Uncategorized Archives - Insight Environmental

How much lead does my home have?

Steven Ramos — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 00:25:16 +0000

Homes built prior to 1980 are likely to contain lead-based paint even though the actual ban was in place in 1978. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): 87% of pre-1940 contain lead-based paint; 69% of homes built between 1940-1959 contain lead-based paint 24% of homes built between 1960-1977 contain lead-based paint Lead can also be present in drinking water, soil and dust. Lead is very toxic to children, if … Continue Reading

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Creating Lead Hazards

Steven Ramos — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 16:52:01 +0000

Part two in the Series on Lead Based Paint Hazards In the last article I discussed the generalities of lead based paint hazards and what health effects it can have on children in particular. I am now going to move the discussion forward by discussing how easy it is to inadvertently create a lead hazard. I recall sitting in my first certification class listening to the instructor discuss how lead … Continue Reading

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Mold Certifications

Steven Ramos — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 22:48:29 +0000

Did you know that California does not regulate mold inspectors. The term mold certification is so watered down by tens of companies offering internet only or test only certifications that can be obtained in as little as a few hours. Literally, anyone with a flashlight, some spore trap cassettes and an air pump can start and operate a legal mold inspection business in California. As crazy as it sounds … Continue Reading

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Replacing Wax Toilet Ring – Part 2

Steven Ramos — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 23:12:52 +0000

Home Inspector Article: Replacing Wax Toilet Ring Part 2 This video is part 2 of 2 for the Replacing the wax ring to prevent water damage.

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Replacing Wax Ring for Leaking Toilet

Steven Ramos — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 23:10:41 +0000

Home Inspector Article: Replacing Wax Toilet Ring to Prevent Sub Floor Damage Preventing wood damage to a sub floor around a toilet is both easy and cost effective. I can’t share with you the number of loose and leaking toilet that I find during the course of the year while inspecting homes. Loose toilets is right up there with damp crawlspaces in terms of how many times I find the … Continue Reading

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Real Estate Sales and Marketing Tips 2013

Steven Ramos — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 05:13:59 +0000

Sales and Marketing Tip for 2013 Who doesn’t want more business? I think we are all in the same boat so to speak. We are looking to make 2013 the best possible year we can make it – financially speaking. To that end, I am making a commitment to update the Education Blog on a regular basis. My goal is to update it at least once per week or more … Continue Reading

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Home Inspector – Roofing Inspection

Steven Ramos — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 19:37:11 +0000

Home Inspectors perform roofing inspections during a home inspection. One type of roofing material that is often inspected is the asphalt shingle (aka composition roof). In this home inspection video blog I walk you through the basics of an asphalt shingle roof inspection I conducted in Petaluma Ca. A home inspector will often give a range of expected service life and this case roof is at the end of its … Continue Reading

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Vapor Barriers: Home Inspector Fact and Fiction

Steven Ramos — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 18:42:10 +0000

Vapor barriers are often recommended by home inspectors when moisture or evidence of moisture is observed in a crawlspace area. This is particularly true in many areas of Sonoma County including Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Cotati, Rohnert Park and other low lying areas with adobe soil. In many of these situations I see vapor barriers being recommended when there is evidence of standing water. When standing water is observed during a … Continue Reading

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The Power of Infrared Technology

Steven Ramos — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 00:26:35 +0000

There is cutting edge inspection technology available today that gives you the power to see what no one else can see. Before infrared technology that brown stain on the ceiling might be a leak in the roof, after infrared technology that brown stain,well, it just needs a little paint (because we verified using infrared powered technology that the leak is not active). That is just one example of how the … Continue Reading

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Moss, is it devouring your roof?

Steven Ramos — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 00:11:19 +0000

The black growth covering roofs is a fungus. This fungus, because it lacks chlorophyll, is unable to manufacture food from raw materials as other plants do. It must therefore get nutrition from some form of organic matter. When fungus receives its nutrition from dead organic matter, it is called a saprophyte. This particular fungus also requires a warm humid environment to thrive in. Now that we know what this growth … Continue Reading

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