Archive for February, 2010
How to Prepare for a Home Inspection
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s the day before the home inspection and you’re wondering how to prepare. The home inspector will be canvassing the home and you want the process to go smoothly. Whether you’re in a new construction home, an older home, or having an investment property inspected, here are a few things to do to prepare for the home inspection.
Make sure the power and utilities are turned on. A big part of a home inspection is checking to see everything is working properly. Tests will be done to inspect electrical, gas appliances, and plumbing systems, including water faucets, toilets, heating or air conditioning (depending on season), kitchen appliances, lights, and anything else that turns on. Having the utilities and pilot light turned on in advance will ensure that the inspection won’t have to be delayed or rescheduled.
Get the home in working order. Spend some time walking through the home and check things that you can fix in advance, like making sure light bulbs work (both inside and out), windows open and shut, window screens are installed, and that doors open and close properly.
Clean the house and make it easy to walk through. The home inspector will be following a checklist and even though cleanliness isn’t on the list, a clean home will make the inspection much easier. The home inspector will be going from room to room, opening doors, checking appliances, and working carefully to review conditions. Vacuuming and dusting can help with the ease of inspection. Even though a clean home is optional, it will make the process go smoother.
Move any obstacles in advance. If there is stuff to step over or obstacles in the way of maneuvering around the home, make sure to move these things in advance. Anything that is in front of the furnace, water heater, or air conditioner needs to be moved so the home inspector can get up close. Locations like the attic, crawl spaces, and attic will also need to be accessed and unlocked if necessary. Move furniture or clean closets so that the home inspector has a clear path.
Have your paper work of repairs or remodeling handy and show the home inspector. Just like if you were selling a car, the home buyer will be curious about the repairs and work that have already been done to the home. The home inspector will include information about these items, which is especially helpful when it comes to answering questions about upgrades to appliances, problem areas, or remodeling. The more information about what has been done, the better.
The home inspector will come prepared with everything that’s needed for the inspection, including tools and paperwork. Make sure the home is ready and prepared for a thorough inspection.
What’s the Roof Got to Do With It?
Posted by: | CommentsHaving a roof over your head is absolutely essential to a livable home. It is also the area of your home that stands to get the most abuse from outside elements. Keeping your roof in good repair and maintaining it over the years will help you when it comes to increasing the value of your home. A good roof inspection will make sure you have an insulated home and prevent eventual structural damage.
In most places a roof should last up 20 years or longer, depending on the materials used and harsh elements from the weather, such as snow and hail. A damaged roof can create problems that you might not be able to see without a roof inspection. Things like roof leaks happen over time, usually toward the end of the roof’s life. A roof in disrepair can create moisture and mold intrusions that silently cause damage. Remember, just inspecting the surface of the roof isn’t enough.
As a home inspector, I do the roof inspection from a few different angles and locations, scanning it from below, using a ladder, and from inside the attic. When I climb up to the roof I am looking at the condition of the shingles or other roofing material, but my inspection doesn’t stop there. The condition of a roof also shows in the attic area or ceiling below the roof space and even around skylights. As for the roof itself, when there is damaged shingles or tar, this could indicate a problem area. Shingles that are cracking, missing, or curled should be further inspected and replaced. With a low sloping roof, you want to make sure water is draining and not pooling up in areas. A sagging roof or discoloration could also indicate problems.
Water damage from a leaky room can have an unfortunate domino effect. A problem roof is going to affect a lot of things in a house, such as heating and cooling bills, which will rise when there is not adequate insulation. Because the roof is literally the main support structure, its upkeep should be a top priority.
For maintenance of your own roof, make sure to keep it free of buildup from debris and clean and inspect it at least once a year both from the outside and inside the attic. If you suspect you need a new roof or have a problem area, get it fixed sooner rather than later.
