GETTING TO KNOW YOUR HOME

Retaining the services of a professional home inspector to inspect your potential purchase will save you money at the closing table. Identifying defects and pointing out costly repairs will give you bargaining leverage as well as save you from costly, and untimely repairs. You would not like to find out two months after you moved into your dream house that it was going to take two or three thousand dollars to repair your heating system.
Understanding your home enough to know when routine maintenance needs to be done will save you from untimely and costly repairs, not to mention protect your investment.
Understanding your home will also help you as a seller. If you are prepared for a home inspection before you have a potential buyer send out his/hers home inspector, you will find out this, too, will save you time and money at closing.
The following inspection outline is aimed at providing you, the homeowner with an introduction to the basic knowledge of what a home inspection consists. This outline is not intended to accomplish a complete or thorough inspection of your home, but to give you the basic knowledge to investigate your home from a technical viewpoint.

I hope this exercise will help you understand and prepare for a home inspection, as well as gain the understanding of residential care and maintenance.


FOUNDATIONS and BASEMENTS

1- Check for signs of insect infestation
2- Check grading to assure water will drain away from the foundation
3- Check basement or crawl space for dampness following wet weather
4- Check foundation walls for cracks (horizontal or vertical)

EXRERIOR WALLS

1- Check masonry for cracks and missing mortar
2- Check wood siding for decay and paint failure
3- Check vinyl or aluminum siding for loose or missing pieces
4- Check fascias and soffits for paint failure


ROOF

1- From the ground, check for damaged or missing shingles
2- Check for damaged flashing
3- Check gutters for damage and make sure they are attached properly
4- Check downspouts to make sure that they are attached and running water away from the foundation
5- Check vent louvres for bird nests or other obstructions
6- Check for chimney caps

SITE

1- Check to make sure window wells and storm drains are free of debris
2- Check for drips at outside hose bibs
3- Check driveways and sidewalks for cracks and settling
4- Check for any wood surfaces that are in contact with the soil
5- Check for tree limbs on the power lines that enter the house

DOORS and WINDOWS

1- Check for damaged screens and broken glass
2- Check caulking at doors and windows
3- Check doors and windows for operable latches
4- Check auto-reverse on electric garage door openers

INTERIOR SURFACES

1- Check for cracks in walls and ceilings
2- Check for water stains on walls and ceilings

PLUMBING SYSTEMS

1- Check for any leaking handles or faucets
2- Check drains that drain slow
3- Check for leaks under sinks
4- Check shower diverter
5- Check water heater for leaks and rust


HEATING and COOLING

1- Clean or change furnace filter
2- Remove clutter from around the furnace
3- Check the outside AC unit to make sure the area around it is free of bushes or other obstructions


ELECTRICAL

1- Check for missing or broken switch or receptacle covers
2- Check for covers on all junction boxes
3- Check for GFCI receptacles in bathrooms, kitchens, and out side receptacles

4- Locate the main service panel and remove any obstructions


We encourage you to care for your home and respect the initiative of do-it-yourselfers. We do not advocate that maintenance be performed by anyone who is not capable and comfortable doing so. If you are unsure of your ability to perform needed maintenance on your home, seek the services of professionals.

Water Heater (Answer)

Hey Ross,

Since you have the option of going with Gas, I would suggest having it professionally hooked up to your gas line.

Natural Gas is the most efficient amongst all of the heating sources available in today’s market. With Heating Oil, running a close second and LP Gas running even a closer third.

Natural Gas is most efficient because it has a quicker recovery time. That means, the heating time is much shorter to heat the same amount of water versus electricity. And Natural gas is more efficient than heating oil.

Prices do vary based on your location.

As far as a recommended size, I suggest a minimum of a 40-gallon water heater. This should suffice for a family of three. Choose the high efficiency model and since you are going from electric to gas now, I recommend the high efficiency model that has a power venting system. This system will allow you to vent the gas vapors directly out side of the house, without making holes in your roof and using metal chimneys.

Al

Thanks for your question.

Please send questions to agarrett54@hotmail.com Please put "Hey Al" in the subject box.

Water Heater (Question)

Hey Al,

My water heater is starting to leak, and has finally made me look at the stores to purchase another one. With it leaking and not working as best as it can, I actually have the time to do research and make the best decision. So, the ultimate question is, should I buy a water heater that runs on electric or gas? I do have a gas line that goes into the house, so I am flexible on my options. I have a family of three, and we do a moderate amount of use of the dishwasher, showering and laundry.

Ross

I will post the answer tomorrow.

Please send questions to agarrett54@hotmail.com Please put "Hey Al" in the subject box.

New Dishwasher (Answer)

Hey Holly,

Congratulations on your new home. This will be a kitchen of your dreams. The stainless steel tub dishwashers are not just for looks, but a higher quality unit with some substantial benefits. Although the stainless steel tub dishwashers are more expensive, these units have a longer life expectancy, they are usually whisper quiet compared to the plastic tub models.

With the stainless steel tub units, they are able to achieve the same heat, and even hotter, but using a much lower wattage element, therefore saving money on your electricity bill over a period of time. The higher heat will also sanitize your dishes even more.

Good luck with your new home.

Al

Thanks for your question.

Please send questions to agarrett54@hotmail.com Please put "Hey Al" in the subject box.

New Dishwasher (Question)

Hey Al,

I am considering buying a stainless steel tub dishwasher for my house.
We are having a new house built, and we are picking out appliance and considering the purchase of a stainless steel tub dishwasher. Although they are more expensive than the standard plastic tub models, are they more efficient, just for looks, or just a waste of money?

Holly

I will post the answer tomorrow.

Please send questions to agarrett54@hotmail.com Please put "Hey Al" in the subject box.

Time for a check-up

This is a good time to give your house a spring check-up. With Old Man Winter gone, it is a good time to see what kind of damage he left behind. It is also time to prepare the house for the next season.
With the cooling season on the way, it is a good time to have the air conditioning serviced. If you are planning to have the ducts cleaned, now is the time to have it done.

With regard to cooling, let me remind you of the importance of good attic ventilation and proper insulation. This is important in keeping the cooling cost to a minimum.
If you are going to cool your house without air conditioning, here are some tips:

 Inspect window and door screens
 Make sure you have window covering for the south and west facing windows
 Clean and service fans

In warm weather open all windows when the sun sets, then close them at sunrise. Curtains or some type of window covering on the south and west facing windows will help keep the heat of the sun out.

Now is also the time to evaluate your house for maintenance and repairs. Hear is a list of things to check:

 Check the exterior cladding
 If wood cladding- check for warping, loose pieces, also peeling or blistering paint
 If brick cladding- check for cracks, mortar missing between bricks, and spalting bricks (faces popping off brick)
 Check foundation for moisture and movement
 Check landscaping around the foundation for proper grading (no low spots)
 Inspect porches and decks
 Check the condition of your chimney cap
 Clean your gutters
 Check the gutters and downspouts to see if they are attached securely, and in working order
 Inspect roof system and roof flashing

Inspecting the roof system is important. If your roof is in excess of fifteen years old and looks questionable to you, it may be wise to have it inspected by a professional.
Winter conditions can cause the shingles to claw (curl under on the bottom corners). This is also a sign of aging. Also another likely product of winter, is broken or missing shingles.
If your attic is not well vented and insulated, you will likely find the shingles curling up on the corners. This condition is important to monitor because it makes the shingles highly susceptible to wind damage.

Your local Home Inspector can provide you with a list of maintenance items that your home needs. Taking care of these maintenance items will save you money on more expensive repairs down the road.

Lady Bugs (Answer)

Hey Allen,
Don’t worry the ladybug (Asian lady beetle) will not feed or damage anything in your home. They are really only nuisances more than a pest. They cannot sting or harm you, and they will not breed indoors. It is normal to see a lot of them in late fall, because they are getting ready to hibernate. Once indoors they will hibernate until early spring. The best way to control them is with a vacuum cleaner.

Thanks for your question.

Please send questions to agarrett54@hotmail.com Please put "Hey Al" in the subject box.