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InspectAPedia.com - free online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice, including all residential & light commercial building components, materials, & mechanical systems. Illustrated, detailed, in-depth research on finding, diagnosing, testing, correcting, & preventing building defects, energy conservation, & indoor environmental hazards. Research on building failures & education course material on building failures & building environmental inspection testing, diagnosis, & repair.

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InspectAPedia.com is a free online Encyclopedia of Home & Building Inspection, Diagnosis & Repair - Links at page top and page left provide instructions for building inspection, diagnosis, and repair of nearly every building system and component.

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InspectAPedia.com was previously addressed as inspect-ny.com. URL's and page addresses using the older address will continue to function.

How to Cut Building or Home Cooling or Heating Costs

• ENERGY SAVINGS in buildings - ways to cut building energy costs for both heating and cooling
    ENERGY AUDIT - How to Use a Free One
    ENERGY SAVINGS MAXIMIZE RETURNS ON
    ENERGY SAVINGS PRIORITIES - what to do first to reduce building heating or cooling costs
    ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT CASE STUDY - why insulating an old building may not produce much energy savings
    ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT LEAK SEALING GUIDE
    ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT OPTIONS
    ENERGY STAR PROGRAM
    ENERGY USE MONITORING
    TIMERS for ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS
• AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS - inspect, diagnose, repair air conditioners and heat pumps
• AIR LEAK DETECTION TOOLS - how to find air leaks in buildings
• AIR LEAK SEALING PROCEDURE - step by step photo guide to stopping leaks around windows and doors
• APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS
• HEAT LOSS in buildings - how to find building heat loss points
• HEATING COST SAVINGS METHODS - adjust your oil burner to cut heating bills
• INSULATION LOCATION - WHERE TO PUT IT - detailed advice on how to place insulation & vapor barriers in buildings
  
• SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS - alternative energy
• THERMAL MASS in buildings - how to use building mass to store heat and release it later when needed
    THERMAL MASS FLOOR SLABS
    THERMAL MASS in UPSTAIRS
    THERMAL MASS WALL DESIGN
    THERMAL MASS in HOMES - STUDY
• THERMAL TRACKING Indicates Heat Loss - how stains can show where a building is losing heat
• WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS - alternative energy
• WOOD Burning Heaters Fireplaces Stoves - some important safety warnings to avoid a house fire

Environmental or Disaster & Emergency Relief Building Inspection, Diagnosis, Repair Topics

Tropical Storm Lee & Hurricane Irene Flood or Storm Damaged homes: Recommended articles

The articles we list below give advice on storm & flood damage assessment, priorities of hurricane or storm flooding repairs, and methods to limit building damage from earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods from any cause. Also see Hurricane, Earthquake, Tsunami, or Flooding Safety Preparation just below on this page.

• American Red Cross - how to contact the Red Cross - for emergency relief: food, clothing, shelter. If you are in need of a shelter during a disaster, contact your local Red Cross chapter - enter your zip code on this web page.
• Building Entry for Flood Damage Assessment: How to safely Enter & Inspect a Building After Flooding from Hurricane Ike
• BUILDING SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE - we list major building & indoor environmental safety hazards, and we discuss how to detect and protect from safety & environmental hazards in homes and other buildings
• CRAWL SPACE SAFETY ADVICE - when, where, how and why to enter a crawl space to inspect for damage
• Crawl Space Dryout Procedures - steps needed to dry out a crawl space and how to keep it dry and clean
• DISASTERS: BUILDING INSPECTION & REPAIR SAFEY - advice for hurricane, flood, storm & fire damage assessment, safety, & contact information for American Red Cross or FEMA emergency services
• DRINKING WATER - EMERGENCY SOURCES - where to find emergency drinking water after a flood or other disaster
• DRINKING WATER - EMERGENCY PURIFICATION - how to purify emergency drinking water using whatever is at hand
• Earthquake Chimney Collapse Dangers - chimney inspection procedures and provides examples of potentially fatal chimney collapse hazards in earthquake zones
• Earthquake Damage to Foundations - How to Evaluate and Diagnose Complex Combinations of Foundation Movement Cracks, Bends, Leans, or Shifts in Foundation Walls
• ELECTRICAL SAFETY for Flood Damage Inspectors: How to safely Check an Electrical System after flooding caused by Hurricanes or other Storms or Flooding
• FEMA - how to contact FEMA - the Federal Emergency Management Agency - Telephone: 1 (800) 621-FEMA (3362), TDD: 1 (800) 462-7585, Fax: 1 (800) 827-8112 or Online Disaster Relief Application for FEMA
  
  
• FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP - First Priorities - what to do first for safety and to protect a flooded building from further damage - how to assess flood damage and clean up flood damage
• FLOOD RESPONSE CHECKLIST - steps to inspect, protect, repair flooded buildings
• FLOODED HEATING EQUIPMENT REPAIR and FLOODED WATER HEATER REPAIR provide safety advice and equipment inspection/repair procedures for heating equipment such as boilers, furnaces, water heaters
• FLOODED SEPTIC SYSTEMS & FLOODS - how to get the septic system working after a flood
• Foundation Inspection for Flood Damage - is a flooded structure safe or in danger of collapse
  
  
• HAIL DAMAGED SHINGLES - inspection, assessment, diagnosis of hail damage to roofs
• Hurricane Damage Prevention - basic advice from FEMA & other sources
• Hurricane Safety Preparation - basic advice from FEMA & other sources
• Living in the Danger Zone: Realities about Hurricanes - book recommendation
• MOBILE HOMES, DOUBLEWIDES, TRAILERS - inspection, repair, storm damage & wind damage, MOBILE HOME WIND RATINGS
• MOLD ACTION GUIDE - what to do about mold in buildings after a flood, & MOLD PREVENTION AFTER FLOODING
• Mold Cleanup after Flooding: How to Prevent or Remove Mold After Flooding from Hurricane Ike and similar hurricanes, floods, storms
• Mold Damage Control after Flooding: checklist of key steps to minimize mold damage after a building flood from earthquake, flood, or a hurricane or similar storm or disaster.
• SEPTIC SYSTEMS & FLOODS - how to get the septic system working after a flood
• SINKHOLES, WARNING SIGNS - how to recognize signs of an impending disaster
• WILDFIRE DAMAGE PREVENTION - advice for homeowners
• WIND DAMAGE to ROOFS - roof shingle wind damage, cause, evaluation, prevention, standards
• Windstorm Damage Prevention Advice for Homeowners

Hurricane, Earthquake, Tsunami, or Flooding Safety Preparation: basic advice from FEMA & other sources

• Listen to the radio or TV for information.
  
• Secure your home, close storm shutters, and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.
  
• Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
  
• Turn off propane tanks.· Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies.
  
• Moor your boat if time permits.
  
• Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.

You should evacuate under the following conditions

• If you are directed by local authorities to do so. Be sure to follow their instructions.
  
• If you live in a mobile home or temporary structure—such shelters are particularly hazardous during hurricanes no matter how well fastened to the ground.
  
• If you live in a high-rise building—hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations.
  
• If you live on the coast, on a floodplain, near a river, or on an inland waterway.
  
• If you feel you are in danger.

If you are unable to evacuate, go to your safe room. If you do not have one, follow these guidelines

• Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors.
  
• Close all interior doors—secure and brace external doors.
  
• Keep curtains and blinds closed. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm - winds will pick up again.
  
• Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level.
  
• Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.

Gulf Oil Spill Sent Crude Oil Fumes Ashore in Louisiana - Recommended articles on crude oil spill health risks

Article moved - See OIL SPILL CLEANUP / PREVENTION

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Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

• InspectAPedia ^® BOOKSTORE - our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, & indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup procedures.
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