Blog – Page 9 – South Sound Inspections

January 10 2022

How to Prevent Mold in Your Home

Robert Jones Home Maintenance Maintenance, mold, prevention

Tips From a Home Inspector Mold is a problem that many homeowners have to deal with at one point or another. It can grow in your home and cause serious health problems if not treated properly. And in Washington State, mold is no stranger. Our abundance of rain and moisture provide the perfect environment for mold to grow. But the weather isn’t the only thing that causes these pesky spores to sprout. As homeowners, it is important to learn what causes mold to grow and what you can do to prevent mold in your home. What causes mold to grow? There are a few things that can cause mold to grow in your home. One of the most common causes is water damage. If water leaks into your walls, floors, or ceilings, it can create the perfect environment for mold to grow. Poor ventilation is also a common culprit. If you don’t have enough fresh air circulating in your home, it can create moisture and condensation which can lead to mold growth. How does a home inspector find mold in a home? A home inspector will look for mold when he or she comes to your property. Adequate ventilation is […]

December 27 2021

Common Insulation Defects

Robert Jones Home Inspections, Information, Residential

5 Insulation Problems Home Inspectors Look For Insulation makes your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, so it must be in good shape to ensure a comfortable living environment. However, insulation defects can occur when insulation was not properly installed (usually because of a rush construction job and cost cutting measures), or simply due to old age. Here are five common insulation defects that your home inspector will be checking for. Too Little Insulation The biggest insulation issue that many homes have is too little insulation, and insulation not reaching the recommended R-value, or resistance of heat transfer. Homes in warmer climates in the south have a recommended R value of 30; homes in the middle of the country need insulation with an R value of 38; and homes in colder northern regions like Minnesota and North Dakota need insulation with R values of 49. To achieve the correct R-value, it’s sometimes necessary to layer insulation. For example, roll batting insulation with an R value of 13 can be applied between wood joists; but, you still need another layer to reach the recommended R value of 38. So, another layer of insulation, like a rigid foam […]

December 13 2021

6 Common HVAC Problems

Robert Jones Home Inspections, Information

What Home Inspectors Look For When Checking Heating and Air Conditioning Systems Your HVAC system–the components that control your heating and air conditioning– is critical to the safety and comfort of your home. The quality of your HVAC system affects the air you breathe and your monthly energy costs, so it has to be in good shape. However, there are problems unique to HVAC systems that a home inspector may point out during an inspection. Here are 6 common HVAC problems your inspector will look for during your next home inspection. Ductwork and Old Age HVAC ductwork ages along with your home, so the inspector will examine ductwork for sagging, cracking, and separating seams. If the ductwork has aged and the material has eroded or or disconnected, this could cause air to leak, thus decreasing air flow (either from the air conditioning unit or the furnace) to the rest of the home and, consequently, driving up energy costs. Air Conditioning Condenser Issues An AC condenser, or compressor, is usually found outside the home. The inspector will turn on the AC and listen for signs of electrical issues, like a chattering or ticking noise, which could indicate that the electrical relay switch is wearing […]

November 29 2021

Winterize Your Plumbing

Robert Jones Home Maintenance Maintenance, winter

Tips for How to Prevent Frozen and Burst Pipes Cold weather and short, gray days already make winter pretty unpleasant, and having to deal with frozen or burst pipes in your home can lead to even more frustration. However, with proper care and maintenance, you won’t have to worry about plumbing issues this winter. Check out these tips for winterizing your plumbing to ensure a safe, comfortable season for your home and your family. LOCATE YOUR MAIN WATER VALVE Before winterizing your plumbing, make sure that you know the location of your main water valve. This knowledge is crucial because if your pipes do end up freezing or bursting, you have to know where to shut off the water supply before doing any repairs. When you locate the main water valve, put a tag on it and inform family members, or whoever shares the home with you, of its location in case of an emergency. DISCONNECT EXTERIOR WATER SOURCES You won’t be washing your car or watering the garden during the winter, so before the temperatures get cold, be sure to disconnect the garden hose and shut off the water supply to the hose. You can also put a no-freeze […]

November 15 2021

The High-Tech Home Inspection

Robert Jones Home Inspections, Information infrared, inspection

Using Infrared to Uncover Issues Did you know that in addition to tools like flashlights, ladders, and moisture testers, home inspectors also rely on the high-tech power of infrared to do their work? Infrared light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum and is invisible to the human eye, but we can sense it as heat. Infrared devices–like night-vision goggles and thermal imaging– are not like x-rays that “see through” solid materials; however, infrared technologies do show areas of hot and cold temperatures that can indicate common household issues. Infrared technology is a key tool in the home inspector’s arsenal because it can identify problems inside your home–like moisture spots, temperature changes, or other structural defects–that you can’t see with your own eyes. Read on for more information about how home inspectors use infrared thermal devices to give you a more accurate picture of your home’s condition. ENERGY LOSS Your home inspector may use an infrared thermal imaging device to check for heating malfunctions and drafts that can increase your energy costs. The home inspector will check for temperature changesby taking measurements across an insulated wall, ceiling, or floor. Areas that are very hot will appear as white, bright red, orange or yellow; areas […]

October 20 2021

Three Levels of Chimney Inspection

Robert Jones Home Inspections, Home Maintenance Maintenance

What You Need to Know If you’re fortunate enough to own a home with a fireplace, you should be aware that the cozy atmosphere your fireplace creates also requires some upkeep and maintenance. The best way to ensure that your fireplace is maintained is to get your chimney inspected by a professional at least once a year, even if you own a gas fireplace. Here’s what you need to know about the three different levels of chimney inspections to address different sets of circumstances in your home. Calling a professional chimney inspector or chimney sweep at least once per year is essential. A chimney inspection can reveal structural issues, whether or not your chimney needs to be cleaned thoroughly, and reduce the possibility of fire in your home. Level 1 Chimney Inspections A level 1 inspection is required when nothing has changed with your chimney or fireplace. bare minimum of inspections that is necessary if you will continue using the same fireplace system and have not made any changes to the system recently. During a level 1 inspection, the chimney inspector or chimney sweep will use a flashlight to examine all of the more easily accessible areas of inside and […]