New Albany Home Inspector Talks About Knob & Tube Wiring

Indiana Home Inspector Finds Mold On Basement Window Sills

This Southern Indiana home inspector found mold growing on the window ledge of a basement window sill. Book your mold inspection online today at Certainty Home Inspections

Best Home Inspection Company This Side Of The River!

Certainty Home Inspection in my opinion is one of the best inspection companies on this side of the river. They have always been fair, honest and very respectful of my buyers and sellers. My buyers love the ease of reading the inspection report and how they break things down for them. Certainty will be on the top of my list as recommended home inspectors. Kathy Striby Prudential Parks and Weisberg

Very Professional Indiana home inspection company

Very professional and thorough Indiana home inspection company.  William in my opinion is a top of the line home inspector.  I was very satisfied with my report. Great job!  Jon Reed New Albany Indiana

What A Company!

A great company to work with!  A lot of information was provided prior to booking the inspection.  They performed a very good inspection and expalined all areas of concern.  I would definitely use their services again.  Darrell Haire

Certainty Home Inspections serves all of  Southern Indiana

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

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.