Uniondale, NY

Attic spaces are useful in a variety of ways. Some people use it for storage and some turn them into habitable living space. They are often used to run electrical wires, as well as duct work for A/C units. What I mostly find is some contractors and diyer's use them to hide their shoddy attic work. An example is an inspection I did in a condo, the attic was used as a venting space for the bathrooms and clothe dryer on the first and second level.

The picture below shows the bathroom vent just short of extending through the roof. Why cut the hole for the vent if its not going to be used? All the warm moist air from the bathroom can result in mold growth on the roof Sheathing and other wood supports. Also if some one walks on the roof, lets say for repairs and they step on the cut out area of the sheathing, it can result in a break or tear in the shingle resulting in a leak. This one venting problem turns into many. The picture on the right shows how the sheathing is cut too big for the vent pipe, not only that but its going through the shingle with no flashing on the roof!

The roof sheathing is also an area of concern. Spray form is used through out. The sad part is the owner paid to have this kind of work done. Look at the photo on the bottom right. The person who did this cut the sheathing too short and filled the void with spray foam. Even in this the job is shoddy. If you look closely at the pink insulation it's dark at the top. This indicates moisture from the gap or perhaps due to the bathroom and dryer venting in the attic creating fungal growth. And look at all the nails used in this one area - shoddy work.

Then I found more spray foam in a number of places going the length of the roof sheathing. What happened to tongue and groove?

When venting it's important to avoid sharp bends such as 90 degree bends. It can create puff back resulting in toxic fumes coming back into furnace and into the living space. The picture below shows two sharp bends that can result in problems for the heating unit and occupants.

The bad part about this too is that this condo is on the market in this condition. This is a classic example of what can hold up a sale. Having an inspection before you sell is a huge step in the right direction of avoiding delays.

What's in the attic? Your home inspector will spend a good amount of time there, because shoddy attic work can be costly.

Fire extinguishers can give a measure of safety in the work place and even in the home for those who have them. Inspecting them monthly is a must to ensure they work properly if needed. In the previous post I wrote that one of the first things when inspecting a fire extinguisher is identifying its location, and making sure it is easily accessible. The picture to the left is an example of a clearly visible and easily accessible extinguisher. Not knowing where one is when its needed can be costly even deadly because any delay could sadly result in loss of life and/or property.

How To Use Them

Knowing how to use an extinguisher is just as important as inspecting them. To keep it simple, remember the word PASS. Remembering this four letter word is the key to using the extinguisher safely and effectively.

• P- means pull the safety ring pin
• A- aim at the base of the fire. Aim the water or chemical at the bottom never at the top of the flames.
• S- squeeze the lever
• S- sweep side to side

Before doing the above, make sure you stand at a safe distance from the flames. Aiming at the base of the flames rather than at the top will likely smother the flames from the material that's burning.

Another tip is to be sure not to get trapped between the flames and a wall, or locked door. Remember, with portable extinguishers there's only a short period of time to fight a small fire. Depending on the size of the fire extinguisher, anywhere from 30-60 seconds is all there is. Also depending on what's burning, flames can spread quickly, so being aware of your position is very important. More important information can be found from the N.F.P.A. National Fire Protection Association. They can give more information on how to use a portable fire extinguisher.

Safety in the workplace and in the home is something everyone must be concerned with. Hiring an inspector for your home or business is a step in the right direction. Home inspectors with commercial qualifications will be on the look out for any safety issues as well as defects, and will be able to advise you on how to correct them.

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Wikipedia - Uniondale, NY: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniondale,_New_York

BRIAN BUFFINI'S SUCCESS SEMINAR

This morning, I was excited to attend Brian Buffini's Success Seminar held, close to home, at the Marriott in Uniondale.

Although, it was a gray and rainy day, there was a large turnout and the crowd was eager to hear what he had to say.

If you've never had the pleasure of hearing Brian Buffini teach, then I can attest to the fact that he's a dynamic, motivational speaker with a noticeable Irish accent and a terrific sense of humor.

Time moved very quickly during the program. The audience was riveted to the front of the room while Buffini delivered his practical, no-nonsense approach to success in this New Era of Real Estate.

As Buffini spoke about the opportunities in today's market:

• less competition
• rockbottom prices
• low rates

he pointed out common pitfalls (time wasters and energy drainers) found even amongst the most established real estate agents.

His final message was the hope that, come Monday morning, we would all be running our businesses a little differently.

HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY HOSTS CONFERENCE AND EXPO - AGING IN PLACE IN SUBURBIA: STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

Wednesday, August 24th, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free Admission

Registration for the conference closed over a week ago but some of the presentations will be streamed into the expo area via closed-circuit television. The expo is open to the public and expects to showcase dozens of programs, products and services for the elderly.

According to Long Island's Newsday (8/23/11), the dignitaries expected (one of whom is Senator Kirsten Gillibrand D-NY) will be speaking about such relevant topics as access to transportation, health, social and other services for residents 60 and older.

Project Independence Website

I would strongly urge you to visit the above website for the answers to frequently asked questions regarding senior issues and programs available in the Town of North Hempstead.