Helpful Web Sites

Aluminum Wiring Information Website - www.inspect-ny.com A very detailed web site on the problems of small sized, #10 & #12, solid aluminum wiring in residential homes. It also includes information on problems with connector retrofits.

CPSC - Aluminum Wiring Fix Still Available This (CPSC) Consumer Product Safety Commission document is announcing that the Tyco AMP COPALUM connector system will be manufactured until 2005. CPSC - Aluminum Wiring Repair is a PDF format document from the CPSC describing repair techniques for aluminum wire.

Tyco - COPALUM Aluminum Wire Connectors Tyco Electronics, who manufactures the COPALUM connector system, provides product information on this web page.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide Detectors Can Save Lives This (CPSC) Consumer Product Safety Commission document recommends the use of CO detectors to decrease the risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Also, the article Carbon Monoxide Questions and Answers and the brochure The "Invisible" Killer give practical and helpful information.

Protect Your Family and Yourself from CO Poisoning A practical list from the EPA of Do's and Don'ts related to carbon monoxide. Also, information on CO detectors.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning A very practical web site on preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. Information and Web Site Links on Appliance Safety, CO Medical Information, Portable Gas Heater Safety, CO Detectors, Caravan Safety, and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

Bacharach's Training Room Bacharach is a manufacturer of CO testing equipment, with detailed information for technicians.

Chimney & Fireplace

Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) Helpful information on Masonry Chimneys, Carbon Monoxide Hazards, Chimney Fires, Chemical Chimney Cleaners, Wood Stoves and Inserts, Factory Built Fireplaces, Gas Logs, and Finding a Certified Chimney Sweep.

The National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) A professional and trade organization for Chimney Sweeps and the founding organization for the CSIA. Contains a NCSG Members Locator Search Engine.

Chimneys: Safety Alert An article from the (CPSC) Consumer Product Safety Commission which gives statistical information on the most common reasons for chimney fires in the home, along with practical suggestions on prevention.

Standards for Design & Construction - NFPA 211 How to order a publication on chimney & fireplace design prepared by the (NFPA) National Fire Protection Association.

Hearth Products A detailed web site on the selection and the use of wood burning stoves, gas logs, and chimney design. Hearth Net is sponsored by various manufacturers.

Un-Vented Gas Logs This is part of a particular article found on Hearth Products that deals with the concerns about un-vented gas log fireplaces.

Earthquake Protection

This area of Tennessee, located near the Appalachian mountains, has the potential for seismic activity. These brochures from the Institute for Business & Home Safety, gives some good suggestions on how to make your home safer & stronger.

Is Your Home Protected? A Homeowner's Guide to Earthquake Retrofit - 36 pages.pdf

Protect Your Home Against Earthquake Damage - 2 pages, pdf

Electricity

This particular web page of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) gives access to a group of very practical articles on electrical safety: Electrical Safety Publications

Home Inspection Recommendations

Independent Home Inspectors of North America web site gives compelling reason for a buyer to be cautious of a home inspector that is recommended by the real estate agent.

Freddie Mac - Examine the House Before making an offer on a house, do a preliminary examination. Look for cracks and shifting, leaks & water marks, damp smells & mildew, drafts, roof condition & age, property drainage, water quality, pressure, and sewer problems.

Freddie Mac - Homebuyer Education Freddie Mac, a congressionally chartered organization, contains wise recommendations in regard to home inspections and home financing.

ASHI - Welcome Homebuyers and Sellers - FAQ (ASHI) American Society of Home Inspectors web page containing recommendations on the importance of using a home inspector, and how to obtain a list of ASHI inspectors in your area at Inspector Search Results.

Moisture, Mold, & Wood Rot

Wood Moisture Content The University of Clemson Extension office provides a clear explanation of WMC, and what are safe levels.

There's No Such Thing as Dry Rot A very practical explanation of how wood can not rot without the presence of moisture. Also, a basic description of wood preservatives.

University of Clemson Extension articles:

A group of practical, straightforward articles on controlling moisture in the home:

Questions and Answers on Stachybotrys chartarum and other molds (CDC) Centers for Disease Control web page on questions and answers concerning the Stachybotrys chartarum mold and acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants.

A Brief Guide to Mold (EPA) US Environmental Protection Agent booklet entitled: "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home."

Indoor Air - Mold Resources An EPA web page on Basic Mold Clean Up, Ten Things You Should Know About Mold, Asthma and Mold, Floods/Flooding, Health and Mold, Indoor Air Regulations and Mold, and Other Mold Related Resources and Links.

Controlling Mold and Mildew An article from APA - The Engineered Wood Association on how to build a better home that will be mold resistant. A practical guide on the sources of moisture that come from both inside and outside the house.

Product Recalls (CPSC)

Find Recalled Products at CPSC

Find articles by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on a large variety of products that have been found to be defective. Items such as dishwashers, ovens & ranges, furnaces, CO detectors, electric wall heaters, metal fireplaces, microwave/hoods, attic ladders, surge arresters, GFCI circuit breakers, gas water heaters, and smoke detectors.

Radon

A Citizen's Guide to Radon - (EPA) US Environmental Protection Agency. A 16 page brochure on the basic issues concerning radon hazards, detection, myths, and remediation.

Radon Publications - (EPA) US Environmental Protection Agency. A web page giving access to a variety of publications dealing with radon.

TDEC Radon Program (TDEC) The State of Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation web site on radon in Tennessee. Free radon test kits available.

Health Physics Society - Position Statement on Radon The Health Physics Society, a non-profit scientific professional organization of scientists, physicians, engineers, and others who promote the practice of radiation safety. In their position statement, in items #2 & #6, they propose that the EPA should raise the recommended mitigation level to "tens of pCi/L and greater."

Resource Directory - ASHI

Technical and Information Resources (ASHI) This webpage from the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) contains 30 categories with a total of 462 links to other web sites that deal with technical aspects of the home inspection process.

Roofing Materials

Inspecting Asphalt Shingles (ASHI) This is a nine page article from the May 2002 ASHI REPORTER on how to inspect asphalt composition shingles, which is the predominant residential roofing material.

CoolMetalRoofing.org encourages the use of metal roofing and related products as a means of energy conservation. They provide a group of Research Papers on the advantages of metal roofs.

Septic Systems

Maintaining Your Septic System- A Guide for Homeowners is an easy to read comprehensive brochure, produced by Pipeline, on how to maintain your system and what should be inspected.

NSFC Septic News A very straight forward web site devoted to the basics of septic systems, from West Virginia University.

Septic Systems - What you need to know A quick reading one page question and answer sheet from the North Carolina Extension Service.

Septic System Construction Permit The State of Tennessee web site explains the permit requirements of building a private septic system.

The Septic System Information Website A very comprehensive web site from a home inspector who has researched septic systems in great detail.

Synthetic Stucco - EIFS

EIMA Web Site - EIFS Industry Members Association web site provides a description of the Exterior Insulation Finish System (EIFS), along with advocating the use of synthetic stucco, and addressing the concerns associated with this product. The EIMA Guide to EIFS Construction provides recommended detailing.

EDI - Exterior Design Institute - EIFS The Exterior Design Institute is a non-profit organization founded for the purpose of training and certifying Third Party EIFS Inspectors.

dspInspections.com This is a detailed web page of a home inspector in Rochester MN, providing some good insights on the EIFS problem.

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