Saturday, December 25, 2010

How Do You Get Rid of Centipedes

When that you witness a centipede running along your wall or perhaps the restroom they are going to get your attention. Merely the manner in which they crawl, their body shape as well as them legs working hard all at once you can’t help but experience the emotion your house is being invaded.

 

Centipedes are generally very long living frustrating relatives associated with lobsters in addition to the crayfish that choose to inhabit wet moist locations together with substantial humidity. There are numerous varieties of centipedes and they also all may have flat shaped worm like body frame. There're frequently located outside the house and desire locations with plenty of plants. You can find them in the mulch, beneath rocks and also around rotted firewood.

 

Nearly all centipedes feast upon other insects. They'll kill their food by means of injecting toxin with their strong jaws found on the lower area of their head. This is the reason you must never handle them, they could bite and they're venomous. Typically the poison simply creates a slight reaction comparable to a bee sting. The principle health problem with this can be a large number of persons and in particular small children could have an allergy or intolerance to the bite. When someone is in fact bitten they should always watch for indications of any reaction and moreover if anyone could experience hypersensitivity to bee stings; talk with a medical professional.

 

The house centipede can be found across the US which is thought to have come from Mexico. To identify the house centipede; adults are usually about 1.5 “in size that have very long legs along with long antennae that will be essentially hair like.

 

No one wants house centipedes in their residence; however they could be deemed as beneficial; since they feast upon various other pests inside your home. They feast upon tiny pesky insects similar to clothes moths, roaches plus almost every other smaller pest they can come across.

 

To be able to free the house of centipedes; keep the humidity in check and employ exclusion procedures by simply sealing all of the holes and / or cracks that they can may very well be entering because of. A single sticky trap positioned in locations you happen to be witnessing them is an additional easy way to deal with them without the need for pesticides. However, if all else does not work properly contact your pest control management specialist.

Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years.  Preston has a masters’ degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years.  He also is a certified infrared thermographer.  Home Inspection Carolina has  been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show .  So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Weddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

 

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector

 

 

Have You Inspected Your Deck

Being certified home inspector you will need to look thoroughly on the deck on the home during the course of a home inspection. The amount of deck accidents appear to be ever-increasing, because year after year all of us hear on the news or perhaps read in the newspaper about decks plummeting and people getting harmed. There are many issues that promote deck accidents still by far the most widespread troubles are inadequate construction or the decks age.

Every time you retain the services of a home inspector to look at your home you need to be concerned about just how safe and secure the deck happens to be. Below is a list of issues that should be checked out on the deck during a home inspection.

1.            The first thing to check out will be the hand rails; examine the hand rails to be assured that they are solid and adequately supported

2.            Balusters; make sure all the baluster opening is not too wide, 4” in between all of them is normally the actual recognized width

3.            Porch posts; look and be sure all the posts are not rotted and they are braced properly. Look at the post footer and be sure the base of the actual post is secured properly

4.            Check to determine if the deck is properly secured to the house correctly. There should be lag screws or bolts retaining the actual deck to the house. In case the lag anchoring screws are absent and the deck does get overloaded it might crash

5.            Look to find missing joist hangers on all joists, when they are left out this is actually something that can easily be added after construction

6.            Age of the deck is a very important detail to take into account; in the event the wood to the deck is without a doubt decaying it'll need to be replaced. Should the deck has got a great deal of water damaged wood it will likely be best to replace all of the structure

7.            Check the deck flashing; lots of people don't realize just how beneficial the flashing is. In case that the flashing is actually missing the location where the deck is attached on the home water might get in back of the ledger and result in the joist which is supporting the entire deck to rot. When the lumber that is definitely supporting the lag screws is rotted away the deck will most likely collapse. If there is an unfinished basement or possibly a crawl space you'll be able to peek inside at the structure and notice this type of deterioration.

8.            Steps lead to a lot more accidents and injuries than every other part of a deck. Make sure the stairs really are sturdy and well-built.  Be sure all the step risers are and treads are secured properly.

 

Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years.  Preston has a masters’ degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years.  He also is a certified infrared thermographer.  Home Inspection Carolina has  been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show .  So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Weddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

 

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector

 

Questions You Should Ask Your Home Inspector

 As a first time home buyer there are several important things you will want to know about your new home. Buying your first residence might be the most significant acquisition you've ever made and you will probably require important information about your purchase decision.

You will need related information concerning any kind of deficiencies your home inspector finds in addition to the details about any repairs that will need to be made. Obtaining a good quality home inspector that delivers you with a very simple to understand report along with illustrations or photos that describe what he or she finds through the home inspection.

Your Home Inspector will provide you with the data you want in order to move forward with your purchase.

 Home inspections are intended to be able to discover problems and deficiencies within real estate. Your home inspector is just not trying to find cosmetic inadequacies for instance surfaces that require painting.

Your home inspector will provide you with an unprejudiced thoughts and opinions and provide you with lots of technical information on the home and property you are actually interested in acquiring. Most home inspectors won't invest a great deal of time or report about cosmetic concerns; they don't fall into the actual scope of your qualified professional home inspection.

Once you have a contract on your own brand new house, choose the home inspector you'll need to get it scheduled. There'll be a time limit written within your written agreement during which you will need to ensure you get your home inspection finished within, for this reason you should schedule your home inspection without delay to ensure you will certainly have plenty of time to get the right home inspector to suit your needs.

You need to ask the inspector his / her working experience and also which kind of report you will get, and when you will receive your property inspection report.

There aren't any dumb questions, so do not hesitate to ask as many questions as you seek answers for.

 

1. Is the roof in good condition?

2. At the time of the inspection was the heating and cooling working properly?

3. What is the structural condition of the home?

4. Does the home have a safe and working electrical system?

5. What type windows are in the house?

6. Does the house have enough insulation in the attic?

7. Did any questions arise about water problems?

8. Is the plumbing in the house in good condition?

9. Safety items in the house are important; is there any safety issues found?

A high quality home inspector should be somebody that will certainly answer question that will help you with your 1st home.

 You will need to be given a report that can be not difficult to study and understand, but to achieve the most details as well as the best benefit with respect to your expense, you can ask questions.

 Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years.  Preston has a masters' degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years.  He also is a certified infrared thermographer.  Home Inspection Carolina has  been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show .  So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Weddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

 

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Redneck Leak Fix Found on Charlotte Home Inspection

While performing a recent home inspection in Charlotte NC Preston Sandlin found a peculiar thing.  There was a jar attached to pipe where there was a leak.  This is what we would call a redneck fix since it isn't really a fix at all.  The theory is that the jar will catch the water and it will evaporate out of the jar befor it fills up.  This may actually work for awhile but eventually the work will get worse and then they will have to fix it properly.  So why not just fix it properly the first time.

Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years.  Preston has a masters’ degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years.  He also is a certified infrared thermographer.  Home Inspection Carolina has  been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show .  So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Weddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

 

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector

 

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Carbon Monoxide the Silent Killer

Carbon Monoxide is called the silent killer because you can't see it or smell it but it inhibits the bloods ability to transport oxygen to the brain.  Over 3800 hundred people die each year in the United States because of CO.  The fist sign is flu-like symptoms to severe headache and drowsiness. Enough exposure can lead to death.  Home Inspection Carolina tests for Carbon Monoxide leaks on all of their inspections.  We recommend testing periodically and having CO detectors.

Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years.  Preston has a masters’ degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years.  He also is a certified infrared thermographer.  Home Inspection Carolina has  been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show .  So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Weddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

 

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector

 

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Carbon Monoxide the Silent Killer

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Underground Water Problems at Charlotte Automotive Shop

Charlotte Home Inspector Finds Problem With Car Lift

Charlotte home inspector Preston Sandlin found a car lift that wasn't working properly on a Comercial inspection her performed last week on Monroe Rd in Charlotte NC.  The lift would not stay up on it's own because underground water is coming in and intermingling with the hydralic fluid.  The problem is tha the garage is on the side of a hill and it doesn't have sufficient drainage and wateris traveling under the building and causing damage to the lifts.

Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years.  Preston has a masters’ degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years.  He also is a certified infrared thermographer.  Home Inspection Carolina has  been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show .  So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Weddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

 

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector

 

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Charlotte NC Home Inspector Discovers Cause of Hight Heat Bill

Charlotte NC home inspector Preston Sandlin was recently inspecting a lakefront home in Denver NC when the owner had informed him of extremely high heat bills.  Preston used his infrared camera on the home to see where the heat was beiing lost.  There were multiple places in the house where there was loose or missing insulation but the most revealing was a hollow exterior door.  Exterior doors should be solid and only interior doors should hollow.  It was a rather cold day outside and you can see from this interior pictur of the exterior door that it is loosing quite a bit of energy.  You even see the honeycomb pattern of the hollow core of the door.  Replacing this exterior door with solid weathertight door would go a long way to reducing their utility bills.

Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years.  Preston has a masters’ degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years.  He also is a certified infrared thermographer.  Home Inspection Carolina has  been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show .  So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Weddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

 

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector

 

Charlotte Home Inspector Uses Infrared Scan to Find Missing Insulation

Charlotte Home Inspector Preston Sandlin recently found missing insulation in a Denver home he was inspecting.  This part of the attic was not accessible so it was impossible to tell there was missing insulation just from sight.  It is a good the Charlotte home inspector used an infrared camera that senses surface temperatures.  You can see from the picture where the missing insulation is. 

Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years.  Preston has a masters’ degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years.  He also is a certified infrared thermographer.  Home Inspection Carolina has  been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show .  So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Waddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

 

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Home Inspector Uses QR Codes

 

Home Inspection Carolina in Charlotte NC is provided a modern hitech way for potential buyers to get the preinspection report on the house they are contmplating buying.  What Home Inspection Carolina does is do the prelisting inspection on the house and write a computer generated report complete with photos in a pdf format.  Home Inspection Carolina then loads this onto a website so the report is online and has a URL address.  The Charlotte home inspection company then converts that URL address to a QR code.  They then take the QR code and put in on  a sticker to the preinspection sign.  Now any potential buyer can get a copy of the report in seconds using their smart phone and a free QR code app.  This will help the buyer make a more informed decision and eliminate potential surprises.

Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years.  Preston has a masters' degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years.  He also is a certified infrared thermographer.  Home Inspection Carolina has  been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show .  So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Waddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

 

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector

Monday, December 6, 2010

Free Home Inspection Checklist

Download now or preview on posterous
checksheet.pdf (311 KB)

Here is a free home inspection checlist for those thinking of purcchasing a home.  If for some reason the one above does not load you can also download the home inspection checklist here.  https://acrobat.com/app.html#d=8VIi-iIJn4NgwILFrlNEPA

I hope this helps you in your decesion to purchase a home.

Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years.  Preston has a masters’ degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years.  He also is a certified infrared thermographer.  Home Inspection Carolina has  been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show .  So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Waddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

 

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector

 

Charlotte Home Inspector Finds and Ingrown Tree

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Charlotte home inspector Preston Sandlin recently inspected a home in the Myers Park section of Charlotte NC when he noticed an ingrown tree in a wall.  It is amazing that the wall held up over time as the growing force of the tree pushes against the wall.  You also don't want trees near the foundation of your house as the tree roots push up against the foundation walls.  If you want to make sure you don't have those types of problems in your house and you are buying a home in Charlotte NC call Home Inspection Carolina.

Preston Sandlin

http://www.homeinspectioncarolina.com

http://www.askthecharlotteinspector.com

http://www.charlottenchomeinspector.com

Sunday, December 5, 2010

How Much Does a Home Inspection Cost

What's Wrong with Polybutylene Pipes

Charlotte home inspector Preston Sandlin is always asked what is the problem with polybutylene pipes and why will some insurance companies not insure houses with polybutylene pipes.  There are really two problems with polybutylenr pipes.  The first problem we notice while doing home inspection in Charlotte NC is that the first generation pipes with aluminum fittings and polybutylene elbows is that he elbows and the fittings just blow right out.  The second problem with polybutylene pipes that we notice whil performing home inspections in Charlotte NC is that the polybutylene gets brittle and cracks after being exposed to chlorinated water for a number of years.  City water is chlorinated.  If you have second generation polybutylene with copper connectors and copper fittings we recomment adding a water conditioning program to get the chlorine out.

 

Preston Sandlin

http://www.homeinspectioncarolina.com

http://www.askthecharlotteinspector.com

http://www.charlottenchomeinspector.com

 

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Friday, December 3, 2010

Car Jack Found on a Charlotte NC Home Inspection

During a Home inspection in Charlotte North Carolina, home inspector Preston Sandlin found an improper support for a drop girder beam under a home in Myers Park.  This is not a proper repair.  Car jacks are not made to support the weight of a house and they aren't stable.  To make sure you don't have conditions like this on your next home purchase call Home Inspection Carolina.

Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years.  Preston has a masters’ degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years.  He also is a certified infrared thermographer.  Home Inspection Carolina has  been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show .  So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Waddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

 

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector

 

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Charlotte Home Inspector Finds Improper Support

One of the home inspectors at Home Inspection Carolina recently found an improper support on a recent home inspection.  All supports need a footer and a block or double brick support.  If it doesn't do that it could sink and just not support the house properly.  Take a look at this picture and try not to laugh.

Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years.  Preston has a masters’ degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years.  He also is a certified infrared thermographer.  Home Inspection Carolina has  been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show .  So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Waddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

 

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector

 

Do You Have Stink Bugs

We have a new Home Invader in East TN; The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. This insect has just recently shown up in Tennessee and there is a lot of concern about it.The brown marmorated stink bug is an invasive species of stink bug native to China, Korea and Japan. The first bugs identified were in Allentown, PA in 2001, they were thought to be brought in to the US in shipping containers.

The stink bugs are strong fliers and are being transported through the eastern US by hitching rides in cargo shipments. They are becoming an established species in TN. Adult bugs are about the same size as our native stink bugs but are dark mottled brown. The last 2 antennal segments have distinctive light and dark bands and the exposed edges of the abdomen have the dark to light banding.

In autumn, the adult stink bugs are gathering and coming into homes, sheds and other structures looking for a warm place to spend the winter. They are very much like the lady bug problems we have been having the past few years. Many people find this to be a nuisance because the bug gives off a characteristic odor when they’re crushed or disturbed; this odor can linger for days and some people say they can even smell it for weeks.

The adults begin moving to their overwintering locations in early-mid September and continue until the first frost. During the winter, they do not reproduce and are very inactive. They typically do not feed during the winter and if they do it will be minimal. They are plant feeders and will not bite people or pets.

To control Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, the best method is to prevent them from entering.Placement of screens over windows, doors and vents, removal of window airconditioners and caulking cracks in windows and doorframes will deter the adults from entering. Removal of window air conditioners is important, as numerous BMSB will enter this way. If small numbers occur indoors, they can be removed either by hand or by using a shop-vacuum.

If large numbers are observed or have been observed in previous years, you may wish to contact your local pest control company who can do a perimeter pesticide spray. This must be done at the appropriate time (when the insects first appear) or control may be difficult to achieve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs bite?
No. The brown marmorated stink bug does not have the capability to sting or bite. Their only means of defense is their characteristic “stink”.

Why does the brown marmorated stink bug gather in large quantities?
When a brown marmorated stink bug finds a site for overwintering it releases a chemical called an aggregation pheromone. The aggregation pheromone is a scent that attracts other brown marmorated stink bugs to the area. The aggregation pheromone is not the same chemical that causes them to stink.

Will killing the brown marmorated stink bugs cause more to come?
No. While this is true for some types of insects it does not occur with the brown marmorated stink bug.

If the brown marmorated stink bug doesn’t harm people or homes, why are they such a big problem?
Aside from being a nuisance to homeowners and tenants of apartments, townhouses, condominiums and office buildings the potential exists for the brown marmorated stink bug to become a significant agricultural pest.

Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years.  Preston has a masters’ degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years.  He also is a certified infrared thermographer.  Home Inspection Carolina has  been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show .  So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Waddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

 

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector

Is There a Mouse in Your House

Is there a Mouse in Your House?

It is that time of year when the nights are cooling down and the outside food supply for mice is getting hard to find. Mice are looking for a place to stay warm, feed and live comfortable for the winter. Your home is a great place for mice to live as they can survive and prosper in close proximity to humans. House mice consume and contaminate food meant for humans, pets, livestock, or other animals. If you have pet food that is available inside your home or garage; this is an open invitation for mice.

Droppings, fresh gnawing and tracks are the sure indicators you have a mouse in your House. The house mouse is one of the most troublesome rodents in the United States. They are small and can enter the home in an opening as small as ½ inch in diameter. House mice thrive under a variety of conditions; they can be found in and around homes and commercial structures as well as in open fields. The House Mouse is the most common mouse found in our area but there are several different types of mice such as the deer mouse and white footed-mouse and they can spread several diseases and one that has gained a lot attention lately is the hantavirus; a respiratory disease that has flu- like symptoms and salmonellosis, a form of food poisoning.

Mice can cause considerable damage to structures and property. They shred materials for nest hiding in draws, cabinets, closets under blankets and clothes that are left on the floor, wall voids, and attics hiding in the insulation, appliances and even under furniture.

Mice are more active at night foraging for food, but they can be seen in the daylight. Seeing several in the daylight can indicate a high population of mice.

Exclusion and sanitation is the best practice for controlling mice problems. Sealing all openings in and around the house will help eliminate mice getting in. You can use caulk, steel wool or just about any building materials to “build out” the mice.

Keeping the trash away from the house, keeping lids on dog food containers and trimming shrubs back so there is not a reason for them to nest outside close to your home is helpful.

If you only have a few mice in your home a simple trap may be the best solution. They are safe, effective and inexpensive and can be baited with peanut butter, chocolate candy, bacon, cheese or dried fruit. There are several good reasons to use traps; you can confirm the rodent is dead, it easy to get rid of the carcass, no poisons is used inside your home,and you can eliminate the chance of a mouse crawling into an area and dying creating an odor you can’t find or access.

If you have a large population controlling mice can be a difficult task. Using poison is probably the best product up for the job but you must use caution and common sense with these products. Be careful and follow directions when using around pets. Handling the bait can contaminate it causing the mice to shy away from it. Be aware the rodents can crawl inside walls or furniture and leave you with a very foul odor to deal with. Always use caution and wear rubber gloves when handling the dead rodent and anything contaminated in the area and clean the area with a disinfecting cleaner.

 

Heat Pump Maintenance

More people in our area are turning to heat pumps to heat and cool their home than any other type of home heating; they are primarily used in our area because of their cost efficiency and our mild climate. With all of the efforts on energy conservation having a heat pump is one of the most affordable ways to have affordable air conditioning in the summer and comfortable heat in the winter while using less energy. We are seeing more heat pumps being installed farther north as the efficiency of the units improves.

Many people worry that a heat pump can’t keep their home warm enough during the coldest part of the year, this is a concern because heat pumps startslosing their ability to maintain the inside temperature of your home when the temperature dips downto around 25 degrees F.

Depending on the SEER rating of your unit and the amount of insulation of your home this number will vary. This concern is real but heat pumps have an auxiliary heat source to cope with this problem, most units have an electric coil but the gas models are becoming more and more common. This auxiliary heat does two things; it will help supplement the heat when it is very cold outside keeping your home comfortable and if your home is cold and you want the temperature to rise over 3 or 4 degrees the auxiliary heat will turn itself on enabling the unit to raise the inside temperature fast.

Here is a list of the basic maintenance items you can do yourself to keep your heat pump working to keep your home comfortable and to extend the life of the unit.

• Make sure the outside unit is clean. This means that any grass clipping, leaves or debris should be kept away from the outside unit. The fan is pulling air through the coils to transfer the heat and if they are blocked the unit will have to work much harder to maintain the temperature inside your house

• Clean the outside coils if they are dirty (Do not disassemble the unit) gently sweep any grass or leaves away. Be sure the unit is off at the thermostat and there should be a service switch near the unit; then spray the coils with a water hose to clean them.

• Check the outside coils for bent fins. If you find very many bent cooling fins you can purchase a fin comb to straighten them (Be careful working around the coils: No screwdrivers)

• Look for torn or missing insulation on the large refrigerant line (Inside your home and outside) there will be a large diameter copper tube and a small copper tube. (The small one does not need to have insulation) If there is missing insulation replace it, you can buy foam insulation at the home supply stores and zip-ties work great if you need to tie the insulation on

• Trim any overgrown shrubs blocking the air flow around the outside unit. Air must pass freely over the coils to work properly

• Are the filters clean? Keep them changed regularly (Monthly is recommended)

• Make sure the condensate drain or condensate pump is not clogged and working properly.

• Visually check all the connections along the duct work that you can access and around the air handling cabinets, this includes looking inside your air return where the filter goes and make sure your entire system is sealed. If you find any gaps or openings tape, caulk or seal all the areas you can find that are losing air flow.

• You can go one step farther if you don’t mind climbing into your attic and/or going inside your crawl space if your house has duct work in these areas; turn on the AC and feel along of all the connections along the duct work that is accessible inside these areas checking for air loss. Repair any openings allowing conditioned air to escape with peel and stick aluminum backed tape

• Walk through the home with the AC on and make sure all the vents inside your home have adequate air flow. It is not uncommon for one of the duct lines to come off especially inside crawl spaces. This will create a large air loss making it hard for your AC to maintain a comfortable level inside your home; not to mention the possibility of pulling lots of air directly from inside your crawl space.

It is our recommendation that you have your Heat Pump serviced by a professional at least every two years. If the unit is not working properly or any work needs to be done inside the units; call your service professional.

This is another helpful source of information provided to you by your home inspector

Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years.  Preston has a masters’ degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years.  He also is a certified infrared thermographer.  Home Inspection Carolina has  been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show .  So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Waddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

 

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector

How to Clean Your Dryer Vent

 

Unlike your washing machine, your dryer will need some ongoing regular maintenance to keep it working properly and safely. Let’s talk about how a dryer works first. You put wet clothes in and it spins them around with hot air and the exhaust vent sends the damp air outside. The hot moist air should end up outside, not in the crawl space or garage.

When your clothes are being tumbled around they tend to lose bits of fabric or tiny fibers, this is usually caught in the lint trap. Always keep the dryer lint trap clean, it will be located inside the dryer door or on top of the dryer for ease of access. The best way I have discovered is as simple as using the dryer sheet to clean the filter trap. The dryer sheet picks up all the lint, keeps your hands clean and lint free and then you just toss them out.

If you allow lint to build up inside the exhaust pipe it can overheat creating a potential fire hazard especially if you have a gas dryer, and your new energy star dryer can lose its energy efficiency.

Here are some tips to clean out the exhaust pipe.

  • First unplug the dryer (we don’t want anyone to get electrocuted).
  • Pull the dryer out away from the wall so you can get behind it to work.
  • Take a screw driver to loosen the screw on clamp (this is what holds the pipe on the dryer)
  • Reach into the hole where you took the pipe loose from and pull out any lint or debris (a vacuum works well)
  • Now reach into the pipe as far as you can and pull out any lint (again the vacuum works well for this). Most build up will be within the first twelve to sixteen inches
  • After all the lint has been removed put the pipe back on the dryer and replace the clamp. Tighten the screw back down snug. We don’t want it to blow off when the dryer is put back in use.
  • Now go to the outside and remove the vent cover and clean this end out.
  • Look inside to see if you missed anything.
  • Plug the dryer up and run on fluff for ten minutes. This will blow out any loose particles left in the pipe so don’t stand in front of it.
  • Check the outside for good clean air flow; you are ready to put the vent cover back on.

Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years.  Preston has a masters’ degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years.  He also is a certified infrared thermographer.  Home Inspection Carolina has  been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show .  So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Waddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

 

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector

Dangerous Electrical Situation Found on Charlotte Home Inspection

Charlotte home inspector Preston Sandlin recently found a dangerous electrical situation on a recent Charlotte home inspection. The electrical wiring on this home went on thand around the gutter at the gutter seam which is notorious for leaking. Electricity passes through water.  This is a dangerous situation that can lead to shocking someone.  If you want to make sure your home doesn't have a dangerous situation call Home Inspection Carolina.

Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years.  Preston has a masters’ degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years.  He also is a certified infrared thermographer.  Home Inspection Carolina has  been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show .  So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Waddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

 

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector

 

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

How Much Does a Home Inspection Cost

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How much does a home inspection cost? I am often asked this question.  It varies in different parts of the country but most home inspection companies base their prices on either sqaure footage or the price of the house. At Home Inspection Carolina we charge 285 for 1500 sq ft or less and then $25 for each incremental 500 sq ft block.  We charge $85 for a termite inspection and $150 for reinspections and additional inspection such as radon.  This is a common practice among most home inspectors although the actual numbers may vary.  Some other varible cost may include if the house is over a certain age or is crawl or a slab.  For more information on home inspections feel free to contact Home Inspection Carolina.

Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years.  Preston has a masters’ degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years.  He also is a certified infrared thermographer.  Home Inspection Carolina has  been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show .  So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Waddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

 

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector

Home Inspection in Charlotte Reveals a Car Jack

While performing a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Preston Sandlin of Home Inspection Carolina found an unpermitted repair.   The main girder of the house was sagging and in need of of support.  An attemt at a repair had been made but it wasn't permitted and the repair person used a car jack.  If you want to make sure that you don't have repairs like this on your next home and you are buying a home in Charlotte NC call Home Inspection Carolina.

Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years.  Preston has a masters’ degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years.  He also is a certified infrared thermographer.  Home Inspection Carolina has  been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show .  So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Waddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

 

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector