Home Inspections Fresno by COLLIE HOME INSPECTIONS (Certified)

spring Home Maintenance Tips

5/1/2020

HOME MAINTENANCE tips

Staying up to date with home maintenance is necessary to keep your home safe and ensure your home’s systems are functioning as designed. Falling behind on home maintenance can leave fixtures in need of costly repairs or invite unwanted pests into your living space. While home maintenance may sound like a daunting task, it can be broken up by the season to create an easy to follow routine. It is important that you take a short time to inspect your home every season, however homeowners who would like a more in depth evaluation often hire a home inspector once a year.

The arrival of spring is an opportune time to conduct your first home inspection of the year. Here are some spring home maintenance tips you can use yearlong to make sure your home stays in top shape.

Roof

Start out in your front yard by evaluating the roof. It is not necessary to walk the roof to understand it’s condition however if you are comfortable with using a ladder, an evaluation at the roof's edge is more than sufficient. If inspecting from the ground you can use binoculars to get a better look at the roof. So now that you’re outside and looking at the roof, you're probably asking what should I be looking for? Look for displaced or damaged shingles. Keep an eye out for shingles with cracks or other signs of damage. You also should keep an eye out for exposed nails or nail pops, this is a condition where the nail securing a shingle is pushing the shingle up in the middle. Nearby tree branches can also cause mechanical damage to shingles if unattended.
While you’re at the roof’s edge it would be a good idea to check out the gutters. Ensure the gutters are connected to downspouts. Look for damage, debris, and loose granules that may have been shed from roof shingles into the gutters. As your roof ages it will shed some of the granules covering its shingles. If there is a large amount of loose granules in your gutter it may be time to have your roof evaluated.

Exterior Coverings

There are many different coverings a home may have from brick, to stucco, wood, or even a combination of materials. All these materials have one thing in common, they want to avoid moisture intrusion to preserve their longevity. Look for damage, cracks, and signs of moisture like arch shaped staining on stucco or warped wood panels. Oftentimes homeowners are unaware of a nearby sprinkler that is spraying on their exterior siding. Over time that sprinkler can cause stucco to crack and even allow moisture into wood siding inviting pests like termites.
While you’re looking at the wall coverings, check the fascia boards, doors, trim, and siding for deteriorated paint or damage. Many homeowners simply forget to paint their fascia boards and when they are made of wood they will eventually deteriorate. Because fascia boards are exposed to the sun and rain it's a good idea to paint them every 3 to 5 years to protect them from the elements.

Vegetation and Grade

The trees and plants around your home are great for decoration and shade but we shouldn’t forget to trim them periodically. A nearby tree can brush up against roof shingles damaging them and causing premature granule loss. Shrubs can retain moisture against exterior siding leaving unappealing stains, inviting moisture and possibly even termites in. The grading around your home should slope away from your foundation. The soil around your home should slope away from the foundation’s walls for a minimum of 6” for the first 10’.

Windows

Take a brief moment to inspect the caulking around windows for degradation. Window caulking can degrade from UV exposure leaving space for interior air to escape and an increased energy bill. A good silicone caulking job can remain effective for up to 5 years and keep moisture out. While you're inspecting the caulking take a look at the window’s trim, the stool and apron sections of window trim are most likely to need maintenance over the years.

Garage Door

Begin your inspection by looking for damaged door panels and inspecting the trim around the door. Often we find the trim around a garage door is too close or in contact with concrete. When trim is in contact with concrete, the moisture in the concrete will be drawn into the wood and eventually decay. Next look at the spring and containment unit on the inside of the garage. If the springs look to be broken, damaged or in poor condition you should contact a professional garage company for an evaluation. Inspect the track being sure the track is in good shape and securely connected to the wall or ceiling. If everything is in good shape so far, you can test the photoelectric eyes and inspect the opener. Begin by opening the garage door using the wall controls. During this time look for areas where the garage door may be sagging and listen for a loosely fitting opener chain. Now to test the photoelectric eyes close the garage door and break the plane between the eyes. The garage door should come to a halt to prevent it from closing on anything in its path, If they don't function as intended it would be a good idea to contact a professional.

Air Conditioning Unit

The last thing you want is your AC to go out mid summer, fortunately staying on top of maintenance can help prevent that from happening. Replacing the filter is one of the easiest things you can do to maintain your HVAC system and it only takes a few minutes of work. Typically we recommend replacement of filters every month as the average home has at least one pet or occupant with allergies. The next thing you can do is evaluate the AC coils itself, look for dirt and dust that may be caked on the coils. If there is a large buildup it may be an indication that you may need to change your filter more regularly and or consult an AC professional for a tune up. While inspecting the coils note whether the unit is level as it affects the performance of the unit. Finally take a look at the refrigerant line and its insulation. Insulation that covers the refrigerant line can be damaged by UV rays from the sun leaving the line exposed. When this happens the refrigerant entering the compressor is warmer causing the compressor to work extra hard.

Plumbing

Now that you’ve gotten a good look at the exterior systems of your home it’s time to take a look at the plumbing. Start in the kitchen by turning on the sink and opening the cabinets beneath them, looking for any active leaks or stains that would indicate previous leaks. Now move to the bathrooms, and start by using the sink stopper and filling the sink. If the sink stopper does not function as designed it may need adjustment. Open the cabinets and let the sink drain, looking for any signs of leaks just as you did in the kitchen. While you’re in the bathroom flush the toilet and look for any indications of a leak around the base of the toilet and tank. Finally take a few minutes to evaluate the flooring and trim near the shower or bathtub and toilet for damage.
Take a minute to inspect your water heater for leaks, a leaky drain valve can indicate sediment buildup in the water heater that may need to be flushed and have its drain valve replaced.

When In Doubt Hire A Pro

No matter if you are buying your first home, selling your current one, or simply looking to do some annual maintenance, a home inspection is an excellent way to determine its condition. A professional home inspector will not only inspect individual fixtures but also inspect the home as one complete system.

Don’t let maintenance items go unnoticed, give us a call today at Collie Home Inspections. We perform home inspections across California’s central valley including; Fresno, Madera, Merced, Selma, Reedly, Lemoore, Tulare, Visailia and more! Give us a call today! 559-765-1366

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7 Common issues found during home inspections

1/29/2020

1 Comment

Buying a home is a big financial and life decision. Whether the home is recently built or the fixer upper you have been dreaming of, having a home inspection is a great way to access a home and find areas in need of maintenance. A home inspection is not a pass or fail test, but instead a tool for negotiating repairs that need to be made before closing. While some of the components in a home may never need repair there are others that are more frequently found needing attention during a home inspection.

1. Roofing issues
The roof system is constantly being exposed to the elements which decreases its lifespan and ability to shed water as your roof ages. There are several different materials commonly used in roofing systems all with different lifespans. The most common being asphalt shingles, clay tiles, and concrete tiles. Asphalt shingles are made of a fiberglass material covered in mineral granules to protect from the sun’s UV rays. Asphalt shingles are often chosen for their low cost, however they also have the shortest lifespan of the three common materials at around 15 years on average. While clay and concrete tiles are more expensive their lifespan is far longer at 50+ years.

2. Electrical defects
Old wiring systems can become worn out and pose a fire risk. Electrical defects should be fixed immediately because they are considered a safety concern. Double tapped wires, exposed junction boxes, improper grounding, and missing GFCI outlets are all common safety concerns found during a home inspection. One thing we see in older homes is the use of extension cords permanently to reach outlets.

3. Drainage concerns
One frequently forgotten issue is surface grading and gutters. The gutters work to divert water off the roof and away from the home through their downspouts. Finally the surface grade aids in water drainage with a 5% or greater slope away from the home. This synergistic relationship of two systems helps prevent water intrusion at the foundation and exterior envelope of the home.

4. Inadequate insulation and poor ventilation
Typically in older homes we see the attic space has energy efficiency issues. A lack of ventilation can make an attic extremely hot in the summer or worse, trap moisture in the attic space causing more issues. Inadequate insulation can also reduce the energy efficiency of your home causing increased heating/cooling costs.

5. HVAC concerns
We often see units with delayed maintenance, aged or damaged components such as refrigerant lines, and improper installations. Living in a climate where we depend on our AC unit all summer, you want to ensure everything is in working order before your move in date.

6. Plumbing and components
The most obvious defect we find is a leak but sometimes there are less obvious defects such as problematic flexible drain piping. We often find this piping when inspecting a home and question the professionalism of the install. The problem with these pipes is their design allows debris and hair to become trapped in the pipe, clogging it and preventing drainage. Some other smaller concerns we find are low water pressure at fixtures, slowly draining sinks and leaky flapper valves on toilets.

7. Garage door components
Another frequently used system on our home that is forgotten about when it comes to maintenance is the garage door system. The garage door needs to be balanced to efficiently move on its tracks. A door out of balance can be difficult to lift causing increased wear on the opener. Springs with delayed maintenance can also cause the door to close unevenly leaving spaces for unwelcome visitors such as mice or other pests.

Overall there are so many different components to access when buying a home, you want to ensure that you don’t miss any concerns or fine details. The best way to get a firm understanding of your home’s condition is to hire an InterNACHI certified inspector to evaluate your home.

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Tips for saving money this summer on your electricity bill

6/28/2019

2 Comments

Replace Dirty Air Filters
HVAC air filters should be replaced every few months at a minimum. A clogged air filter can reduce efficiency of a cooling system by up to 15% increasing your energy bill each month. Air that successfully makes it past a clogged filter may carry dirt or dust particles into your home reducing the indoor air quality. Help maintain the life of your HVAC system and lower your energy bill with regular air filter changes.

Programmable Thermostat
You can save money by automatically adjusting your homes temperature while you are away. A programmable thermostat can be set to cool your home just before your arrival from work for extra savings on the electricity bill. "Smart" programmable thermostats are gaining in popularity due to their convenience and savings. Adjust and view the cooling schedule from your smartphone and worry less while tracking your monthly energy usage.

Cracked Insulation
Replacing cracked insulation on a suction line can save money while using your cooling system. The insulation typically degrades from constant ultraviolet exposure. Replacing the insulation with new UV resistant insulation can help keep refrigerant temperatures from absorbing heat outside of your home, translating to a more efficiently performing cooling system.

Ceiling Fans
Adding ceiling fans to a room can help increase the comfort level of a home. The moving air generated from the fan helps to cool occupants by creating a wind chill. An effective ceiling fan spins clockwise, pushing air down towards the occupants to help evaporate moisture off the skin.

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spring Home Maintenance Tips

HOME MAINTENANCE tips

Roof

Exterior Coverings

Vegetation and Grade

Windows

Garage Door

Air Conditioning Unit

Plumbing

When In Doubt Hire A Pro

7 Common issues found during home inspections

Tips for saving money this summer on your electricity bill

Author

Archives

Categories

spring Home Maintenance Tips

HOME MAINTENANCE tips

Roof​

​Exterior Coverings

Vegetation and Grade

Windows

Garage Door

Air Conditioning Unit

Plumbing

When In Doubt Hire A Pro

7 Common issues found during home inspections

Tips for saving money this summer on your electricity bill

Author

Archives

Categories

Roof

Exterior Coverings