Archive for December 29, 2011

Steel Entry Doors Are Ideal For Homes and Offices

Those looking to upgrade the entrance way of their homes will find custom iron doors work remarkably well on any home, in fact steel doors can be an exceptional choice. Your entry door is the central gateway to your home. It’s the center of a home’s exterior and it leads your guests into the comforts of the interior of a home. Therefore, it’s important that one’s door speaks of the character of the home and of the home owner. Not only does one’s door provide style, but adds character, charm and value. Your door is not only the first thing seen by your guests, it provides curb appeal and is an opportunity to make a tremendous first impression.

While wood is the material that is commonly used for doors, there are other materials that should be considered for the entrance of your home. You should give serious thought to using an iron entry door for your home. A wrought iron door offers your home security, longevity and a beautiful appearance as well. It’s not a new concept to use iron as a material for residential doorways. Iron doors date back the 18th century and continue to flourish today on traditional homes, contemporary homes, Tudor style homes and office buildings throughout the world. Iron entry doors will be a focal point on the home, will give the home an appearance that is unique and can be used in dozens of different architectural styles. An iron entry door provides more flavor and personality differently than what a wooden door provides for a home. The home or the office that features an iron door looks more regal. Iron doors flat out makes any structure look more elegant and exciting. Iron doors are exceptional choices for restaurant entrances, shopping malls and high rise buildings.

The design elements are endless. While you will find dozens upon dozens of designs available to choose from, the possibilities do not end there. Use your imagination to design a unit that is unique to you. Most steel door manufacturers custom make their doors one at a time to give the uniqueness and attention to your project. So size does not matter, and the only limitations are that of your own. Find a photo of something you want to duplicate, sketch a drawing of what you may like, make some changes to existing style or just simply choose from the offerings in place.

To protect one’s iron entry door from weather elements such as snow, rain and sun, most iron doors are coated with a special material to prevent rust from developing. Most of the finishes are similar to that of a car that sees all sorts of different weather conditions. Iron doors also never become susceptible to splintering or to cracking, such as a wood door can. This is why iron doors can last far longer than wooden doors, or any other doors made from other materials.

The steel entry door design of today doesn’t look like jail bars. They can be created in a wide variety of styles and designs to fit the tastes of the homeowner. Choosing such a door unit for your home will be a rewarding thing for both you and your home, adding character and value. Instant curb appeal, a happy home owner and an entry door that will last you for years.

Home Inspections , , , , , , ,

Common Defects Found in Home Inspections

No house is perfect. Even the best built and best maintained homes will always have a few items in less than perfect condition. Below are some other items we commonly find when inspecting a home.

Roofing Weathered shingles are one of the most common defect we find. Usually it doesn’t mean the roof needs replacing, simply that it is in need of maintenance or repair. Weathering and aging are typical. More concerning are missing shingles, significant loss of granules and improper flashing. Multiple layers of shingles is also common, but could add too much weight to the roof framing.

Ceiling stains Caused by past or present leaks, ceiling stains are also common. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell whether the stains are from leaks still present, or were caused by leaks which have since been repaired. But we have moisture detection equipment that we can use to determine if it is and active leak. Sometimes it can be as simple as the tub overflowing or a wax seal having leaked before it was replaced.

Electrical hazards Most common in older homes, but often found in newer homes as well. Electrical hazards come in many forms, from minor reversed polarity, ungrounded outlets and double tapped breakers to more concerning issues like over fusing and improper wiring done by the homeowner.

Rotted wood Caused by being wet for extended periods of time, most commonly found around tubs, showers and toilets inside, or roof eaves and trim outside.

Water heater installations Many water heaters are not installed in full compliance with local plumbing code. Our job is not to bring the home up to today’s code as much as it is to help protect your safety. Common problems are TPR overflow pipes missing, galvanic electrolysis and calcification pinging. Fortunately water heaters are not very expensive. If they are maintained properly, they can last 20 years or more, but under “normal” conditions, they last 10-12 years.

Gas furnace Most gas furnaces seem to be in need of routine maintenance such as new filters and cleaning/servicing. Many have other issues such as faulty operation or inadequate fire clearance. We also see flame roll out (needs cleaning) and rusted heat exchangers. Of greater concern is short cycling, gas leaks or a cracked heat exchanger.

Plumbing defects Plumbing issues commonly found include dripping faucets, leaking fixtures, slow drains etc… Even in brand new homes, it is common to identify minor plumbing defects. More concerning are improperly plumbed ejector pumps, inoperative sump pumps, missing drain traps or leaking/corroding of the pipes that result in loss of pressure or damage.

For residential and commercial building inspections, Home Check America is the one call you need to make. Whether you live in Elgin, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, Rockford, St. Charles, West Chicago, Crystal Lake, Arlington Heights and all points in between, Home Check will meet your needs for many types of inspections including: home, commercial, investment inspections, mold inspection and sampling, Radon, or FHA Certification.

Home Inspections , , , , , ,

Home Inspection Tools: What You’ll Need For Your Home Inspection Business

So you’ve completed home inspection training and finished all your certifications. Now it’s time to go shopping. There’s always been a debate over what you should or should not inspect and what kinds of tools you should use or not use in the field. This guide isn’t meant to tell you what you should or should not inspect, but rather give you a list of the most common tools that home inspectors use and let you decide for yourself. Here is a general list of home inspection tools that many inspectors own:

Tool belt and carry bag: A large carry bag will carry all your bigger items and accessories. A tool belt is usually used to carry a flash light and smaller items such as electrical testers and screwdrivers.

Flashlights: Most inspectors have at least two or three flashlights. A very handy light is a head light that is used hands free for attics and crawl spaces. You’ll also need a large spot light type in case there are areas you can’t get to. A small pocket light is also convenient to carry in your front pocket for quick access.

Screw drivers: Screw drivers are used for various tasks. You never want to be without a variety of them.

Shoe covers: Keeping a fresh supply of shoe covers will keep home owners and realtors happy. The cheap thin plastic blue ones work just fine and will keep you from tracking dirt and mud all over the house. These can be purchased in bulk from most tool supply companies.

Inspection Mirror: A telescoping inspection mirror will help you inspect those hard to reach areas. Typical sizes are 1 ½” round mirrors and 2″ x 3″ rectangular.

Measuring tape: Tape measures are used for different measurements such as room size and window height. Many times the home buyer will need one to measure for furniture so it’s always nice to lend them yours if they don’t have one.

Electrical GFCI outlet tester: A GFCI tester is used to test the proper function of GFCI outlets and will also detect non grounded outlets, switched wires, and a few other things. The cost of an inexpensive model is around $12-$20. You can also purchase the more expensive digital testers that have more features and capabilities. These can cost up to a few hundred dollars.

Ladders: Most inspectors carry at least one extendable ladder and one step ladder. The little giant series makes a great product but make sure to get the non-conductive type. Aluminum ladders don’t go well with power lines. There is also a ladder called Xtend and Climb which seems to be fairly popular.

Binoculars: Some inspectors walk on the roof and some don’t, it’s a personal choice. If you do decide to walk on the roof there may still be times when it’s unsafe to climb on the roof. It’s always nice to have a good set of binoculars in case you need to inspect from your ladder.

Digital camera: A good digital camera is a must have these days. Clients expect to see color photos of any discrepancies that you find. A decent quality camera will make it much easier to focus in low light areas and get you a clear shot the first time around. You can find good quality used cameras on eBay for around $100-$200.

Combustible Gas Detector and carbon monoxide tester: These are used for checking gas leaks and carbon monoxide. You can purchase these separately or buy an all in one tool that will check both.

Voltage Detector: A good voltage tester can save your life. Instead of using the back of your hand to test for voltage, pick up a voltage detector for panel covers and rogue wires.

Probe (a sharpened Phillips screwdriver works well): A probe is a good tool to use to check for termite damage and dry rot.

Thermometer: A good thermometer will help you check the outside temperature and also test the AC system. There are several different options available, including infrared versions that can test temperatures from several feet away.

Moisture Meter: If you see a stain it’s a good idea to test it with a moisture meter to see if it’s active. There are also models that have longer probes. These are great for inserting into the walls to check for exterior leaks. If you’re testing for EIFS this is a must have.

Extra batteries and light bulbs: It’s always good to keep a supply of extra batteries and light bulbs on hand.

A computer and home inspection software: Hand written reports are becoming obsolete. Providing your clients with a typed report that includes color photos will ensure that you’re running a professional business. Inspectors usually use one of the following three reporting methods:

1. Take hand written notes on a clipboard on site, then complete the report on a desktop computer when they get back to the office.

2. Bring a laptop to the inspection and put it in a central area such as the kitchen counter. Then inspect one section and fill it out on the computer before moving to the next. 3. Take a tablet touch screen and fill out the report while inspecting the home.

Coveralls: To keep your clothes from getting dirty in the crawl space and attic, it’s a good idea to invest in a set of coveralls or disposable paint suits.

Leather gloves: When you’re crawling around under a home it’s important to protect your hands. You might encounter spiders, snakes, sharp objects, or just plain nastiness, so a good set of gloves is a must have.

Protective Face masks: You never know when the insulation in an attic might contain asbestos. There can also be harmful mold spores if you’re sensitive to mold. A good safety mask can help protect you in these situations.

Pen and notebooks: Always carry a pen and notepad with you. If your computer crashes or your forgot to charge your battery the night before, you’ll be glad you did. It’s also a good idea to carry a backup printed copy of your inspection checklist in your vehicle.

Power screwdriver or power drill: These are great for removing crawl space access covers and electrical panel covers.

Thick rubber shoe covers: These are made of thick rubber and slipped on over your shoes. They snap in place so they won’t fall off. Unlike the thin covers used to walk inside the home, these are made of thick rubber and will keep your shoes from getting scratched and muddy in the crawl space. They can usually be found at farm supply stores.

Here are a few other tools to consider:

  • Knee pads
  • Knife
  • Humidity tester
  • See snake camera
  • Septic Die test tablets for checking for water leaks and faulty septic systems.

This list of home inspection tools will hopefully give you a good idea of where to start. There are several companies online that specialize in selling home inspection tools. First, you could try searching in Google and visit some of the major inspection tool distributors. eBay is also a great place to pick up good quality new and used tools, usually at a reduced price. Feel free to leave comments and suggestions below and I’ll update the list if there’s something I missed.

Home Inspections , , , , ,
Page 1 of 212