Rum River Consultants

04/04/2023

Uploaded 3/27/2023

03/21/2023

What is Radon?
How do you know if you have high levels in your home and what are the risks?

Radon is a colorless and odorless gas that comes from the soil. It is produced from the natural decay of uranium and radium, found in rocks and soil. Uranium breaks down to radium, and radium eventually decays into the gas radon.

Radon is a serious public health concern in Minnesota. The average radon level in Minnesota is more than three times higher than the U.S. radon level. In Minnesota, more than two in five homes have radon levels that pose a significant health risk and every home is susceptible to radon, even new construction.

Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer for non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer in smokers. It is estimated that 21,000 people die each year in the United States from lung cancer due to radon exposure. A radon test is the only way to know what the levels are in your home. Radon can be reduced with a mitigation system.

You can find more information on Radon by clicking on the links below.

MN Dept. of Health - Radon in Homes
https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/air/radon/index.html
Radon Testing & Test Kits
https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/air/radon/radontestresults.html
Find a Radon Mitigation Professional
https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/air/radon/mitigation.html

03/22/2022

Warmer weather gets residents out on their property more. Take the time to look at how your exterior fared through the winter. Are there any loose areas on your roof? Is your siding in place? Check all the penetrations to see that they are flashed, caulked, and sealed properly.

The smallest of cracks can have a large impact in the long run! It is definitely worth a few minutes of inspecting and making small repairs which is beneficial to keeping your structure sound and safe.

03/17/2022

Did you know that flexible dryer venting is not code compliant? In fact, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) claims that almost 15,000 dryer fires last year may have been avoided
with proper venting.

Unfortunately, big box stores perpetuate this danger by selling dryer kits to homeowners that do not meet the requirements of the MN Mechanical Code. “When I am out on water heater and furnace
inspections, I use that opportunity to inform the public about the dangers of flexible dryer venting kits since these inspections are often located in the laundry room”, explains Rum River Building
Inspector, Mike Mullen.

Exhaust ducts must have a smooth interior finish and be constructed of metal not less than 0.016” thick. The exhaust duct size must be four inches nominal in diameter.

02/23/2022

Home owners are 40% more likely to experience water damage in the winter than any other time of year. This is because when water freezes, it expands which cause pipes to burst. In a matter of minutes, a burst pipe can cause a lot of damage and costly water bills. Here are simple tips to prevent pipe bursts:

• Place foam self-seal pipe insulation on exposed pipes
• Avoid using rubber hoses for washing machines - use steel braided hoses instead
• Know where your shut-off valves are located under your sink(s)
• If you are heading out of town, shut off the main water valve to prevent leaks and breaks while away

02/18/2022

Rum River Consultants was presented the Building Department of the Year Award for 2021 at the ICC Region III Institute on Tuesday, February 8th. This prestigious award recognized RRCC in our development and education for building officials and inspectors. The award read in part, “Their experienced staff led by Andy Schreder ensures the community can feel confident that buildings in their jurisdiction are built to today’s codes and standards. These efforts translate into improved public safety in the built environment.”

01/26/2022

Roofing Insights

Codes and Inspections: How inspectors keep contractors accountable?

Andy Schreder is the Chief Building Official at Rum River Construction Consultants

Codes and Inspections: How inspectors keep contractors accountable? Roofing InsightsAndy Schreder is the Chief Building Official at Rum River Construction Co...

01/26/2022

https://www.rumrivercc.com/continuing-education

01/21/2022

www.rumrivercc.com