Wednesday, 9 November 2011

Pros & Cons of Various House Foundations

!: Pros & Cons of Various House Foundations

Slab, Crawlspace or Basement? When building a new home, which foundation is the best choice? I offer the pros & cons of the typical three choices.

Slab:

Pros:
- Least expensive to build
- No moisture/humidity to deal with under sub-floor
- Easy access for handicapped or senior persons, since very close to ground level

Cons:
- Hard surface, takes a toll on your body/joints
- Difficult to run additional wires/pipes
- HVAC typically located in the attic (unconditioned space)
- A leak in a water supply line in the slab is very expensive to fix
- Entrance at ground level, not as eye appealing
- High likelihood of radon issue (can be easily mitigated)
- More prone to wood destroying insect issues, since close to ground

Crawlspace:

Pros:
- Able to install additional wires/piping easily if needed
- Wood floor structure is softer than concrete
- Entrance higher off ground, more eye appealing
- Easy access for repairs
- Less likely to have a radon issue (on ventilated crawlspaces)

Cons:
- Moisture issues (water & humidity) are a major issues, creates fungus growth & rot
- Easy access for unwanted pests
- HVAC in unconditioned space

Basement:

Pros:
- Able to install additional wires/piping easily if needed
- Wood floor structure is softer than concrete
- Easy access for repairs
- Entrance higher off ground, more eye appealing
- HVAC is located in conditioned space (more energy efficient)
- Additional storage/workshop
- Inexpensive additional square footage, can be finished at a later time
- Increased re-sale value of home & increased buyer appeal
- You can build on a sloping grade
- Provides shelter during extreme weather (tornado's, hurricane's, etc)

Cons:
- Most expensive to build (compared to a slab or crawlspace)
- Need a sloping lot to build a walkout basement
- Higher likelihood of radon issue (can be easily mitigated)


Pros & Cons of Various House Foundations

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Wednesday, 2 November 2011

Professional Radon Gas TRIPLE Canister Test Kit FOR NJ RESIDENTS

!: Buyers Professional Radon Gas TRIPLE Canister Test Kit FOR NJ RESIDENTS grand sale

Brand : Radon Kit - Triple Canister FOR NJ ONLY | Rate : | Price : $89.00
Post Date : Nov 03, 2011 03:01:25 | Usually ships in 1-2 business days


  • Includes Laboratory Analysis, NJ FEE, 3 Canisters (REQUIRED IN NJ), Report & Priority Mailer Box To Lab - Same Day Test Results
  • Easy to use - expose canisters for 2-5 days, then send the test canisters to lab.
  • Very high quality, reliable, EPA recommended triple canister test kit used by professionals - not sold in stores
  • The analysis is conducted at a nationally recognized laboratory listed by NEHA and the NRSB.
  • The EPA and the Surgeon General Recommend That You Test Your Home for Radon.

More Specification..!!

Professional Radon Gas TRIPLE Canister Test Kit FOR NJ RESIDENTS

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Saturday, 29 October 2011

Radon Dangers

!: Radon Dangers

Radon gas is not something that should be taken lightly. It's a radioactive gas that comes from the natural decay of uranium and can be found in nearly all soils and rocks that contain uranium, granite, shale or phosphate. It's not hard for radon to seep into a home through cracks and openings, and once it becomes concentrated in a closed space (like a house) it increases the risk of lung cancer.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a building with a radon measurement at or above 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) must be mitigated. Radon mitigation systems are available that are specially designed to reduce radon levels in a building. The EPA recommends remediation methods that prevent radon from entering a house by drawing the radon from below the basement or crawl space floor and pushing it outside. There are a number of other radon mitigation techniques such as sealing, house/room pressurization, heat recovery ventilation, and natural ventilation.

Natural Life reports that as radon decays, it produces decay products called radon daughters or radon progeny, which emit alpha particles. When alpha particles hit something, the energy in them is absorbed on the surface of whatever they hit. Human skin is too thick to be affected but bronchial and lung tissue is susceptible. When you breathe in the alpha particles they can get stuck in your lungs, and then radiate and penetrate the lung tissue forming cancer cells.

Radon gas can enter a house through small spaces in the soil and rock. Natural Life writes that it seeps in through dirt floors, solid floors, gaps in suspended floors, gaps around service pipes, cracks in concrete walls, sumps, joints, basement drains, under the furnace base and jack posts if the base is submerged in the floor. It can also come in through well water and be released into the air when the water is used. Radon levels are usually highest in basements and rooms that are in direct contact with soil.

Smoking increases the risk of exposure to radon. When tobacco crops are fertilized, radon gas collects under the canopy that tobacco leaves form, and tiny dust particles with radon daughters cling to each leaf. Whenever smokers inhale from a cigarette, they are breathing in the radon daughters.

The EPA has a map on its website showing what areas are more at risk for radon, so if you're uncertain check your state here: www.epa.gov/radon/whereyoulive.html. If you'd like to know just how much radon is in your home, contact a professional radon mitigation specialist to perform a radon test.


Radon Dangers

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