Home Inspections Daily

Ungrounded outlets are a safety hazard and are in violation of the building and national wiring codes. They need be made safe immediately.

Newer Wiring
In homes where all the outlets were installed with a ground, any failure of the ground must be corrected by replacing the failing outlet, or replacing and/or reconnecting the ground wire. In many cases the open ground on one outlet is the result of a disconnected wire at another outlet. A wire disconnected from one outlet will disconnect the ground service from all the outlets down line.

Older Wiring
In older homes the original wiring did not have ground wire connected to the outlets. These ungrounded outlets are easily distinguished by their two hole / slot configuration verses the newer grounded type of outlet that has three holes / slots.

Ungrounded outlets that have two holes / slots used in a home that was originally wired in this manner and has not been rewired are considered acceptable.

Where the Problem Begins
The problems for the owners of older homes start when grounded type outlets are substituted for the ungrounded type without the necessary rewiring that adds a ground wire to the new three prong grounded type outlet.

Grounded type (three hole / slot) outlets may not be substituted for ungrounded outlets unless a ground wire is connected. An exception to this rule is allowed by the National Electric Code, when the outlet is protected by a ground fault interrupter (GFI or GFCI).

The Fixes
There are two fixes available for those home owners who do not want to rewire the entire house.

The first fix uses Ground Fault Interrupters. There are two types of GFI available, one takes the place of the regular circuit breaker in the load center. The second type that is available takes the place of the standard outlet and replaces it with a special GFI protected outlet. These are commonly used in the kitchens and bathrooms of newer homes. Most people know them for their black and red reset buttons.

The second fix. In many older homes the outlet mounting box was grounded but the outlet was not, if this the case it is possible to use a jumper between the mounting box and the grounding screw on the new grounded type outlet. 

This type of ground may not be adequate for surge protectors. (see below)

Surge Protectors
A surge protector plugged into an ungrounded outlet will not operate as the manufacturer intended. When a large surge or spike hits, the surge protector uses the ground wire to take the "hit" away from the protected equipment and send it safely to ground. If the surge or spike is not sent to ground by the surge protector it will destroy the delicate electronics you were trying to protect. The warranty offered by the surge protectors manufacturer offer, is only valid if the surge protector is used in a properly grounded outlet.

Colorado Home Inspection

The drying effects of home heating are constantly at work in the winter. For the sake of comfort and health an indoor humidity level between 30-50% is recommended. As outdoor temperatures drop, humidity levels indoors should be lowered. The humidity is right for you when the room feels "comfortable". Signs of low humidity are static electricity, a physically uncomfortable dry feeling, plants that wither and die, and a cold feeling even though the room temperature is relatively high.

Cleaning humidifiers

First and foremost, follow the manufacturer's instructions to clean a humidifier. It is important to clean the humidifier regularly to remove lime scale caused by water minerals which collect on the belts, the water reservoir and other parts that come in contact with the water. Regular use of a liquid water conditioner solution will help to control odor and simplify cleaning. Some units have dispensers which store and then dispense the solution directly into the reservoir water. As air passes through the pad, some particles of dirt are trapped; also, the pad may become heavy with hard water particles which collect on the fibers of the pad as the water evaporates. Even if the interior liner and other functional parts are made of non-corrosive materials, rust can result from iron in the water. The pad, liner and other interior parts need to be cleaned frequently. Be careful when putting parts back together so no malfunction will occur. Some humidifiers have drain outlets--others have to be operated until all the water is removed before cleaning. Cleaning the humidifier outdoors or in the basement with the use of a hose may make it unnecessary to take the pad off the holder, but there is the possibility that water may get into the motor or controls. Plastic parts may be damaged if hot water is used to fill the tank. Pads may wear out or become ineffective. Once-a-year replacement may be warranted. Between operations, the unit should not be stored or left for long periods with water in it. Undesirable odors from the growth of fungus and bacteria may develop.

Dehumidifying - General Information

If you frequently smell musty odors or feel damp spots on the floors or walls of your basement, laundry room, or storage area during warm, humid weather, you need a dehumidifier. The recommended humidity level inside your home during the summer is around 40-50%, and very humid conditions over an extended period can leave you uncomfortable and adversely affect your home. Musty smells, peeling wall paper, warped wood, rusting tools, blistered paint and moisture dripping from pipes are signs of excessive humidity. These conditions are most common during spring and summer. Dehumidifiers remove excess humidity by drawing moist room air over cold refrigerated coils. The moisture in the air condenses into droplets as it passes over the cold surfaces in the dehumidifier and into a container. "Dried" air then returns to the room at approximately its original temperature. For best results, the unit should be located in an area closed to outdoor air and where air movement in and out of the unit is not restricted.

Denver Home Inspections