Winter is Approaching, Is Your House Prepared?

Oct. 30, 2001--With winter right around the corner, now is an ideal time to conduct household environmental hazard prevention as part of the winter maintenance routine, advises Hometest, Inc., a company dedicated to educating people about the environmental dangers that exist in the home.Homeowners traditionally take certain precautions to winterize their home to make it fuel efficient, increase insulation and avoid burst pipes during the winter months. Recently, an increased awareness of environmental hazards such as toxic mold and radon gas has necessitated an updated winter checklist. Hometest recommends adding the following items to a home's yearly maintenance.

• Inspect filters in HVAC system. Heating and cooling ducts can generate condensation that, if not properly ventilated, serves as an ideal breeding ground for mold. When in use, they will circulate air and spread mold spores throughout the house.



• Check caulking outside house. Look for cracked caulking as well as new cracks on the home's exterior that could lead to internal water leaks. Anytime moisture is introduced into a home, there is a chance for mold -- especially if it goes unnoticed and untreated.



• Check furnace. Lubricate fans, pumps and motors before the winter months, and change or clean air filters monthly for cleaner air and energy efficiency. Schedule a professional to service the furnace once a year to avoid dust buildup and mold growth.



• Conduct a radon gas test every two years. Testing is the only conclusive way to determine if radon gas is present in a home. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Surgeon General recommends testing all homes every two years.

"For most Americans, their biggest investment is their home, yet many aren't aware of how susceptible it is to damage during the winter months," said Hometest founder and CEO Jim Bland. Hometest also urges homeowners to continue checking the following conventional items:

• Clean gutter. Remove all leaves, dirt and debris from rain gutters. This will allow rain and snow to drain properly and prevent build up, leaking or freezing.



• Check chimney. Inspect and clean chimneys and fireplaces once a year for soot buildup, structural soundness and blockages. Negligence can increase the chance of a chimney fire.



• Turn off all outdoor faucets and sprinklers. Cover faucets with some type of insulation to prevent pipes from freezing. If they cannot be turned off or covered, allow a small amount of water to drip from them to keep the water flowing.



• Test carbon monoxide detector, fire/smoke alarm. Make sure all alarms have new batteries and are operational. While not a winter-specific item, alarms should be checked on a regular basis.

About Hometest, Inc.
Hometest, Inc. is the nation's premier provider of education, training, testing and laboratory analysis for REALTORS(R), home inspectors, environmental consultants, multi-family property owners and homeowners/renters regarding environmental household hazards. Hometest products and services include educational materials, affordable testing products and professional training courses. The company's lab, METS Laboratories, is EPA-recognized and provides reliable analysis for environmental hazards including lead-based paint dust, toxic mold, radon gas and poor water quality. For more information, visit www.hometest.com.

SOURCE Businesswire