Category Archives: Home Maintenance Tips

12 Oct

Vapor Barriers in the Crawlspace

Vapor Barriers in the crawlspace.  They are simple, often overlooked, and really provide great benefits to the home and the homeowner.  So let’s get into it!

Look at the big picture and you’ll notice that a fallen tree limb left on the ground will decay and begin to rot.  You’ll also note that the wood trim in your bedroom, has a relatively low moisture content and is not rotting.  So that’s a good starting point for thinking about crawlspaces.  Crawlspaces most often are dirt floors providing access to the systems of the home.  They are sort of in-between places, that are covered from the rain, but still exposed to the outdoor temperature and humid air of the south. These dirt floors are getting moist from the air and from the drainage around the home.  And if something isn’t placed to stop that moisture from entering the air, then the wood subfloor and framing will absorb that moisture leading to decay or becoming inviting for wood destroying organisms. If you need fire protection, visit https://www.intumescentpaintingcontractors.co.uk/.

crawlspace

Crawlspace without a vapor barrier

But the great thing about vapor barriers is that they are very simple.  In the most basic form, you just need a roll of 6mm plastic, which is available at all home improvement stores.  Have someone roll this plastic out over the entire crawlspace, and you’re done.  Simple!  It is a messy job, often with little room to work, so I recommend hiring someone to do it except for the ardent do-it-yourselfers. You can also visit http://airductcleaning.uk/ to  create a healthier living environment for you and your family.

An added benefit is that having a crawlspace moisture barrier helps keep the musty old house spell out of your home, making it a major win for such a small improvement, especially when complemented with professional ac repair service, which ensures your home’s comfort and air quality remain optimal year-round. Also, consider the attic insulation alongside these improvements for enhanced energy efficiency and better temperature regulation in your home. To know how energy-efficient a building is, get a commercial epc report. For an extra boost in air quality, consider a dual fuel hvac system. According to experts like air conditioning service columbus oh, these systems use both electricity and natural gas, providing efficient heating and cooling, ultimately contributing to a healthier indoor environment. Explore the comprehensive insulation services offered by https://sprayfoaminsulationexperts.co.uk/ for more information and solutions tailored to your needs.

Schedule regular heating and ac repairs to maintain the efficiency of your hvac system. Also, to ensure good-quality air comes from the unit, it needs to be regularly checked and ask for help from cooling and heating services in Olympia WA. If you notice any issues with your furnace, it’s best to have it inspected and repaired by a professional furnace repair technician or furnace tune up services.

A cautionary note:  I can’t tell you how many homes I’ve seen where the trash can is filled with an old dirty plastic moisture barrier, and the crawlspace is now a bare dirt floor.  Often, if I get the opportunity to ask, the answer is that the plastic was dirty, and the homeowner or handy man thought it was a good idea to remove it to “clean up the crawlspace.”  Little did they know how much work that plastic was doing 365 days a year. Similar to addressing Asbestos Roof Replacement, maintaining the integrity of your home’s infrastructure is crucial for long-term safety and efficiency.

Does your home have a vapor barrier?  Does it cover the entire crawlspace?  Does your home suffer from musty odors after rainfalls?  What’s the moisture level on your subfloor? These questions are answered in every home inspection I do.

vaporbarrier

Vapor barrier installed

Now you know the basics of crawlspaces and vapor barriers.  They are simple, but so helpful.

If you’re seeking protective paints and coatings for residential and industrial applications, learn more about the Rustoleum paint reviewer.

Please consider Mint Home Inspection, LLC for your next home inspection.  I inspect every home, and write every report.  I am committed to excellent customer service.

Klif Wommack

704-641-0143

 

 

16 Sep

Preparing for Fall in Five Simple Steps

Fall.  It’s my favorite season.

And honestly, it has nothing to do with these craft brewers putting pumpkin and spices into their beers.  Honest.
No, but in addition, to pumpkin beer, I also love fall for the cooler mornings wearing my Funny Socks, the fresh air into the home with the windows kept open, and the call to go camping (buy 45 acp ammo here) or find a lake for some canoeing.

Fall

With all of the fun to be had, the changing of the seasons is also a great time to finish off a checklist for the house for example fixing the floors, with the use or resources from sites like epoxy-resinflooring.co.uk, also is important to make sure it’s good to go for the cooler temperatures and the upcoming winter.

So I present… Preparing for Fall in Five Simple Steps:

  1. HVAC System Serviced

    The cooler temperatures are coming.  And your HVAC systems will start to get used here shortly.  This is a great time to have your system serviced and get furnace maintenance.  You save on natural gas if your system is running in the most efficient manner possible. And in addition to efficiency, having your system serviced by Sun Air Tampa allows for repairs to take place before the unit stops working.  This is a huge convenience play on your part.  The HVAC service companies are always very busy during and after the first round of winter weather.  But you, if you hire an expert in furnace and a/c repairs now, while in the fall, will reap double rewards: a system working at its best, and not having any delay in getting your trusted company to your home. Solar also offers great potential to save money on your monthly utility bill. The initial investment to hire the best solar panel installers can be costly, but it can be worth it in the long run. You can check out solar for warehouses & distribution centres to get an idea. Or, check out solar systems for agriculture for larger properties.

  2. Seal Up Air Leaks around Doors

    Doors that let cold air into your home can really impact the comfort of the immediate space.  So on a particularly windy or cold day, run your hand across the opening between your home and the door.  You should feel nothing.  If you sense air or a temperature difference, you might benefit from new or additional weather stripping while for the roof is useful to get a lantern roof company so you can have great light in your house as well.  This is a 10 minute activity that will really provide dividends when the cold weather strikes.  Look for door weather stripping at your local home improvement store, and if you need more partitions around your home you could use curtain walls from https://curtainwallinginstaller.co.uk/near-me/west-midlands/.

  3. Trim Back Trees and Shrubs

    Trees and shrubs can grow quite a lot over the course of a Spring and Summer.  And a tree that once was a good bit away from your home, is now touching your siding or leaning over onto your roof.  In a few minutes with clippers or a tree trimmer, you can cut this vegetation back, and if you need to work with tall trees you can get equipment from cherry-picker-hire.uk to help you with this.  Doing it now in the fall will keep it manageable, instead of having it build up.  Your gutters, siding, brick work, and roof will all last longer if they are kept clear of trees and shrubs.

  4. Wash & Touch-Up the Windows

    Washing your windows is probably not high on your list.  But hey, it will help you see those changing fall leaves all the better.  It doesn’t have to be perfect.  Just give them a little love with a glass cleaner and move to the next one while if you get glass movable walls for your home or office, using a glass cleaner is useful for this.  And while you are visiting those windows, did you notice anything?  Caulk falling out of a window trim piece?  With a tube of caulk, rated for exterior use, touch up any of those gaps.  Smoothing it over, and wiping any excess off with a rag.  This will help to keep the rain out.

  5. Disconnect Hoses and Cover Hose Bibs

    If you garden or spend time outside, you might have your hose permanently hooked up to the hose bib.  Fall is a good time to disconnect those hoses and put them in storage.  Your hoses will thank you for the time out you’re giving them, and it allows for your to cover your hose bibs.  Covering your hose bibs with winterizing covers, is a great way to keep them from freezing up with the winter weather.  There are several out there on the market.  They’re just under 3 dollars.  And if they do freeze up, there is a chance a leak could occur, which would likely result in a plumber service call.  You can save the headache by installing the covers.  Simple to attach to the hose bib as well.

There it is!   Most of the list is free or nearly free, and the items that do require some money (HVAC and Ventilation Cleaning service being the largest) have a real and tangible payoff. A quick and easy fall preparation checklist that could get done before lunch.

Now where is that pumpkin spiced ale when you need one.

Affordable Remediation and Emergency Services
Phone: (732) 540-7900
Url: https://affordableremediation.com/mold-testing-removal-remediation-in-toms-river/
1415 Hooper Ave
Toms River, NJ 08753

12 Sep

CSST – What is it?

CSST stands for Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing.  It’s often a smooth yellow tube that is used as an alternative to the black iron piping for natural gas appliances.  It was introduced to the U.S. in the 90’s. There are number of advantages to CSST.  The largest advantage is that it is a flexible tubing, which allows for fewer connections between the gas supply and your gas appliance.  This makes installation faster, less expensive, and provides fewer joints for leaks.

With this tubing, it’s important for it to be properly grounded and bonded.  Lightening strikes can send electric surges through your home.  In some cases, as stated by eXp Realty experts, that surge could include the CSST, if it’s installed in your home.  Allowing that energy to escape through the homes grounding system, allows for it to safely return to the earth.  In some cases, where the tubing isn’t grounded or bonded, lightening strikes and it’s associated surge has lead to pin-hole leaks in the tubing.  These leaks combined with the energy of the lightening have also caused fires (reference).

Not to worry though, every home inspection by Mint Home Inspection, LLC, includes a check for the correct bonding and grounding of CSST.  If your home has CSST, and it isn’t grounded appropriately, a licensed electrician can makes the necessary changes to fix the issue.

Want more information, check these resources out:

http://www.csstsafety.com/Images/CSST-Direct-Bonding-Tech-Bulletin.pdf

09 Sep

Recalls on Home Products

Here is a great resource for any homeowner.  Your home is filled with products, and many of them are directly associated with the function of your home.  Smoke detectors, doors, kitchen appliances, and locks to name a few.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has a dedicated place for announcing product recalls.  Here’s the link: http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/

CPSC Recall PageAnd behold, today a recall was issued for a limited number of Bosch Security System fire alarms.  The alarms failed to alert after installation tests and are being recalled.

They also have a place to search for past recalls based on product or company.  So it can be a handy stop if you suspect an issue with a product in your home as well. If you’re having problems with plumbing, it’s best to call a portland plumber.

I thought it was a good little known resource.

If you have questions about your home or want to know more about home inspections, feel free to drop me a line at http://www.minthomeinspection.com/contact/.

 

08 Sep

Simple Fix #2 – Anti-siphon for Hose Bibs

If the Stove Anti-tip Device is a simple fix and commonly on home inspection reports, then let me introduce you to it’s cousin, the Anti-siphon for hose bibs.  They are not glamorous, but without them, the water in your house could start to taste like, well…like drinking out of a garden hose. Literally.

Garden Spigot

Charlotte Water even suggests disconnecting your garden hose if you’re noticing off-flavors in your tap water.  Yuck!  Check it out here.

So if you are a home owner, do yourself a favor and pick a few of these up next time you’re at a Home Improvement store.  The expensive ones are only $8 (link).  To install them, you just screw them on the hose bib.  Super simple.  And if you’re planning to sell anytime soon, this is one more thing that won’t be on the report.

08 Sep

Simple Fix #1 – Stove Anti-tip device

You are preparing to sell your home.  Great!  Exciting!  The home buyer’s home inspection report will likely have an assortment of items.  But there is one thing that is almost always on the report.  And you can fix it now for around 12 bucks.  Chambers_stove

It’s the stove anti-tip device.  It attaches to the wall behind the stove and fits around the stove’s feet to keep it tipping forward should someone fall against the opened door.  And the fix, will mean one less item in the report, and additional safety for children around your home.  Easy!

Here is a link to a common brand’s anti-tip device: Amazon link.  Again that’s for $11.19 with free shipping.

Call Mint Home Inspection at 704-641-0143 for your next home inspection.

Klif

 

08 Sep

The Power of an Umbrella

Hey.  Klif here with the first installment of homeowner tips.  And I present to you the power of the umbrella. It might seem meager stuffed in the back of a coat closet, but it has the ability to save you hundreds in potential future repairs.

One word. Rainwater. In Charlotte, the average annual rainfall is 44 inches. Combine that with a typical 1500 square foot home and you get a whopping 37,000 gallons of water poured on top of your home annually. 37 THOUSAND gallons. (reference)

He's got the idea...

He’s got the idea…

Now, back to the umbrella. You want all that water to run away from your home. Not to collect against the foundation, leading to cracks and foundational settlement.  So the next rain shower, if free of lightening, step outside (yes, pretend that you’re three again and are excited about playing in the rain for just TWO minutes) and see for yourself how your gutters are actually performing. If not, you may need to call in a service that does storm damage roof repair in Virginia Beach, VA. You want the water to neatly flow into the gutter, then flow down the downspout and onto an extension for five feet. In case your roofing system also needs some work, you may consider hiring a professional roofing contractor such as roofer & roofing services in New Holland, PA or this roofing contractor in Bucks County, PA.

They provide a wide range of gutter guard melbourne services. I’ve seen new gutters installed in the summer to be clogged up by early fall. Gutters can appear to be sloped correctly while you are looking at it on a sunny day. But the rain umbrella check is invaluable to show you the corner that overflows and pours down your siding.

This first hand knowledge makes getting a contactor to repair the gutter a precise affair. No vague description,  no unneeded repairs to the gutters, and best of all, you’ve protected the foundation of your home from bearing all that extra rainwater.

Call 704-641-0143 for your next home inspection or radon test. Mint Home Inspection, LLC serving the Greater Charlotte Area.

Klif Wommack, NC #3563