Defined Inspections

Certified Professional Home Inspections

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Preparing Your Home For A Home Inspection

If you’re a homeowner looking to sell your home, it would be wise to look at your property through the eyes of a home inspector to make repairs at your own convenience, rather than the buyer’s.  Here is a list of common defects found at a home inspection that if repaired prior to sale, may keep some money in your pocket.

Minor Cosmetic Repairs

You may not bother to repair a faulty cabinet or make paint touch-ups but when your property is for a sale; but little fixes do matter. These quick fixes take little effort but will speak volumes to the inspector who will admire your pride of ownership and will relay that to their client.

Poor Curb Appeal

Repairing or enhancing your home’s landscaping is proven to increase a homes value as much as 12%. That doesn’t mean you have to perform a complete overhaul. Planting small trees, repainting the entrance door, maintaining vegetation, replacing dead grass or adding landscape lighting are simple landscaping projects that will help you land extra dollars in your pocket at closing.

Minor Appliance Damage

The less an inspector has to report as a defect in an inspection report, the better it is for a seller. Go through your through and make sure everything is working properly. Make sure the smoke alarms are on and working, turn on the pilot lights, run that dishwasher you haven’t used in a while and replace burned out bulbs.

Poor Exterior Drainage

The first thing I talk to my clients about at a home inspection is water. It is a homeowner’s worst enemy, and a home’s failure to properly deal with it will land as a red flag in my inspection report.  Make sure your gutters are in tact and show no signs of leaking.  Look for water marks down the side of your home, and contact a roofing contractor to make a repair if you do.

Ignored Plumbing Leaks

No one wants their new home to have water leaks, and any buyer will insist you fix them prior to close.  Starting from the highest floor in your house, run of the water fixtures from a minimum of 2 minutes.  Check under the sinks, and work your way towards the foundation of your home, looking for any signs of leaks or water staining.

Delayed Service of Your HVAC Systems

A primary concern of most home buyers are big-ticket items and what major expenses they may encounter soon after they close. Your HVAC system is one of the places where big dollars are spent, so rather than having an inspector find a major issues, have HVAC maintenance performed prior to putting your property on the market.  For less than $100, you will learn a lot about your furnace. They will clean the system and have it looking like new for it’s new owner.

Pin Hole Leaks In Your Copper Plumbing

Copper pipes are prone to pinholes that can cause gradual water leakage and as a result, damage to your home.  These destructive opening are common in copper plumbing and are caused by corrosive particles, improper fittings, and turbulence in pipes.      

Early signs of pinhole leaks are difficult to detect by the naked eye, but early detection is essential to help save your home from costly repair.  Here is a list of what to look for:

Blue Dots

Change of color on your copper pipes is a common indication that your pipes are having an issue with corrosion.  Blue-green or black dots on pipes are an early indication of pinhole development.

Expensive Water Bills

Are you noticing an abrupt increase in your monthly water bill?  You may be paying for the water leakage happening in your basement, crawlspace or wall cavity you aren’t able to see.

Drip… Drip… Drip Sounds

Don’t ignore dripping noises around your home, as faint as they may be, because even the smallest of leaks can cause significant damage over time.  A good home inspector will have a moisture meter or an infrared camera they can use in the right area to find signs of a leak.

Water Stains and Discoloration of Walls

With most plumbing being hidden in your walls, be aware of any peeling, discoloration, blistering, cracks and warping in your drywall or plaster.  Remember, water always moves in the direction of least resistance, so you will most likely see signs of a leak towards the bottom of a wall or at the baseboards. At the first signs of any of those issues, contact a plumber to evaluate and repair the areas plumbing to prevent further damage.

Common Roofing Issues, and How To Prevent Them

It stands true that in the case of roofing, an ounce of prevention can save lots of dollars in the cure and understanding the basics of roof maintenance and having a checklist for each season will save you those dollars. Cleaning gutters, removing leaves, getting rid of moss and prevent ice dams are a great place to start, but you may still face issues and it comes in handy to be able to identify them and know their remedies.

So, in today’s read, we’ve summed up some common issues and their solutions to help you keep your roof in tiptop shape without much hassle.

Leaky roof

Roof leaks are quite common as the harsh elements of the sun; wind and weather beat down on them year round.  So what are the signs of a roof, and what can you do to fix them?

The most obvious sign of a leaky roof is water stains that extend across the ceiling and run down the walls.  Repairing the leaks is necessary, but it’s often the tracking down of where the water is entering is the pesky part of the process.  You’ll need an eagle eyes view because the point of the water stain is not always the point of a leak.

Walk outside and visually inspect your roof.  The trick here is to emphasize areas that are higher than the location of the stains inside. If you can spot any damaged portion on the tiles or shingles you should immediately replace it. But if you’re unsuccessful with the hunt, better call a professional roofer to get on the roof and evaluate it further.  

Moss Buildup

Moss buildup is a common roofing issue that can greatly shorten your roof’s lifespan. They roots of the moss can easily get into voids between shingles and tiles, reaching under and lifting the roofing material off of the sheathing.

If you’re seeing a greenery foliage cover on your roof, it’s time to schedule a roof cleaning. Such a buildup is mostly on areas that don’t receive adequate sunlight usually because of tree shading or north-facing roofs or in areas where tree branches are in close contact.  We always recommend having a professional cleaning done as cleaning your roof can prove dangerous, and DIY solutions may void your roofs warranty.

After the removal, make sure to exercise preventive measures to keep your roof moss-free. You can trim back branches of trees and regularly remove moisture collectors such as debris.

Issues with gutters and drains

A proper drainage system is vital for roofing lifespan. A combination of gutters and downspouts guides the water away from the roof and the home’s foundation. But they all need frequent cleaning and maintenance. They can catch leaves and easily get clogged after heavy rain.  If you notice dumping water in areas in which it shouldn’t be, a cleaning will necessary.

Critters and their nests

You may love birds, squirrels and raccoons in nature but they must not make your home theirs. These uninvited guests are not only annoying but also pose a serious threat to your roofing. If you see missing shingles, holes in the soffits, lose fascia boards and gaps between the eaves; you may already be facing trouble!

There are many ways you can animal-proof your roof without calling an expert.  Sealing holes and cracks around your roof is an important first step.  Do not use concrete as these critters can chew it away, which is why we always recommend using metal wiring. 

Top 10 Tips For Maintaining A Wood Burning Fireplace

With the winter moths quickly approaching, a lot of home owners will begin to put their fireplaces to use. To help ensure your fireplace continues to provide comfort safely, please consider the follow best practices.

Install Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarms

Ensure the presence of both a carbon monoxide and smoke alarm in the same room as the fire place.

Clean the Interior of the Fireplace

Routine cleaning will help the fireplace operate and burn more efficiently, providing additional comfort in the home.

Remove Soot and Creosote Buildup

Most commonly seen as black buildup around the fireplace, soot and creosote buildup is flamable and presents a significant fire hazard in the home.

Use the Correct Wood

We recommend using hardwood like oaks, maple, and birch. Stay away from softwoods like cedar and pine. While hardwood may be more expensive, they produce more heat, burn longer, and don’t produce as much creosote as softwoods.

Check the Chimney and its Cap

Ensuring this system is properly sealed is imperative in preventing moisture intrusion, critter intrusion and helps prevent fires in the home.

Test the Fireplace Before Use

Light a few pieces of wood and check if the smoke is released through the chimney. If it enters the room, troubleshoot and correct the problem first before loading up more wood. Common issues to consider may be an obstruction in the chimney duct, creosote or soot buildup, a closed damper, or wet wood.

Install a Heat Proof Glass Door

Safety is my top priority in any home, and installing a heat proof glass door at the fireplace is a must.

Hire a Professional Chimney Sweep

A certified chimney sweep should inspect your chimney once a year or more frequently than that if you notice creosote buildup or other signs of trouble. While some issues are very obvious and easy to correct, there are problems that require a professional who can spot and correct them.

Always Consider Safety Precautions

Considering the area around your fireplace is an important safety precaution. Things to consider include:

  • Keeping combustible carpets and furniture as far away from the hearth as possible.
  • Make sure you’re using the proper tools when cleaning the fireplace
  • Never leave a fire unattended and always completely extinguish a fire before sleeping or going out of the house.

Troubleshoot and Correct Problems as They Arise

If problems arise while using your fireplace, be quick to correct them. Remember, while working with a fireplace, you can never be too careful. Common problems may include:

  • Smoke filling the room instead of being released up in the chimney. 
  • White staining in the bricks of the chimney which can be a sign of too much moisture due to leakage. Often, mold infestation can occur or further chimney damage. Rust is often a sign of water damage as well. 
  • Spalling bricks will tell you that the aging masonry is in dire need of tuck pointing.

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