Information

June 19 2023

How to Keep Your Home Cool in Summer

Robert Jones Home Maintenance, Information homeowners, Summer, tips

Once summer arrives, you and the family are most likely excited about soaking up the sun and enjoying the great outdoors. But it’s a good idea to make sure that your indoor areas can be a welcome escape from the heat. From maintaining your A/C unit, to outfitting your windows and doors for the season, here are some key tips for keeping your home cool in the summer. Check Your Doors and Windows Making sure that cool air doesn’t escape your home is key to maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures. It’s a good idea to seal gaps around doors and windows, and add a draught guard to the bottom of doors so cool air doesn’t seep out from the bottom. For windows, clean the window track and sill to ensure that windows fully close. If you see cracks around the window, seal them with caulk or weatherstripping. Make Use of Curtains Keeping your blinds closed (if you have them) or shutting your curtains can help to block heat from the sun’s rays outside to keep you cool indoors. Heavier and thicker than typical drapes or blinds, blackout curtains provide a barrier between you and the heat outside. Some blackout curtains also […]

May 15 2023

Common Fixes Before Moving In

Robert Jones Home Inspections, Home Maintenance, Information homebuying process, homeowners, inspection, Repairs

After you’ve completed the home inspection, signed the mortgage papers, and packed up all your things, moving into a new place may still require some work. While the home inspection identified issues that needed to be repaired before you moved in, there may be smaller fixes that still need to be done to make your new house a home. Make the most of your fresh start by completing these common fixes for moving into a new home. Change Your Locks One of the very first tasks to take on after you move in is changing, or rekeying, the locks. If you are moving into a home with previous owners, definitely take the time to change the locks because you cannot be sure who may have an extra set of keys that allows access to your property. A newly built home with no previous owners won’t require this step, but keep reading below for more quick fixes. Pest Control Older homes in urban areas usually need more attention when it comes to pest control, but these fixes are a great idea for new homes, too. Install door sweeps at the bottom of all exterior doors to act as a barrier between […]

May 1 2023

Why Get an Inspection for a New Home:

Robert Jones Construction, Home Inspections, Information homebuying process, inspection, tips

Common Questions about New Construction Inspections Newly constructed homes are attractive to potential buyers because without previous residents, it seems less likely that a new home will have problems. But, newly constructed homes can also have structural and mechanical issues that you should be aware of, which is why new builds need inspections, too. Some newer homes are built with speed, rather than quality, in mind, which can lead to costly repairs down the road. Here are some reasons why new construction homes also need inspections. Why get an inspection for a new home? You should get an inspection for a new home, just as you would a previously-owned home because sometimes builders make mistakes, and you need to be aware of these problems before moving in. An inspection for a new home may reveal hidden issues that should be addressed with repairs or maintenance before you start living there. How many inspections does a new home need? A newly built home can have up to three inspections before residents move in. The first is called a foundation inspection, which happens before concrete is poured for the foundation. This inspection looks at how the ground has been excavated and graded, […]

April 21 2023

Problems to Look for When Buying an Old Home

Robert Jones Home Inspections, Information homebuying process, homeowners, inspection, tips

Older homes certainly have unique features that newer homes can lack, like built-in bookshelves, hardwood floors, crown moldings, and stained glass windows. Some older homes also boast high quality materials; for example, walls are more likely to be built with plaster and lathe, making them more soundproof. While you may be excited about the possibilities of living in an older home, there are still common issues to be aware of. Read on for information about problems to look for when buying an old house. 1. Foundation The foundation supports a house’s entire structure, so issues with a foundation are critical to the overall safety and livability of any home. As a foundation ages, these issues may occur: If an inspector notices any of these warning signs of a damaged foundation, you should schedule some repairs. 2. Lead Paint Homes built prior to 1978 are likely to have lead paint, which has since been banned from consumer use because it is toxic, especially for young children. It’s possible that an old house may have a coat of lead paint underneath layers of newer, safer paints. If an inspector discovers the presence of lead paint, it can be removed safely with the […]

March 27 2023

Tips for Keeping Your Home Sale Ready

Robert Jones Home Inspections, Home Maintenance, Information homeowners, inspection, sellers, tips

When it comes to real estate, first impressions matter. That’s why you want to make sure your home looks its best before you put it on the market. Potential buyers want to see themselves in a fresh, clean home that’s been well-maintained. Here are some tips to help you keep your home sale ready inside and outside without doing any major or expensive upgrades. Consider Curb Appeal When you decide to list your home, aesthetics are everything. Be sure your house looks attractive from the street by completing these minor improvements to the front exterior: Care for the Backyard Buyers like a well-maintained backyard that they can see themselves spending time in, so consider these updates: Freshen Up Interiors Potential buyers love walking into a home that feels bright, clean, and airy. Here’s how you can create that feeling in your home: Minor Repairs People want to see a home in good condition, so little things like these matter: Once you’ve completed these tasks, you can call a professional home inspector to get more information about the systems in your home that aren’t visible to the naked eye. Call South Sound Inspections to schedule a pre-listing inspection that will give […]

January 11 2023

9 Tips for Keeping Your Home Warm this Winter

Robert Jones Home Maintenance, Information homeowners, inspection, Maintenance, prevention, tips, winter

You want your home to be warm and comfortable during the winter, but sometimes the cold finds its way indoors. There are some steps you can take before winter and during the colder months to keep your home warm. Read on for 9 tips that may help keep your home warm without increasing energy costs. 1) Make sure doors and windows are properly sealed Window caulking is a good way to seal your windows for winter, and it can be done in a few easy steps. Heat shrink film is another good idea for windows, while door draft stoppers can combat cold air coming in through the bottom of a door. 2) Use dampers effectively A damper is a plate that controls the flow of air through a home’s ductwork, and knowing how to adjust them to regulate temperatures can keep your home comfortable. Because hot air rises, you can close the dampers on ducts going to the top floors of your home, and open the dampers for the lower floors so those areas stay warm. 3) Clean the vents Clean out your HVAC system at least once per year to help ensure proper airflow and decrease the amount of […]