| Vol. 3, No.
3 |
From the desk of ...
Arthur S. Lazerow |
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The effective date for compliance is December
6, 1996. Realtors must comply. With disclosure, many buyers will opt to have a lead
assessment with their home inspection.
Realtors: Beware the unaccredited inspectors! State of Maryland law states that no one
shall perform lead inspection or lead risk assessments unless accredited by the Maryland
Department of the Environment. Accreditation involves extensive education and passing
rigorous exams, the correct (and expensive) equipment, and understanding the complexities
and danger presented by lead-based paint.
If an unaccredited inspector is selected, both the client and the Realtor are at risk! The
Realtor has not represented the client properly. The solution: Ask every inspector to fax
a copy of their accreditation certificate. Keep the certificate in your file to prove full
compliance with Title X.
Needless to say, all Alban home inspectors are fully MDE accredited to serve Realtors and
their clients properly.
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|
573 Lancaster Place
Frederick, Maryland 21702
Metro 1-800-822-7200
301-662-6565 |
Full Fee Refund
IF SALE DOESN'T CLOSE |
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Get the Most From
Faucets & Showers
Repairing leaks in
faucets and showers can save hot water. One drip per second can cost $1 per month, yet can
be repaired in a few minutes for less. Taking some simple steps could have significant
results. Try turning the water faucet off while shaving or brushing your teeth. Limit the
amount of time you spend in the shower.
Other actions may require a small investment of time and money. Installing low-flow
showerheads and faucet aerators can save significant amounts of hot water. Low-flow
showerheads can reduce hot water consumption for bathing by 30%, yet still provide a
strong, invigorating spray.
Faucet aerators, when applied in commercial and multi-family buildings where water is
constantly circulated, can also reduce water-heating energy consumption. Older showerheads
deliver 4-5 gallons (15.1-18.9 liters) of water per minute. However, the
Energy Policy Act of 1992 sets maximum water flow rates at 2.5 gallons (9.5 liters) per
minute at a standard residential water pressure of 80 pounds per square inch (552
kilopascals).
A quick test can help determine if a shower is a good candidate for showerhead
replacement. Turn on the shower to the normal press used, hold a bucket that has been
marked in gallon increments under the spray, and time how many seconds it takes to fill
the bucket to the one-gallon (3.8-liter) mark. If it takes less than 20 seconds, one could
benefit from a low-flow showerhead. A top-quality, low-flow showerhead will cost $10-$20
and pay for itself in energy saved within four months. Lower-quality showerheads may
restrict water flow, which often results in poor performance.
Because of the different uses of bathroom and kitchen faucets, one may need to have
different water flow rates in each location. For bathroom faucets, aerators that deliver
0.5-1 gallon (1.9-3.8 liters) of water per minute may be sufficient. Kitchen faucets may
require a higher flow rate of 2-4 gallons (7.6-15.1 liters) per minute if the sink is
filled for washing dishes. On the other hand, if water is let to run when washing dishes,
the lower flow rate of 0.5-1 gallon per minute may be more appropriate. Some aerators come
with shut-off valves that allows one to stop the flow of water without affecting the
temperature. |
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