Apple, Active Rain...Somebody - Please Help Me Stop Hating My iPad - 09/25/10 10:55 PM
In late June I purchased an iPad, a 32 gigabyte 3G model.  I figured that I would use it with clients to go over inspection reports and pictures taken during the my Home Inspections.
Now, I must confess, it was kind of a Mother's Day gift to my wife......and a tool for my business.  I use it occasionally for looking at inspection photos and have never used it for going over a report even though I could if needed.  Looking at the pictures is much more fun that looking at a report.   
One of the biggest reasons I bought an iPad is so that I could … (15 comments)

Hard Water and the Little Problems It Can Cause - 09/24/10 11:12 PM
Hard Water and the Little Problems It Can Cause
As a home inspector in the Austin, Texas area I run across problems caused by hard water all the time.  Around here hard water is normally due to elevated levels of calcium in the water.  Since the Texas Hill Country is an area with heavy concentrations of limestone it is easy to understand why our water is so hard.  
Limestone is, after all, calcium carbonate or CaCO3.  All that calcium ends up in out water supply where it can wreak havoc on our plumbing pipes and our fixtures. 
The fixtures in the pictures … (8 comments)

Gaps at the Windows - Inspection Picture of the Day - 09/21/10 11:22 PM
Gaps at the Windows - Inspection Picture of the Day
There aren't a lot of problems that I have pre-written comments for when I do a home inspection.  I believe that every home inspection is different and each situation requires it's own unique text to describe the problems I find. 
One problem that I do have a pre-written comment for is for gaps in the siding around windows.  They're everywhere and I can almost guarantee that I will find them on every home I inspect.  I find these gaps or openings on all kinds of construction, new , old and everywhere in between.  They … (3 comments)

I Love It When I Make It To The Top - 09/19/10 11:56 PM
I Love It When I Make It To The Top.  When I do I usually take a picture just to prove I was there! 
As a home inspector in the Austin area I get to walk on top of a lot of people's homes and I love it!  Sometimes I can't believe people pay me to do this.  As a kid, my friends and I could be found climbing on something almost every day, and that includes other people's roofs.  We did this quite often during super charged games of hide and seek. 
Now that I'm in my 40s I somtimes … (4 comments)

Are You Ready to Feel the Burn?? - I Sure Wasn't - 09/16/10 08:55 PM
Are You Ready to Feel the Burn?? - I Sure Wasn't
As a Home Inspector in Austin, Texas I end up in some fairly precarious places.  I mean steep roofs, crawl spaces and attics can present hazards that many people don't encounter in their daily routine.
Last week while doing a Home Inspection in Austin Texas I got burned.....literally.  As I entered the attic I accidentally touched an exposed 100 watt light bulb with the inside of my arm.
When I do a home inspection I call out all exposed bulbs no matter where they are.  Exposed light bulbs get extremely hot, … (5 comments)

Keep an Eye Out for the X - REI Garage Sales - 09/15/10 11:30 PM
Keep an Eye Out for the X because they are everywhere these days.  Especially on really great outdoor gear.
Every few months our local REI Stores have a garage sale.  They sell all the stuff that people have returned at really great prices.  Some of the items are unused or barely used while some things have had the life beat out of them.
I guess that happens a lot because REI allows you to return just about anything at any time if you're not satisfied.  It's a great policy but I'm confident that a few folks take advantage of their system.
… (4 comments)

Austin Home Inspection Picture of the Day - The Dryer Exhaust Vent - 09/13/10 11:10 PM
Austin Home Inspection Picture of the Day - The Dryer Exhaust Vent
When I do a Home Inspection there are a few things that almost always show up on a Home Inspection Report.  On thing that I see all the time is clogged and dirty Dryer Exhaust Vents.  Clogged and dirty exhaust vents can greatly reduce the efficiency of the dryer and can even become a fire hazard.  That's right folks, I'm sure you've heard of cases of dryers catching on fire resulting in loss of the dryer, parts of the home or in some cases entire homes.....from a dirty dryer … (7 comments)

Dining For Life - Stand up by Sitting Down - 09/12/10 09:59 PM
Dining For Life - Stand up by Sitting Down
The 18th annual Dining for Life benefiting AIDS Services of Austin will begin tomorrow and run through Tuesday. 
Please consider dining at one of the following restaurants on Monday September 13th or Tuesday September 14th.  A substantial portion of each guests check will be donated to the fight against AIDS and HIV. 
There are some great restaurants on the list this year.  So, it is the perfect opportunity to have a great meal and also help a great cause. 
This years lineup of restaurants is as follows:

*All meals, all day.
Thank … (1 comments)

Austin's Run with the Heroes 5K - 09/11/10 10:48 PM
Each year Central Texas hosts a fun run to honor heroes who have fallen while protecting the citizens of Austin and the surrounding area.  This year that run, the Run with the Heroes 5K, is Sunday morning at 8:00 AM at South Park Meadows. 
In a partnership with The Law Enforcemant Torch Run, proceeds from the Run with the Heroes Race will be donated to the Special Olympics Texas organization. 
The race will be held at the South Park Meadows Shopping Center parking lot (9600IH-35 South @ Slaughter Ln).  If you haven't signed up there will be race day registration.
If you're a … (0 comments)

Beware of Ant Infestations - Central Texas Rains Drive Ants from the Ground and into Your Homes - 09/10/10 10:27 PM
Beware of Ant Infestations - Central Texas Rains Drive Ants from the Ground and into Your Homes
This week we had record rainfall is many locations around Central Texas.  Georgetown, Texas was one of those locations.  We got well over 5 inches on Wednesday alone.  That's a lot considering how long it's been since our last big rain.
One of the things that goes along with heavy rain after a dry spell is increased levels of ant activity.  When it's hot and dry ants tend to seek a cool place to hide out.  Thats means that they will normally stay in … (8 comments)

The Place to Be Friday Nights in Georgetown, TX - Dos Salsa's Tex Mex Restaurant - 09/09/10 02:28 PM
The Place to Be Friday Nights in Georgetown, TX - Dos Salsa's Tex Mex Restaurant
Two weeks ago tomorrow I was out with the kids (my wife had to work late) when our son mentioned that he would like to have his favorite quesadillas for dinner.  After a little bit of interrogation on my part I learned that his favorite quesadillas came from a small, but well known, restaurant in Georgetown, Tx called Dos Salsa's.
So, I had the pleasure of dining with our 5 year old son and 2 year old daughter that evening.  And....the food was great.  But, the real … (0 comments)

New Construction Inspection Picture of the Day - Crickets and Fasteners - 09/08/10 11:16 PM
New Construction Inspection Picture of the Day - Crickets and Fasteners
As a home inspector in the Austin area I get to do my fair share of New Construction Home Inspections.  Last week I was asked to inspect a home in Liberty Hill, TX.  Liberty Hill is a small community about 15 minutes west of Georgetown and just over 30 miles north of Austin.  Though small, this community has seen it's fair share of growth over the past few years.  When I'm asked to do a Home Inspection in Liberty Hill about half the time the home is New Construction. 
While on the roof … (3 comments)

Georgetown Airfest - September 25, 2010 - 09/07/10 10:16 PM
Georgetown Airfest - September 25, 2010
On Septemebr 25th at the Georgetown Municipal Airport the 2010 Georgetown Airfest will take flight.  This event lets you get up close and personal with some of the coolest vintage aircraft you have ever seen. 
On display and in the air will be aircraft like the the Army Air-Corps B-25 bomber, an SNJ-4 Navy Trainer, a Fairchild PT-19, RC aircraft, Hot Air Balloons and many others unique aircraft.
For the ride of your life you can purchase rides on many of these airplanes.  See the Georgetown Airfest website for more information.   
Here is the schedule of … (2 comments)

The Builder's Third Party Inspectors for New Construction - Home Inspection Pictures of the Day - 09/06/10 11:12 PM
The Builder's Third Party Inspectors for New Construction
Last week I did a New Construction Home Inspection for a home located in the Austin area.  As I was entering the home I met the builder's "third party" inspector as he was leaving.  We said hello to each other and as he was getting into his truck I asked if everything checked out OK.  His reply to me was, "You won't find any problems with this one".  Folks, those were his exact words.
While inspecting the systems in the attic I came across this:
That, my friends is an almost full … (5 comments)

Pflugerville's iFacePaint by Josh - 09/05/10 11:50 PM
Pflugerville's iFacePaint by Josh
When our son turned 5 we had a wonderful party at Texas Jumping Beans in Pflugerville, Texas.  The children had a great time jumping and playing on the inflatables.  But there was a long wait for one of the biggest hits at the party - our face painter.  We had Josh from iFacePaint come in and offer Face Painting to the children that attended the party. 
Josh is a 16 year old that attends Pflugerville High School.  He began Face Painting (he was 14 people!) two years ago when he was asked to assist another local face painter.  He had such … (7 comments)

It ain't NASCAR but it is Awesome! Formula One is Comin' ta Austin Y'All - 09/04/10 04:38 PM
It ain't NASCAR but it is Awesome! Formula One is Comin' ta Austin Y'All....and it's a big Deal!
The Austin area was recently chosen to host a Formula One Grand Prix.  I think it's safe to say though that a lot of people here and around the country don't know how big a deal this is. 
A recent article indicated that the race could have an economic impact of around 300 million dollars.  That number is more than South by Southwest Music Festival and a season's worth of UT football games combined.  That is a really big deal for Austin. 
Those … (2 comments)

Are You Ready for Some Football - Georgetown Eagle Style! - 09/02/10 12:13 PM
Are You Ready for Some Football - Georgetown Eagle Style!
Even though it doesn't feel like it fall is just around the corner.  And, fall means Football Season for millions around the country.  Some like to sit and watch while others like to get out there and play.
The Georgetown High School Football teams in Georgetown, Texas are revved up and ready to take all comers.  I thought it would be a great idea to post their schedule.  I hope to see y'all out at the games!
Georgetown Eagle Varsity Football Schedule
Date                      School                             Location                          Time

Thanks for Checking in nad … (1 comments)

 
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Andy Chaudoir

Georgetown, TX

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Professional Inspection Services - Georgetown, Texas

Address: P.O. Box 322, Jarrell, TX, 76537

Office Phone: (512) 632-3232

Cell Phone: (512) 632-3232

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