HT-05-93

Home Tipsâ

General information on products, installation and maintenance for the home.

May 1993 Edition

Reducing Radon?

I tested our basement for radon recently and the test showed high levels of this gas in my home. Now, I don't know what to do.

According to Environmental Health Watch, a not-for-profit environmental health and information organization, you shouldn't be alarmed, nor should you initiate costly changes or repairs based on just one test result. If you get a high reading on a short-term test (two to seven days), then you need to do some follow up long-term testing.

Radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/l). If you get a short term test result of more that 4 pCi/l, you should do more extensive testing to determine the average annual radon level in your home.

There are two strategies to reduce radon levels: Stop it before it enters your home and remove the radon gas that does get in. Stopping it from getting in involves sealing entry points. Make sure you cover sump pumps, caulk cracks in the foundation and seal crawl spaces.

Removing radon involves increasing the ventilation in the house. This replaces radon contaminated air with fresh outside air.

For detailed information on how to test and deal with radon in your home, contact your state department of health or the local EPA office and ask for their free booklet "Citizens Guide to Radon".

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New Shingles Over Old?

I am planning to re-roof my house this summer. Can I install new fiberglass shingles without removing the old ones?

The rule of thumb in the Atlanta area is no more than two layers of fiberglass or asphalt shingles on any roof. The problem is that the weight of more than two layers may be too great for the roof framing to handle. The shingle manufacturers typically recommend that their roofing shingles not be used over more than two layers of old roofing.

One problem with installing over the old roof shingles is whether the new roof will lay flat. If the old shingles have curled, then the new roof will not be smooth and probably have problems with sealing on the course below. One way to eliminate this problem is to break off the curled ends of the old shingles.

With two layers of shingles, the under layer acts as insulation and keeps the outer layer from transferring heat to the roof deck. This could result in some premature deterioration and the life expectancy will probably be less than with only one layer. Excessive heat build up in the attic is another important cause of premature deterioration because of the same heat transfer. Be sure you have adequate attic ventilation.

Because of the expense involved in removing the old roof, many homeowners do elect to put the new layer over the old one.

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Furnace Filters Pros And Cons?

My son has allergies and I need to reduce the level of dust and pollens in our house. What type of filter should I install in my furnace and air conditioner?

There are basically four different types of filters used today as an upgrade to the cardboard disposable filters which are only 3% to 5% efficient.

The first is the electronic precipitator. These provide efficiencies of up to 96% which is good enough to trap many viruses according to the American Society of Heating and Refrigeration Engineers. The cost is approximately $700.00 installed and most units should be cleaned monthly.

The second type is the high-efficiency particulate arresting filter. They start out at about 40% efficiency but as they retain dirt and pollen, their efficiency can increase to over 99% which is the best on the market. The cost is approximately $400.00 installed and if you do not run the fan continuously it will last around two years before the canister will need replacing. The replacement cost of the filter canister is only about $30.00.

The third type is the extended media filter. Their efficiency is between 25% to 35%. The cost is approximately $300.00 installed and the filter should be replaced yearly. The cost of the filter element is around $80.00.

The fourth type is the self charging electrostatic filter. Their efficiency is between 15% to 20%. These filters are charged at the factory and some have been know to reduce the efficiency of the furnace. The cost is approximately $50.00.

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Vegetables Near Treated Wood?

I want to build a raised-bed garden using railroad ties and pressure treated timbers. Can I plant vegetables in this garden without worrying about poisoning my family?

Forget the railroad ties! They've probably been treated with penta (pentachloropheol) or creosote, both of which can kill your plants and leach into the soil and ground water.

The pressure treated timbers are most often CCA treated, which is typically green, and the less common ACA treated wood. There are no unbiased studies that have proved using treated wood around vegetables is harmful. The bottom line? If you don't want to take a chance, use flagstone, fieldstone, concrete blocks or bricks to build the raised bed.

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Old Lead Joints

I'm rerouting some of my water pipes. Since the original copper piping was installed some time ago, I'm sure the solder contains lead. Is it safe to reuse the fittings if I resolder them with no lead solder?

We don't recommend that you reuse the old copper fittings. First of all, small amounts of lead solder will probably remain on them and lead leaching from lead solder into drinking water is a known health hazard. Besides the health risk, it's difficult to get the new joint to seal when you use lead free solder over old solder, since the two have different melting points.

It's plenty aggravating when a plumbing joint leaks, so don't increase the odds of it happening by using old fittings. The best thing to do is cut the old fittings out and replace them. It's fine to reuse the old copper pipe, however.

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If you have a question, change of address, comment, home tip or would like to send Home Tips to your clients, send your letter to Home Tips, Christian Building Inspectors, Inc., 3697 Habersham Lane, Duluth, Georgia 30096. You can E-Mail your questions to us at rodharrison@christianbuildinginspectors.com. We reserve the right to edit questions for length.

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Joke of the Day

Question: What do you get when you cross a

praying mantis and a termite?

Answer: A bug that says grace before eating

your house.

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A Tip Of The Hat To:

Kathy Wadsworth

Buckhead Brokers

Carl Newell

AmeriQuest, Inc

**** Thank You****

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If you have additional questions, E-Mail us.

Christian Building Inspectors, Inc., 3697 Habersham Lane, Duluth, Georgia 30096-6111, Office 1-888-257-0365 or 770-849-0920