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=
What’s
in this issue-
·Getting a better deal
·Avoid unexpected
setbacks
·Pre-winter checklist<=
/a>
·Digital pic program
·Test for radon?
·Top inspecti=
on
issues
·Seminars
<=
/o:p>
<=
/o:p>
Qu=
ick
Clicks….
=
S=
chedule
an inspection
See
a sample report
See
sample album
Request
a topic that interests you
A=
sk
Questions or send comments
Send
this newsletter to a friend
Request
removal from mailing list
Top 10 List
The main issues that come=
up on
home inspections:
1.
Improper Grading
2.
Improper Electrical Wiring
3.
Roof Damage
4.
Heating Systems
5.
Poor Overall Maintenance
6.
Structural Problems
7.
Plumbing
8.
Exteriors
9.
Poor Ventilation
10.
Miscellaneous
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
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Welcome!
I receive many magazines, jo=
urnals
and newsgroup e-mailings relative to the home inspection and construction
industry. It takes a lot of=
time
to sift through it all but it is something that I truly enjoy and make ti=
me
for. This newsletter’s
mission is to take many of these helpful bits of information and reveal t=
hem
to our large family of past clients in a way that not only is understanda=
ble
but also applicable. As a h=
ome
inspector, our ability to inform you of any concerns or issues relative to
today’s world of home ownership is very important and this forum al=
lows
for that to happen.
I also receive questions fro=
m past
clients on a daily basis. There are so many components to a home that
anything could happen at any time.
A good home inspection following ASHI protocol will review over 900
items relative to required items that need to be examined. One shouldn’t expect a hom=
eowner
to now how to handle every issue that can happen but as home inspectors
it’s our obligation to provide the answers or at least direct people
where to get the answers. W=
hat
better person to ask than the person who inspected your home!
Read
this to save $$$!
You can save yourself hundre=
ds if
not thousands of dollars if you get a home inspection. Not only will a home inspection =
detail
the condition of the house but it also presents a game plan to what you
should do relative to any necessary repairs.
Before you actually need tha=
t home
inspection, make sure to attend one of our informational seminars detaili=
ng
what you should look at prior to making an offer. You will feel more confident abo=
ut
looking at houses after attending because we will show you easy things to
spot.
![3D"Text](3D"AdvancedHomeInspectionNewsletterOctober2005Issue_files/image008.gi=) Send us your photos!
With our home inspection sem=
inars we
offer the opportunity to utilize our “digital inspection
program”. This works by showing the home buyer some simple things to
identify and taking photos of these items in the house. These photos are evaluated by our
staff and the information is sent back to the buyer. This is FREE service that is par=
t of
our seminar package as well as part of our post inspection package.
One of the best things you can do wh=
en
selling a home-
When getting ready to sell y=
our home
one of the best things you can do is to get a complete heating and cooling
evaluation by a professional. The
ideal scenario is to have records of the history for the heating and cool=
ing
system. Regular servicing w=
ould
include a check up and possible cleaning every 1-2 years depending on the
system. Being able to provi=
de up
to date information about your mechanical system will help to eliminate
surprises from this house component and feel more confident about the
condition of your home.
Homeowner's Pre-Winter Checklist=
![](3D"AdvancedHomeInspectionNewsletterOctober2005Issue_files/image010.gi=) As the weather grows colder, homeowners
should plan ahead for the stormy winter months. There are many things you=
can
and should do to protect your home and family from the ravages of winter.
Good planning can also help reduce maintenance and utility costs.
Central heating
Open vents near the floor and close tho=
se
near the ceiling for better air circulation. Test furnace before the weat=
her
gets very cold. Consider having a professional give your heating system a
checkup. If heating system is older than 15 years, consider replacing it =
with
a modern, efficient unit. Replace or clean your furnace air filters.=
Window or through-wall air conditioners=
:
Install a winter cover over the unit or
remove it for the winter and seal the opening.
Insulation=
Make sure attic insulation is at least =
R30.
One inch of typical fiberglass insulation has an R value of 2.5. So to
achieve R30 you need at least 12 inches of insulation. If at all possible,
make sure walls are insulated to R11. Make sure crawl space is insulated.
Consider insulating your basement walls. Besides saving you heating dolla=
rs,
it can reduce common moisture problems caused by condensation. If your ho=
use
was built before 1950, it may be an excellent candidate for cost-saving
blown-in wall insulation.
Attic ventilation=
Make sure attic insulation doesn't cover
ventilation vents in the eaves (also called soffits or overhangs). This h=
elps
prevent winter ice dams. Make sure ridge vent and vents at eaves are free=
of
plants and debris. Make sure bird and rodent screens for attic vents don&=
#8217;t
have holes or loose corners. If they do, replace or patch them.
Cleaning
Vacuum under and behind freezer and fri=
dge.
This can greatly improve efficiency of unit. Have chimney cleaned and che=
cked
by a chimney sweep. Have deck power washed and resealed. This is not
necessary every winter. Every 4-5 is standard unless there is significant
water damage.
Windows & Doors=
If you have the older type removable wo=
oden
storm windows, make arrangements to have them re-installed. Replace or re=
pair
any broken window locks or latches. Caulk around frames. Repair any crack=
ed
or broken window panes.
Exterior Walls=
Check for mud trails, sawdust, and other
signs of termite or carpenter ant infestation. Check for gaps around pipes
and wires that go through exterior walls. Caulk so that no air can leak i=
n or
out. Remove, drain and coil all garden hoses. Turn off the interior cut-o=
ff
valve for each outdoor faucet and then open the outdoor faucet so that no
water can freeze in the pipe that connects the two.
Rainwater Protection=
Keep gutters clean at all times. During=
the
fall it is better to clean them several times rather than waiting until t=
he
end of the leaf season. If your gutters are rusty, it is time to replace =
them
with new aluminum or vinyl gutters. If there are any signs of a leak or
damaged shingles or flashing, have the roof checked. Generally, if the ro=
of
is leaking and is more than 15 years old (with regular shingles), it may =
be
more cost effective to have a new roof put on. Make sure all culverts and
exterior drains are free of debris.
Snow Preparation=
Make sure you have a working snow shovel
and sidewalk salt on hand.
Improvements to Consider=
Thermal replacement windows .Install si=
ding
with wall insulation.
|
|
Upco=
ming Seminars-
=
“What to look for in t=
he
house that your buying or selling”
=
=
Si=
gn up
for our FREE seminar aimed to help any home buyer or seller prioritize ma=
jor
home conditions and what should be done about them.
6:30 pm, Monday October 24
To register, call (585)392-5=
354 or
click
here
Helpful Tip-=
“If it doesn’t look right=
it
probably isn’t”
-utilize common sense when house hunt=
ing
and make sure to ask questions if something seems peculiar to you
Need to contact us?
Advanced
Home Inspections
P.O. Box 16380
Rochester, NY
14616
Office
585=
-392-5354
Fax
585=
-392-5312
E-mail
i=
nfo@advancedinspections.com
We’re
on the Web!
www.advancedinspections.com<=
o:p>
|
Radon Testing-should the house be tested?=
Because families are spendin=
g more
time indoors with the weather changing, it may be a good time to test for
this radioactive, invisible, odorless gas. Exposure to radon is the second
leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. EPA estimates that approximately
21,000 lung cancer deaths each year are radon-related. Radon comes from t=
he
decay of naturally occurring uranium in the earth's soil and can accumula=
te
indoors to dangerous levels. Simple, inexpensive do-it-yourself radon test
kits are available or you can contact Advanced
Home Inspections. EPA recommends that houses with radon levels of 4 p=
Ci/l
or more of radon should be fixed to prevent accumulation of the gas indoo=
rs.
To learn more about how to receive a discounted radon home test or for mo=
re information
about radon, and how to contact your state radon office contact Advanced
Home Inspections.
The main issues that come up on home inspectio=
ns
In the most recent survey of its members, the American So=
ciety
of Home Inspectors® (ASHI®) compiled the following list of the mo=
st
frequently found problems in the homes they inspected.
1. Improper Surface Grading/Drainage
This is by far the most frequently found problem reported by home
inspectors at 35.8%. It is responsible for the most common household
maladies: water penetration of the basement or crawl pace.
2. Improper Electrical Wiring
A significant number (19.9%) chose this item as the most common home
defect, which includes such situations as insufficient electrical service=
to
the house, inadequate overload protection, and amateur, often dangerous,
wiring connections.
3. Roof Damage
Although reported by only 8.5% of home inspectors as the =
most
common problems, roof leakage, caused by old damaged shingles or improper
flashing, was considered to be a frequent problem.
4. Heating Systems
Problems in this category include broken or malfunctioning operations
controls, blocked chimneys, and unsafe exhaust disposal.
5. Poor Overall Maintenance
Even the novice home buyer is usually aware of this situation,
demonstrated by such signs as cracked, peeling, or dirty painted surfaces,
crumbling masonry, makeshift wiring or plumbing, broken fixtures or
appliances,
6. Structural Problems
As a result of problems in 1 or more of the other categor=
ies,
many houses sustain damage to such structural components as foundation wa=
lls,
floor joists, rafters, and window and door headers.
7. Plumbing
Though not ranked by any inspectors as the most significa=
nt
problem, plumbing defects still rank high among the house problems
encountered, and include the existence of old or incompatible piping
materials, as well as faulty fixtures and waste lines.
8. Exteriors
Flaws in a home's exterior, including windows, doors, and=
wall
surfaces, are responsible for the discomfort of water and air penetration,
but rarely have structural significance. Inadequate caulking or weather
stripping are the most common culprits.
9. Poor Ventilation
Perhaps due to overly ambitious efforts to save energy, m=
any
homeowners have "over sealed" their homes, resulting in excessi=
ve
interior moisture. This can cause rotting and premature failure of both
structural and non-structural elements.
10. Miscellaneous
This category includes primarily interior components, often cosmetic =
in
nature, which were not found frequently enough to rank individually.
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