Ten Tips for a Home Inspection

Whether you're buying, selling or building, here are a few clues to some of the things that can go wrong in a house over time

An inspector's report can change the selling price of a house by thousands of dollars. But inspectors also have improved the quality of houses all over the country and made them a lot safer to live in.
Like most inspectors, I've seen obvious problems that made me shudder: plumbing held together with duct tape, dangerously overloaded fuse boxes, joists and beams weakened by carelessly run pipes or ducts. Such places need major work. Houses without obvious problems may seem to be in better condition, but a thorough inspection still can uncover situations that should be addressed, whether the house is for sale or not.
Not all problems are major. But given time, even small problems can do excessive damage. Caught quickly, they may be easier and less expensive to repair. Folks in the trades can learn something from a complete home inspection: namely, what not to do. After all, many problems can be avoided if the work had been done more carefully at the start.

1. Check the meter-box seal
I once was called to do an inspection of a house where the service-entrance cable ran along the ground for 40 ft. after it came off the pole, then disappeared into the house through an open window. What's more, the owner's dog had been chewing on the cable. That is one of the few inspections that I just walked away from.
Electrical hazards are usually less obvious. In addition to checking for visible problems in the service-entrance cable itself, such as deteriorated sheathing that exposes the stranded neutral, I also look at the meter base carefully. I check to make sure it is securely fastened to the siding and that the rubber seal on top of the base is intact. The seal is supposed to provide awatertight barrier where the service-entrance cable feeds into the meter base. But in time, this seal can fail, allowing water inside and leading to failure of the meter base.

The meter base also provides good clues to the type of electrical panel I should find inside. A small, circular meter base is typically used to feed a 60-amp panel, inadequate by today's standards. When I find that it supplies a 150-amp or 200-amp service panel, I know that someone has upgraded the system illegally. This upgrade is done to avoid getting a permit, but it creates a safety hazard because the service panel is now pulling more current than the meter base and service-entrance cable were designed to carry.
Clues to what lies beneath. Besides its dubious attachment to the wall, small meter bases such as this one are made to handle 60 amps and should not be supplying a 150-amp or 200-amp service panel.

2. Look for a siding coverup
Whether a house's siding has been damaged by ornery woodpeckers, age, insects or bad construction, it's the one thing an owner will try to make look good for a quick sale. A new coat of paint can cover a lot of defects. That's why I carry an awl to probe siding and trim. I check for rot, de-lamination, peeling paint and cracks. In particular, I check where the siding butts up against the trim or against anything else that protrudes from the wall—a chimney, for example. I'm especially vigilant where siding has been drilled through for plumbing, electrical, phone or other utilities. These areas are where water is most likely to enter, which begins the process of rot.
Water infiltration is especially damaging to hard-board composite siding and to houses finished with certain kinds of stucco. Today, a considerable number of stuccoed houses are leaking water into stud walls, rotting the framing members and wall joints. The problem has been especially severe in homes with synthetic-stucco walls: Water gets in, but it can't get out. Most frustrating for the inspector is that stuccoed walls and water intrusion rarely show signs of the rot occurring within. Because it is so difficult to spot these problems from outside, I think it is worth spending the money for a certified specialist to check potential moisture problems on stucco walls. A specialist has the tools and the experience to make an accurate assessment of what's inside.
Rot lurks below. Swollen joints and cracked paint on this hardboard composite siding are signs that water has gotten in and that the material is rotting.
Be wary with stucco finishes. It pays to be careful when inspecting a house with a stucco exterior. From the outside, nothing seems wrong with this barrier-type synthetic-stucco exterior. In-side the wall, it's a different story.

3. Check the roof from the ground
All roofing material takes a beating from sun, wind, rain and snow. So it should be inspected carefully, and that's not always easy. Both for insurance and safety reasons, I usually don't venture onto the roof.
A good alternative is to use a pair of binoculars to inspect the condition of the roof, the flashing and the chimney from the safety of the ground. If the view of the roof isn't good enough from the yard, I set up a stepladder. The added height is sometimes all I need.
In addition to looking for damaged or missing shingles or tiles, I check that the ridge is straight and that the roof deck doesn't look like a lake on a windy day. Wavy roofs typically mean the underlying sheathing is too thin, rotting or delaminating.
A roof often leaks at the base of a chimney when the flashing has failed. Binoculars can pick up all the obvious signs of failure, but it's also important to do a thorough check of the roof and chimney from inside when I look over the attic.
A roof should be straight. A wavy roof deck can indicate that the underlying sheathing is too thin or starting to rot or delaminate. A sagging ridge may mean the same thing.

4. For hints about the footings, look for a zigzag crack
When the ground beneath a house's footings settles or shifts, the foundation often fails. In houses whose foundations are made from brick, block or stone, a Z-pattern or zigzag crack through the mortar joints can indicate that the footing arid foundation have moved. I ignore minor cracks as signs of age, but I'm on the lookout for long vertical or horizontal breaks that form a continuous pattern. They are a sign of structural flaws.
The constant pressure of the earth and excess ground- water against a block foundation can cause the foundation to bow in and mortar joints to fail. Brick foundations are subject to the same problems as block, but an additional check should be made on the brick itself. New brick should be sound, but watch for old brick foundations or new foundations built with recycled brick. I use my awl to probe for signs of disintegration.
Look for continuous or zigzag cracks in masonry walls. Although small cracks are to be expected, the long, continuous cracks in this old brick wall suggest that the footing and foundation have settled.

5. Keeping an eye on hot water
There are a number of appliances that should be checked, but I give water heaters extra attention. Every water heater is required to have a temperature-and-pressure (T&P) relief valve. It is the last line of defence against a catastrophic water-heater failure—namely, an explosion.
If the thermostat and the water heater's overload protection device fail, water will overheat until it reaches a preset temperature or pressure. At that point, the T&P relief valve should take over, releasing water as a steady drip or sputter and thus averting the chance of any more serious trouble.
In the old days, water heaters did not have a place in the tank for a T&P valve. Plumbers installed them separately on either the hot water or cold-water line. If I see one of these arrangements, it is an area of concern because the valve is probably so old.
A valve every water heater needs. A temperature-and-pressure (T&P) relief valve is an essential safety device for every water heater. The discharge pipe should extend to within a few inches of the floor.
All dressed up, but it won't pass go. Insulating jackets around water heaters may help save energy, but they cover up manufacturers' warnings and can prevent a T&P valve from functioning properly.
that it no longer works properly. On modern heaters, inspectors should make sure the valve is installed properly. A discharge pipe should extend from the valve to a few inches above the floor.
Should you raise the little arm on the T&P valve to release some hot water? No, because you run the risk of having the valve drip continually or jam. I just make sure the valve is installed correctly and that it's not dripping. By the way, I always write up water heaters with insulating jackets, which cover up the scald warnings and can prevent the T&P valve from opening.

6. Fire dangers hide in the garage
A combination of gasoline fumes, oil spills, half-empty paint cans, paint thinner and lack of ventilation presents real potential for fire in the garage. So adjacent living areas should be protected from fire that might break out. Local codes vary, but a single-family house with an attached garage typically needs fire walls with a one-hour fire rating.

A fire door may also be required, and metal-clad doors (without windows), solid-wood doors and doors faced with sheet metal on the garage side are often accepted by local building officials as fire doors.
They are easy to spot. However, it may be tougher to determine whether a wail meets the requirement. One way to check is to remove a receptacle cover on the fire wall and check to see that the wall has been built to meet all of the necessary local requirements.
A garage built beneath a house is a common design. Here, the ceiling must also be a fire wall. When a detached garage is connected to a house via a breezeway, a fire wall separating the garage and the breezeway must extend all the way to the roof of the breezeway.
Garages can pose special fire hazards. This detached garage is connected to the house via a breezeway with an attic. A fire wall between the garage and breezeway attic must extend all the way to the roof.

7. When heat gets too hot
When I look at a house with forced-air heating and cooling, I start with the ducts. And I don't just check to make sure that they are not falling apart. I also check to see whether they are electrically hot.
I once inspected the house of a do-it-yourselfer friend who mentioned a little problem he was having with the ductwork. It seems that after dark, the ducts would occasionally light up as he walked across the floor. When I looked carefully, I found some telltale burn marks where a couple of loose sections of duct fit together. When I moved the sections of duct, I could see an arc of electricity. The problem was not with the furnace wiring but with neutral current that was flowing through the ducts. Improperly wired sub panels and electric cables that are run on top of the ducts are the most common sources of this current.

Ducts may carry mere than hot air. Thanks to careless wiring, furnace ductwork may be carrying an electrical current. A good first step in the basement inspection is to check for the potential problem with an electric meter before starting a full-blown look at the heating system.
I start my inspection of the ducting system by measuring the voltage between the metal duct and any ground point. The reading should be 0v. If the reading is above 20v, the duct should be grounded. If voltage reading is anythingthat goes above 50v, there's a hot-wire fault to the duct, and the problem should be fixed right away to prevent the possibility of electrocution.

8. Drain lines have to be supported properly
Kitchens and bathrooms are the most used, and consequently most abused, rooms in a house. I find all kinds of plumbing, electrical and mechanical problems, along with rotted cabinet bottoms and warped floors. I begin at the kitchen sink, and one of the most obvious questions is how fast the sink drains. A sink full of water should drain in less than a minute. If it drains slowly or not at all, there's a block age in the trap or in the drain line. But the cause may not be what you think. A common culprit for a slow kitchen drain is lack of slope in the line.
Today's plastic drain pipe can soften if hot water sits in it. If the pipe supports are too far apart (and most are, even if they follow code), the pipe will start to bend between them. Food debris then settles in the low spots, eventually causing the water to back up.
A simple test for determining this particular problem is rapping on the bottom of the pipe with something heavy (such as a pair of lineman's pliers). If the pipe is full, you will hear a dull thud instead of hearing a hollow sound.
I also like to listen as water flows down the drain. A kluge suggests there is a vent problem or, more often, both a vent problem and a partial line blockage.
A sag here is inevitable. One support is all this drain line got—a good recipe for a blocked line. Time and hot water eventually will produce a sag in the line that will collect debris. Pipe supports should be installed at least every 4 ft.

9. Is there enough water?
In the city, an adequate water supply is taken for granted, but not so in the country. Rural homes usually depend on wells, which often offer only limited water volume and pressure.
A typical 6-in. well holds about 1.6 gal. of water per ft. However, a well that is 200 ft. deep doesn't necessarily have 200 ft. of water in it. In fact, that's rarely the case. The water level in the well, known as the static water level, can be at any depth. The recharge rate in my area—how fast the water in the well is replenished—is usually between 1 gal. and 5 gal. per minute.
Although a recharge test is beyond the normal scope of a home inspector, there may be other indicators of a low-yield system. I look for a low-pressure cut-off switch or a no-load current-sensing device near the water-pressure tank.
A low-pressure switch cuts off power to the pump if the system pressure falls below 12 psi, A no-load current-sensing device measures the flow of electricity to the pump. When the pump has no water to draw, it uses less current. The device senses the difference and cuts power. Neither device is necessary if the well has plenty of water all the time.
Hints that water is in short supply. A low-pressure cut-off switch and a no-load current sensing device such as these are ways to tell that home- owners may have a shortage of water in the well.

10. Plumbing cross connections can contaminate drinking water
Sloppy plumbing practices can sometimes lead to what's called a cross connection, an unintended mix-up that has the potential to contaminate the drinking-water supply. A cross connection occurs when a back flow pulls contaminated water into uncontaminated water. Far-fetched? Not as much as you think.
Back flow might result from a break in a water main or deep in a well. As water flows backward toward the break, it pulls water with it, just as with siphoning gasoline from a car's tank. If a hand-held shower head is immersed in a tub of dirty water, for example, that contaminated water can be pulled into the water supply.
Preventing this kind of problem is simple with the installation of a couple of devices. One is a dual-check back-flow preventer installed on the main water line that allows water to flow in one direction only: into the house, not out. The second device is a vacuum breaker, check valve or similar device installed on all hose-bib connections inside and out.
These things are known as point-of-use devices. When used together, these two devices can prevent contamination of a home's water supply from cross connection.
Warding off contamination. A dual-check valve installed on the incoming-water main prevents water in the house lines from flowing back and contaminating the well or the municipal-water supply.

Guidance For Home Improvement

Big home improvements may make a hole in your pocket. Even if you manage home improvements and the money involved in it, you should ensure that the corresponding value addition to your property is much more than your actual expenditure.

Many homeowners fail to save enough money for home upgradation. For such people, the lenders and other financial institutions may prove helpful. These lenders can provide you home improvement loans at competitive rates. The loan market is going through a very competitive phase where every lender is trying to outdo the other. In such a scenario, the customer is the king. 

Anyway, after arranging the finance the next question that arises is how to use the funds in a best possible manner. After all, home improvement loans carry a price and you have to repay such loans with due interest. The best bet lies in ensuring that the property value of your condominium rises more than what you spend on it. In particular, this aspect assumes a greater significance if you want to sell your condo.

If your condo has laminated floors and they are in good condition then what is the point in ripping them out and install real wood or a higher quality laminate floor. Instead, you can explore and adopt some other means to make your condo look beautiful. Many real estate experts believe that the money spent on your kitchen brings in the highest return on investment. After all, a new buyer usually heads to the kitchen before seeing other things. You should keep these things in mind if you are doing home improvements with an intention of selling out the condo.

To make up for the monetary requirements, you can apply for home improvement loans. These loans are also available online. The rate of interest usually starts from 6.5 per cent and may go higher up as per your individual circumstances. 

Keeping a Brooklyn Kitchen Kickin'

Long time no type!  As it always tends to as summer fades into fall, business for Click and Improve was a bit, well, busy over the last two months, so we weren’t able to get on here as much as we would like. Hopefully, this will be amended as the weeks go on into fall/winter (fingers crossed!).  Most of this business involved small and singular projects: gutter cleaning and replacement, roofing installation and repair, paint jobs in living rooms, bedrooms and dining rooms, and a few large home additions. We did, however, get to perform at least one desperately needed kitchen renovation in Brooklyn a few weeks ago. New cabinets were installed along with countertops; new plumbing and faucet were put in; new refrigerator with hot/cold water was purchased and installed. Pictures are occasionally blurry but we think you get the picture. (Ha! Sorry.)

 

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Good Bedroom Design

1) Proportions of the room.

The word "proportions" is always used in the design field. Every
interior space which is being used by humans must be proportionate.
Proportions are extremely important in any design.

Every 3 dimensional object has properties such as length, width and
height. When these 3 are in accordance with the proportions of
various parts of human body we call it a "proportionate" design.

For example a handle of a wardrobe must have dimensions such that
our fingers can hold it properly for effortless and smooth action.
or a chair seat must have enough are so that we can sit comfortably.
Again the type of seating will change the dimensions of the chair.
A chair in waiting lobby of a bank will be different than a sofa.

So proportions play a major role in interior design and furniture
in your bedroom must also follow these rules. The dimensions of
the double bed, it's height from floor level, height of wardrobe,
dimensions of dressing table, etc...all these matter as far as
function is concerned.

2) Natural light entering the room.

There is no alternative for naturally lit spaces. Sun being the
strongest source of light and also helps to keep the biological
balance of the planet Earth, it is very much necessary in the
interior spaces.

Study shows that natural light can penetrate in an interior space
up to 20 feet (Approx. 7 meters). Using appropriate position for
window opening can easily achieve this.

3) Natural Ventilation

A free and unobstructed flow of air can be a great way to keep
the atmosphere cool and clean in an interior space. This is possible
where bedrooms are located at the corner of the building where 2
sides of the bedrooms have external faces.

Where it is not possible to provide windows on adjacent faces or
opposite faces, a ventilator above the window is used. The concept
behind the ventilator is simple. The lower half the bedroom height is
always used by the habitants. Because of the constant use of this
are the air temperature rises and air becomes light weight.

This hot air rises above and must need an escape. At such times
ventilators above the window openings play a major role of
circulating the flow through the room in an upward direction.
When the lower portion of the room becomes empty fresh air from window
takes its position, thus maintaining a balance.

4) Clear Movement Patterns.

Every bedroom has certain exit points attached to it. Such as
a) Exit to balcony/ terrace.
b) Exit to toilet block/ walk in closet
c) Exit to backyard (if on ground floor)

If we draw an imaginary line from the entry point to all these
exit points, ideally the should not intersect. Since all other
areas are already occupied with furniture, keeping the inside
circulation space clear, helps to achieve a comfortable
space.

5) Good Provision For Inclusion Of Accessories.

Accessories in a bedroom have equal importance. When all other
factors mentioned above are fairly met what remains is the
use of accessories which can make quite a lot of difference in the
comfort level of the habitants.

a) The first and the most important is a good provision of
artificial lighting. This includes basic lighting as well as
special decorative lighting for decorative purposes.

b) Special provision for upholstery and linen. Small details such
as curtain rods, provision for bed canopies can make the room
extra decorative.

c) Use materials that are easy to clean and maintain. For example
if you are using PVC flooring sheets on top of standard tiled flooring,
is it washable? Think of what will happen if your child uses it
as a painting canvas.

The discussion above was an attempt to look for some universal
factor that can affect the comfort level of the users in a bedroom.
Finally the feeling which you get when you use your bedroom is most
important and is a good measure to decide the success factor of
the design project.

Pro Staging Tips for Selling Your House

Are you considering putting your house up for sale, but not sure where to start? Afraid it will take too long to sell, or that you won't get the price you want? Think about staging your home, or in other words, setting the scene for immediate buyer interest in your property.
To be really effective, you need to look at both the outside and the inside of your home. Here are 3 tips to get you started with the inside of your home:

1. De-clutter.
This is one of the most important things you can do. It might be easier to think of de-cluttering like this, your moving anyway, so why not start packing now?
Pack up everything you don't need and store the boxes out of sight in the garage (or consider temporarily renting a small storage locker).

2. Organize your closets.
Put similar colours together, pants together, skirts together, shirts together etc. Why? Because it will make the closets look bigger. (Really.) An organized closet appears bigger, and you want your closets to look as spacious as possible.

3. Make your home look like a model.
You want to de-personalize as much as possible so potential buyers can imagine themselves and their own belongings occupying the space in your house. That means minimizing ñ putting away everything you don't need or use. Clear off kitchen counters as much as possible ñ stash all those appliances you don't use, and put miscellaneous small clutter in a few attractive baskets or boxes

And the biggest tip of all? Imagine yourself as a potential buyer looking at your property for the very first time. What impressions are you getting? Would YOU buy your house? What would you like to see changed before you put an offer on your house?

Don't worry about spending several thousand dollars to get your house ready to sell, you'll get it all back when your house sells. Proper staging helps you sell your house in a shorter time and at the price you want.

Hiring The Right Home Improvement Louisiana Contractors

At some point, homeowners will require major renovation or improvement to the house. And for any home improvement or renovation projects, it is important that the right contractor is chosen to carry on the renovation works. This is to ensure that everything in the renovation plan is followed and carried out. Whether it’s a bathroom renovation or changing roof or construction of additional space or structures, an experienced contractor should be able to manage the renovation works professionally and without delay and unnecessary wastage.

Hiring the right renovation contractor from the many Louisiana contractors can be a difficult task especially if it is the first time you are undertaking such a task. But some people can help you. Ask for referrals from people you know. One of them must have done some home renovations in the past and know some contractors as well. You can check local directories or phone books. Online directories can also give you a list of contractors specializing in home improvements. You can check some names and make online research about their background and experience. 

You should look for Louisiana contractors that specialize on the type of renovation work you need for your home. If you are renovating the entire house and not just replacing wood floors or electrical wirings, you will have to find a general contractor. They will be in-charge of providing you with all the services you need for the renovation of your home. They will provide you with the electrical contractor, carpentry contractor, plumbing, etc., and make sure that all the components of home renovation are complied with according the working plans. Essentially, the general contractor will be your supervisor-on-site as they will be managing the daily activities on the construction site.

In order to be assured of the credibility and integrity of the contractor you wish to hire, it is important that you check their licenses, permits and insurance for validity. The contractors should be able to provide you with copies of the licenses, permits and insurance certificates. When all the documents are properly checked, request a written and detailed estimate of cost for the project. Their estimate should include details on specific materials to be used and construction methods used (if applicable) and estimated completion per phase or stage. The estimate or quote should also contain payment terms. There should be no lump-sum payment. Negotiate for payments to be made after completion of each construction stage. And allow for a retention fee that you will keep until a specified time. This retention fee should cover for incidental expenses or repairs that might crop up after the project is completed.
The last part of the process is signing the contract. But before any document is signed, have a lawyer browse through the terms of the contract to make sure there are protection clauses for both parties and not just for one. The contract or agreement should also clearly spell out the specific responsibilities of the contractor with respect to the implementation of the renovation plan. 

Feng Shui Tips For Home Remodeling & Succesfull Living

If you have ever wanted to incorporate Feng Shui Living into your space, there are some important things you need to know before you begin. Just follow these tips and enjoy the small, yet noticeable changes to your life.

These small benefits assists us to balance the entire positive chi, enhancing the positive and minimizing the negative. Our lives will be enhanced, allowing the positive Feng Shui Living energy to flow. If you don't balance and control the chi (energy), then you run the risk of having health, relationship and wealth problems.

Feng shui is a Chinese belief of beautifying a place, be it a residence or a building. Its purpose is focused on receiving positive energy by attracting good fortune and health in one's life. It utilizes certain instruments such as magnetic compass and bagua in defining correlation between the solar system and environment. It aims to balance a place and the forces of nature. Therefore when remodeling your home, make sure you apply feng shui principles, which are as follows:

1. An important factor when you start to use Feng Shui is to balance and control the chi, which is said to be the force of everything around us. Learn how FSL impacts your dwelling and office space. Set them up to function in harmony with the environment.

2. Another important consideration for Feng Shui Living is when you have existing space that needs addressing. It's critical that you search out good advice because your health, relationships and your wealth will be protected and improved. If you make sure that you do your research and read about Feng Shui or engage a Feng Shui Master, you will be fine.

3. You don't have to change locations in order to bring FSL into your world. All you need do to improve your chi (energy) is to start with small changes such as replacing burnt out light bulbs. Light, both natural and electric is a potent form of chi, so make sure that you replace dead light bulbs with new ones and introduce as much natural light into your space as possible. This will introduce positive chi into the room and you will feel the improvement in your chi (energy) immediately.

4. Have you considered fixing broken doorknobs, squeaky hinges and even broken doors? These little problems nag at us all day. It's not as difficult as you might think. All you need to do is spend a few minutes on the weekend fixing these things and your life will feel as if it is moving more smoothly.

5. Have a clean out. Reduce the clutter, get some space, and allow the energy to flow more smoothly. Clearing clutter whether it be making room in a closet or a garage, gives way for new opportunities to show themselves. Be open to the space. The universe likes to fill the vacuums in your space.

If you really want to start using FSL to improve your health, your relationships and your financial position, start by follow these steps to start improve the chi (energy) surrounding your home and office.

6. Play around with colour to add harmony in your home.
One principle feng shui experts use is the colour harmony. Various colours correspond to the 5 elements in Chinese astrology namely: fire, earth, water, wood, and metal. Each area in life such as marriage, career, health, and travel is also represented by specific colours. Depending on which area you want to give emphasis, the colour of choice must not be contradictory. When doing home renovation, if you want to ensure good health for your family, the dominant colours should include brown and green.

7. Put your kitchen out of sight.
Kitchen represents food, the ultimate source of sustenance or is equivalent to wealth. Therefore, it should be positioned at the center of the house, just as the heart is located at the center of the body. It should be in a place where it can't be easily seen by visitors. As much as possible, never place it near any access point as the nourishment may leak out of the house.

8. Flaunt a reflector.
Since kitchen means wealth, Chinese consultants would advise to put something that creates reflection. Its purpose is to multiply prosperity through the replica produced. It can be in the form of a mirror, stainless utensils, or anything that replicates an image.

9. Tap better source of lighting
The Chinese system we are talking about involves utilization of energy; and light is definitely the ultimate source of energy. Therefore, never take lighting for granted as this greatly influences the overall quality of your life. Monotonous brightness may cause boredom and stress while, wide array of light spectrum encourages creativity, enthusiasm, and happiness. Do not just go for plain, white light; instead try diverse light colours and intensities. The more shades of light present at home, the more drama it creates making your life more meaningful.

10. Counteract wealth drain in your bathroom
It is obvious that water is the prevailing element in the bathroom. Regular flushing is expected; therefore, it has to be counteracted because water is wealth. This is possible by placing earth element such as fresh flowers or vessel of pebbles directly above the toilet.

Although this belief contributes somehow in the quality of life of many people; however, this does not always promise a positive return. Hard work still plays a great role in creating your future.