• Water heaters and boilers are usually stored in garages, and they can create sparks that may ignite fumes or fluids. Car batteries, too, will spark under certain conditions.
• Oil and gasoline can drip from cars. These fluids may collect unnoticed and eventually ignite, given the proper conditions.
• Flammable liquids, such as gasoline, motor oil and paint are commonly stored in garages. Some other examples are brake fluid, varnish, paint thinner and lighter fluid.
  

Just got back from a Fantastic
Saskatchewan Building Officials Association Conference.

During this Conference We took part in learning/updating on:

*HRAI - Residential Mechanical Ventilation Course
- Basic Principles
- Duct Sizing
- AirFlow measurement & Balancing
- CO Detectors
- Air Presure Measurement Gauges
- Measuring Air Flow in Ducts
- Worksheets-
-Residential Mechanical Ventalation Record
-Mixed Air Temperature - Forced Warm Air Systems
Many more...
- Equipment Specifications
- HRV- Heat Recovery Ventilator- (different models)
- Kitchen Range Hoods
- Bath Fans

We were privlaged to take a great tour of a Modular Structure Builder Right in Swift Current,

* Modus Group of Companies, www.modusinc.ca

We then were able to learn about :

* ULC and UL (Underwriters Laboratories) Counterfeit labels found in Canada, and new ULC and UL products.

Then we had the opportunity to learn from:

* Uponor Plumbing Systems, in regards to Residential Sprinkler Systems, which are becoming mandatory in some jurisdictions in Canada.

* The entire event was fantastic, being able to talk with other people in the industry was Awsome!

A huge Thanks goes out to all that made this event happen with such Success, I look forward to the next Conference.

When your Looking for an inspector ask them what was the last course they took?

One of the easiest ways to reduce solar heat gain and subsequent energy costs is as simple as planting a tree. The strategic placement of trees, known as landscape shading or tree shading, is a technique used to provide shade from the warm summer sun. Unobstructed solar heat can significantly increase indoor air temperature, which will frustrate efforts to keep the house cool. However, appropriate tree placement can reduce indoor temperatures by up to 9° F(12° C) through evapotranspiration -- the process by which a plant releases water vapor -- as well as the shade provided by the tree.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), air temperatures directly under trees can be as much as 25° cooler than air temperatures above nearby blacktop. Also, shade trees can reduce cooling costs by as much as 10%, which is important because the average home devotes almost a fifth of its energy expenditure to cooling.

Researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the U.S. Department of Agriculture conducted the first large-scale study on landscape shading in 2007. In Sacramento, Calif., 460 houses were studied over the summer to discover whether well-placed shade trees could reduce energy costs, as well as atmospheric carbon. Their specific findings were as follows:

• Trees planted on the west and south sides of a house decreased summertime electricity use, while trees planted on the north actually increased energy consumption. Trees planted on the east side had no effect.
• Fast-growing trees are better energy-savers than slower-growing trees.
• Placement of the trees, particularly their proximity to the house, is a significant factor in their effectiveness as shade trees.
• One great performer was the London plane tree, which can reduce carbon emissions from summertime electricity use by an average of 31% over 100 years.
• The average household energy savings was approximately $25 for the summer. Consider, however, that the trees used in this study cost around $85 each, and each house used many of these trees. In optimal conditions, it will take 26 years for losses from the study to be recouped.

Adjustable Steel Columns

Adjustable steel columns, also known as screw jacks and beam jacks, are hollow steel posts designed to provide structural support. An attached threaded adjustment mechanism is used to adjust the height of the post.

A few facts about adjustable steel columns:

• They are usually found in basements.
• In some parts of North America, adjustable steel columns are called "lally columns," although this term sometimes applies to columns that are concrete-filled and non-adjustable.
• They can be manufactured as multipart assembles, sometimes called telescopic steel columns, or as single-piece columns.
  

The following are potentially defective conditions:

• The post is less than 3 inches in diameter. According to the 2006 International Residential Code (IRC), Section R407.3, columns (including adjustable steel columns)...
  
  "shall not be less than 3-inch diameter standard pipe."
  

Poles smaller than three inches violate the IRC, although they are not necessarily defective. A 2½-inch post may be adequate to support the load above it, while a 4-inch post can buckle if the load exceeds the structural capacity of the post. Structural engineers, not inspectors, decide whether adjustable steel posts are of adequate size.

• The post is not protected by rust-inhibitive paint. The IRC, in section R407.2, states,
  

All surfaces (inside and outside) of steel columns shall be given a shop coat of rust-inhibitive paint, except for corrosion-resistant steel and steel treated with coatings to provide corrosion resistance.

Inspectors will not be able to identify paint as rust-inhibitive. In dry climates where rust is not as much of a problem, rust-inhibitive paint may not be necessary. Visible signs of rust constitute a potential defect.

• The post is not straight. According to some sources, the maximum lateral displacement between the top and bottom of the post should not exceed 1 inch. However, tolerable lateral displacement is affected by many factors, such as the height and diameter of the post. The post should also not bend at its mid-point. Bending is an indication that the column cannot bear the weight of the house.
• The column is not mechanically connected to the floor. Inspectors may not be able to confirm whether a connection between the post and the floor exists if this connection has been covered by concrete.
• The column is not connected to the beam. The post should be mechanically connected to the beam above to provide additional resistance against lateral displacement.
• More than 3 inches of the screw thread is exposed.
• There are cracks in upstairs walls. This condition may indicate a failure of the columns.

In summary, InterNACHI inspectors may want to inspect adjustable steel columns for problems, although a structural engineer may be required to confirm serious issues.

Replacing Your Roof

The age of your roof is usually the major factor in determining when to replace it. Most roofs last many years, if properly installed, and often can be repaired rather than replaced. An isolated leak usually can be repaired. The average life expectancy of a typical residential roof is 15 to 20 years. Water damage to a home's interior or overhangs is commonly caused by leaks from a single weathered portion of the roof, poorly installed flashing, or from around chimneys and skylights. These problems do not necessarily mean you need a new roof.

Keep these points in mind if you plan to have your existing roofing materials replaced:

• Tile, metal, and slate are more expensive roofing materials, but if you need to replace your roofing anyway, it may be worthwhile to pay a little more for the added protection these materials provide.
• Slate and tile can be much heavier than asphalt shingles or wood shingles. If you are considering switching to one of these heavier coverings, your roofing contractor should determine whether the framing of your roof is strong enough to support them.

• If you live in an area where snow loads are a problem, consider switching to a modern standing-seam metal roof, which will usually shed snow efficiently.