Blog – Page 8 – South Sound Inspections

August 8 2022

What is a Home Warranty?

Robert JonesHome Maintenance, Information home warranty, homeowners, Maintenance, Repairs

Decide If a Home Warranty Is Right for You If you’re in the market for a new home, you may have heard about home warranties or been asked if you’d like to purchase one. Among all the home-buying jargon you’ll be faced with on your real estate journey, “home warranty” is certainly a term you’ll want to research and learn more about before making a decision. Read on for more information about what a home warranty is, what it’s designed to do and how it may (or may not) be helpful for you in the future as a homeowner. What is a home warranty? A home warranty is a contract between a homeowner and a warranty company that provides discounted repair or replacement services on home components like plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC and furnaces. A home warranty can also cover home appliances and add-ons like swimming pools, dishwashers, refrigerators, stoves, garbage disposals and washers/dryers. A home warranty does not cover windows, flooring, walls or sprinkler systems. It’s possible that the seller of a home may offer to purchase a home warranty on your behalf to provide assurance that if any home component breaks down, it can be fixed at an […]

July 25 2022

Dealing With Termites in Your Home

Robert JonesHome Inspections, Home Maintenance, Information inspection, Maintenance, prevention, Repairs

How to Prevent, Identify and Eliminate Termites There’s about 40 different species of termites that can be found in the U.S. and they cause approximately $5 billion in damage each year. Unfortunately, homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover termite damage. If you suspect that your home has termites, or if your home inspector has identified some termite red flags, read on for more info about how to deal with and prevent termite damage. What are termites? Termites are insects with wings of equal length that live in underground colonies. They feast on decomposing plant materials and live in societies structured around a queen, soldiers and workers. Termites may look similar to ants, but they have straight antennae and thicker abdomens than ants. Termites cannot chew through concrete, but they can crawl through tiny cracks within concrete to get to wooden beams and structures within your home. Where do they come from and what causes infestations? Certain species of subterranean termites are native to the Western and Eastern United States. Formosan termites were brought over to North America a few centuries ago and can destroy wood structures faster than other native subterranean species. Subterranean termites come up through the ground and into your […]

July 11 2022

How to Adjust HVAC Dampers

Robert JonesHome Maintenance, Information homeowners, Maintenance, Summer, tips, winter

Using HVAC Dampers to Improve Air Flow in Your Home Unless you live in a perfect Mediterranean environment where the temperature remains at a comfortable level all year long, you most likely have to adjust your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system with seasonal changes. In the winter, you want hot air to circulate throughout your home, and in the summer, cool air should fill all your rooms. Aside from switching your thermostat from “heat” to “cool,” a great way to regulate temperature and air flow is by adjusting your HVAC dampers. Similar to how a dam controls water flow, dampers control air flow. By opening or closing them, you can promote or prevent airflow to certain parts of your home. Read on for more info about how and when to use HVAC dampers. DAMPER LOCATION AND HOW IT WORKS Not every home has HVAC dampers, but if yours does, they are found inside the ducts of your HVAC system. They look and function like flaps or shutters. If you have a two or three story home, the main air duct that runs from the mechanical room likely branches off into two or three different ducts to move air […]

June 20 2022

Porch and Deck Safety

Robert JonesHome Inspections, Information, Safety homeowners, inspection, Maintenance, Repairs, safety

Identifying Safety Issues with Your Porch, Deck or Balcony Porches, decks and balconies are great additions to any home, but they can also pose dangers when not maintained properly. Hazards like loose railings, gaps between deck boards and rusted fasteners are common in homes where decks and porches are left in poor condition. Read on for tips on how to identify and prevent common porch and deck safety issues. Loose Railings Lagging screws in from the outside when building a railing can result in loose railings and pose a hazard to anyone leaning against it. Ideally, rail posts mounted to the interior of a frame can be strengthened by installing blocking around the post, creating a kind of pocket for it and making it sturdier. For railing posts connected to the outside of the frame, you can strengthen the rail by tightening the bolts and installing blocking to the rim joist. Also check that carriage bolts go all the way through to ensure a tighter fit for railings. Gaps in Butt Joints Too much room between the ends, or butt joints, of deck boards can pose a tripping hazard, and too large of a gap can cause the wood in […]

June 6 2022

Summer Home Maintenance Tips

Robert JonesHome Maintenance, Residential Maintenance, Repairs, Summer

6 Ways to Maintain Your Home This Summer With longer days and hot months ahead, it’s a great time to tackle summer home maintenance projects, especially if you missed out on some tasks in the spring. Follow these six summer home maintenance tips to keep your home in great condition and prevent damage from the elements. Taking good care of your home during the summer can help prolong the life of your roof, gutters, landscaping and more. Power wash exteriors Whether concrete, wood or other material, your deck can last longer and look better if it gets power washed. Power washing helps to remove the dirt, mold, mildew or algae that can make your deck a slippery, un-safe surface to walk on. You can also power wash brick and aluminum siding exteriors. Be mindful when operating power washing equipment because it can cause splintering in wood decks. Also, plan to power wash on milder days because extreme sun or heat may dry out the cleaning agents and prevent them from working properly. After you’re done power washing your deck, it’s a good idea to seal it to prevent it from water and sun damage in the future. Check your HVAC […]

May 23 2022

How to Read a Home Inspection Report

Robert JonesHome Inspections, Information homebuying process, inspections

Your Guide to Understanding the Home Inspection Scheduling a home inspection is a critical step during the home buying process, but few potential home buyers take into account the importance of reading and understanding the home inspection report. The average cost for a home inspection around the Seattle area is over $500, and the inspection itself can range from 2 to 4 hours. The report (which can be anywhere from 15 to 70 pages ) is usually delivered within 24-48 hours of the actual inspection, and it provides an objective, unbiased assessment of the home’s conditions. Once you have the report, you’re armed with information that can help you and your realtor negotiate the home’s final price. Your home inspector will also be available to answer any questions that you may have about the report. Here’s what you can expect to see in your home inspection report: General info about property and inspection conditions This first section of the report lists the property’s address, date and time of inspection and the weather conditions on the day of the inspection. This section also mentions the property’s category (single family home, condominium or townhome, etc.) and what areas couldn’t be accessed during […]