10 danger zones that could threaten your home
PLUS 6 misconceptions about remodeling costs
Tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods grab all the headlines, but your home is way more vulnerable to house fires (which occur in the U.S. every 82 seconds) and water damage. Of course, if you live in a hurricane, flood, or tornado prone area, do take special precautions. But here are 10 areas everyone should look at to avoid serious damage from fire and water.
1. Roof. In northern climates, a roof that gets too warm in winter will melt the snow, creating runoff that freezes where it meets the gutter. The result is an ice dam that forces water up under the shingles. The fix is to add attic insulation and venting to keep the roof cool.
2. Gutters. Clogged gutters can cause major water damage when they overflow, letting water pool around the foundation and leak into the basement.
3. Pipes. When a pipe freezes and cracks just 1/8", it can leak up to 250 gallons of water a day! Exposed pipes should be insulated with foam sleeves. Turn off water to outdoor spigots before the first freeze. Leave taps open to avoid internal pressure.
4. Washing Machine. A burst inlet hose will send water gushing into your laundry room. Use braided steel hose, instead of rubber ones, and inspect regularly for leaks and loose connections.
5. Gas Grill. Fires can start from a leaky gas supply hose, or if a grill is placed in an enclosed porch or too close to the home's siding. Check the supply hose regularly for cracks and replace when worn. Locate your grill at least 10 feet away from the house in an area with no overhead obstructions.
6. Wiring. Fires can start when bad wires short out. Symptoms include: frequent blowing of fuses or tripping of circuit breakers; flickering lights; and a tingling feeling when you touch a wall switch or appliance. Think about replacing wiring more than 40 years old. Take out old fuses and circuit breakers and install arc-fault circuit interrupters that cut off the electricity when there's trouble.
7. Cooktop. Around 40% of home fires start in the kitchen and cooktops are the number one cause. Don't leave burners unattended when on and store anything that can burn, such as pot holders and paper towels, a good distance away.
8. Fireplace. Most chimney fires are caused by creosote buildup, so have your chimney swept once a year. Sparks can also fly beyond the hearth and ignite furniture or rugs, so always keep the screen closed when using your fireplace.
9. Dryer. Lint can build up inside the cabinet and create a fire hazard near the heating element. Every few months, brush out or vacuum any buildup around the lint filter. Hire a pro to clean out the cabinet every other year.
10. Smoke Detectors. At least once a year, change the batteries and replace units more than 10 years old.
DON'T FALL FOR THESE REMODELING MYTHS
It's amazing the misconceptions about remodeling that endure for years:
1. To make your home more energy efficient, install double-glazed windows first. In typical houses, a very small fraction of the total heat loss is through the windows. More heat by far is lost through ceilings, so attic insulation is where to begin your energy-saving investments. Then consider a high-efficiency furnace and ductwork. Replacing windows is low on the list of cost-effective energy improvements.
2. "Tankless" water heaters are more efficient. Not necessarily. Efficiency ratings are arrived at in the lab and seldom matched in the real world. Tankless water heaters are expensive, complicated, and not great in low-flow conditions. They do save space and are good for bathrooms located far from the water heater. But if those aren't your concerns, there are conventional water heaters with high efficiencies at modest cost.
3. If you want more daylight, skylights are best. Adding windows is actually the better way to improve day-lighting. Windows let in more low-angle sunlight in winter and keep out the high hot rays in summer. Skylights do the reverse and often look out of place in older homes.
4. Granite is best for kitchen counters. Granite is durable, but why put tops that last 100 years on counters that will barely make 30? Before you automatically opt for granite, check out all the interesting – and less expensive– options: other types of stone, butcher block, tile, and synthetic laminates.
5. You can save big money putting bathrooms back-to-back. This comes from the practice of apartment house builders to place bathrooms back to back. It makes sense when building lots of apartments, but a homeowner may save just a few hundred dollars. This isn't reason enough to have a bathroom arrangement you don't like.
6. The best way to update your lighting is with recessed "can" lights. Maybe, maybe not. The pools of light they create are good for showing off objects, but not for overall illumination. And if you use too many, your ceiling starts to look like Swiss cheese. Be careful how many you use and avoid them in older homes.
If you're thinking of buying a home, we can give you information on financing that purchase. We can also help with refinancing your existing home or funding home improvements. Please call or email us any time – we're always here to help.... Have a great day!
P.S.: The housing market is recovering, but home prices are still extremely affordable, and mortgage rates remain near historical lows. But if you're thinking about buying or refinancing, it's smart to get the process started early. Please call or email us to talk about the attractive options available now.
Have a great week!
Mortgage Loan Originator
NMLS ID# 248937
http://robertrauf.remn.com/Default.aspx or my blog: http://activerain.com/blogs/rrauf
(732)557-6920 x102
Since 1987 I have been helping my clients fulfill their dream of home ownership!
Real Estate Mortgage Network Inc.
Real Estate Mortgage Network, Inc. is located at 16 Madison Avenue, Building 2 Suite 2D Toms River, NJ 08753. NMLS #6521. New Jersey Licensed Lender and Mortgage Banker #L041053. Visit www.REMN.com for more information.
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