When is the Best Time to Aerate Your Lawn - 09/29/10 10:05 PM

Has the long hot summer taken a toll on your yard. Has the fescue died and been replaced with clover, chickweed, crabgrass and bald spots? Do you want to get that fine manicured fescue lawn look back? If so then this video is for you. In this video Charlotte home inspector Preston Sandlin expains the steps to aerate and seed your lawn.1. Mow the lawn as low as you can.2. Rake the thatch3. Spray round up on heavily weeded areas and let dry.4. Aerate the lawn. Aerate areas where you srayed the round up extra heavy.5. Seed the lawn with … (2 comments)

What's the Deal With Polybutylene Piping - 09/29/10 10:00 PM

I have seen a lot of polybutylene piping in my 15 years of performing home inspections in Charlotte North Carolina.   Polybutylene piping is a grey piping that was used primarily in the 80's and up to the mid 90's.  It is a form of plastic pipe that was used to replace the more expensive copper piping used previously.  There were two basic problems with polybutylene.  The first was the first generation polybutylene piping that had polybutylene fitting and elbows. This pipe is the type you see on the right in the picture.   Well these fittings and elbows would fail under … (2 comments)

How to Aerate and Seed Your Lawn - 09/26/10 06:38 AM
Has the long hot summer taken a toll on your yard. Has the fescue died and been replaced with clover, chickweed, crabgrass and bald spots? Do you want to get that fine manicured fescue lawn look back? If so then this video is for you. In this video Charlotte home inspector Preston Sandlin expains the steps to aerate and seed your lawn. 1. Mow the lawn as low as you can. 2. Rake the thatch 3. Spray round up on heavily weeded areas and let dry. 4. Aerate the lawn. Aerate areas where you srayed the round up extra heavy. 5. … (2 comments)

Steps that make building onto your home simpler and safer - 09/24/10 11:26 AM
It's the time of year to finish all the projects around the house that you put off all summer to go to the lake. Regardless if it is finishing a new deck, renovating the kitchen or building a new garage, it needs to be finished before winter hits. You will need to take a few easy steps in order to start - and finish - the job. Rules and regulations: Check with your city building inspector to find out whether your project needs a permit within city limits. In most cases, if it is something minor, such as renovating the kitchen … (1 comments)

Charlotte Home Inspection Company Supports Breast Cancer Research - 09/24/10 10:42 AM
 
 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Home Inspection Carolina in Charlotte NC inspectors will be wearing pink for the month of October.  We will also be giving 25 % of our net for that month to Breast Cancer Research.  You have no idea how hard it was to get these "good ole boys" to wear pink.
 What is breast cancer?
Collections of cells that are growing abnormally or without control are called tumors. Tumors that do not have the ability to spread throughout the body may be referred to as "benign" and are not thought of as cancerous. Tumors … (0 comments)

Boosting home energy efficiency: Improvements that feel good and save money - 09/17/10 10:15 AM
When it comes to making your home more energy efficient, you may have to spend a little to save a lot. And, like most good investments, energy-efficient home improvements may require you to be in it for the long haul in order to see the maximum return on your investment. Still, if you're planning to be in your current home for several years (and numerous studies report that more Americans are staying put), a long-term investment in improved energy efficiency can make sound dollar sense for your family. Energy-efficient improvements can help reduce energy use, lower utility bills and cut your … (0 comments)

Time running out to earn tax credits on new garage doors - 09/17/10 10:11 AM
The tax credit eligibility for qualified garage doors will expire on Dec. 31. Now is your last chance to save 30 percent off the price of an energy-saving curb-appeal-inspiring garage door, courtesy of the U.S. government. The savings come from a federal income tax credit, which is more valuable than an equivalent tax deduction, because a tax credit reduces your tax dollar-for-dollar, while a deduction only decreases the amount of income that is taxed. Through the end of this year, the U.S. government is offering up to a $1,500 tax credit for homeowners who buy and install qualifying insulated garage doors. … (0 comments)

Green Roof Improvements Save Money - 09/17/10 10:07 AM
In this economy, you may feel grateful to have a roof over your head. But how much do you really think about your roof? It's one of the most important elements of your home, one that helps protect all the other parts - not to mention the people - under it. And "greening" your roof is a great way to ensure it not only protects your family, but saves you some money and helps the environment at the same time. Heating, cooling and electricity costs make up the largest chunk of the average household's annual utility bill. Here are some roof … (0 comments)

Can a New Roof Pay You Back - 09/14/10 06:12 PM
A 2010 survey by American Express indicates that homeowners will spend more than $6,000 on average on home improvements this year. For one lucky homeowner this money may come back not only in the form of enhancements to their home, but also thousands of dollars right back in their pocket. For others, installing a new roof could mean getting a little money back in their bank account. It's as simple as installing a roof and sharing the picture for all to admire. According to a recent report by the Pew Research Center, 80 percent of Americans say owning a house is … (1 comments)

Tips For Winterizing Your Home - 09/14/10 06:02 PM
Spring and fall are the most notorious allergy seasons, but as any of the estimated 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies know, winter can be just as uncomfortable. As we move our lives back indoors, we often seal up our homes to prevent the cold from seeping in. While that's good for energy bills and staying warm, if you don't take some precautions, it can cause problems for those with indoor allergies. To make sure that your home is a healthy one throughout the season, start taking action against allergens as you winterize your house. According to the Asthma and … (0 comments)