The recently updated OSHA Confined Spaces rule is having a significant impact on many residential construction companies. The rule has been expanded to define most attics and crawlspaces as “confined spaces,” many of which will require permitting, testing, and even a second worker to stand by in case evacuation is required. The expanded OSHA Confined … Continue reading
Tagged with home performance …
Kill Mold by Controlling Moisture
What to do about mold? Homeowners and facility managers have witnessed an explosion of mold in recent decades. While its threat is often exaggerated, mold really can make us sick. And while illness is certainly the first concern, let’s not forget that mold in significant quantities doesn’t smell very good. So even if mold is … Continue reading
FLIR E8 Thermal Camera Review: A Closer Look
The FLIR E8 Thermal Camera stands out among current thermal camera offerings in one very important way: it offers 320 x 240 resolution for thousands of dollars less than other available cameras. To be sure, the FLIR E8 does not offer all of the features that some users will need, but in terms of outright … Continue reading
Favorite New Manometer: Energy Conservatory TEC WiFi Link
The Energy Conservatory TEC WiFi Link might just be your perfect second manometer, without being a manometer at all. Here’s how. A customer called needing a manometer to check building pressures. He already has an Energy Conservatory DG-700 with his Minneapolis Blower Door, but wanted a second manometer for occasionally troubleshooting building depressurization. That’s a … Continue reading
Will Your CO Meter Save Your Life?
Recently our friend Benjamin Meredith, a local energy auditor and home inspector here in Harrisonburg, Virginia, called with that “you’re not going to believe what just happened” tone in his voice. He had just fired up a boiler in the course of an inspection on a small commercial building and his ambient carbon monoxide meter sounded … Continue reading
Water Damage Special #2: FLIR E-Series and Extech MO297
For the professional energy auditors, home performance contractors, and anyone else searching for building moisture (or just a good deal!), FLIR is currently offering a free Extech MO297 Moisture Meter with the purchase of certain E-Series infrared cameras. The MO297 is a five-in-one moisture detection meter, combining a pin-type and pinless moisture meter with a … Continue reading
Water Damage and Rotting Walls
We recently came across an article that provides an excellent summary of water damage in walls. Self-proclaimed Energy Nerd and all-around green building guru Martin Holladay takes a look at the building conditions and installation errors that most often lead to unsightly and unsafe wall structures. Accompanied by insightful (and frightful) photography, the article identifies … Continue reading
First Look at the Extech MO270 Moisture Meter
The innovative new Extech MO270 is a 2-in-1 pin and pinless moisture meter with a few tricks up its sleeve. The meter has a detachable sensor module that is capable of transmitting its findings back to the meter, up to 65 feet away. The wireless sensor can be snapped on one end of the included … Continue reading
Best Thermal Imagers for Finding Water
Here’s a short list of our favorite thermal imagers for locating moisture and mold in buildings. For more on finding water damage, see our article Moisture Detection with Thermal Imagers. Or for more about choosing an infrared camera, or to better understand some of the camera features below, take a look at Choosing a Thermal … Continue reading
Using Infrared Cameras to Locate Moisture
Weeks after Hurricane Sandy, much of the Mid-Atlantic and New England are still coping with the effects of widespread flooding and water damage. As homeowners and restoration contractors sprint to make buildings habitable and healthy again, the unseen water and mold will remain one of the greatest obstacles. Diagnosing and remediating water issues right away … Continue reading