{"id":17621,"date":"2021-10-06T17:59:30","date_gmt":"2021-10-06T17:59:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alternatech.net\/?p=17621"},"modified":"2021-10-06T17:59:31","modified_gmt":"2021-10-06T17:59:31","slug":"hidden-dangers-in-your-home-you-should-never-ignore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/hidden-dangers-in-your-home-you-should-never-ignore\/","title":{"rendered":"Hidden Dangers in Your Home You Should Never Ignore"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Lisa Marie Conklin &ndash; Family Handyman\n\n\n\n</p><p>&ldquo;If it ain&rsquo;t broke, don&rsquo;t fix it&rdquo; is not the philosophy to live by when you&rsquo;re a homeowner. The plumbing or electric doesn&rsquo;t have to be broken to be dangerous.\n\n\n\n</p><h2 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'>Lint\n\n\n\n</h2><p>If it\u2019s taking longer than usual for your clothes to dry or the clothes are super hot after a dry cycle, you could have a build-up of lint, even if it\u2019s not visible in the lint screen.\n\n\n\n</p><p>\u201cLint is an extremely flammable material,\u201d says Jason Kapica, president of Dryer Vent Wizard. \u201cOxygen moves through a dryer and its vent when the machine is running. There is a heating element inside the dryer providing a potential ignition source.\u201d\n\n\n\n</p><p>Reduce the risk by removing the lint from the lint screen after each load and clean the dryer vent line every year.\n\n\n\n</p><div class='\"wp-block-image\"'><figure class='\"aligncenter' size-full><img fetchpriority='\"high\"' decoding='\"async\"' width='\"700\"' height='\"544\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/10%5C/shutterstock_76578391.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-17622\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_76578391.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n\n\n\n<h2 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'>Puddles\n\n\n\n</h2><p>If you notice some puddles on the floor and you don\u2019t have a new puppy, it could be a\u00a0 sign of poor ventilation and mold.\n\n\n\n</p><p>\u201cMold is a particularly common problem in bathrooms with inadequate ventilation,\u201d says Yoel Pioraut, managing partner at MyHome Design + Remodeling. \u201cExamine pipes to check for moisture or excessive condensation. If everything checks out, but you have a lack of ventilation, it\u2019s time to call in a contractor to add an exhaust fan.\u201d\n\n\n\n</p><div class='\"wp-block-image\"'><figure class='\"aligncenter' size-full><img decoding='\"async\"' width='\"700\"' height='\"467\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/10%5C/shutterstock_542551633.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-17623\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_542551633.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n\n\n\n<h2 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'>Flickering Lights\n\n\n\n</h2><p>Flickering and blinking lights may seem ghostly, but it\u2019s probably overloaded electrical circuits. Pinkerton says other signs include dimming lights, blown fuses, warm or discolored wall plates, crackling, sizzling or buzzing from receptacles.<br>A mild shock from touching appliances or burning odor from receptacle or wall switches should also be cause for alarm. \u201cOverloaded electrical circuits should only be repaired by a licensed, qualified electrician,\u201d says Pinkerton.\n\n\n\n</p><div class='\"wp-block-image\"'><figure class='\"aligncenter' size-full><img decoding='\"async\"' width='\"700\"' height='\"467\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/10%5C/shutterstock_519409282.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-17624\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_519409282.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n\n\n\n<h2 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'>Creosote Build-Up\n\n\n\n</h2><p>A crackling fire is so cozy. But when those dancing flames don\u2019t completely burn off the oils in the wood, they off-gas as volatiles (a.k.a. volatile organic compounds, or VOCs) and rise with the smoke. As the smoke cools, it condenses with water and other chemicals inside the chimney and flue, creating a build-up of creosote. This can lead to chimney fires and house fires.\n\n\n\n</p><p>\u201cBringing in an expert to assess and repair if needed is always recommended because of the risk of fire or death,\u201d says Robert Boudreau, an InterNACHI-Certified Home Inspector\n\n\n\n</p><div class='\"wp-block-image\"'><figure class='\"aligncenter' size-full><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' width='\"700\"' height='\"508\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/10%5C/shutterstock_228865936.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-17626\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_228865936.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n\n\n\n<h2 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'>Pump On the Fritz\n\n\n\n</h2><p>Hey, how\u2019s your\u00a0sump pump looking? It\u2019s probably not something you think about often \u2026 until it fails and leaves you with a flooded basement. Don\u2019t ignore the signs of possible failure.\n\n\n\n</p><p>\u201cChecking connections, cleaning the pump and vents, and making sure the float switch is not restricted can be done by the homeowner,\u201d says Boudreau. \u201cA battery backup pump is also an inexpensive way to prevent failure.\u201d\n\n\n\n</p><div class='\"wp-block-image\"'><figure class='\"aligncenter' size-full><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' width='\"700\"' height='\"467\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/10%5C/shutterstock_1014184129-5.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-17625\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1014184129-5.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n\n\n\n<h2 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'>Subterranean Destroyers\n\n\n\n</h2><p>Bubbling paint may be a sign of moisture build-up or termites. You\u2019re hoping it\u2019s moisture, right? \u201cSubterranean termites eat the wood and process it into food,\u201d say Knight. \u201cTermites make mud tubes because their bodies must stay moist.\u201d\n\n\n\n</p><p>You can spot some of the evidence: mud tubes, shredded wings that look like tiny fish scales, sagging or blisters in flooring, hollow or weak sounding wood, or wood that is damaged.\n\n\n\n</p><p>It usually takes years of unnoticed termite activity to destroy a house, but they can certainly damage structural components, like the floor joists which support your house. Call an exterminator to assess the extent of infestation.\n\n\n\n</p><div class='\"wp-block-image\"'><figure class='\"aligncenter' size-full><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' width='\"700\"' height='\"467\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/10%5C/shutterstock_779749351.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-17627\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_779749351.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n\n\n\n<h2 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'>Hard-To-Trace Leaks\n\n\n\n</h2><p>Leaky pipes behind the wall, like in the tub and shower area, go unnoticed until you see visible damage. \u201cWater damage can cause structural issues as well as mold and moisture issues,\u201d says Knight.\n\n\n\n</p><p>Signs something is amiss are blistering paint, warped walls, damaged wallpaper, loose tiles, a buckling or cracked floor, and mold or mildew on non-shower walls. \u201cOnce you have leaks that show up in walls or start causing floor damage, a pro should be called,\u201d says Knight.\n\n\n\n</p><p>The longer it takes you to detect the leak, the more extensive the damage could be.\n\n\n\n</p><div class='\"wp-block-image\"'><figure class='\"aligncenter' size-full><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' width='\"682\"' height='\"667\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/10%5C/shutterstock_1005704587-e1538063248725.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-17628\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1005704587-e1538063248725.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n\n\n\n<h2 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'>Gurgles and Burping\n\n\n\n</h2><p>Sounds that babies make? Yes, but if your toilet is making this sound, it\u2019s not cute. Built-up grease, large quantities of food in the garbage disposal or using your toilet like a wastebasket contributes to a sewer system backup.\n\n\n\n</p><p>According to Glenn Gallas, vice president of operations for Mr. Rooter Plumbing, a Neighborly company, signs of a sewer system backup include gurgling, burping and overflowing fixtures in toilets, tubs, showers and sink drains. This is a situation a plunger isn\u2019t likely to fix. A plumber should be called, since raw sewage is a serious health hazard.\u00a0\n\n\n\n</p><div class='\"wp-block-image\"'><figure class='\"aligncenter' size-full><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' width='\"700\"' height='\"467\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/10%5C/shutterstock_434168842.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-17629\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_434168842.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n\n\n\n<h2 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'>Mixing Old and New\n\n\n\n</h2><p>Do you have an old house with two-prong outlets in some rooms and updated three-prong in others? Do you see mixed wire type, open junctions or just worn out wiring?\n\n\n\n</p><p>\u201cIn older houses where electrical wiring has been updated, it\u2019s important to make sure these changes were done to code and by a professional,\u201d Knight says. \u201cSubstandard wiring can not only lead to blown circuits, but old or faulty wiring left intact can cause fires.\u201d\n\n\n\n</p><p>Contacting an electrician is recommended for this home improvement, so don\u2019t cut corners and try to DIY.\n\n\n\n</p><div class='\"wp-block-image\"'><figure class='\"aligncenter' size-full><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' width='\"700\"' height='\"479\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/10%5C/shutterstock_676906534.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-17657\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_676906534.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n\n\n\n<h2 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'>Not Making the Grade\n\n\n\n</h2><p>Improper grading can cause cracks, deterioration of foundation walls and structural damage if you don\u2019t know what to look for.\n\n\n\n</p><p>\u201cSpotting grading issues is the easiest if water is pooling next to a home\u2019s foundation,\u201d says Boudreau. \u201cBut sometimes it is difficult to detect the source because water can be running towards to the home below the surface or water can be pooling because of rain. Adding soil to exterior foundation below siding is an easy and cheap solution.\u201d\n\n\n\n</p><p>Changing the downspouts and ensuring they are six feet away from the home is another option. But if more drastic grading is necessary, a pro needs to be called.\n\n\n\n</p><div class='\"wp-block-image\"'><figure class='\"aligncenter' size-full><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' width='\"700\"' height='\"467\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/10%5C/shutterstock_374127655.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-17658\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_374127655.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n\n\n\n<h2 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'>Cracks and Gaps\n\n\n\n</h2><p>Speaking of foundation, there are signs inside your house you should look for regularly. These include gaps and cracks in hardwood floors, or cracks at the corners of door jambs and window frames, says Patrick Knight, training, licensing and inspection support manager of WIN Home Inspection.\n\n\n\n</p><p>Minors cracks should be monitored, but cracks of more than 1\/8- to 1\/4-in. should be investigated by a pro. \u201cUneven floors and doors that don\u2019t shut right can be annoyances, but if that settlement continues, then the structure can become at risk,\u201d cautions Knight.\n\n\n\n</p><div class='\"wp-block-image\"'><figure class='\"aligncenter' size-full><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' width='\"700\"' height='\"467\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/10%5C/shutterstock_282626039.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-17659\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_282626039.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n\n\n\n<h2 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'>Leaking Ducts and Flue Pipes\n\n\n\n</h2><p>When it comes to boilers or furnaces, \u201cif ain\u2019t broke, don\u2019t fix it\u201d is a common mentality. But even if they\u2019re keeping your toes warm, you should definitely check these regularly for warning signs things are headed south, such as a yellow or jumpy pilot flame.\n\n\n\n</p><p>In addition, Knight says to check for cracks, rusting and\/or leaking flue pipes, since this is a big hazard for carbon monoxide. That old furnace might be a \u201cclassic,\u201d or it could be one of the warning signs a house could be a money pit.\n\n\n\n</p><div class='\"wp-block-image\"'><figure class='\"aligncenter' size-full><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' width='\"700\"' height='\"467\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/10%5C/shutterstock_721366552.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-17660\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_721366552.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n\n\n\n<p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"</p><p>Lisa Marie Conklin &ndash; Family Handyman &ldquo;If it ain&rsquo;t broke, don&rsquo;t fix it&rdquo; is not the philosophy to live by when you&rsquo;re a homeowner. The plumbing or electric doesn&rsquo;t have to be broken to be dangerous. Lint If it\u2019s taking longer than usual for your clothes to dry or the clothes are super hot after\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17661,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[43,61,30,46,6,31],"class_list":{"0":"post-17621","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-tie-life-style","8":"tag-cleaning-house","9":"tag-cleaning-tips","10":"tag-household-hacks","11":"tag-life-hacks","12":"tag-life-style","13":"tag-tips"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Colorful-Photo-centric-Vlogging-Creative-Presentation.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17621","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17621"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17621\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17661"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17621"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17621"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}</p></figure></div></figure></div></figure></div></figure></div></figure></div></figure></div></figure></div></figure></div></figure></div></figure></div></figure></div></figure></div>