by Southwest Premier on January 20, 2011
DEFECT: Mold in Air Conditioning Air Handler
Mold in general can be dangerous to deal with, however when you have it inside and air conditioner it compounds the problem.
Inside an air conditioner is a naturally humid place, as the air conditioner operates it pulls moisture out of the air. Moisture removed by the air conditioner should drain to the exterior via the condensate drain line. If an air conditioner is not draining properly (or even if it is), the high humidity can foster a breeding ground for mold.
The air conditioner in the photos below had a capped off condensate drain line so the moisture could not drain away. Mold proliferated inside of this air conditioner and was spread throughout the duct system due to the air handler fan. This creates a major hazard as the mold becomes airborne and is distributed throughout the entire home.
Remediation of a mold problem like this can be quite entailed. Not only does the root of the problem need to be fixed but the ducts need to be cleaned and any mold spread throughout the home also needs to be removed. Replacement of the air conditioner is often required in this type of situation since it can be nearly impossible to clean all of the mold out of it.
If you have mold in your air conditioner, it is recommend that you contact a professional remediation company immediately to take care of it. This is one of those jobs that is better left to the pros!
-
-
Mold in air conditioner
-
-
Mold in air handler
This information was provided courtesy of Southwest Premier Home Inspection, LLC. Reproduction in any form is not permitted without consent. Copyright 2008-2010 Southwest Premier Home Inspection, LLC.
Southwest Premier Home Inspection is the Phoenix Arizona Home Inspection leader. To find out more visit our Phoenix Home Inspection website www.swpHomeInspect.com
by Southwest Premier on January 19, 2011
DEFECT: Hail Damaged Roof Shingles
Recently in the Phoenix area we experienced a storm that was accompanied by allot of hail and damaging winds. Numerous homes in the Phoenix area were damaged by this hail and wind. Identifying this hail damage can be easy on some homes that were heavily damaged and more difficult on homes that received moderate hail.
Hail can severely damage roofing shingles (and roofs of all types) requiring replacement of the entire roof. Typically it takes hail of approximately 3/4″ in diameter or larger to damage roofing shingles, however there are other factors involved. The direction of travel, velocity due to the wind, age of the shingles and quality of the shingles can all play a role.
Shingles are composed primarily of a piece of substrate, such as fiberglass, cellulose or other material that is dipped into asphalt (this creates the mat) and then coated with granules. The granules protect the asphalt from the sun and elements.
When a large hailstone hits a shingle it can damage the mat, which is the “foundation” of the shingle. Once the mat is damaged, there is no adequate repair that can be accomplished to the affected shingle. At the impact sites, the granules are dislodged from the asphalt which will accelerate the deterioration of the shingle.
If you have a home or are buying a home with a shingled roof in the Phoenix area, I recommend you have the roof inspected to determine if there is hail damage. The hail storms were widespread throughout the entire Phoenix area and there were pockets all over that produced damaging hail. Hail damage can be nearly impossible to see from the ground.
I have see homes with roofs that were installed the week before the hail storm that were damaged and needed replaced again, even a new roof cannot withstand damaging hail.
This information was provided courtesy of Southwest Premier Home Inspection, LLC. Reproduction in any form is not permitted without consent. Copyright 2008-2011 Southwest Premier Home Inspection, LLC.
Southwest Premier Home Inspection is the Phoenix Arizona Home Inspection leader. To find out more visit our Phoenix Home Inspection website www.swpHomeInspect.com
