G.C. Scheer Inspections and Testing, LLC

08/17/2024

Do I need to test?
My answer is "Trust, but verify" and is a powerful quote by Ronald Reagan that embodies a fundamental principle of human interaction and decision-making. President Reagan’s phrase was used in a different context, but also applies to purchasing a home, which is likely the biggest purchase of one’s life.

Bottom line up front: when buying a home, please get a home inspection and do whatever testing that makes sense. “Making sense” can be subjective, but read on and allow me to explain what I’ve seen over the years.

I’ve been inspecting properties for 26 years, with 16 full-time years following my military retirement. I’ve spent, literally, thousands of dollars to improve my capabilities with not only learning new building science requirements and techniques, but also certifications that made me the best at what I do.

This week I did a radon test for a first-time homebuyer but after they already purchased the home. A radon mitigation system was installed in the home 18 years ago (according to the label on the plumbing), and it was operating, but since the installation there was no indication any testing was performed, as recommended every two years, to ensure the system was still removing radon. Radon, btw, is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. The resultant test revealed radon levels much higher than acceptable limits. Now the new owners are stuck holding the bag for repairs.

Trusting professionals:
We count on professionals to lead us. We hire professionals for their ability to help us make informed decisions. We count on professionals to be exactly this: professional. We also trust professionals to reveal to us when something is outside the scope of their expertise.

The new homeowner was advised a radon test was not needed because there was an installed mitigation system. In fact, if a radon test would’ve been conducted during the inspection period of the real estate transaction, perhaps the buyer and seller could’ve worked something out through the “professionals” representing each party. Unfortunately, this did not occur.

Full disclosure: we no longer conduct full home inspections, but we still exercise our expertise in radon testing/mitigation, water testing, and mold testing/remediation. This is not an advertisement to drum up business. Conversely, my intent is to provide knowledge to home buyers and sellers, home owners, and also to encourage professionals to be more professional.

Trust, but verify.

06/08/2023

What if my house has radon?

If your house has elevated radon levels, there are steps you can take to reduce the radon concentration and mitigate the health risks associated with it. Here's what you can do:

1. Radon Mitigation System: A common approach is to install a radon mitigation system, typically called a radon mitigation or radon reduction system. This system involves sealing any cracks or openings in the foundation and installing a vent pipe and fan to draw radon gas from below the house and release it outside, away from living areas.

2. Professional Assistance: It is advisable to hire a qualified radon mitigation professional who can assess your home's specific radon situation and recommend the most effective mitigation system for your needs. They have the expertise and knowledge to design and install a system that will effectively reduce radon levels.

3. Regular Testing: After installing a mitigation system, it is important to conduct follow-up radon testing to ensure that it is effectively reducing radon levels. Regular testing can help you monitor the effectiveness of the system and make any necessary adjustments or repairs if needed.

By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce radon levels in your home and minimize the associated health risks. It's important to remember that radon is a natural and widespread issue, so testing and mitigation are recommended for all homes, regardless of their location.

PA requires a DEP radon mitigation certification. We hold a firm certification. Message or call us if you need a mitigation.

06/08/2023

Why radon test?

Radon is a colorless and odorless radioactive gas that can be harmful to your health when it accumulates in high concentrations. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking. Radon can seep into homes and buildings through cracks in the foundation, gaps around pipes, or other openings. Testing for radon is important to determine if levels are elevated in your home. By conducting a radon test, you can identify if mitigation measures are necessary to reduce radon levels and protect yourself and your family from potential health risks.
PA requires a DEP certification to radon test for others. Home tests are available for homeowners.

Carrie and I hold radon testing certifications. Call or message us to set up your test.

Send a message to learn more

02/01/2023

Congrats!!!

01/27/2023

We modified a radon system from 4” to 2” PVC, rerouted the plumbing, and added two pits for a client that was doing a renovation to their home. It was a challenge, but we could use 2” because of the type of suction fan we were using. It’s very rewarding to be able to facilitate a renovation but more importantly to know the system limitations.
~saving lives, one house at a time

01/27/2023

Houston, we have a problem. Can you pick out the errors?

Hiring a professional home inspector is critical. Hiring a professional radon mitigation company is essential.

01/24/2023

We're pleased to announce Carrie received her PA DEP Testing certification today, PA DEP #3600. PA radon services are highly regulated, and requires DEP certification. Carrie's dedication to the study, testing, and skads of required certification paperwork are evidenced by her certification. Excellent!!

06/17/2022

Electric panel recall. These were sold from 2020 at Lowes, Home Depot, and Menards.

https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2022/Schneider-ElectricTM-Recalls-1-4-Million-Electrical-Panels-Due-to-Thermal-Burn-and-Fire-Hazards?fbclid=IwAR1-Eg-XN-xWVHExKfYWCRLYYgxPBNdfsAtJKtXQTSTcgKtOJSvVbUy3Dks

Schneider Electric is directly contacting all known retailers, distributors, homeowners, and any other individuals that purchased or installed the recalled product. All purchasers and installers should immediately contact Schneider Electric to arrange to have the recalled load centers inspected by t...

06/08/2022

Adding insulation is the cheapest way to increase our homes’ energy efficiency. Carrie and I were just talking about home heating oil prices and how much more expensive it will be to keep our homes warm this year.

What do you do? The majority of the heat loss in a home is through the attic. We inspect many older homes that have only several inches of insulation, equating to about an R-11 or R-19 tops when the desire is at least an R-40 for our area.

Add insulation. If adding Fiberglas batts to existing Fiberglas, use an unfaced insulation (no paper backer) and place it perpendicular to the joists.

Tune up your equipment. Have your furnace/boiler cleaned and have the exhaust gasses checked. Perhaps adjustments are needed to lean out the burn. Change the filter in forced-air systems and have several spare filters on hand when the time comes again.

Run the clothes dryer only during the warmest time of day (during winter). Clothes dryers use the inside air during the tumble drying process, and ejects the air outside (hopefully). Our homes become depressurized during its use and will seek equilibrium by pulling in outside air. We want this air to be as warm as possible because it’ll cool our home a little, or a lot, depending upon the time of day the clothes dryer is used.

Prepare for the winter weather now. It looks like fuel will be even higher and the winter temps aren’t going to change. We’re already living in an upside down world with tight fists around our disposable income, but do what you can before the cold weather.

06/01/2022

I received a call today with an awesome question: can the ground be radon tested?
Background: a buyer wanted to know what the radon level was on a tract of land.
The Answer: yes, radon can be tested. There are two testing methods: ambient and flux monitor. Sounds crazy, like a car that eats bananas for fuel.
The EPA says the National outdoor radon level is 0.4 pCi/L. There’s an average for a reason. Some areas are higher, and some are lower…and these are ambient tests.
The Problem With This: when we disturb the soil, the radon will change. If we’ve ambient tested the ground to a level of 0.6, then the house is built and perhaps retested to a level of 25! This doesn’t make sense, and why then did we spend the money on ambient testing? Ambient testing catches only a fraction of radon as it climbs into the atmosphere, whereas a home test has “closed-house conditions.”
The Solution: build the house using radon resistant construction methods, install a passive radon system, seal concrete floor cold joints…

It was a great question, and I thought it best to share.

Btw, we can ambient test for you, we can test your buildings, and we can test your water for radon. We’re PA-DEP certified, and can also mitigate your radon. PA-DEP #3201

03/10/2022

Dryer vents can create a fire hazard. We’ve taught the kids to empty the dryer lint screen before and after each load, but the fine lint that makes it past the screen can gather at the vent. This lint buildup can especially occur on a vent cover that has a grid to prevent small animals from entering.

Today, I removed my grid because it looks like I’ve forgotten to clean the vent cover.

Check your vent cover is clean.