Services & Specialties:
Northwest Home Inspection Services, LLC is a licensed provider of new or pre-owned Home Inspections Services covering the greater area of Northwest WI. Our hands-on experience in several areas of the housing industry along with our comprehensive inspection reporting software will provide you with easy to understand informati
on you'll need to make sound a decision about th
e largest investment most of us will ever make. Starting with the Standard Home Inspection to a multiple of Home Testing & Evaluation Services we offer:
Well & Septic Inspections
Water testing
Radon
Lead Paint
Mold
Air Quality
Home Energy Performance Consulting
and more...
*Our goal is to provide you and your family with the peace of mind knowing you're safe from harmful gasses, molds and other pollutants. We have been trained and certified by the state in the areas of Lead, Mold and Asbestos awareness and safety. We can help you identify any safety issues or concerns and recommend a resolution accordingly. Building a new home?? Looking for an outside, objective final inspection before the final payment and keys get exchanged? We also can do New Home Inspections as well as Warranty Inspections. Please call for more details...
RADON? WHAT IS RADON AND HOW DOES RADON GET INTO YOUR HOME? Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. Radon from soil gas is the main cause of radon problems. Sometimes radon enters the home through well water. In a small number of homes, the building materials can give off radon, too. However, building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves. RADON GETS IN THROUGH:
Cracks in solid floors
Construction joints
Cracks in walls
Gaps in suspended floors
Gaps around service pipes
Cavities inside walls
The water supply
You should test for radon. Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon. EPA also recommends testing in schools. Testing is inexpensive and easy. Millions of Americans have already tested their homes for radon. MOLDS
WHAT ARE MOLDS? Molds are fungi that can be found both indoors and outdoors. No one knows how many species of fungi exist but estimates range from tens of thousands to perhaps three hundred thousand or more. Molds grow best in warm, damp, and humid conditions, and spread and reproduce by making spores. Mold spores can survive harsh environmental conditions, such as dry conditions, that do not support normal mold growth. How do molds affect people? Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation. Some people, such as those with serious allergies to molds, may have more severe reactions. Severe reactions may occur among workers exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers working around moldy hay. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. Some people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs. Where are molds found? Molds are found in virtually every environment and can be detected, both indoors and outdoors, year round. Mold growth is encouraged by warm and humid conditions. Outdoors they can be found in shady, damp areas or places where leaves or other vegetation is decomposing. Indoors they can be found where humidity levels are high, such as basements or showers. How can people decrease mold exposure? Sensitive individuals should avoid areas that are likely to have mold, such as compost piles, cut grass, and wooded areas. Inside homes, mold growth can be slowed by keeping humidity levels between 40% and 60%, and ventilating showers and cooking areas. If there is mold growth in your home, you should clean up the mold and fix the water problem. Mold growth can be removed from hard surfaces with commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. If you choose to use bleach to clean up mold:
Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products will produce dangerous, toxic fumes. Open windows and doors to provide fresh air. Wear non-porous gloves and protective eye wear. If the area to be cleaned is more than 10 square feet, consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide titled Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document also applies to other building types. You can get it by going to the EPA web site at http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html. Always follow the manufacturers instructions when using bleach or any other cleaning product. Specific Recommendations:
Keep the humidity level in the house between 40% and 60%. Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months. Be sure the home has adequate ventilation, including exhaust fans. Add mold inhibitors to paints before application. Clean bathrooms with mold killing products. Do not carpet bathrooms and basements. Remove or replace previously soaked carpets and upholstery.
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