The 10 Step Home Inspection
1.] Take a walk around your property check the foundation of your home for any cracks, water entering will eventually expand the cracks therfore leading you into a very expensive foundation problem, patch and repair any cracks a 1/2 inch wide, however some cracks are due to the foundation shifting so keep a keen eye on the cracks making sure they aren’t expanding, If you notice they are, A quick seal now will save you time, money and worrY later on. If you notice any large cracks in the concrete foundation you should consult with a licensed contractor.
2.] Trim any trees or bushes growing too close to your home, trees can drop branches on the roof damaging it or the gutter system.
3.] Change your furnace filter – Ideally this shoud be done once a month if your home has an airconditioning system, otherwise every three months is acceptable if it’s a good filter brand.
4.] Check the roof look for exposed areas where shingles have loosened or blown away. Shingles protect the plywood which is covered by a roofing paper called sheathing, in conjuction these provide water proofing for the roof, eventually if there is a glitch in the roofing system ( Ex. loose shingle, exposed plywood) water will eventually muster it’s way to the exposed areas and weaken the structual integrity of the roof, so spending a few bucks now on a quick repair can save you from thousands of dollars investing in a new roof or in water damage repairs. If you can’t repair the roof, contact a licensed roofer for a free estimate and if you pay him for the job ask if he will clean the gutters out for you while he is up there, they usually will for a word of mouth recomendation or a few extra bucks.
5.] Check the gutters and downspouts- Our goal as a homeowner is to keep water away from our precious home, thats why we have a gutter and downspout system on our home, we want the water to flow freely through the downspouts which are pointed away from the house, check for broken, loose and rusted downspouts or gutters that leak, these can be fairly cheap to replace.
6.] Paint- Most of us think as paint as simply decorative,but it actually protects the material beneath, especially if it is wood, if the paint is peeling it’s probably time to throw on a new coat. Waahlahh !!! you have not only protected your wood you have also brightened up your home.
7.] Clean the fireplace- Atleast once a year in the fall. Hire a chimney sweep for about $100.00 well worth it, to avoid the possibility of a fire, While he is there ask him any questions you may have on how to maintain your fireplace throughout the year.
8.] Check inside your home by carefully walking room to room and inspecting the ceilings for any yellowing areas this is a sign of water damage, also in the basement check for damp walls and floors, If you notice any signs of water damage call your plumber or contractor. Mold is a great enviornmental concern and can grow anywhere there is moisture, if you notice any black spots on the walls or floors, call a certified mold inspector to do a mold test. or you can pick up a test kit at your local hardware store.
9.] Look under sinks in your home for any water leaksor previous water damage, caulk areas around tubs,showers and sinks, caulk as needed throught the year.
10.] Check for wood boring insects termites and carpenter ants these little pest over time can cause big damage. Inspect exposed wood and lawn timbers, look for mud tunnels around foundations, basements and walls. To ease your mind have a pest inspection done they cost around $60.00
