Septic Tank Maintenance

Septic Systems

1. Have your septic system inspected at least every three years.

2. Pump your septic tank as needed (generally every three to five years).

3. Don’t dispose of household hazardous wastes in sinks or toilets.

4. Keep other household items, such as dental floss, feminine hygiene products,  diapers, and cat litter out of your system.

5. Use water efficiently.

6.Plant only grass over and near your septic system. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs might clog and damage the system.

7. Also, do not apply manure or fertilizers over the drain field.

8. Keep vehicles and livestock off your septic system. The weight can damage the pipes and tank, and your system may not drain properly under compacted soil.

9. Keep gutters and basement sump pumps from draining into or near your septic     system.

10.  Check with your local health department before using additives. Commercial septic tank additives do not eliminate the need for periodic pumping and can be harmful to your system.

How does it work? 

A typical septic system has four main components: a pipe from the home, a septic tank, a  drain field, and the soil. Microbes in the soil digest or remove most contaminants from wastewater before it reaches groundwater. The septic tank is a buried, watertight container typically made of concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene. It holds the wastewater long enough to allow solids to settle out (forming sludge) and oil and grease to float to the surface (as scum). It also allows partial decomposition of the solid materials. Compartments and a T-shaped outlet in the septic tank prevent the sludge and scum from leaving the tank and traveling into the drain field area. The wastewater exits the septic tank and is discharged into the drain field for further treatment by the soil. Microorganisms in the soil provide final treatment by removing harmful bacteria, viruses, and nutrients.

                                                                                                                                                         

 A key reason to maintain your septic system is to save money! Failing septic systems are expensive to repair or replace, and poor maintenance is often the problem. Having your septic system inspected  is a bargain when you consider the cost of replacing the entire system. Your system will need pumping every 3 to 5 years, depending on how many people live in the house and the size of the system. An unusable septic system or one in disrepair will lower your property’s value and could pose a legal liability. Other good reasons for safe treatment of sewage include preventing the spread of infection an disease and protecting water resources

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Home Maintenance Tips

TO DO	SPRING	SUMMER	FALL	WINTER
INSPECT FOUNDATION,CRAWL SPACE, BASEMENT FOR CRACKS	X
CLEAN GUTTERS	X
CHECK ALL ALARM SYSTEMS (SMOKE, CARBON MONOXIDE, ETC)		X		X
SERVICE HEATING & COOLING SYSTEMS	X
CHECK ALL VENTILATION SYSTEMS IN KITCHEN AND BATHES				X
REPLACE FILTERS IN HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS	X	X	X	X
CHECK ATTIC FOR VENTILATION AND MOISTURE SPOTS		X
CLEAN THE DRYER VENTS		X		X
CHECK ROOF FOR DAMAGED SHINGLES AND LOOSE FLASHING	X		X
PREPARE OUTSIDE WATER SOURCES FOR WINTER			X
INSPECT EXTERIOR WALLS FOR CRACKING AND WEAR	X
CHECK FOR PLUMBING LEAKS		X
REPLACE WORN FAUCET WASHERS		X
INSPECT ALL ELECTRICAL CORDS, PLUGS & WALL PLATES	X	X	X	X
INSPECT CLOTHES WASHER HOSES FOR LEAKS		X
CLEAN CHIMNEY AND CHECK FOR OVERHANGING TREE LIMBS		X

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Indiana Home Inspector Talks About Hiring An Experienced Roofer

Don’t let amatuer contractors fix your roof.   Paying the wrong person could cost you thousands of dollars in repairs later.  Be sure to hire an experienced roofer to make repairs on your roof.  Extensive patching as seen in this picture can lead to a high maintenance nightmare.    A typical asphalt shingle has a life expectancy of 15-40 years, depending on the quality of the shingle.  According to  your budget and preference, asphalt shingles are available in three tab or architectural and  in a wide variety of colors.

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Facts About Lead Paint

Facts about lead

 Lead exposure can harm young children and babies even before they are born. Even children who seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies.  You can get lead in your body by breathing or swallowing lead dust, or by eating soil or paint chips containing lead.  You have many options for reducing lead hazards. In most cases, lead-based paint that is in good condition is not a hazard.  Removing lead-based paint improperly can increase the danger to your family. Childhood lead poisoning remains a major environmental health problem in the United States.

Lead is more dangerous to children because:

·          Babies and young children often put their hands and other objects in their mouths. These objects can have lead dust on them.

·          Children’s growing bodies absorb more lead.

·          Children’s brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.

If not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from:

·          Damage to the brain and nervous system

·          Behavior and learning problems, such as hyperactivity

·          Slowed growth

·          Hearing problems

·          Headaches

Lead is also harmful to adults. Adults can suffer from:

·          Reproductive problems (in both men and women)

·          High blood pressure and hypertension

·          Nerve disorders

·          Memory and concentration problems

·          Muscle and joint pain

  In general, lead is usually found in older homes, the older the home the more likely it has lead-based paint.

·          Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. The federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978. Some states stopped its use even earlier. Lead can be found: In homes in the city, country, or suburbs. In apartments, single-family homes, and both private and public housing. Inside and outside of the house.

·          In soil around a home. Soil can pick up lead from exterior paint, or other sources such as past use of leaded gas in cars, and children playing in yards can ingest or inhale lead dust.

·          Household dust. Dust can pick up lead from deteriorating lead-based paint or from soil tracked into a home.

·          Drinking water. Your home might have plumbing with lead or lead solder. Call your local health department or water supplier to find out about testing your water. You cannot see, smell or taste lead, and boiling your water will not get rid of lead. If you think your plumbing might have lead in it: Use only cold water for drinking and cooking. Run water for 15 to 30 seconds before drinking it, especially if you have not used your water for a few hours.

·          The job. If you work with lead, you could bring it home on your hands or clothes. Shower and change clothes before coming home. Launder your work clothes separately from the rest of your family’s clothes.

·          Old painted toys and furniture.

·          Food and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain. Food can become contaminated because lead can leach in from these containers.

·          Lead smelters or other industries that release lead into the air.

·          Hobbies that use lead, such as making pottery or stained glass, or refinishing furniture.

·          Folk remedies that contain lead, such as “greta” and “azarcon” used to treat an upset stomach.

 Lead from paint chips, which you can see, and lead dust, which you can’t always see, can be serious hazards.

·          Peeling, chipping, chalking, or cracking lead-based paint is a hazard and needs immediate attention.

·          Lead-based paint may also be a hazard when found on surfaces that children can chew or that get a lot of wear-and-tear. These areas include:

·          Windows and window sills.

·          Doors and door frames.

·          Stairs, railings, and banisters.

·          Porches and fences.

Note: Lead-based paint that is in good condition is usually not a hazard.

·          Lead dust can form when lead-based paint is dry scraped, dry sanded, or heated.

 

 

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Kentuckiana Crawl Space Findings:

Is your crawl space in good shape?

Having a professional home inspection done by a licensed home inspector in Indiana can uncover many different issues in the crawl space area including the following:

Cracked Floor Joist and Band Boards

Standing Water

Plumbing Issues

Termites and Damage

Structural Issues

Rodent Infestation

Certainty Home Inspections services New Albany, Jeffersonville, Clarksville, Sellersburg, Floyd Knobs, Georgetown, Salem, Madison, Bedford, and Seymour areas.  To book your inspection today call 866-417-9591.

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Termites In Kentuckiana

Termite Facts :

• Live for 15 years
• Have 4 wings
• Lay 1 egg every 15 seconds
• Burrow tiny mud tunnels to a source of wood
• Leave sawdust near windows
• Enjoy wood resulting from leaky plumbing
• Can destroy entire house in about 2-3 years
• Found in every U.S. state except Alaska
• Help the food chain by recycling wood for the soil

It is often difficult to determine the difference between termites and ants. Termites have two pair of wings (front and back) and are of almost equal length. Ants also have two pair of wings but the fore wings are much larger than the hind wings.

Also, termites have relatively straight antennae while ants have elbowed antennae.

• Ants generally do not swarm at the same time as termites, but it can happen.
• Termites have a thick waist and ants have a narrow waist
• Termites have straight antennae and ants have elbowed antennae
• Termites have four wings that are all equal in length
• Ants have four wings, however, two are larger and two are smaller

 

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