For homes with a septic system and/or private water system, have the septic system inspected by a licensed septic company. The state of Connecticut recommends that water well testing be done by a Connecticut certified environmental laboratory annually.
The following basic tests can identify common contaminants in your well water:
- Total Coliform bacteria
- Sodium
- PH, color, and turbidity
- Hardness
- Iron and Manganese
- Chloride
- Nitrite/Nitrate
- Sulfate
Other water test that can be done are VOC, EDB, radon in water and other testing.
There are three major types of wells. One is a dug well, point source well and a drilled well. Drilled wells are the type of well that is used for new homes or if the dug well is no longer functioning. Dug wells are typically older wells.
A septic system consists of a septic tank and leach field. The septic tank holds the solid waste and a series of baffles in the septic tank separates the liquid waste to be distributed to the leach field. A septic tank should be pump every 2-4 years and depends on its usage and age.
If you plan to do renovations in your home have the areas were construction will take place should be inspected for asbestos and lead paint and other contaminants. Houses built before 1978 are suspect for lead pant. Asbestos can be found in plaster and popcorn ceiling, roofing, siding, flooring as well as the heating system.
Water Quantity (Yield)
If your home has a private water supply then you need to determine if there is aquite amount of water for the home. The average home uses 75-100 gallons of water per bedroom. A three bedroom home will use about three hundred gallons per day. That is why you make sure that your well is yielding enough water for an average day. Running the water for 30 minutes to 1 hour and first making note of water flow at start of test and then at end of test can glean the condition of well pump and verify if there is adequate water is coming into the well.
Radon in air and radon in water
Radon is a radioactive gas that has been found in homes all over the United States. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Radon can also enter your home through well water. Your home can trap radon inside.
Any home can have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. In fact, you and your family are most likely to get your greatest radiation exposure at home. That is where you spend most of your time.
Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have an elevated radon level (4 pCi/L or more). Elevated levels of radon gas have been found in homes in your state. Contact your state radon office for information about radon in your area.
Radon is a cancer-causing natural radioactive gas that you can’t see, smell or taste. Its presence in your home can pose a danger to your family's health. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America and claims about 20,000 lives annually.
Wood Destorying Insect Inspections
Some mortgage companies require a termite inspection as part of there loan requirements. Consult with your lender for requirement for a termite inspection.
Termites in New England are subterranean and can do thousands of dollars of damage to wooden buildings. Termites can be in your home and you can not know they are there. That is why a wood destorying insect inspection is so important as part of your evaluation of your home. Carpenter ants do not digest the wood as termite do but can make nests in wood, insulation or inside voids in your home. Carpenter bees’ borough into unpainted exterior wood around your home so that they can lay eggs in the galleries. Carpenter bees do not eat the wood but make galleries in the wood to lay eggs for there young. Powder post beetles are found in older homes that were typically built with wood that was not dried before being used to construct the home.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas. When present in the air at levels above 0.1 ppm (parts in a million parts of air), it can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes, nose and throat, nausea, coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, skin rashes, and allergic reactions.
Products that may add formaldehyde to the air include particleboard used as flooring underlayment, shelving, furniture and cabinets; MDF in cabinets and furniture; hardwood plywood wall panels, and urea-formaldehyde foam used as insulation. As formaldehyde levels increase, illness or discomfort is more likely to occur and may be more serious.
Asbestos
Asbestos can be found in many building materials including roofing, siding, flooring, heating systems and insulation. Asbestos is the name given to a number of naturally occurring, fibrous silicate minerals mined for their useful properties such as thermal insulation, chemical and thermal stability, and high tensile strength. Exposure to airborne friable asbestos may result in a potential health risk because persons breathing the air may breathe in asbestos fibers. Continued exposure can increase the amount of fibers that remain in the lung. Fibers embedded in lung tissue over time may cause serious lung diseases including: asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma.
Lead
Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around our homes. Lead may cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to seizures and death. Children 6 years old and under are most at risk, because their bodies are growing quickly.
Research suggests that the primary sources of lead exposure for most children are:
-deteriorating lead-based pain
-lead contaminated dust
-lead contaminated residential soil
Mold
Molds produce tiny spores to reproduce. These tiny mold spores try to kill or eliminate other competing molds. Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods. When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or un-addressed. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
The key to mold control is moisture control. It is important to dry water damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. If mold is a problem in your home, clean up the mold and get rid of the excess water or moisture. Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water such as a leaking roof or gaps in siding or around windows. Wash mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely. Absorbent materials (such as ceiling tiles & carpet) that become moldy may have to be replaced.
Disclaimer: This information provided is for reference only. Recommend consult with your real estate attorney, realtor, and the state DEP for detailed information. For more detailed information on these and other environmental issue in your home go to
www.epa.govMark Roy is owner of East Coast Home Inspections, LLC located in Enfield, CT. He has 14 years experience as a home inspector, is a mechanical engineer and is licensed in CT and MA. He can be reached at mark_roy@sbcglobal.net or 860 763-4030.