Home Inspecting Fireman

HELLO…I’m back after a little absence. Thanks to all of you that have asked , where are those tips of yours been……? I have a few great cold weather and snow issue tips for you today. While you can’t change the weather, you can minimize some of winter’s biggest threats to your home.Heavy snow accumulation can pose a threat to your home or business — both as it builds up and as it melts. The three most important things to do are:
• Watch for snow accumulation on the leeward (downwind) side of a higher-level roof, where blowing snow will collect. For safe removal that won’t endanger you or damage your roof, consult a roofing contractor for a referral.
• Remove snow from basement stairwells, window wells and all walls. Melting snow can lead to water damage and moisture intrusion.
• Keep your attic well ventilated to maintain a temperature close to that of the outdoors to minimize the risk of ice dams forming. A warm attic melts snow on the roof, causing water to run down and refreeze at the roof’s edge, where it’s much cooler. If ice builds up and blocks water from draining, water is forced under the roof covering and into your attic or down the inside walls of your house.

I am advising everyone that lives where all the heavy snow fell, to remove 2 -4 feet of snow in distance from the foundation and/or the sides of your homes. This will allow the melting snow to drain into the ground and away from the foundation and hopefully prevent a wet basement or crawlspace. Some of us have 14 – 30 inches next to our homes. Ensure your sump pumps, if applicable are working also. This snow melt will occur for several days.

Winter presents unique issues for homeowners. Hopefully I will mention a few that concern you. Change your furnace filters once a month. Caulk or seal all ledges where snow will settle so you don’t get any water penetration through window sills, etc. Ensure your attic vents, either ridge, gable, roof, etc are not clogged with debris or bird nests. Have your furnace serviced prior to freezing temps to ensure all components are working when you need the heat. Open all water spigots and drain the pipes to them, if possible to prevent cracked interior pipes. Make sure your gutters are clear of water or debris so any freezing prevents any damage to the gutter.  Buy sidewalk ice remover products that will not harm interior floor coverings.   Don’t purchase expensive door bottom draft stoppers, they tend to be left in place and forgotten, which can lead to moisture getting into them, causing odors and damage to doors and thresholds. Instead, just use cheap large bath towels rolled up and replace and wash them weekly or as needed. Purchase ” ONLY” space heaters equipped with the automatic shut off feature to prevent a possible fire if tipped over. Have your fireplaces inspected and cleaned professionally prior to burning wood to ensure safe usage, and only burn seasoned wood. Good luck and have a safe and warm winter.

Moles are insectivores, which means most baits will be useless and/or ineffective. It also means that controlling earthworms and grubs, which is the moles main diet in yards is somewhat futile, you will fixing the symptom and not the illness, so to speak. Moles also have a vast network of tunnels. Traps are the most effective and not live traps. Find a tunnel that is straighter and runs along a border, garage base, foundation, etc and smash down a few sections of that tunnel. Check that area for a few days and determine if it is active, as the mole will repair the smashed area. Now place the trap at that section. Repeat as neccesary. Good luck, I have killed 9 so far this fall.

Tis the season with the temperature changes that our unwanted outdoor pests look to enter our homes, garages and vehicles. They do this for warmth, food and to bear little unwanted pests. Set traps outside areas that are entry points, and always place traps next to the wall as this is where mice will run,  sprinkle baby powder around doors, openings, tires, etc to find their trails then set baits or traps,  reduce or remove wood piles, (termites)  and food sources (mice, snakes, roaches) outside. Use lock top type containers for dog food, bird seed, etc if possible. Call a pest control company if an issue  and good luck, Ron.

Recently, a customer called me, complained about an aspect of a Home Inspection performed for them, and implied a lawsuit. I tried to explain the matter in question was covered on the Inspection Agreement that was signed by her significant other.  I explain my inspection process and show them the report, which has the agreement and requires a signature from the potential buyer prior to me starting the inspection. The contract has information that protects the buyer and the contractor, and explains in detail what, if any recourse the buyer may have against the contractor, and vice-versa. It also has language that may need to be explained. I ask them to sign the agreement and encourage them to read the agreement, it takes 2 – 3 minutes, some do, some don’t. I recommend if you are getting a home inspection, buying a personal item, making a large purchase, etc, always read the contract, agreement, authorization, whatever  ” IT IS THAT NEEDS TO BE SIGNED “, before you sign it. Good luck and be and, buyer beware, I am an honorable and responsible contractor/owner, some are not.

If you are looking to but an older home, say 1930′s and before, here are  a few general things to consider. Wether it be roofing, electrical wiring and componenets, plumbing, foundations, or mechanicals ( a/c units, furnaces, water heaters ), repair costs versus replacement costs will vary depending on outdated and illegal, or toxic items, such as asbestos tiles, wrappings and floor coverings, polybutylene pipe, Masonite or Weyerhauser siding andFederal Pacific Stab Lock Electrical Panels. The ability to find, let alone afford items like antique fixtures, glass, and exotic woods that are now protected. Honorable Licensed Contractors, who hold ALL current lead paint remediation Certifications, this is for remodeling and painting in homes built in 1978 and before.  Any recall items taht may still be in your homes today, I will post a list of these items later. Remember, this is a verygeneral post, ask someone you know that lives in one of these homes and see what their maintenance costs, upkeep and insurance rates are due to these older homes. They are beautiful, but do come with hidden costs.

Garage doors can weigh 75 to over 300 pounds and are easily the heaviest moving object in or around your home, ( us husbands dont count on that list ), Children  should not play under or near a garage door. Parents; make sure the door buttons are mounted 5 feet above ground level to keep interested children from touching it, when they are old enough, show them proper operation and how to use the emergency cord to relaease a door. All garage doors installed aftet January 1, 1993 are required to have an automatic feature that reverses the door when the door comes into contact with a child, car, etc, to avoid and injury or damage. If your garage door does not have a reverse feature, consider getting a system installed. Call a professional company to install and adjust these systems, as the springs, rollers, rails, and door cables are generally under high tension and could cause a serious injury if they were to slip, break or become engaged while you are working on them. Be careful around these doors, they cause almost 20,000 emergency room visits annually in the United Staes,  Have a great weekend and be safe.

Some of you may have noticed that you have a broad leaf grass in your yard. Your regular grass seems to be growing normal and yet, this broad stem grass which is darker and kinda rubber to the touch, seems to grow like a weed. I use Scott’s Turf Builder Plus 2. It will make your grass grow faster, which means a few extra cuts this summer, but you should in most cases, get your lawn back. Read the bag, but It seems to work better when applied after a cut and prior to an overnight shower. In my area, it’s about 42 bucks a bag. Good luck and let me know your results. Ron