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Ask the Inspector: Home Accessibility
How can I make a home more accessible for those with mobility challenges?
Often times retrofitting a home for accessibility can begin with things that aren’t too costly. Here are some things you can do to make a home more accessible:
Bathroom – Alter the shower for “roll-in” functionality. It is best when someone does not have to climb into a shower. Swap out shower heads for no scald types. Bench seating can greatly help someone with limited mobility. If a bench is used, lower the shower head to the level of the person seated.
Stairs – Make sure an inside hand rail is present for all stairs. Make use of non-skid treads or fixed runners to minimize slips and falls. Swap out traditional light switches with the easier to use rocker switches.
Entryways – Motion sensor lighting can help reduce the occurrence of falls when entering the home. It is a good idea to have a bench near the entryway for guests to rest.
Kitchens – The kitchen can be retrofitted by installing roll-out shelves for pantries and cabinets. For corner cabinets, a Lazy Susan can greatly help someone who cannot reach towards the back.
You may find that your home needs ramps, or more involved features. A professional contractor can help you come up with solutions that benefit everyone in your home.
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Be advised
We use electricity in virtually all aspects of our daily lives. With such use, accidents will happen. Most happen because of misuse and poor maintenance. Here are a few electrical safety tips to help keep you safe:
Appliances – If you have an appliance that gives off a shock or tingle, get it checked by a professional immediately.
Outlets – Always use 3-holed, grounded outlets. Anytime an outlet is near water or located outdoors, use a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlet.
Extension Cords – Never place them under rugs. Keep pets from chewing on them and check for damage periodically.
Electrical Panels – Electrical panels use either fuses or circuit breakers. If your panel has fuses, always use fuses with the appropriate amperage. Check for frayed insulation or broken wires. If you find evidence of these, call an electrician to avoid shorts and possible fire.
Heating Equipment – Make sure any electrical heating equipment is kept away from combustible materials. Don’t keep portable heating units in the bathroom; because of water this can be dangerous.
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Snapshots from the Field
Can you guess what is wrong in this photo?
A.) The electrical panels are to small
B.) The electrical panel is too close to the shower and water supply
C.) There are termites visible in the wood
D.) There are missing fuses
The correct answer is B.) The electrical panel is too close to the shower and water supply
Maintenance Matters
To keep your home heating equipment running efficiently you should have it checked by a professional at least once a year. Without these annual checkups, your system could shut down at the worst possible time. There are a few things you can do to keep an eye on your heating system and make sure everything is alright.
- Always make sure to turn off power to the unit before inspection or maintenance
- Keep logs for all maintenance checks
- Change or clean the filter often. Usually on a quarterly or even monthly basis, depending on your system. A dirty filtration system can mean higher utility costs, lowered efficiency, and possibly a fire.
- Listen for unfamiliar sounds the furnace may make. Note any strange noises for maintenance
- If your system has a built in humidifier switch the damper switch to Winter at the beginning of the heating season (opens the damper) and switch it to Summer at the end of the heating season (closes the damper)
Check vents and flue pipes for rust, water leaks and loose connections
With these few steps, you can stay ahead of your furnace maintenance.
Notice: If you do not feel comfortable doing any of these steps, call a service technician.
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Heat Pumps
Instead of having a heater and an air conditioner sit idle for most of the year, you could have a heat pump installed.
For climates with moderate heating and cooling needs, heat pumps offer an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners. Like your refrigerator, heat pumps use electricity to move heat from a cool space into a warm space, making the cool space cooler and the warm space warmer.
The efficiency of most air-source heat pumps as a heat source drops dramatically at low temperatures, generally making them unsuitable for cold climates, although there are systems that can overcome that problem.
In milder climates, a heat pump can produce as much as 4 times the energy that it consumes by its ability to move air from the outside to inside and vice versa.
If you are interested in finding out more, visit the U.S. Dept of Energy and talk to a reputable installation company.
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Did You Know?
If your dishwasher is flooding, find the electrical switch for the dishwasher and set it to off. Then turn off the water supply, which is usually located under the kitchen sink.
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