Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector

Are Go and Blow Duct Suckers Sucking the Money Out of Your Pocket?

We have all seen their coupons in the coupon clipper magazines. Many folks in the industry refer to them as go and blow duct suckers. They go into your home, blow dust around, and suck the money right out of your pocket. So is air duct cleaning really worth the investment? The answer is yes, if you have the right company do the work.

The EPA recommends air ducts be cleaned every 5-7 years and they should be inspected every 2 years especially if you have floor vents. Floor mounted air duct supply registers will capture more biological contaminants while horizontal mounted air duct supply registers will capture more debris. Supply vents in high traffic areas like bathrooms and kitchens will capture more contaminations and biohazards whether they be horizontal or floor mounted. These biohazards can be circulated throughout your home through the air ducts and circulation system.

New construction is not exempt. Builders do not want to talk about dirt in the boots and ductwork system. Subcontractors toss everything into the air ducts. I have found anything from last weeks lunch to discarded coveralls in the supply and return air ducts. Given the right conditions, mold will grow on the dirt and contaminants.

If you are considering haveing your air ducts cleaned, and to protect yourself from these blow go and blow duct suckers check their credentials:
1. Are they members of IAQ (Indoor air Quality Association)
2. Are they Certified ASCS (air systems cleaning specialist)
3. Are they members of ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America)? Members are top rated for the restoration of air systems and ducts.
4. Are they members of NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association)
5. Always ask for references

What do they do?
1. Do they cover your furniture to protect it from cross contamination?
2. Do they set up containment to ensure no cross contamination enters the living space?
3. Do they remove vent covers, wash and dry them?
4. Do they repair loose air ducts and boots?
5. Do they properly re-install vent covers?
6. Do they clean the exterior of the air handler if it is an interior installation?
7. Do they clean evaporator coil, coil drain pans and blower wheel? In some states, only certified HVAC contractors can do this.
8. Do they fog the system if it has evidence of microbial contamination (micro-biocide).

Air ducts cannot be sanitized. Depending upon the state, if a biocide is used in air ducts, the applicator must have a pest control license. Check with your city or state licensing boards. The company should have a MSDS sheet on all the products they use. Ask for copies. By following this simple guideline, you can keep Go and Blow Duct Suckers from Sucking the Money Out of Your Pocket.

© 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com
Helping YOU Live YOUR American Dream...

Inspection Photo of the Day ~ Recycled Building Materials...

With times being what they are, as a professional home inspector in the Nashville, TN real estate market, I often see used building materials being recycled. If the material is in good usable condition, I really think that this is a great idea and great for the environment. However, taking used building material and putting something together in a "Willie-Nillie" fashion just because some unsuspecting buyer doesn't know any difference is a different story.

Whether you are using new or used building materials, if you are doing a reconstruction, it must meet current building standards for the Nashville area. Since this property will not be inspected by the "codes" department, the buyers decided to get an independent home inspection. Here is a list of what was found with just the steps:

1. Open risers on the steps
2. Treads not properly secured
3. Handrail height too low
4. Top plate on the handrails improperly constructed
5. Incorrect spindle spacing

I strive to keep an open mind when inspecting older properties, because they are what they are. But some things really make me wonder if the contractor would have been better off using all new material instead of using recycled building materials.

© 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com
Helping YOU Live YOUR American Dream...

Helping YOU Live YOUR American Dream...

Inspection Photo of the Day ~ DIY Wiring...

DIY wiring kits come in all sizes and shapes from the novice do-it-your-selfer all the way up to the contractors grade kit. These kits come fully equipped with all the necessary tools, wiring and other gizmos one needs to completely and almost instantly tune any electrical circuit for smoke without really trying.

Take note of the nasty gash in the wiring sheathing done by this DIY unhandy man. This was most likely caused by using the wrong size drill bit in the DIY wiring kit. Because the unhandy dandy drilled the hole too small, the sheathing was damaged when the semi-unskilled tradesman tugged and tugged to get the last bit if wiring through the hole. Tsk! Tsk!

And, to make matters worse, the DIY unhandy dandy forgot to use the roll of handy-dandy electrical tape included in the DIY wiring kit to fix the boo boo but didn't. Tsk! Tsk!

After the laundry room burns to a crisp, maybe they will get a professional to do it right next time. Ya think?

Still think that you don't need an inspection when you are purchasing real estate? Guess again...

© 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com
Helping YOU Live YOUR American Dream...

Helping YOU Live YOUR American Dream...