Home Maintenance

September 19 2022

What are Warning Signs of a Damaged Foundation?

Robert JonesHome Inspections, Home Maintenance, Information foundation, homeowners, Maintenance, safety

7 Common Foundation Issues A foundation upholds the structure of a home, so it must be in good condition to ensure that your home is safe for you and your family. However, over time, foundations may develop issues that need to be addressed. It’s best to identify problems as soon as possible to help avoid costly repairs in the long run. Here are seven common foundation problems that you may be able to observe on your own before you call in a professional. Doors or Windows Not Fitting Homeowners often blame sticking windows and doors on humidity or temperature changes; but, it could also be a sign of foundation issues. If you notice that your windows or doors are sticking or misaligned, your home’s foundation may be shifting or settling. When cracks develop around doors or windows, or if they’re starting to separate from the walls and don’t work properly, you should call a professional. Exterior or Interior Cracks Cracks that form outside your home along the foundation can signal serious issues. If the soil around the foundation is too wet from improper drainage, it can cause the foundation to crack. You may also notice cracks in kitchen or bathroom tiles […]

September 8 2022

Different Roofing Shingle Types

Robert JonesHome Inspections, Home Maintenance, Information roof, shingles

What’s the Best Shingle Type for Your Home? Whether you’re looking to add new shingles to an existing roof, or if you’re building new construction and want to create the best possible roof, your choice of shingles can impact the lifespan of your roof and its ability to withstand the elements. Homes in the Pacific Northwest, with its particularly wet and damp weather, need to take extra care to make the right choice with shingles to best avoid issues like leaky roofs and water damage. Follow the guide below to learn which shingle type is best for your home. Asphalt Asphalt shingles, also known as composition shingles, are one of the most popular roof shingles types and are used on roofs of 4 out of every 5 homes in the U.S. Made from a base of organic felt or fiberglass topped with a spray of hot asphalt, these shingles boast many benefits: they’re affordable, fire resistant, easy to maintain and durable. They’re also aesthetically flexible because they come in a wide range of styles and colors, and can be manufactured to look like wood, cedar or slate. Asphalt shingles are known to last approximately 100 years. While their resistance to wind, rain, hail and snow makes […]

August 22 2022

Dryer Vent Safety

Robert JonesHome Maintenance, Information, Safety dryer vents, homeowners, Maintenance, safety

The Importance of Keeping Your Dryer Vents Clean You depend on your dryer to tackle loads of clean clothes and to keep laundry day moving, which is why it’s important to care for your dryer’s vent system. If a dryer vent or duct is not properly maintained, it may lead to a fire hazard. Follow this guide to learn more about how a dryer vent works, what can cause a dryer vent fire, and tips for keeping your dryer safe for use. How A Dryer Vent Works A dryer works by using either electric or gas power to create a system of heat, tumbling and air flow. First, the dryer draws in room temperature air and heats it using a heating element or burner. At the same time, a motor turns the drum of the dryer, allowing the damp clothing to tumble around while air circulates around the clothes. When hot air moves around the damp clothes, it creates steam that evaporates and is pushed out of the dryer by passing through a vent or an exhaust duct that opens to the outside of your home. What Can Cause a Fire As the steam and evaporated air is transferred out of the […]

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 […]