Carey's Inspection Blog

Attic Condensation

Frank Carey (Carey Inspection Solutions, LLC) — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 13:53:37 -0700

A common problem that is seen on inspections is attic damage from condensation and/or poor ventilation. This problem is much more common than people think and can be easily remedied/prevented for relatively little cost to the homeowner. Frequent occurrences take place when bath fans aren't vented to the outside, soffit vents are blocked with insulation, or inadequate insulation in the attic space. There are several approaches that a homeowner can take to prevent this from becoming a problem. The first thing is to make sure that all ventilation points terminate to the outside. This includes bath fans and plumbing vents. Another common occurrence is blocking the soffit vents with insulation. This can be resolved by pulling the insulation away from the soffits. The third cause is from inadequate insulation. In the winter months heat can escape into the attic through the ceiling if not properly insulated. One common area that is overlooked is the attic access. Insulated blankets are currently on the market that are developed for this purpose and are reasonably priced. These are simple steps to resolve the basic problems that are found in the attic space.

Why flashing is so important!!

Frank Carey (Carey Inspection Solutions, LLC) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:00:12 -0800

This was from an inspection yesterday that had some "issues" that went unnoticed by the current homeowner. The tip off was a drop ceiling system that showed severe signs of rust on the metal rails. After moving one of the tiles the pictures below tell the rest of the story. For some reason they only flashed the bottom half of the chimney. Maybe they ran out of flashing??

What is going on here?

Frank Carey (Carey Inspection Solutions, LLC) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:12:51 -0800

There are numerous problems with this picture. Can you identify them??

Property Maintenance

Frank Carey (Carey Inspection Solutions, LLC) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:13:46 -0800

Contrary to popular belief, most materials do not last forever. With the winter winding down (contrary to the groundhog) it is a good idea to go around the home and see what needs to be replaced or repaired from the damaging effects of the weather. A common area is around vent pipe boots and chimneys where tarring has occurred. The flashing cement that is applied doesn't have a lifetime warranty. It will shrink, expand, and crack causing leaks and water damage. Sometimes we get into the mindset that if it doesn't leak than it doesn't need repair. That changes when a bedroom ceiling needs to be replaced.

Another common area is the foam insulation on the suction line for a condenser in a central air system. For $1.50, you can save a tremendous amount of money on your electric bill and save the life of the condenser as well.

This is minimal advice, but a step in the right direction!

Winterizing A Vacant Home

Frank Carey (Carey Inspection Solutions, LLC) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:41:26 -0800

This will be a short blog post. The best advice that I can give as a home inspector and a builder/remodeler is to hire professionals to winterize your home. Many people (including other inspectors) will agree with me that numerous problems arise when homes are improperly winterized. If you enter a home as an agent or an inspector and the meter is still attached, then the winterization process was probably DIY and more important ineffective. Always make sure that as a RE agent or inspector that if a home is winterized that the company/firm/person who did the work is the one that also turns the system back on. This will save many a headache for everyone involved not to mention monetary issues when damage is involved. Take care and stay warm!!

Winter Freezing

Frank Carey (Carey Inspection Solutions, LLC) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:45:18 -0800

Winter is quickly approaching! With that comes colder temperatures and maintenance that needs to be done to your home. One potential problem is the freezing of outdoor hose bibs. Many older homes have conventional hose bibs that require a shutoff in the basement. This will prevent water to the bib which will hinder any freezing and costly damage. It is recommended that any hoses that are attached be removed when shutting this component down for the winter.

Another item that has become popular is a frost proof sillcock which helps if you forget to winterize or do not have a shutoff in the basement. This item actually stops water flow in the heated area of the home which will prevent freezing.

Dryer Vents

Frank Carey (Carey Inspection Solutions, LLC) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:39:24 -0800

One very small but important item that is included in every inspection is the dryer vent. Every year fires are started from a lack of maintenance with this particular item. Some people feel that cleaning the lint screen is sufficient. This is far from correct. The actual vent that leads to the outside is where most blockages occur. This happens when the moist warm air from your dryer escapes with lint from the clothing. The damp lint is in perfect condition to stick to the walls of the vent pipe and eventually itself which deters proper venting. Several industry leaders recommend installing a rigid metal pipe instead of the accordion plastic or foil vents to allow lint to pass more freely. This will help, but a periodic cleaning is recommended. There are numerous companies that will do this service for you; however a dryer cleaning kit is only around $20 and is fairly simple to use.

Carbon Monoxide

Frank Carey (Carey Inspection Solutions, LLC) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:48:51 -0700

Now that the heating season is approaching several areas of concern arise. The main one being carbon monoxide exposure. The best way to approach this potential problem is by having your fuel burning heat source serviced at least once a year. This service should not only be for cleaning, but also determine proper operation and a carbon monoxide test should be performed. This service is offered by many local HVAC contractors and is rather inexpensive for having proactive maintenance to your system.

Carbon Monoxide has many hidden dangers to a persons' health. For this reason alone I am offering carbon monoxide testing at a reduced cost for any client that purchases a home inspection package.

Carbon monoxide links

FAQ'S

Protecting your Family

Staging gone wrong

Frank Carey (Carey Inspection Solutions, LLC) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 12:27:38 -0700

A recent inspection revealed that some people just don't want to sell their house. Many times people say "inspectors are deal breakers". Some cases this may be true, but I have never had a house let me down when it comes time for a deal to fall apart. The inspection a few days ago was a perfect example. The owner decided that after the house went under contract that he was going to remodel the bath room and began to demolish away. The only problem--- he didn't have the desire to finish. One full bath-now not functional. We proceeded to the basement where in a bedroom closet (which shouldn't have been a bedroom anyway) mold was half way up the walls. I guess the clothes on the floor was supposed to cover it and the sweater that was no part of the wall via the mold provided good cover as well. If you wish to sell your home, please remedy any problems that you are aware of or disclose appropriately. Like I stated before the house does a great job of killing the deal on its own...

www.careyinspectpa.com

Commercial Inspections

Frank Carey (Carey Inspection Solutions, LLC) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:35:34 -0700

Several real estate professionals that I work along side of (inspectors, agents, mortagage brokers, etc.) have seen an increase in commercial property inspections and a decrease in the individuals that are willing to take them on. In the last year I have grown to take on these inspections, and am glad that I did. Many of these inspections are on a small scale and are on the same size as an average house inspection (1200-2000 sq ft). On several occasions for larger projects (over 5000sqft) I have included the use of an electrician, commercial HVAC tech and ADA compliance consultant.

The reports are detalied and the scope of work can be tailored to whatever the client wants evaluated. On some occasions the utilization of experts comes in to play and is of great benefit to my client. I have never met a client that was unhappy with an extra set of eyes at no extra charge!!

Fire Alarm Safety

Frank Carey (Carey Inspection Solutions, LLC) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:26:01 -0700

Recent issues have arose in the recall of a very popular smoke alarm. The Kidde Dual Sensor Smoke Alarm have been recalled with manufacture dates of August 1, 2008 through May 2009. If someone is in possession of this particular model the you may contact Kidde for an immediate replacement.

Link to CPSC website

One misconception is that as long as the batteries are changed then smoke alarms are in good working order. This is not true as most smoke alarms only have a shelf life of 8-10 years and should be replaced before hand. A good piece of advice is to change them whenever purchasing a new property and upgrading to a combo smoke/ Carbon monoxide detector. Below are some links that you can pass on to your clients.

Smoke Alarm Placement

Residential Sprinklers

RAIN RAIN AND MORE RAIN

Frank Carey (Carey Inspection Solutions, LLC) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:48:20 -0700

When will it stop raining in Northeast PA???

One thing that I have noticed over the last two months has been an increasingly high number of wet basements. Obviously this is a direct result of the daily thunderstorms and drenching rains. In most cases this situation can be avoided with some very simple fixes. There are two main culprits involved in most of these situations. Rain gutters and grading. Downspouts should extend at least 10 feet away from the home in order to keep the water away from the foundation. The grading of the property is also a key factor. The landscape that looks so very nice must be pitched away from the house to eliminate a soggy situation. Many times simple landscaping can be done to alleviate this issue. The picture at the right is a good example. Downspouts need extending and grading is pitched into the home. The result is a pushed stone foundation that is unstable and is in need of repair. In most cases attention to the small details can save a lot of money down the road!!

New Services!!!

Frank Carey (Carey Inspection Solutions, LLC) — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:05:05 -0700

After several requests we now offer mold sampling as an added service. All samples that are taken will be analyzed at an accredited facility and a generated report will follow within a few days. Pricing will start at $75.00 for clients that are also purchasing an inspection and $125.00 for individual cases per tape sample taken.

Keep in mind that my company also offers water analysis (Total Coliform Bacteria, FHA/VA, and Full Chemical), Septic evaluations, Wood Destroying Insect Inspections and Commercial Inspections as well.

Our commercial inspections are the best in the area and can be customized to the needs of any client. As always a professional report will be given within 1 day of the inspection to ensure avoiding any delays.

Tainted Drywall

Frank Carey (Carey Inspection Solutions, LLC) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 07:08:55 -0700

Around 2004 several factors led to the purchasing of drywall that was not manufactured in this country. The building surge in the early part of this decade along with the devastation from hurricanes the like of Katrina led to shortages of drywall manufactured here. The result was thousands of new homes built with drywall imported from China and other countries that did not meet our standards. Several homeowners immediately noticed a foul sulfur smell in their homes along with discoloration of any metal components in their home (air conditioners, etc). The result was metal corroding gases in the drywall were effecting the components of the home along with the residents' health with respiratory issues. Many people believe that this problem is isolated to states like Florida. This is not the case as it has been found as north as Ohio. Please take precautions when building or remodeling.

Carbon Monoxide Testing

Frank Carey (Carey Inspection Solutions, LLC) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 19:13:21 -0800

Home inspectors have evolved over the years to add ancillary items to their portfolio of services offered. Common services added were pest inspections, mold, radon, etc. In my area more recent attention has also been drawn to Carbon Monoxide testing. Carbon monoxide is a gas that can be deadly if high amounts are present. This potentially poisonous gas can be found whenever a fuel source is burned (wood, gas, oil, etc.) and installation is not properly exhibited. Given the climate that we are in, burning fuel is a common place. I have decided to add this service at no extra charge whenever someone purchases a complete home inspection package at regular price. I will also offer this service individually at a set price. Please make everyone that you know aware of the dangers of CO.

Seller Inspections

Frank Carey (Carey Inspection Solutions, LLC) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:04:02 -0800

Seller inspections (sometimes referred to as pre-listing inspections) are becoming more popular because they virtually eliminate all the pitfalls and hassles associated with waiting to do the inspections until a buyer is found. In many ways, waiting to schedule inspections until after a home goes under agreement, is too late. Seller inspections are arranged and paid for by the seller, usually just before the home goes on the market. The seller is my client. I work for the seller and generate a report for the seller. The seller then typically makes multiple copies of the report and shares them with potential buyers that tour the home for sale. Seller inspections are a benefit to all parties in a real estate transaction. It also is a valuable marketing tool for anyone that is looking for an edge in this competitive and oversaturated market. Whether the client would like a report or a basic walkthrough, seller inspections are a diversified tool that will set your listing apart from the rest!

Seller Inspections

Frank Carey (Carey Inspection Solutions, LLC) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:02:55 -0800

Holiday Safety!

Frank Carey (Carey Inspection Solutions, LLC) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:19:54 -0800

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/611.pdf

Above is a link to a great brochure from the CPSC dealing with holiday safety practices!

Please pass along to all friends and family!