Rochester Home Inspector Finds Active Chimney Leak!
Chimneys are notorious for leaking. That's why it's so important to traverse the attic spaces during a home inspection if at all physically possible. It's especially important in the winter when it's not possible to get onto the roof to check the chimney flashing. The chimney flashing is what keeps leaks out. It not properly installed or if the flashing is old and rusted out you'll end up with a leak around the chimey. Very often we'll see old flashing that's been covered with roofing sealant or mastic. Sometimes this is an indication of preventative maintenance but more likely an indication of past leaks.
Old Rusted Chimney Flashing
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Too often we climb into an attic during a home inspection only to find the homeowner has installed a bathroom fan and is discharging the warm, moist air directly into the attic! This creates the perfect conditions for mold to grow. Especially if the attic is poorly ventilated. The warm, moist air hits the cold roof sheathing during the cold seasons and condenses. Now you have wet plywood, poor ventilation so it can't dry out, and a dark environment. This is the perfect formula for MOLD!
These kind of conditions lead to delaminated plywood roof sheathing, curled roofing shingles, and potential mold related health risks. Even if the mold doesn't reach into the rest of the house, the resale implications can be serious. People don't want to see mold in the house they want to buy. If you're not sure that your bathroom fans discharge directly to the outside through a proper discharge hood, check as soon as possible. You don't want to end up with an attic full of mold and a prematurely aged roof shingle.
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Yes, believe it or not, subterranean termites are found in this area more often than you might think. Watch the video below and see why we strongly suggest a PEST INSPECTION along with your HOME INSPECTION when purchasing a home. Also, a periodic pest inspection in your existing home would be smart for early detection of wood destroying insects. Especially if you live in the red areas of the TERMITE MAP.
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Tips
Power and Gardening Tool Storage
As winter approaches, store lawn mowers and other summer power equipment. Drain gas tanks, disconnect spark plug wires, clean any grass, wood chips, etc. from housings, mower decks, chain guides and so forth. This is also a good time to perform repairs or maintenance. Change the oil and check and change air filters as needed. Move the equipment to a clean, dry place for storage. Always clean gardening tools before storage. Use a dry scrub brush to knock off any dirt or mud. For very dirty tools, a quick squirt with the hose should remove the rest of the dirt. Dry and coat tools with a light oil. Store gardening gloves and boots in closed containers. Leaving them around the garage is an invitation for wasps, bees, and spiders to snuggle into them and bite you later!
10 Toughest Things to Get Rid Of
The Conscious Consumer's Lori Bongiorno says, "It’s hard to know what to do with cans of leftover paint or electronics that have seen better days. You know you shouldn’t throw them in the trash, but they’re not typically recycled at the curb. So how exactly do you get rid of them? Luckily, if you’re armed with the right info, it can be easier than you think to dispose of these things. It’s worth any extra effort because many of the items on this list contain toxic chemicals that can contaminate the environment or cause other damage if not carefully disposed of. See her list of the 10 toughest things to get rid of and how to do it.
No matter where you live or in what climate, the approach of the winter months means you should take some precautions to ensure that your home is ready. About.com has a good list of ten tips by Elizabeth Weintraub to help you prepare you home for winter. You know, the usual, commonsense things like furnace, fireplace, windows, doors, plumbing foundations and so forth. See her suggestions here.
If you celebrate it, Thanksgiving is a holiday that brings friends and family together to share a good meal, conversation and laughter. But Thanksgiving also comes with several health hazards, including an increased chance of fires, food poisoning and choking. Take a few minutes to review these Thanksgiving Day safety tips by eHow contributor Melinda Dean, and enjoy the holiday without worry.
Existing-home sales rose again in September, affirming that a sales recovery has begun, according to the National Association of Realtors®. November Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the housing market is in the early stages of recovery. “A housing recovery is taking place but will be choppy at times depending on the duration and impact of a foreclosure moratorium. But the overall direction should be a gradual rising trend in home sales with buyers responding to historically low mortgage interest rates and very favorable affordability conditions,” he said.
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Tips
Winterizing Your Home
It’s October and the chilly Arctic fronts have begun to roll down. Elizabeth Weintraub of About.com says "[Now] is a good time of year to start thinking about preparing your home for winter, because as temperatures begin to dip, your home will require maintenance to keep it in tip-top shape through the winter. Autumn is invariably a prelude to falling winter temperatures, regardless of where you live." See her article for ten tips to help you prepare your home for winter.
Low-Cost Fall Home Maintenance
Associated Content has a useful article by Shana Carlton, who says, "If you are looking for some low cost home maintenance projects to do to improve your efficiency or appearance of your home, there are several low cost jobs that can be done without a lot of hassle. Windows and doors can cost you lots of money on your heating and cooling bills. You don't have to replace your windows (unless you have already allowed for replacement in your budget), simply replacing seals and caulking can improve on your energy costs. However, replacing windows is your best long-term solution for maximum energy efficiency."
October is also a good time to check fireplace safety and maintenance. ehow.com has a good wrap-up about fireplace maintenance for safety. "Sitting in front of a roaring fireplace is a great joy during cold weather, but maintaining it properly is essential. Taking care of your fireplace can reduce accidents and fire hazards that can endanger you and your family. With today's new technology, fireplaces come in many varieties. Consumers can purchase for their homes an electric, stand-alone model, a traditional wood-burning fireplace or a gas fireplace. All types require the appropriate maintenance in order for them to be enjoyed safely for years to come." See the complete article.
Here are some easy, quick and relatively inexpensive home improvement projects that can add value and appeal to your home. Kitchen cabinets and drawer can be improved by simply changing the cabinet knobs and drawer pulls. Adding trim or borders to the ceiling junctions in various rooms can improve appearance noticeably and cost-effectively, as can changing light fixtures, switch plates and outlet covers. Hardware upgrades for kitchen and bathroom sinks can quickly better the overall appearance of the rooms, as can replacing toilet seats or tank covers and towels racks and towels. Websites such as DIY Home Network are a good source of ideas and instructions.
Does home ownership matter? Real Estate Today says, "It matters in ways you may never even consider when you are signing your first contract. You are providing your family with a solid foundation – a place to come home to - a place of your own. .. It matters in schools, which are supported by the property taxes of homeowners ... It matters that people of different backgrounds make choices to live as one community. And when all is said and done, homeownership matters because it provides a real bond between you and your neighbors." Listen to or read the complete article at retradio.com for more reasons that home ownership matters in ways beyond an investment.
It's estimated there are over 60,000 miles (97,000 kilometers) of blood vessels in a child's body and close to 100,000 miles (161,000 kilometers) in an adult's. That's equivalent to about four trips around the earth at the level of the equator.
Veterinarians say cats have over 100 vocal sounds and dogs have about ten.
An adult human has 206 bones; 25% of them (52 bones) are in your ankles and feet.
A giraffe can clean its ears with its 21-inch tongue!
The act of snapping one's fingers is called a "fillip".
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Tips
Fix that Leaky Faucet in a Few Minutes for Next to Nothing
Brian White says on DIYLife.com "Many of us have been there -- we're trying to go to sleep or watch a movie in silence only to have that slumber interrupted by an incredibly annoying 'drip...drip...drip' coming from one of the faucets in the house. If you've never fixed a leaky faucet, you'll never believe how easy this simple repair generally is.” View his video and you'll be surprised how easy this fix can be. Requirements? A few screwdrivers, a new rubber washer and perhaps a few minutes of your time. Tip: remove the old washer and take it with you to ensure you match it correctly at the local home repair superstore or hardware supplier.
Cleaning Tricks to Make Appliances Last
Emily Hsieh of Yahoo writes ”As it turns out, the secret to keeping appliances running smoothly is cleanliness—or at least that’s what Kirby Mills, owner of At Your Service Appliance Repair in Kansas City, Missouri, tells The New York Times, having seen hundreds of appliances malfunction due to “goo, dust, and gunk” every year. I learned this the hard way a couple months ago when my dishwasher stopped working, only to discover later (following a very expensive visit from a repairman) that the problem was simply a filter that needed to be rinsed. It really doesn’t take much time or effort to clean appliances, and doing so can extend their lifespan by years.” Here’s a recap of how to best clean various appliances.
Want to see a dramatic difference in your energy bills? All you have to do is lower the water temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees from the hotter temperature. You won’t feel the difference when you wash your hands, but you’ll appreciate the difference it’ll make in lowering your budget. See 30 other easy energy-saving tips at Simple Power.com. (Cited for information reference only; no referral or endorsement of Simple Power is implied or intended.)
Home furniture is subject to a great deal of everyday wear and tear. With all the use, tabletop stains, wobbly chairs and scratched floors are almost inevitable. Here are cheap, quick fixes for some common furniture problems. Excerpted from the Popular Mechanics book When Duct Tape Just Isn't Enough, published by Hearst Books/Sterling Publishing.
In an article in Realty Times Broderick Perkins says, “The Great Recession may have drained the equity from millions of homes, but when it comes to making what's often the greatest purchase of all, the vast majority of homeowners are resting easy. An overwhelming 90 percent of homeowners say they don't regret buying their current home, according to a new study by Bankrate, Inc. That's even in the face of stagnant - or sliding - home prices they've suffered and rock-bottom mortgage rates they may have missed out on. Only 9 percent of respondents expressed second thoughts about taking the plunge. Why? Most often because they couldn't sell their home and move on, or because they were unable to afford the monthly mortgage payment.”
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Fix it Now? Fix it Later? A Useful Guide to Prioritizing Household Problems
From an article by Shaila Wunderlich in the Home and Garden section of att.net. She says, "For many homeowners, tackling that annoying and ever-present home-repair list is a perennial resolution. But the recession has more homeowners facing a tough question: What do we fix now, and what can we put off until later?” She asked several contractors, remodelers and builders what should be at the top - and the bottom - of a homeowner's to-do list. They say water, sewage/septic, extensive mold and overcrowded outlets or antiquated wiring problems should not wait. See the complete article for details.
Who Would Have Thought Vinegar Was so Handy?
Vinegar (probably originally from spoiled wine) has been known and used for about 10,000 years. Today we use it for hundreds of tasks including cleaning, laundry, garden, health, automotive, pets and cooking. It's economical, natural, non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Here, from vinegartips.com, are a few ideas for making the most of vinegar:
- Clean counter tops and make them smell sweet again with a cloth soaked in undiluted white distilled vinegar. - Clean the fridge: use a mixture of half water, half vinegar to wipe down the interior shelves and walls. - Stop ants from congregating by pouring white distilled vinegar on the area. - Discourage cats from getting into the kids’ sandbox with white distilled vinegar.
Brandon Cornett, editor of the Home Buying Institute, says, "If you are planning to sell your home in the near future, you need to start working on your curb appeal to make a good first impression on potential buyers. Curb appeal alone cannot sell your house. But it certainly goes a long way toward creating a good first impression. It also helps bring people inside the home, which is the first step to selling it. So it's definitely worth your time and energy to create curb appeal before you list your home for sale." For specific, detailed suggestions, see the Better Homes and Gardens article "20 Ways to Add Curb Appeal."
Wood decks should be painted or stained every two or three years — more often if they face extreme weather. Wait for a forecast of several dry days before treating your decks (moisture sealed into the wood will encourage rot). A local paint store can usually lend you a moisture meter and explain how to use it to determine if the wood is dry enough to seal. Take readings at several spots. If you are a competent DIYer, Do It Yourself Network has a very good step-by-step explanation of how to clean and seal a deck. Otherwise, you’d better call a professional.
In an article on Zacks.com analysts say “It now seems likely that we have reached the bottom in housing at least in terms of activity. Pricing will take a bit longer, and we still are at a very low level of activity, but it does not seem likely to fall further. Things are not great, but they now look like they are getting better, not worse. This is a very important green shoot for the economy. It is the most positive housing report we have seen in about two years, and housing has been at the core of the economy’s problems.
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Tips
10 Ways to Reduce Your Summer Utility Bills
Now that the summer heat--and summertime utility bills--are making you sweat, you might want to consider making a few changes to cut your energy consumption. You can shave dollars off your monthly bills without sacrificing comfort, as long as you plan ahead and get creative. Here's US News and World Report's room-by-room guide to saving money this summer and benefiting the Earth at the same time.
Know Your Home Remodel ROI
An often-used measure to evaluate the financial feasibility of a project is “return on investment” or ROI, a calculation of how much of the cost of the investment can be recovered. The National Association of Realtors suggests seven projects that will give you good ROI. Although the data is updated annually, these 2009 approximate figures should give you a general idea of what return you'll get on your improvements:
Improvement JobCostValue% Recouped Kitchen Minor $17,950 $15,250 85% Windows (Wood) $11,040 $9,400 85% Bathroom $12,900 $10,970 85% Windows (Vinyl) $10,160 $8,500 84% Two-story Add $105,300 $87,650 83% Kitchen Major $54,250 $43,600 80% Attic Bedroom $44,100 $35,250 80%
You probably know that refrigerators are typically the most energy-hungry appliances in your home, so the more efficient your refrigerator the more money you can save. Older refrigerators are usually two to three times more costly to run than newer models. If you still have a fridge from the 1980s, replace it with an ENERGY STAR qualified model and save over $100 each year on your utility bills. Replace a fridge from the 1970s and save nearly $200 each year! If you are wondering whether replacing your refrigerator is a good decision for you, ENERGY STAR Savings has a calculator you can use to find out exactly how much money you'll save by replacing your existing refrigerator.
Consumer Reports says: "Here's a frightening claim: Fabric-softener sheets can burn out the heating unit of your clothes dryer and possibly cause a fire. That's the warning in an e-mail message sent to one of our readers, who asked us whether it's true. The short answer is no, though dryer fires are a real hazard and there are ways to protect yourself." See the complete article for a few tips to keep your clothes dryer running safely and efficiently and to let their experts set the record straight.
Most families with young children live within a mile of a public elementary school. The most common home heating fuel in the U.S. is gas. Only a third of American homes have a working carbon monoxide detector. These are just some of the findings of a comprehensive national sample of the more than 130 million residential housing units released July 1, 2010 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD's 2009 American Housing Survey (AHS) is the most thorough look inside the homes of millions of Americans and reveals everything from the square footage of the unit to how many homes have front porches, garages or even usable fireplaces. The 2009 survey reveals that significantly more American homes are larger, are more air conditioned and have more bedrooms and bathrooms than homes from the initial 1973 survey.
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Tips
Up In Smoke? Chimney Maintenance
June is a good time for chimney maintenance. In recent years more than 23,600 residential fires annually are related to solid fuel appliances and equipment. An additional 5,500 fires or so are attributed to chimneys and chimney connectors serving heating systems burning liquid and other fuels. Hundreds of people die or are injured, and property losses total about $200 million annually. Generally, North American homeowners are unaware that chimneys are an integral part of a home heating system and that they require regular evaluation and maintenance. They seem to have little working knowledge of chimney and venting systems. Homeowners who would quickly replace a faulty and dangerous automobile exhaust system allow their home's exhaust system, the chimney or vent, to go years without checks or maintenance. The threat of chimney fires and unsafe indoor air quality can be greatly reduced if these systems receive regular inspection and maintenance. See our article for more details.
Check Ceiling Fan Rotation Direction
Most fan blades can be reversed for summer/winter settings so that cool air flows down in the summer and warm air is propelled up in the winter. Some fans use an electric switch to reverse the direction of rotation (typically on the outside of the motor housing) and some require that you reverse the blades by unscrewing and remounting them. Observe the fan while it's running. In summer, the leading edge of the blades (the part that goes around first) should be higher than the trailing edge (the part that rotates last). When set correctly for summer, you can stand beneath the fan and feel the breeze. This should allow you to adjust your thermostat higher (or set the air conditioning lower), saving fuel while enjoying the cooling effect. Reverse for winter so that the airstream flows upwards.
If your gutters fill up frequently with debris, you might want to investigate installing gutter guards (or screens, filters or covers) to reduce—perhaps eliminate—cleaning. There's a wide variety, made from various metals or synthetics. Costs vary from around 60 cents per foot to $7 per foot, plus installation (the average house has roughly 200 feet of gutters), which means you could pay up to $1,500 for materials alone. You could hire someone to clean the gutters (at around $75 each time) for many years for that amount. And, while gutter protection is aggressively marketed, systems vary in effectiveness. Check claims by searching product names on the Internet, and get three or more references from customers who've used the product for several years. Then, call and interview each company.
Using binoculars, scan for evidence of roof damage, including shingles that are curling, broken, cracked or missing. Check for structural stability from across the street and look at the roof line. If it appears to sag, there could be damage to the roof supports, so get a professional to inspect it. Next, look for telltale signs of roof leaks. In the attic look at the ceiling, rafters and walls, particularly right beneath the roof, for discoloration or stains. Pay attention to skylights and chimneys, which are leak generators. Seepage is most likely at joints and openings or flashings. Outside, check the siding beneath the eaves for evidence of leaks. If you find leaks, repair them (or have it done). Don't put it off; collected moisture can cause expensive rot and decay. (For DIY roof repairs, read "5 roof repair tips: How to fix leaks and broken shingles).
The National Association of Realtors® reported May 24 that contracts for sales of existing homes, which account for about 90 percent of the housing market, rose 7.6 percent in April to the highest level in five months. Demand may keep rising through June, the deadline to close a deal and still receive the home buyers' tax credit. Commerce Department figures released on May 26 showed new-home purchases, which make up the rest of the market, jumped 15 percent in April after surging 30 percent the prior month The Standard & Poor’s 500 Supercomposite Homebuilding Index, which includes Pulte Homes Inc. and Toll Brothers Inc., has increased 4.8 percent this year. The broader S&P 500 has fallen 4 percent.
