Mitigating hideous tile
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Who pays for radon mitigation?
Comments (21)The radon issue is a negotiation between buyer and seller. Reasons are because first the seller has lived in the house with no concern about it or any bad health. Does not usually see why they need to provide this for the next family. The EPA admits that there has never been a documentable incidence of anyone getting cancer from a household basement. They also don't really know what proper levels really are. This number(4.0) was selected arbitrarily. They have difficulty converting hours worked in a mine to hours spent in a residential basement. Most radon deaths involve mine workers. If you have ever smoked there is an unquantifiable and untested possibility that radon may then be more harmful. But people who smoke have already chosen to put their lungs at risk so why would a seller have to protect them from radon ?Some sellers just don't have the money to install this either. Buyers can be frightened away from getting a house they love if they have not really researched radon. In truth they put their children at more risk every time they let them play in the sun or ride in the car. Radon ,by the way, is everywhere like air. Some houses may be way off the charts (over 20) . A buyer should test in all seasons before deciding to mitigate. This is impossible for a real estate transaction. The buyer should be aware that it is best that they choose the system. Roof exhaust systems are effective but will cost them about $700 a year in increased utility costs. It will also need about $500 in routine maintenance every 4 years or so. Also in cold areas like New England it should be shut off in winter because the exhaust pipe on the roof blocks up with ice. Ironically winter is when radon is highest. They are better off choosing their own system and installing it themselves if radon keeps them awake at night. They might ask for the seller to give them some money back at closing for this. That may be appropriate in a buyers market, or if the house is in bad condition overall. Also if they overbid , didn't get closing costs. But if its a sellers market, or the seller has already spent a lot of money on the condition of the house and its nice, or is paying buyers closing costs, the buyer might be wise to consider installing it when they are the homeowner and leave it out of the transaction. I have seen many a good deal turn bitter over this issue, even if a resolution is found....See MoreGray Tile Grout - hideous HELP!!
Comments (8)nosoccermom: Yes, I did. My grout was relatively new - but unfortunately it was about 5 different colors. I bought whatever cleaning product Aquamix recommended for epoxy grout (which is what I have) and we cleaned the floor as instructed. The whole process was very easy and all the products together couldn't have cost more than $40....See MoreRadon mitigation system
Comments (18)R408.3 Unvented crawl space. Ventilation openings in under-floor spaces specified in Sections R408.1 and R408.2 shall not be required where: 1. Exposed earth is covered with a continuous Class I vapor retarder. Joints of the vapor retarder shall overlap by 6 inches (152 mm) and shall be sealed or taped. The edges of the vapor retarder shall extend at least 6 inches (152 mm) up the stem wall and shall be attached and sealed to the stem wall or insulation; and 2. One of the following is provided for the under-floor space: 2.1. Continuously operated mechanical exhaust ventilation at a rate equal to 1 cubic foot per minute (0.47 L/s) for each 50 square feet (4.7m2) of crawlspace floor area, including an air pathway to the common area (such as a duct or transfer grille), and perimeter walls insulated in accordance with Section N1103.2.1 of this code; 2.2. Conditioned air supply sized to deliver at a rate equal to 1 cubic foot per minute (0.47 L/s) for each 50 square feet (4.7 m2) of under-floor area, including a return air pathway to the common area (such as a duct or transfer grille), and perimeter walls insulated in accordance with Section N1102.2 of this code; 2.3. Plenum in existing structures complying with Section M1601.5, if under-floor space is used as a plenum. http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/irc/2012/icod_irc_2012_4_sec008.htm...See MoreHideous fireplace
Comments (11)Can you post a picture from further away so we can see the entire fireplace from floor to ceiling. I may be able to come up with some design concepts for you. Also, post a picture of the entire room so we can see the decor. What you have is an old Heatilator wood burning fireplace. Someone retrofit it with a ventless gas log. If you intend on using the fireplace, the general consensus among professionals is that you cannot remove or cover up those vents as not only do they serve the purpose of circulating heat, they also help keep the metal burning chamber of your fireplace cool. I have heard of some who removed the stonework and rerouted the vents to the sides to make them more obscure. Otherwise, you have to design around them, which is tough to do. I see these several times a week as I sell fireplace doors and people are always sending me pictures. We provide vent covers that match the doors we sell as a way to tie them into the fireplace a little better, but it's hard to make the disappear. Most of these fireplaces have a single vent at the top and two at the bottom, but often times there are 4 like yours. I have provided some pictures of ones where we provided glass doors and vent covers just so you can see you are not the only one with this type of fireplace. Notice how some of them have slots in the masonry instead of vent covers. If your fireplace does not have fans beneath the bottom vents that are wired, removing the stone and adding a different facing may allow you to put slots directly into the new facing to build them into the design a little better. Here's are some examples of fireplaces like yours: Provided by: Hansen Wholesale Fireplace Glass Doors...See MoreRelated Professionals
Centerville Interior Designers & Decorators · Queens Furniture & Accessories · Ogden Interior Designers & Decorators · Los Alamitos Architects & Building Designers · Ronkonkoma Architects & Building Designers · El Sobrante Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Ridgewood Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Westport Furniture & Accessories · Bound Brook General Contractors · Country Club Hills General Contractors · Newington General Contractors · Philadelphia Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Plymouth Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Kentwood Cabinets & Cabinetry · Saint James Cabinets & Cabinetry- last yearlast modified: last year
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