diy: Additional Points To Consider When Deciding Between Roofing Contractors:
- 09/24/09 02:33 PM
Additional points to consider when deciding between Roofing Contractors: Was the contractor on time for your estimate appointment? If not, or if he failed to show at all, calling you later with some excuse, drop him from consideration immediately. If he’s not on time when he most needs to impress you (before he has been given the job), then he surely cannot be relied upon after he gets the contract. Does he have an actual office, and a showroom for you to go visit? If not, does he at least have a secretary or paging service for emergencies? Trust your instincts. … (2 comments)
diy: Getting Honest Estimates From Roofing Contractors
- 09/24/09 02:29 PM
Getting honest estimates from roofing contractors can be confusing. Some have really high prices, and some are priced so low that you can’t understand what’s included and what’s not, or if you’re getting good value for your money. Some less-than-scrupulous roofing contractors play games with pricing, only to jack the costs up later during the job with unexpected surprises. That’s why it’s important to use care when selecting a contractor, and be sure you’re dealing with someone honest. You want your roof taken care of quickly and cheaply as possible, but it pays to take the time to select a roofing … (2 comments)
diy: Winter In California. Save Big on Energy This Year VS Last Year
- 09/23/09 05:55 AM
While there are plenty of fun aspects to the winter, from sledging to snowball fights in the East to skiing and snow boarding in the West, it can’t be denied that there are a number of downsides too. Freak storms don't make anyone happy and neither does getting soaked by driving rain on your way to work. Then there are the rising costs of electric and gas heating bills. Luckily there are a number of ways that you can save money on your heating during winter. Elderly people are frequently targeted by campaigns to help them stay warm in winter, and … (0 comments)
diy: Income Potential Of Your Home
- 09/23/09 05:38 AM
Making repairs to your home can be a great way to increase your equity as well as make you more comfortable. Many individuals who own homes put off repairs due to the high price of hiring contractors but a few minor improvements can greatly increase the value of your home and not all of the repairs have to be completed by a hired hand either. That are many simple improvements that you can do your self for very little money. Painting the exterior of your home as well as the interior can greatly increase the value of your home and your … (0 comments)
diy: Los Angeles Home Inspector Talks About Pool Inspections and Filter Maintenance. DIY
- 09/22/09 06:31 AM
A word to the wise. Have your pool equipment inspected once a year by a master home inspector to insure the pools safe operation. Safety should always be the first consideration when replacing or cleaning your swimming pool filter, especially those filters that are fitted with pressure-clamps. These pressure-clamps can "blow" under certain circumstances, causing property damage, severe injuries and in the worst cases, death. Always consult the manufacturer's guidelines before performing maintenance on your filter. If you have just puchased a new home with a pool a home inspector The first thing to do when replacing or performing maintenance on … (1 comments)
diy: Los Angeles Home Inspector What is in that toilet?
- 09/15/09 06:11 AM
Los Angeles Home Inspector Illustrates The Gravity Flush Toilet The gravity flush toilet design is found in most homes. With a simple design and relatively few moving parts, repairs are usually fairly cut and dry. The lack of any mechanical parts (like those found in pressure-assisted toilets) makes the repairs fairly inexpensive as well. The toilet works on principals of gravity, hence the name. Water housed in a tank above the bowl is released into the bowl, causing water to push through the trap, thus emptying the bowl of its contents. When the handle is pushed down the lever arm pulls … (3 comments)
diy: Los Angeles Home Inspector Illustrates Gable and Cathedral Roof Framing.
- 09/15/09 06:05 AM
Los Angeles Home Inspector Illustrates Gable and Cathedral Roof Framing. Balloon framing of gable walls is common in new home construction. It is usually done when there is a cathedral or vaulted ceiling in the room. I would not recommend this framing method to a rookie carpenter or the average DIY person. A basic knowledge of conventional roof framing is required to lay out and complete this task. The standard wall height, roof pitch, rafter size, and stand of the common rafter must all be known before beginning the layout procedure. Armed with this information an experienced carpenter can complete the … (0 comments)
diy: What Does 20 Year Three Tab Refer To?
- 09/10/09 12:37 PM
What Does 20 Year Three Tab Refer To? Below you will find a great illustration of a 20 year three tab asphalt shingle. You will also find the fastener location and a self-sealing strip. If the roof is installed in the cold winter months the self-sealing strip may not get hot enough to bond. If heavy winds occur the shingles may be damaged. Install you shingles in the summer so you don't find your shingles standing at attention.
David Home Inspection Services 626-629-8499 We Proudly Serve The Areas Of West Covina, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside County California … (2 comments)
diy: Vinyl Windows. What Buyers Want?
- 09/10/09 06:28 AM
Vinyl Windows. What Buyers Want? It's easy to see why vinyl replacement windows have become one of the most popular home improvements in Southern California. They reduce noise and energy use while increasing your property value and enhancing the appearance of your home. They can be installed quickly without major construction headaches and the price is relatively affordable. Vinyl windows can add to your home's resale value. Unattractive windows can be a deal-killer for even the most beautiful home. It almost stopped us from buying our home in West Covina Ca. Figures vary, but some studies show that new vinyl windows … (0 comments)
diy: 17 Steps To A Better Home Inspection Report In California.
- 09/10/09 05:41 AM
17 Steps To A Better Home Inspection Report In California. At David Home Inspection Service we use a state of the art electronic home inspection program that allows us to group deficiencies by city and neighborhood. After 11+ years and 5300 home inspections we are able to see trends in building defects and deficiencies. I wanted to give you the top 17 fixes to a better home inspection. Take a look around your home and make repairs as need. Remember you only get one chance at your first inspection. If you plan on listing your home for sale, this repair list … (0 comments)
diy: Lazy Contractors and Self Venting Range Hoods!
- 09/10/09 05:22 AM
As a home inspector in the Southern California housing market for the past 11+ years I have see trends come and go. One trend I am not to keen on is the self venting range hood. As it goes a vent hood is use to remove heated air from the cooking area and to prevent grease an odor's from depositing on kitchen surfaces. With a self venting hood the heated air is not removed but forced back into the kitchen. We have all seen grease filters clogged and in need of replacement. The filters in the average kitchen can become clogged … (4 comments)
diy: "O"natural Swimming Pools, So Cool"
- 09/04/09 12:15 PM
Though fairly common in Europe, "O"natural swimming pools are in their infancy in the United States. Ask most American swimming-pool contractors to build a backyard pool and chances are they'll roll out a long list of goods, including rebar, gunite, fiberglass, chlorine and an energy-sapping filtration system. But in recent years, a few builders and a growing number of homeowners have learned how to build pools without relying on a mass of manufactured materials and chemical additives. They've found it's possible to construct pools that are more about building with nature and blending into the natural landscape. Natural swimming pools use … (3 comments)
diy: Wood-Decay Fungi. What Rot, You Got?
- 09/03/09 03:24 AM
Wood-Decay Fungi. White rot leaves wood with a bleached appearance and a spongy and stringy texture. Brown rot leaves wood with a dark brown, checkered appearance and a brittle texture. Note: wood that exhibits brown rot has lost its structural integrity and is easily crumbled. Water-conducing fungus or "dry rot" produces decay similar to brown rot, but may vary in color. Fungus (fungi, plural) is a plant that lacks chlorophyll. Unable to synthesize their own food, they feed off of cells in the wood. The fungi secrete enzymes that break down to wood (into usable food) and can significantly reduce the … (1 comments)
diy: Wood Destroying Insects. What Are The Signs?
- 09/03/09 03:14 AM
A word on wood destroying insects. Subterranean termites are the most common termite in Southern California. A mature colony has from 80K to 400K workers. The average colony can consume a one foot length of 2x4 in 118 days. We also have the Powder post beetle. The most common evidence of a powder post beetle infestation is a talcum powder-like substance known as frass. This frass falls from exit holes made by the beetles. Another insect that can cause a lot of damage is The Carpenter bee. The carpenter bee will bore into the wood six to ten inches and nest … (0 comments)
diy: Home Buyer Scared By Needs For New Roof
- 09/03/09 03:05 AM
Some homes will sit on the market for months when they are in need of a new roof. First Time Home buyers can be scared off by a defective roof showing up on the homes inspection report. Roofing system replacement can be a costly endeavor. A great Home Inspector will understand that the roof system is one of the most important parts of the home. Replacing a roof can cost thousands and in some case even over ten thousand. Wood damage under the roof will cause the replacement price to escalate quickly as these charges are based on the lineal foot. … (2 comments)
diy: Lead Paint Big Conserns for Small Children
- 09/03/09 02:54 AM
Lead Paint. Home Inspectors need to understand that for young families with small children a home with lead paint can be a big issue. Many times I find paint peeling or flaking off. Small bits of paint can then be ingested by children. The lead paint removal process is a timely and costly. Congress passed the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992, also known as Title X, to protect families from exposure to lead from paint, dust, and soil. Section 1018 of this law directed HUD and EPA to require the disclosure of know information on lead-based paint and … (0 comments)
diy: Home Renovating and ASBESTOS
- 09/03/09 02:44 AM
Asbestos. Any home built before 1978 will contain asbestos of some type, unless it’s been removed. In older homes where the new owner wants to renovate the entire home, it is best to know where the asbestos laden products are and call a professional to remove them. This can impact the renovation budget heavily. Plan ahead and know what need to be doneand the time involved. Most common areas asbestos can be found. Roofing Flooring Siding Insulation Furnace ducting and flue pipe Pipe insulation Ceiling texture coatings Some Wall board and mud products David Home Inspection Services 626-629-8499 We Proudly Serve … (2 comments)
diy: Nose Bleeds, Bleeding lungs And MOLD!
- 09/03/09 02:36 AM
Nose Bleeds, Bleeding lungs And MOLD! At times mold will come up on a home inspection report. Mold In large amounts can be caused by long term roof and plumbing leaks. Prolonged water intrusion by irrigation watering. Leaks within walls. Dark poor ventilated areas were moisture is present. The health effects attributed to mold exposure may be Respiratory failure/asthma Flu symptoms/headaches Nose bleeds/bleeding lungs Dizziness, Learning disabilities. The more serious health effects attributed to mold are more commonly found in people who already have compromised systems. Most people are not noticeably affected by small levels of mold. David Home … (0 comments)
diy: Electrical Connectors. Right and Wrong.
- 08/26/09 06:57 AM
Because most conduit and cabinets are made from metal, it is common for these components to have sharp metal edges due to the manufacturing processes. The NEC specifies a number of protective measures to help protect wire insulation from being cut or damaged by these edges both during installation and later when in actual use. Insulated cables may not be inserted directly through knockouts, for example, due to the sharp edge around nearly all knockout holes. Clamping and other wire protection is often not required for plastic conduit parts, since the plastic is not likely to damage insulation in contact with … (0 comments)
diy: Expert Discribes the Common Garbage Disposal.
- 08/26/09 06:20 AM
David Is an expert Home inspector in Los Angeles California. Today he shares with us the in's and out's of the common garbage disposal. The Garbage disposal is a high-torque, insulated electric motor, usually rated at 200–750 watts (¼ to 1horsepower) for a domestic unit, spins a circular turntable mounted horizontally above it. Induction motors rotate at 1,400–1,800 rpm and have low starting torque;commutator motors rotate at higher speeds (about 2,800 rpm), have high starting torque, and are usually lighter. However commutator motors are noisier than induction motors, partially due to the higher speeds and partially because the commutator brushes rub … (0 comments)
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Additional points to consider when deciding between Roofing Contractors: Was the contractor on time for your estimate appointment? If not, or if he failed to show at all, calling you later with some excuse, drop him from consideration immediately. If he’s not on time when he most needs to impress you (before he has been given the job), then he surely cannot be relied upon after he gets the contract. Does he have an actual office, and a showroom for you to go visit? If not, does he at least have a secretary or paging service for emergencies? Trust your instincts. … (2 comments)
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