​When inspecting homes, we get to see a variety of types of exterior finish.  A popular kind of exterior cladding is vinyl siding.  Let’s consider a few things with regards to vinyl siding so that you can make an informed decision on whether or not you want it for your home.
 
Of course, it’s always good to do a pros and cons list to find out if vinyl siding is a good option for you.  Vinyl siding has many positive aspects to it, as long as its installed correctly.  For one thing, it is very durable and hard to dent.  It is also fade resistant and rust proof.  These are surely all positive points with something that will be covering most of the exterior of your home for a very long time.
 
What about the potential disadvantages to vinyl siding? Are there any?  As with all exterior cladding, given the right circumstance it can become damaged, vinyl siding is no exception.  For instance, extremes of weather can affect it, too hot and the siding could become warped and distorted, too cold and the siding could become brittle, prone to cracking and easier to damage. 
 
Vinyl siding is also not an insulator.  This means that it will not contribute to energy savings.  In the event of a fire, either in the home or around it, vinyl siding can emit a toxic chemical which could be dangerous to those living in or around it.
 
After reviewing a few of the pros and cons of vinyl siding, we hope you will be in a better position to decide whether it’s a good option for your home.  

​Are you looking for a home to buy?  Finding a potential new home can be extremely stressful, after all, you have so much to take into consideration.  There is making sure it’s the right location and that it fits the needs of you and the household, and all of this needs to fit into your budget.  Its no surprise, then, that making sure the property has adequate grading is, perhaps, not your first thought.
 
The following video is here to help you understand, a little better, why having the proper amount of grading or slope is so important and why it’s a good idea to consider this when choosing your next home.
 
If you have any questions regarding this subject or any home inspection question, please feel free to contact us.
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​If you are currently trying to sell your home, you will, no doubt, be doing all you can to make sure your property is ready for the sale.  If a home inspection has be scheduled, what are some of the ways you can contribute to its success?
 
You will want the home inspector to be able to carry out the inspection in an easy and efficient way.  To help with this, make sure ahead of time that all areas the home inspector will need to access are free and clear.  This would include areas such as the basement and attic, as well as electric paneling and heating system.  Also, keep areas that are normally locked, open and unlocked on the day of inspection.  In this way time is not wasted by looking for keys etc.
 
If you will be doing small repairs to the property before the sale, try to do this before the inspection.  Areas that might need fixing are gutters and downspouts, windows, screens and locks.  Its good to have trees and shrubs that are close to the building trimmed as well.
 
If you have any pets, it would be a good idea to take them out of the house for the inspection or, keep them in a safe and secure location.  It might surprise you to learn that pets can often prevent and home inspector from getting the job done.
 
If you have carbon monoxide detectors that need new batteries or bulbs that need replacing, make sure you do this before the home inspection as simple things like this can end up changing the report.
 
If you would like to know more about how to help the home inspection be a successful one, please feel free to contact us.

​With so many flooring choices these days, it’s hard to know which one to pick.  Are you thinking about changing the flooring in your home?  Well let’s look at just one of these flooring types, laminate flooring.  Is it a wise choice for you?  Obviously, when deciding which type of flooring to go for, it’s important to think about your comfort and what will be best for you.  It’s also good to look at the pros and cons.  Let’s look at some of these with regard to laminate flooring:
 
Laminate flooring is generally cheaper and easy to install, so for a reasonably low price, you can completely change the look of a room.
 
There are many options when it comes to style and color, and while most of these options fall under the hardwood look category, granite or even marble look laminate is also available.
 
It is usually comprised of fiberboard with a melamine resin.  These usually come in panels or pieces which fit together, similar to the way a hardwood floor is fitted.
 
Some of the cons to installing laminate flooring is that it can sometimes move or shift.  Also, this kind of flooring has a melamine resin which contains formaldehyde which is something you may want to avoid in your home.  It should be noted though, that you can find products with less toxins.
 
You must check that the flooring underneath is in good shape.  For example, make sure the subfloor does not contain a lot of moisture (e.g. if there has been a leak) as this could cause the laminate to warp or buckle.
 
So, as we can see, laminate flooring can be a very good option, but make sure you do your research and choose the right one for you.

We have more choices than ever when it comes to choosing a home.  Among the many options are pre-manufactured houses.  If you are thinking this is a good choice for you, what are some helpful things to know beforehand?

The great thing is that there are many options nowadays with pre-manufactured housing, with numerous styles for a variety of budgets.  The important thing to remember though is that while you are purchasing a house, you will need to find land to put it on.  Again, there are a few different options with this.  You could lease the land in a place designed for manufactured housing, purchase a piece of land, or purchase the house and land together.

You will need to be very familiar with the legal requirements that come with any of these options though.  Its essential to know things like zoning laws and utility connections etc.

Another key factor to consider is the warranty.  The manufactures warranty might not cover things like transportation and installation, so it’s important to find that out ahead of time.  Also, be careful to not void out the warranty for things like not correctly following the homeowner maintenance guidelines.
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You will want to make sure that the home is checked thoroughly for any kinds of defects or problems.  It’s a good idea to have a home inspection done even on a pre-manufactured home to ensure everything is as it should be for the efficient running of the household.  As with any investment though, its always wise to do as much research as you can before you make a final decision.

​The kitchen is viewed by many as one of the most important rooms of the house.  We understand this as home inspectors and so we take a lot of time when inspecting it.  A kitchens condition can tell you a lot, not just about the kitchen itself but give you an idea of what condition the rest of the home is in.  So, when you are viewing a home, take a close look at the kitchen.  Some things to check are:
 

• The kitchen sink is a good place to start.  Turn on the faucet to see how well its working, how is the water pressure?  If it is low, you will want to know the reason.  How is the sinks drainage? Does it take a long time to drain?  Its important to check under the sink as well, are there any signs of leaking or water damage?

 

• If the kitchen has a dishwasher, have a good look at the surrounding cabinets for any signs of water damage.  Is there any indication the hoses or seals are cracked or leaking?  Any persistent leaks could produce a number of serious issues such as mold or rotting of the sub-floor.

 

• Next, look at the oven, is it gas or electric?  If it is gas, be aware of any signs of a gas leak.  Check the electrical outlets as well to see if they are working.  If any of these things are not working correctly, its important to know why, as they could be indications of a bigger problem with the house.

 

• Looking at the kitchen countertops, what kind of shape are they in? Unless you will be replacing them, its important that they are not too damaged as this is where food is prepared.  Bacteria will very easily form in cracked tile and grout etc.

 
While many problems will be revealed by your home inspection, its good to have a knowledge of some of the things to look out for ahead of time.  In this way, when viewing a house, you can spot some of the warning signs yourself. 

​Selling a home can sometimes be a lengthy process.  Do you have your home on the market currently?  More than likely you have done a lot to prepare the home to sell.  This likely required spending some money to get the home to look appealing to a prospective buyer.  A problem can arise though, when after all your hard work, the home buyer’s inspection finds issues you were not aware of.
 
This video provides advice on why a pre-listing inspection might be a good option for you.  You want to be the first to discover problems with your home, and not a potential buyer.  If you have any questions or would like to schedule an inspection by an InterNACHI certified home inspector, please don’t hesitate to contact us.  We are happy to provide the assistance you need.

For many, the month of December will mean some welcome time off to enjoy with family and friends.  Since there is usually a lot more time spent in the home, which of course increases the risk of accidents in the home, it’s a good time for some safety reminders.


What are some safety reminders?


Keeping a watchful eye on small children is most imperative.  Keep sharp objects like scissors and knives well out of their reach. Were you aware that poinsettias are poisonous?  If you enjoy having them in the house, make sure that children and pets cannot get to them


Fire, as we commonly mention. can be big problem in the home.  Lit candles should never be left in a room unattended.  Make sure they are kept well away from flammable materials.  String lights need to be checked for any signs of frayed wires or broken bulbs etc. particularly if they have been in storage.   And again, watch small children and pets around these items. 


A fireplace is a beautiful thing to have on chilly winter days, but take some time to make sure the fireplace and chimney is in good shape.  Check to see if the flue is open.  It is easy for anything flammable that is surrounding the fireplace to set on fire, so move anything like this out of the way before lighting the fire.


Now would be an appropriate time to test your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.  Are they in need of batteries?  There are many possible fire hazards to be mindful of.  Some major threats are leaving the stove unattended, also will there be smokers in the house? Make sure that no smoldering cigarette butts are placed in the garbage.


Yes, these are rather basic reminders, but they could easily be overlooked.  Your safety is very important to us. 

Buying a home is a very big commitment, so making sure everything is exactly as it should be when it comes to your new home is vital. That is why having a home inspection done is a very important part of the purchase.

But you may be thinking, how much am I going to have to pay to get the home inspection done? That is why we wanted to present this brief video that gives you an idea of what the cost of your home inspection is based on.

Remember that its essential to have your home inspection done by a certified InterNACHI home inspector. We are happy to assist you with this, so please contact us and we can give you a quote.

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The household toilet is an indispensable part of our lives. Where would we be without it? Were you aware that a toilet flush uses more water than a lot of us realize?. Are there more environmentally friendly alternatives then,when it comes to finding a toilet that uses less water?


Other than not flushing the toilet every time its used, there are some options. One option that is now widely used is a dual flushing toilet. The toilet flush contains two buttons, one for liquid waste which uses 1 gallon of water when flushed. The other is for solid waste, which uses the normal 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Seeing that the majority of toilet use is for liquid waste, we can see that a large amount of water would be saved this way.


Another very environmentally friendly toilet option is the composting toilet. They are a lot different than a regular flushing toilet in that they use very little or even no water. They use aerobic bacteria to break down the waste. The left over product resembles soil. In some countries ( though prohibited in the States) this waste is used in soil for cultivation. A elaborate sewage system is not required with a composting toilet and so makes for a toilet with very low environmental impact.


As we can see, whatever our preference, we certainly have options. If you feel you need to have your toilet or bathroom inspected, or have any questions please give us a call.