Rick's Blog

I would like to touch on Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:32:15 -0600

Hello All,, Well its been months and months since I written anything. Sorry for that,

I would like to touch on Carbon Monoxide Detectors.

I have found more people are inquiring about them since the tragic deaths of a family with kids and a young college student here.

I have found many detectors located in the furnace areas of the home. That furnace doesn't care if it goes off. It will keep spewing CO into the home and cause death if not discovered in time. I ALWAYS tell my clients that they SHOULD have a CO detector and it be placed in their BEDROOM and a second one in the living/family room. You want it to wake you up or warn you that there is dangerous CO levels in the home. Sitting down in the furnace room of a 2 story, multi level and even a ranch style home you will probably NOT hear it and have the time to get out of the home safely.

Remember LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION,

I also HIGHLY recommend the NIGHTHAWK / Kiddie models. They have a GREAT track record. Are reasonably priced and readily available at most hardware stores and Walmart.

So for a modest cost, under $50, you could save a life, perhaps your own or that of your clients, remember you what their repeat business.

Go purchase one today and they make great giveaways for your clients.

Have a GREAT day and stay safe.

Rick, Your Friendly Home Inspector

Free answers to your questions about Home Inspections, from Your Friendly Home Inspector, Rick McCullough

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 13:58:07 -0500

NACHI has a new Ask NACHI site. You can ask any question you may have about home inspections or home maintenace questions.

It will be answered by one or numerous memebers of NACHI, National Association of Certified Home Inspectors, free of charge.

A valuable resourse for Agents and or buyers or sellers or anyone that may have questions that they would like to know about.

I highly encourage you to visit and book mark it for future reference.

http://www.asknachi.org/

A FREE service of NACHI for YOU.

The Tip This Week Is About Winterized Properties from Your Friendly Home Inspector

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 22:43:48 -0500

Hello again, Your Friendly Home Inspector, Rick McCullough

The TIP this week is about Winterized Properties.

When a home is winterized some companies disconnect the toilet water supply (Risers) and the dishwasher water supply under the kitchen sink. Check that the washer water hook up and the outside water hose faucets (Hose Bibs) are all OFF. And the T & P valve is closed and the water drain is off at the water heater.
Then there is perhaps a Ice Maker Water line that went to the Refrigerator.

These again ALL need to be checked BEFORE you restore water to the home.

BEFORE the Water company comes out to turn on the water someone SHOULD turn OFF the MAIN WATER VALVE inside the home and check that the BLEED NIPPLE is secure. That way you can somewhat control the water when it is turned on inside the home.

I always turn OFF the water to the water heater and check the cold water side first and then slowly turn on the hot water side. That way you can isolate which side you may have a leak on, cold or hot.

Twice this week I had a real mess when I showed up for an Inspection.

First one on Monday I found the agent in a frantic way. The water company had left but a few minutes before and the agent was there by herself. I walked in and heard her in the basement raising some commotion. I set my equipment down and ran downstairs to find water gushing from the bleed nipple on the main water shut off. About 50 gallons of water already on the flooring. The bleed nipple cap had blown off the shut off valve.

Got the water shut off and luckily the agent had a squeegee in her car,, I would never had thought of carrying one of those.. Glad she did. Took a couple of hours to clean up the water.

The second inspection today the water company had come by and turned on the water the yesterday. When I arrived today there was water coming from the crawlspace vents. Not a great site to drive up to. I turned the water off and the power, then called the listing agent. She was beside herself. Last I heard today was the Flood Restoration Company was estimating about $10,000- $15,000 damage. They said the BLEED NIPPLE CAP WASN'T THERE.

So PLEASE have someone qualified check BEFORE you have that water turned on.

A Simple Tip From Your Friendly Home Inspector, Rick McCullough

Innocence is priceless

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 01:10:13 -0500

Innocence is priceless
>
> One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex
> standing in the
> foyer of the church staring up at a large plaque.
> It
> was covered with
> names with small American flags mounted on either
> side
> of it. The
> seven year old had been staring at the plaque for
> some
> time, so the
> pastor walked up, stood beside the little boy, and
> said quietly, "Good
> morning Alex." "Good morning "Pastor, what is
> this?"
> he asked the
> pastor.
>
> The pastor said, "Well, son, it's a memorial plaque
> to
> all the young
> men and women who died in the Service." Soberly,
> they
> just stood
> together, staring at the large plaque.
> Finally, little Alex's voice, barely audible and
> trembling with fear,
> asked, "Which service, the 8:30 or the 10:45?"

Which are you,, Colorado Yankee or Louisana Dixie,, Take the test and find out.. Enjoy

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 01:08:13 -0500

Which are you Yankee or Dixie,, Take the test and find out..

http://www.angelfire.com/ak2/intelligencerreport/yankee_dixie_quiz.html

It was fun test and told me a bit about myself,, Pass it along to your friends and family,, see where they stand on the GREAT Yankee Dixie debate,, ;-)

Enjoy it and have fun.. I know my kids and friends and I sure did,,

One Of Life’s Lessons, Father to Son,,

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 13:40:26 -0500

One Of Life's Lessons

A man walks into a drug store with his 8-year old son. They happen to walk by the condom display, and the boy asks, "What are these, Dad?

To which the man matter-of-factly replies, "Those are called condoms son. Men use them to have safe sex."

"Oh I see," replied the boy pensively. Yes, I've heard of that in health class at school." He looks over the display and picks up a package of 3 and asks, "Why are there 3 in this package?"

The dad replies, "Those are for high school boys, one for Friday, one for Saturday, and one for Sunday."
"Cool" says the boy.

He notices a 6 pack and asks, "Then who are these for?"
"Those are for college men," the dad answers, TWO for Friday, TWO for Saturday, and TWO for Sunday." "WOW!" exclaimed the boy,

"Then who uses THESE?" he asks, picking up a 12 pack.

With a sigh and a tear in his eye, the dad replied, "Those are for married men. One for January, one for February, one forMarch......."

How SAFE is your Home Inspection going to be? Strange question I know.

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 05:44:44 -0500

Hello again,, Your Friendly Home Inspector, Rick McCullough here once again

How SAFE is your Home Inspection going to be? Strange question I know.

And I am at total loss at how to prevent anything like this. I would welcome suggestions, your comments, ideas, anything you think might help. Not only for me but your fellow agents and clients.

I have on two occasions now been where I have felt threatened during an inspection, I'm not a slight man I stand 6'5", 260 lbs, and can't imagine how the client and agent would have felt or what could have happened if I weren't there at the time. Both times the client and agent were ladies. They were slight in stature.

I'll only relate the first one. The scariest inspection I have ever done.

When I arrived the agents, sellers and buyers, and client were waiting in front of the home. We all greeted each other. Then sellers agent related to me this might be a rather uncomfortable inspection. The parents, who were from out of state, were selling the home and the son, who lived there was upset that he was going to have to move and find and pay for his own place now. I thought she meant that he would be following me around during the inspection. I have been in that situation before,, the seller following me around,, watching over my shoulder. Making comments.. It does not bother me in the least. I inspect the home no matter and give the conditions as I see them, as they are.

She waited outside while the rest of us went up to the door. Knocked and a younger gentleman came to the door. Standing behind the screen door he seemed calm and in control. Not threatening in anyway. He let us in and went off to another part of the house. After checking and starting the appliances in the kitchen. We all proceeded outside to check the exterior. I climbed on the roof, walked around the exterior making notes on the conditions and corrections needed or to be suggested, we walk back in to the kitchen and check the appliances.. The dishwasher has been turned off. I know it could not have cycled through in that time. I started it again. We start down the hall and to the bedrooms and baths, turning on the water in the hall bath I proceed to the first bedroom, door is closed, I knock. I don't hear anything and turn the knob and enter. Good condition, carpet in good condition,, all outlets working properly,, windows open, close and latch easily, on to the second bedroom,, knock no answer, the same condition as the first. Good
Now I knock at the third bedroom door. No answer again, turn the knob and I am greeted by the young gentleman,, standing inside. He is pleasant. I look over the bedroom and the master bath and then leave, closing the door behind me.

The agent and client are in front of me as we walk down the hall. As we get to the living room and I hear the bedroom door open and a rush of footsteps, as I start to turn I am suddenly tackled from behind. We wrestled to the floor, fortunately I ended up on top. I am yelling at the agent and client to get out. Holding the young man down. I am at a total loss at what to do besides hold him down. Then I see a hand gun laying on the floor a few feet away from us. Apparently he had it when he tackled me and dropped it. It wasn't there before.

The agent and client had run outside and called the police.

I was still holding the young man down when they arrived a few minutes later and took over the situation.

The selling agent showed the police a notarized letter from the owners/sellers that we had their permission to be there and for the inspection of the home. That their son might cause trouble and to remove him from the house if he did. The selling agent had given it to the police outside as they arrived where she had been waiting. None of our party were aware of this letter or what might happen till then.

The police took away the young man and I finished the inspection, a couple of extra bumps and bruises, alone in the house. The agents and client left and waited at a nearby café.

When I left the café the agents were in a heated discussion. I had enough of heated discussions for the day.

So I guess instead of offering a Tip today I am asking for one. How should this have been handled BEFORE we ever got to the inspection. I would have preferred that the young man have been GONE. But as an Inspector that wasn't my call.
So any tips and or suggestions would be greatly appreciated,

PLEASE..

Story in the CHICAGO SUN TIMES: City inspects for safety only, not quality

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 02:22:23 -0500

City inspects for safety only, not quality
THE PERFECT SHOCK | New housing needs a full once-over by a certified home inspector

April 20, 2007
BY SANDRA GUY sguy@suntimes.com

Beware home buyers: Illinois does not require developers to be licensed, and city inspectors are not assessing the construction quality of the residence. The inspectors are responsible only for citing public-safety hazards such as an insufficient number of fire escapes.

"In Illinois, you have 'Wall Street' developers who drive cars and talk on phones and hire subcontractors. They don't build anything," said Nick Gromicko, founder of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors, based in Boulder, Colo.

"Most states have very minimal or no licensing of developers and contractors," he said.

Contractors work with the skilled trades industries, so they don't have to be masons, plumbers or roofers, said a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. A contractor has to be a good businessman, and there is no license for that, the spokeswoman said.

The IDFPR licenses architects, roofers, engineers and home inspectors.

The Illinois Department of Health licenses plumbers.

Gromicko said he believes the model law is Florida's, where prospective developers must pass an exam and take continuing education courses each year.

Chicago requires that general contractors obtain a license from the Department of Buildings. The application requires that the construction company show the appropriate business licenses and a sufficient amount of insurance to cover the size of the proposed project, said department spokesman Pete Scales.

City inspectors, or any other government inspector, will check only for safety issues on new construction.

"A leaking window is something [government inspectors] wouldn't even catch," Gromicko said.

Scales said city building inspectors review basic life-safety issues such as proper ventilation and lighting, and properly installed electrical and plumbing systems.

"They're not able to measure the quality of construction," Scales said.

The developer is responsible for correcting any problems.

New condos need a once-over by a certified home inspector, Gromicko said.

"A brand new home isn't a perfect home. It was built by human beings -- a variety of people who don't know each other and who may differ from one part of the construction to another," he said. "It's not the quality-control assembly line that people believe."

Gromicko recommends that a potential buyer pay $250 to $300 to get a certified inspector to do a once-over on a new condo before he or she closes on the purchase.

The national association requires its members to take 30 hours of continuing education each year. Home inspectors who belong to the national association can be found on the Web site at www.nachi.org

The association's requirements compare with Illinois' rule that home inspectors take 12 hours of continuing education every two years, after they complete an initial 60 hours of pre-license education.

The inspector will come up with a "punch list" of items that need correcting, and the would-be buyer can insist that the developer resolve the problems before he purchases the unit.

Once the problem is disclosed by the inspector, the listing agent must disclose it to every other potential buyer, Gromicko said.

New-construction warranties are good for one year, so a homeowner who failed to get an inspection before closing should get one before his first year of ownership ends, Gromicko said.

Tom Corbett, president of Tomacor Inc., a Chicago-based home inspection company, said he believes developers should be licensed because they have a fiduciary responsibility to the people who've bought homes from them.

He believes such licensing should ensure that the developer be able to read blueprints, be fully bonded for the cost of the construction work, and be certified as to level of competence and understanding of the building code.

Corbett said he has seen some developers remove a "significant amount of money for dubious expenses" from a development's reserve fund just before turning over the building to the new homeowners. "The developer was charging the building tens of thousands of dollars for electrical consumption because ComEd hadn't put in the meters," he said. "Often, there is not good accounting" for the money.

CLICK HERE for full Sun-Times article: http://www.suntimes.com/classifieds/homes/homelife/349615,HOF-News-prairietower20.article

Gas Prices to HIGH,, Lets ALL try this and see if it would work

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:08:20 -0500

GAS WAR - an idea that WILL work

This was originally sent by a retired Coca Cola executive. It came from one of his engineer buddies who retired from Halliburton. It ' s worth your consideration.

Join the resistance!!!! I hear we are going to hit close to $4.00 a gallon by next summer and it might go higher!! Want gasoline prices to come down? We need to take some intelligent, united action. Phillip Hollsworth offered this good idea.

This makes MUCH MORE SENSE than the "don't buy gas on a certain day" campaign that was going around last April or May! The oil companies just laughed at that because they knew we wouldn't continue to "hurt" ourselves by refusing to buy gas. It was more of an inconvenience to us than it was a problem for them.

BUT, whoever thought of this idea, has come up with a plan that can really work. Please read on and join with us! By now you're probably thinking gasoline
priced at about $1.50 is super cheap. Me too! It is currently $2.79 for regular unleaded in my town. Now that the oil companies and the OPEC nations have conditioned us to think that the cost of a gallon of gas is CHEAP at $1.50 - $1.75, we need to take aggressive action to teach them that BUYERS control the
marketplace..... not sellers. With the price of gasoline going up more each day, we consumers need to take action. The only way we are going to see the price of gas come down is if we hit someone in the pocketbook by not purchasing their gas! And, we can do that WITHOUT hurting ourselves. How? Since we all rely on our cars, we can't just stop buying gas. But we CAN have an impact on gas prices if we all act together to force a price war.

Here's the idea:

For the rest of this year, DON'T purchase ANY gasoline from the two biggest companies, EXXON / MOBIL and CONOCO / PHILLIPS. If they are not selling any gas, they will be inclined to reduce their prices. If they reduce their prices, the other companies will have to follow suit. To much surplus in THEIR tanks.

But to have an impact, we need to reach literally millions of Exxon / Mobil and Conoco / Phillips gas buyers. It's really simple to do! Now, don't wimp out at this point.... keep reading and I'll explain how simple it is to reach million! s of people.

I didn't do this yet, I figure to post it here may reach more people faster. but I am sending this note to 30 people. If each of us sends it to at least ten more (30 x 10 =3D 300) ... and those 300 send it to at least ten more (300 x 10 =3D 3,000)...and so on, by the time the message reaches the sixth group of people, we will have reached over THREE MILLION consumers. If those three million get excited and pass this on to ten friends each, then 30 million people will have been contacted! If it goes one level further, you guessed it..... THREE
>>>>HUNDRED MILLION >>>>PEOPLE!!!

Again, all you have to do is send this to 10 people. That's all. (If you don't understand how we can reach 300 million and all you have to do is send this to 10 people.... Well, let's face it, you just aren't a mathematician. But I am, so trust me on this one.)

How long would all that take? If each of us sends this e-mail out to ten more people within one day of receipt, all 300 MILLION people could conceivably be contacted within the next 8 days!!!

I'll bet you didn't think you and I had that much potential, did you?

Acting together we can make a difference. If this makes sense to you, please pass this message on. I suggest that we not buy from EXXON/MOBIL, CONOCO/PHILLIPS UNTIL THEY LOWER THEIR PRICES TO THE $1.50 RANGE AND KEEP THEM DOWN.

THIS CAN REALLY WORK.

A large surplus would drive the price DOWN, Doesn't it in Real Estate? It WILL work on Gas also I believe.

Deer Camp Comedy. Very Inovative and FUNNY

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 12:52:29 -0500

Deer Camp

The guys were all at deer camp

They had to bunk two to a room. No one wanted to room with Daryl >because he snored so badly.

They decided it wasn't fair to make one of them stay with him the whole time, so they voted to take turns.

The first guy slept with Daryl and comes to breakfast the next morning with his hair a mess and his eyes all bloodshot.

They said, 'Man, what happened to you?' He said, 'Daryl snored so loudly, I just sat up and watched him all night.'

The next night it was a different guy's turn. In the morning, same thing--hair all standing up, eyes all blood-shot.

They said, 'Man, what happened to you? You look awful!' He said, 'Geez!

That Daryl shakes the roof. I just sat there watching him all night long.'

The third night was Bob's night. Bob was a big, burly, ex-football player - a man's man. The next morning he came to breakfast bright eyed and bushy tailed.

They couldn't believe it so they asked 'What happened? How come you look so rested?'

He said, 'Well, we got ready for bed. I went and tucked Daryl into bed and kissed him good night. He sat up and watched me all night long.'

Now how many others would have thought of that one. ;-)

A Tip for Your Sellers From Your Friendly Home Inspector.

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 07:18:24 -0500

Hello Again,, Your Friendly Home Inspector Here.. Rick McCullough

A Tip for Your Sellers From Your Friendly Home Inspector.

When your home is scheduled for an inspection please have your clients do a couple of simple but important and very helpful items,,

First is the Dishwasher

Either load only dishes or unload the Dishwasher, the inspector will want to run a cycle. Having it used as a storage place is never a good idea and unless you leave a VERY visible note on it. "DO NOT USE". It will probably be run and possibly damage what ever was in there. Not a nice situation for anyone. The dishwasher is NOT a good place to HIDE valuable items either.

I had an inspection where when I arrived the client and Agent were already there. The client had insisted that she wanted to operate all the appliances to make sure she knew how to operate them herself and had already started the dishwasher. They were newer and looked complicated. The client said she had looked in a dishwasher seeing nothing in the bottom and apparently not pulling the top rack out ALL the way, she added dish soap and started the dishwasher. She never saw a very expensive camera that was stuck in the far back of the top rack.

When the seller came home towards the end of the inspection and she discovered what had happened she was a bit unraveled to say it nicely. She had placed the camera there to hide it from being stolen she said. Not thinking about it being run through a wash cycle. Ended up with taking the camera to a repair shop and having it looked at. Repair costs were about $750.00, the camera was worth well over $5000.00. The buyer absorbed the bill in Lieu of repairs that were needed to the home,, and did buy the home,, but the negotiations were tense.

This is an Inspection where the Client taught me a Valuable Lesson too. I ALWAYS pull the rack out ALL the way now.

PS,, the repair shop told me the camera was very clean,, but never try to clean your camera that way. (He was making a joke, glad the client wasn't there)

Second the OVEN,,

Please remove everything from it. The inspector will want to test the elements and possibly the cleaning cycle.

I heard from a reliable Agent I have know for years, that during an inspection they turned on the oven and placed it in the cleaning cycle, then walked off and were wandering through the house when someone noticed smoke was coming from the kitchen.

They were about 45 minutes into the inspection and coming back inside.

In the kitchen the smoke was billowing out of the oven, then started on fire. Luckily the Agent had enough to keep her wits and turn off the oven and look for a fire extinguisher. She doused the flames before they created any major fire damage. Smoke damage only to the home,, range was ruined though.

They were Very Lucky.

The Agent didn't remember anyone opening the oven BEFORE they turned it on. The seller had left some plastic storage bowls in there and that is what was on fire. Something very simple to prevent but wasn't in this case.

Just a couple of simple but VERY IMPORTANT things to ask of your seller to help their Home Inspection go a little smoother.

From Your Friendly Home Inspector. Rick McCullough

CAN YOU READ THIS !!! AMAZING BUT TRUE !!!

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 19:03:33 -0500

This is weird, but interesting!

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too

Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can

i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

if you can raed tihs forwrad it

And who syas you need splel cehck and porof reidang ;-)

NEW STORE OPENS IN NYC,, THE HUSBAND STORE,, MILLIONS RUSH IN,,

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 20:49:45 -0500

> >The Husband Store
> >
> >A store that sells new husbands has just opened in New York City ,
> >where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at the
> >entrance is a description of how the store operates:
> >
> >You may visit this store ONLY ONCE! There are six floors and the
> >value of the product increases as the shopper ascends the flights. The
> >shopper may choose any item from a particular floor, or may choose to go
> >up to the next floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the
> >building!
> >
> >So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband.
> >
> >On the first floor the sign on the door reads:
> >Floor 1 - These men Have Jobs.
> >
> >The second floor sign reads:
> >Floor 2 - These men Have Jobs and Love Kids.
> >
> >The third floor sign reads:
> >Floor 3 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, and are Extremely Good
> >Looking.
> >
> >"Wow," she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going.
> >
> >She goes to the fourth floor and the sign reads:
> >Floor 4 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Good Looking
> >and Help With Housework.
> >
> >"Oh, mercy me!" she exclaims, "I can hardly stand it!"
> >
> >Still, she goes to the fifth floor and the sign reads:
> >Floor 5 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Gorgeous,
> >Help with Housework, and Have a Strong Romantic Streak.
> >
> >She is so tempted to stay, but she goes on to the sixth floor and the
> > sign reads:
> >
> >Floor 6 - You are visitor 31,456,012 to this floor. There are no men
> >on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are
> >impossible to please. Thank you for shopping at the Husband Store.
> >Please leave the building.
> >
> >To avoid gender bias charges, the store's owner also opened a New
> >Wives store just across the street.
> >
> >The first floor has wives that love sex.
> >
> >The second floor has wives that love sex and have money.
> >
> >The third through sixth floors have never been visited.

A Mother's Dictionary

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 19:39:36 -0500

A Mother's Dictionary
Amnesia: Condition that enables a woman who has gone through labor to make love again.
Dumbwaiter: One who asks if the kids would care to order dessert.
Family Planning: The art of spacing your children the proper distance apart to keep you on the edge of financial disaster.
Feedback: The inevitable result when your baby doesn't appreciate the strained carrots.
Full Name: What you call your child when you're mad at him.
Grandparents: The people who think your children are wonderful even though they're sure you're not raising them right.
Hearsay: What toddlers do when anyone mutters a dirty word.
Impregnable: A woman whose memory of labor is still vivid.
Independent: How we want our children to be as long as they do everything we say.
Ow: The first word spoken by children with older siblings.
Puddle: a small body of water that draws other small bodies wearing dry shoes into it.
Show Off: a child who is more talented than yours.
Sterilize: what you do to your first baby's pacifier by boiling it and to your last baby's pacifier by blowing on it.
Top Bunk: where you should never put a child wearing Superman pajamas.
Two Minute Warning: when the baby's face turns red and she begins to make those familiar grunting noises.
Verbal: able to whine in words
Whodunit: none of the kids that live in your house..
Weekend: when Dad gets to play golf while Mom catches up on the laundry, cleans the house, runs errands, etc.

Everyday Forecast For The Denver Metro Area.

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 09:40:29 -0500

As you might have heard Denver was to get upto 12 inches of snow the past couple of days. What did we get Nada, zip, zilch, Airlines even cancelled flights from the the information the forecasters broadcast.

So I thought this would fit the bill in anycase.

"10 to 90 Percent chance of Snow, accumulations of Zero to 24 inches possible, a high of 87 and a low of 10 degrees today. Make sure you plan an extra hour and a half to your early morning commute due to expected blizzard conditions combined with massive sunglare from the east. Bring your sunglasses. Make sure you bundle up your childeren with snow jackets, add plenty of sunscreen and flip flops today! (lame weather man chuckle...) and stay tuned for the 5 day forecast coming up at 8:59.

Back to you, Ron and Libby."

Should cover any weather then,,, ;-)

First of My Tips and Advise from YOUR FRIENDLY HOME INSPECTOR

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 18:07:40 -0500

Tips and Advise when LISTING a property.

This is drawn from experience on some of the many 1000's of Home Inspections I have completed here in the Denver area.

I have gotten into the habit of asking for and looking at the listing flyer and Disclosure Statement on what is included and the condition in which they are purported to be in.

Most of the time the check is in "Do Not Know" boxes on the Disclosure. Understandably for out of state sellers or sellers that have rented the property out and not lived there for years.

Flyer highlights = One Car Attached Garage, Wood Burning Fireplace, Jack and Jill Bath, Overlooking the Pool, Gas Forced Air Furnace, Central Air Conditioning, Jacuzzi Bath, New Dishwasher, etc. etc, etc,

It is nice looking at a glance.

Did you notice the PROBLEM in that flyer or Disclosure?
I didn't at first either.

Then I started my Home Inspection.

A few minor items are noted. Then comes the mechanical portion.
The 1986 water heater, very rusted, seeping at the nipples, tank gurgling, recommend replacing. Approx cost. $600-$750 installed.
Inspecting the furnace. Furnace needs minor cleaning and service, filter changed, .Approx cost $150-$250
Air Conditioning, air conditioning, there is NO AIR CONDITIONING, never has been. No electrical for it, no compressor unit, no line sets, no evaporator coils, that's correct, NO AIR CONDITIONING to inspect. Listed in the MLS, in the Contract, on the Flyers. All Say Central Air Conditioning.
Approx cost to install $4500-$6500, upgrade to furnace blower, if possible, $300-$400, if not, new furnace $2500-3500, this is a very major cost to me. $7300 low side possible cost, $10,400 high side possible cost. And that doesn't include the embarrassment, extended negotiations and possible legal complications ahead now.

When listing a property how do you KNOW that what the Seller is telling you is correct. Not a LIE but just correct. A Walk Through or Pre Listing Inspection would have prevented this from happening.

A much more reasonable cost to have then what DID happen above. Then you could have included, NEW WATER HEATER, FURNACE JUST SERVICED and IN TOP SHAPE. And you would have known it was CORRECT.

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Tips and Advise from YOUR FRIENDLY HOME INSPECTOR

Tips And Advise From a FRIENDLY HOME INSPECTOR

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 01:53:26 -0500

Hello, I'm Rick, Rick McCullough, Alert Home Services in Arvada Colorado
Your Friendly Home Inspector Inspecting Along the Front Range and the Denver Metro area.

I have been reading lots of Blogs here and decided to open up a Tips Blogs where I plan on writing about simple and easy items Sellers can fix before the Home Inspector shows up and for the Buyers to realize that everything on a Inspection Report won't cost lots of $$$ to fix, repair or replace. And you don't ALWAYS NEED a Licensed or Certified Tradesman to do these simple fixes. Most corrections a GOOD Handyman can do at much less cost to everyone.

Hopefully this will make the Seller and Buyer Real Estate Transactions to flow easier.

Figure it will be GOOD LUCK to start this on such a infamous day. Friday the 13th

Please feel free to email me and ask about anything you may feel I might be of help with.
Depending on requests please be patient as it may take a few days to get back to you.
It is the start of my busiest season.

Thank You and please Subscribe to:
Tips And Advise From a FRIENDLY HOME INSPECTOR

Bush talks about Global Warming, a MUST WATCH !!!!

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 22:41:25 -0500

Here's a little video about Bush on Global Warming,,

Think you will like it as much as I did.

Very informative stuff here to think about.

http://www.glumbert.com/media/globalwarming

Hope you all laugh as much as I did, Will Farrel is great.

Any other good vidoes out there?

Enjoy a good laugh and give a few out.

A Simple Tip From Your Friendly Denver Area Home Inspector.

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 13:35:59 -0500

I find grading problems on almost every home that I inspect. Most flooding will occur in the spring when the ground begins to thaw and spring rain arrives. The grade is just like a roof on a house. A grade that slopes towards a home can direct water to the home. This can be critical during the winter when the ground is frozen and snow covered. A heavy rain can quickly cause flooding with improper grading next to a foundation wall and then leak into the basement.
Along with heavy rain can occur any time during the year.

A good rule of thumb for the ground slope is a minimum of 1/4 inch drop per foot of run and should continue out a minimum of 6 ft. Installing splash blocks and or downspout extensions will greatly reduce the amount of water draining next to or close to the foundation.

Also CLEAN those gutters, a clogged gutter does not allow water to flow and will in lots of cases overflow the edge dropping water next to the foundation and worse, damage roof decking, facias boards, and water leakage into the home or behind the siding.

A simple tip from your friendly Denver Area Home Inspector.

Cracks In The Foundation? Serious or Not

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 09:33:34 -0500

The following is a good article about foundation cracking. Cracks in foundation walls, to the untrained eye, are all serious when in fact that is untrue. As a native of the Denver Metro area and very knowledgeable of the expansive soils here it is in the best interest of your client that you have a knowledgeable and trained eye to detect if is truly serious or minor and superficial.

Cracks in Basement Walls
by Gerry Aubrey of Blue Bell Consulting, Inc.
04-30-2004

When spring arrives we generally focus our attention on cleaning the house, cleaning the yard, and planting gardens. Before we venture out, let's head to the basement and check something really important: the basement walls. Winter is brutal. Freeze thaw cycles destroy streets and frozen rain pulls down wires and trees. Those same forces are busy below grade, and they can wreak havoc on the home's structure. When the ground freezes, it swells and pushes against the foundation. This pressure can crack the wall, resulting in serious damage to the home. Almost 1/3 of the claims made against home inspectors are related to structure. The vast majority deal with structural failures discovered after renovations begin and were not visible to the inspector, but the central issue is the structure which is very important. A house is only at strong as its' foundation.

The first order of business is pull everything away from the walls so you can see all sides, top to bottom. If you finish your basement, build the walls out far enough so you can examine the foundation. What type of walls do you have? A rule of thumb, stone is the best. This is only present in very old houses, but it's the most solid foundation you can have. Poured concrete is the next best thing to stone. You are inspecting it to find damage that can result in structural failure. Concrete foundations often crack. The crack is usually vertical. It is caused by shrinkage of the concrete as it cures. If you find a vertical crack, rub your fingers across it. If both sides of the crack are even, the crack is most likely from shrinkage. This is a common cracking pattern and is rarely a structural concern. If you have water entering through the crack, get it professionally repaired. If you can fit a dime in it, get it fixed. Occasionally the wall on each side of the crack is not even. This type of crack may have been caused by a backhoe operator in a hurry. Walls are sometimes cracked during the backfilling process.

If you have cinderblock walls, they are most prone to problems. If properly installed and maintained, they generally perform well. Again, a vertical crack is usually not a concern. The wall is merely segmented, and the wall on both sides of the crack is doing its' job. Look for water penetration, and if present get it repaired. If you find a long horizontal crack in the wall, you should be concerned. A horizontal crack compromises the integrity of the entire wall. It can lead to catastrophic structural failure. If you can put a dime in the crack, call a structural engineer. These horizontal cracks usually appear about 3' below grade. They are caused by hydrostatic pressure against the side wall, and it snaps the wall. If I find a small crack during an inspection my advice is often to monitor the crack. If the crack never changes, you need not worry about it.

Monitor the crack? The Client generally looks at me like I suggested they study Latin Literature. Cracks are like a stain on the ceiling, it's very difficult to tell if it changes. There is a device that I've discovered for monitoring cracks that is brilliant in its' simplicity. It is manufactured by Avongard Products of Santa Monica California. They have a toll free number to order it, 1-800-244-7241, and the device, with shipping, is less than $20.00. It consists of two pieces of clear Plexiglas with a grid on them and two holes in each piece to secure it to the wall. It comes with a chart that duplicates the grid, and a spot on the chart to write the date. The device is secured to the wall and the grid is placed over the crack. You can secure it with masonry nails or an epoxy that the manufacturer sells. Once it is secured to the wall, you cut the tape that joins the two pieces of Plexiglas. The two pieces will move slightly when you cut the tape. You then draw a line on the chart to duplicate the reading on the grid. Keep the chart in a safe, dry place, and re-inspect the crack regularly for at least a year. Mark the next grid on the chart and date it each time you check it. The soil conditions can vary greatly between the seasons, so it takes a while to be sure there is no movement. Monitor it for at least a year. If the crack is moving, call an engineer.

When I find a crack in a basement wall, the first thing I try and determine is what the crack has been doing lately. Cracks caused by backfill, or water damage ten years ago are far less of a concern than a crack that is moving. If there is evidence of moving, a specialist should be called as soon as possible. There are a multitude of methods to repair foundation walls, short of tearing the house down and starting over. They obviously will vary in price depending on the labor involved. One thing is certain. If you have a crack in the basement wall, check it regularly, and if you are at all suspicious of it moving, call an expert, and get an expert to repair it. This isn't the same as painting the back porch. If the job's not done right, the down side can be disastrous.

Buyer Seminars, What Would You as an Agent Suggest For the Home Inspector to Present

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 10:45:29 -0500

Buyer Seminars, What Would You as an Agent Suggest For the Home Inspector to Present

I have recently had many Agents ask me to participate in Home Buyer Seminars.
I would like to ask the Agents here in the AR community what would you like and what is pertinent for you to have presented to your prospective clients from a Home Inspector.
I wish to present a short, 15-20 minutes, but informative general overview of a Home Inspection.
What, if any, handouts would be of help for your clients you feel.
Your input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

The Sellers Should Always Know Your Coming !!!

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 21:59:49 -0500

The Sellers Should Always Know Your Coming !!!

At an Inspection had occasion to have a quite funny and a very embarrassing situation. Not to me of course, but the Husband & Wife Buyers, wife's friend, Their Agent Paula, the lady seller and her boyfriend. Arriving early I sat and waited outside for the clients to arrive. After about 15-20 minutes they arrived with the Paula driving everyone in her car. Now I've known the agent, Paula, for some years, Funny, boisterous, gregarious, life of the party type person. But very knowledgeable in the Real Estate field.

Her clients seemed more reserved and quiet. I had already done one inspection for them a few weeks before and the deal had fallen through for one reason or another.

Paula goes to the door and rings the bell numerous times, 3-4-5, no answer, she then opens the storm door and opens the lockbox, knocks loudly a few times and then proceeds to unlock and open the door and announces loudly INSPECTION.

As we enter I head for the kitchen where I start setting up my laptop and start running and testing the appliances, garbage disposal, dishwasher, and so on, the clients, their friend and Paula are talking and discussing items they are wishing to change.

I am not following their conversation and I hear their voices trail off as they start to look around the home. Diningroom, livingroom, then into the hall and first bathroom, then to the bedrooms, first bedroom and then second, then the master,, it was there I suppose where the first SCREAM sounded from, then a second in rapid succession, then I hear rapid footsteps coming down the hall, by this time I am off and running to offer what help I may be able to not knowing what has happened, meeting Paula at the hall entrance, she rushes past me and to the kitchen, the clients in hot pursuit, I see nothing in the hall and follow them to the kitchen,, no one is saying a word, now this is a first with Paula.

I am about to ask again, Are you all OK?, when I hear, from behind me, a lady apologizing profusely and then leaving through the front door in haste, clothes disheveled, bare foot, hair in a mess, next through the hall a man appears, same condition, clothes thrown on, bare foot and uncombed hair, apologizing too, NOT to us,,but to the lady making her hasty retreat.

Seems that when Paula had made the appointment for the Inspection the other agent had arranged it with the owners boyfriend and the owner did NOT know we were all coming over at that time.

Seems the seller and her boyfriend were enjoying the morning, and had to be quite focused on their activities not to have heard anything.

To this day when Paula enters a house she now carries an AIR HORN with her to LOUDLY announce that WE ARE THERE.

PS.

I did hear that the seller requested separate rooms at closing so she wouldn't have to be face to face with the buyers again.

Are You Looking at the RIGHT House but at the WRONG Address?

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 19:18:28 -0500

In the past couple of years now I have arrived at Inspections only to wait 30 minutes or more and then call to make sure the Inspection was still scheduled. I am at the address provided by the client and doubled checked with the agent only to find the contract was written on the wrong home. Perhaps in the correct complex, but the wrong unit. Or perhaps on the same street but wrong address number. Or the correct number but wrong street.

After finding my clients at the house they want it has turned out somehow the incorrect address was written into the contract and that was the home they had looked at but was not interested in.

It now is asked of me that during the inspection of the home on the contract, I have to find some major items so they can get out of the contract. In all cases, so far, luckily there were major items that needed repair or replaced and they were able to back out. Someday that may not be the case though.

I feel terrible for the Agent in these cases. They have worked hard to find their clients a home they like and wish to purchase and then find out a typo has, in all these cases, cost them the home. The correct home is under contract for someone else and the Home Buyer is, too say it gently, INCENSED. And in one case threatened lawsuit.

This is just some food for thought as you type in that address. PLEASE double and triple check that the address is correct.

Great Web Site About RADON

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 01:43:38 -0500

Radon is a Dangerous Gas, unseen, no odor, but can cause severe health problem years down the road.

How SAFE is YOUR FAMILY? Read this and keep your family safe for their future.

Radon Gas, you should know about it and how to correct or prevent it in your home.

Please visit this site and decide.

http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/physic.html#Character

Spring Maintenance and Safety Tips

Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services) — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 11:08:30 -0500

Spring Maintenance Tips

Spring ahead with some helpful home maintenance tips

Spring is the perfect time to prepare your home for warmer weather. Please take a moment to review this important spring home maintenance checklist.

Inspect your smoke detectors. Make sure that there is one on each floor of your home. Test them and change the battery every six months or as needed.

Check the light bulbs in all your fixtures to be sure that they are the correct wattage as recommended by the manufacturer. I recommend the newer flourescent bulbs be installed in all light fixtures. They use less power and saves you money.

Replace all high-intensity bulbs (such as halogen) with fluorescent bulbs that don't produce as much heat or use as much power to operate.

Check your electrical outlets for potential fire hazards such as frayed cords or wires or loose fitting plugs.

Be sure not to overload electrical outlets, fuse boxes, extension cords or any other power service.

Keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible that is filled and ready for operation in your kitchen, garage and basement.

Have your air conditioning system inspected by a professional as recommended by the manufacturer. It will save you money on your utility bills and keep your home cooler.

Check for damage to your roof, and clean gutters and downspouts to keep debris from accumulating. Will keep the water flowing away from your foundation.

Check your water heater for leaks and corrosion. Could save you a flood later.

Clean and/or replace your furnace filter. This should be done monthly in the heating season and bi monthly with Central Air Conditioning in the cooling months

Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and space under the dryer. Remove all lint, dust, and pieces of material or cloth. Will allow your dryer to work less and dry your clothes quicker, along with preventing possible fire or unsafe conditions.

In your yard, remove all dead trees and keep healthy trees and bushes trimmed and away from utility wires, recommend a professional do this, your roof and siding. Will keep you roof and siding from possible damage.

Safely store oil and gas for lawn equipment and tools in a vented, locked area.

Repair driveway and walkways that are cracked, broken or uneven to provide a level walking surface. Keep water from flowing under your driveway and sidewalk and causing possible sinking or movement.

Check the deck for safety hazards, loose handrails, protruding nails, loose or damaged boards.

Check your GFIC and AFIC outlets for proper safety operation. They are there to SAVE your family and your life.

These are items I recommend you check at the minimum each Spring

to keep your family Safe and your home in good condition.