Repairs

July 3 2025

Should I Be Present During the Home Inspection?

Robert JonesHome Inspections, Information, Press home inspections, homeowners, inspection, prevention, Repairs

Whether you’re buying or selling a home, the inspection is one of the most important steps in the process. It’s your opportunity to uncover hidden issues and make informed decisions about the property. But many homeowners and buyers often ask: “Should I be there during the home inspection?” The short answer? Yes—but with some caveats. Let’s break down why your presence matters, what to expect, and how to get the most value out of the inspection process. Why You Should Be Present at the Inspection 1. See the Home Through the Inspector’s Eyes A home inspection isn’t just about reading a report later. Being there in person allows you to: Instead of relying solely on photos and descriptions, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation of what’s normal wear-and-tear and what might require serious attention. 2. Learn About Ongoing Maintenance Inspectors often provide helpful tips for maintaining your home. For first-time buyers, this is especially valuable—they’ll point out shutoff valves, HVAC filters, and other key features you might overlook otherwise. 3. Avoid Miscommunication Attending in person reduces the chances of misunderstandings later. You can discuss concerns directly with the inspector and clarify what issues are minor versus major. Do You Have to […]

June 29 2023

High Humidity in the Home

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

Why Humidity is a Problem and What to do About It Living in a damp climate like the Pacific Northwest can lead to issues around the home, specifically regarding humidity. Humid air inside the home can feel heavy and uncomfortable; in some cases, it can also be unhealthy. While there may be a variety of causes for humidity in the home, there are also accessible solutions that can help, too. Read on for information about what to do when your home is feeling too humid. What are common causes of humidity in the home? During hot, muggy summer weather, humidity can enter your home if it’s not properly sealed and if your HVAC system isn’t working properly. Air leaks caused by open gaps or seams can draw humidity inside. And an HVAC system that is outdated or incorrectly sized can also lead to a humid-feeling home. A good choice for high-humidity is an air-source heat pump, which transfers heat from inside your home to the outside. Another common cause of humidity in the home can be using appliances for cooking, drying clothes, washing dishes, or taking showers. These activities add more moisture to the air and can make it uncomfortable […]

May 31 2023

Most Common Home Inspection Repairs in the Seattle Area

Robert JonesHome Inspections, Home Maintenance homebuying process, homeowners, inspection, Maintenance, Repairs, tips

Given Seattle’s climate and unique geography – wet seasons, steep hills, and an abundance of greenery — homes in our area tend to present specific issues. These issues are usually identified during home inspections, and there are repairs you may need to consider if you’re moving into a Seattle-area home. Here are some common home inspection repair issues and tips on how to resolve them. Sewer Lines Homes in the Tacoma area specifically are subject to side sewer inspections as part of the entire home inspection process. But, homes outside of Tacoma can also benefit from these inspections due to common issues related to plumbing that occur in our area, like rootbound pipes, offset joints, sagging, broken pipes, and clogs. Professional sewer cleaning services can repair rootbound pipes by using a high pressure water hose with an attached blade to cut through the roots. In extreme cases, sections of pipe may need to be replaced. Roof Issues The roof is the first point of contact that a home has with the Pacific Northwest’s infamous rain. Over time, rain breaks down debris, like leaves, and that process causes mold, which in turn wears away shingles. This leads to leaks that can […]

May 15 2023

Common Fixes Before Moving In

Robert JonesHome 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 […]

March 10 2023

Toilet Do’s and Don’ts

Robert JonesHome Maintenance homeowners, Maintenance, prevention, Repairs, tips

6 Tips for Toilet Maintenance Your bathroom is one of the most frequented rooms in your home, so when your toilet is on the fritz, it can cause major problems. You can avoid toilet issues like clogging and flooding, or even the dreaded running toilet, when you learn some simple toilet maintenance tips. Read on for more information about do’s and don’ts for your toilet. DO Watch What You Flush Toilets are designed to handle #1, #2, and toilet paper – nothing more. Avoid flushing thick paper products like paper towels and napkins, as well as things like floss, bandaids, or cotton balls. Some brands of tampons claim that the tampons themselves (not the applicators) can be discarded in the toilet, but the reality is that flushing tampons can stress a septic system. Flushable wipes are also commonly found in bathrooms, but those take a while to degrade, and in the meantime they can clog plumbing. Also use caution with super absorbent types of toilet paper. DO Keep a Plunger Handy Even if you’re doing your due diligence by not flushing tampons, wipes, and thick toilet paper, it’s still possible that your toilet may clog. In these cases it’s best […]

December 28 2022

Tacoma Side Sewer Inspections

Robert JonesHome Inspections, Information homebuying process, homeowners, inspection, Repairs, sewer inspections, side sewer, tacoma

What Local Homeowners Need to Know If you live in Tacoma, WA, and you’re planning to schedule a home inspection, you should know about a recommendation from the city of Tacoma regarding your side sewer, or lateral sewer: the part of the sewer system that connects your private property to the public, city-maintained sanitary sewer main. In order for the city to better maintain its public sewers, it’s important for individual homeowners to do their part in ensuring that their property’s plumbing systems are in good condition. Read on to learn more about what this kind of inspection requires and how it can benefit homeowners. What is a side sewer inspection? A side sewer inspection is a detailed examination of a privately owned sewer pipe that sends wastewater away from a home’s toilets, laundry room, drains and sinks and into the city’s main sewer line that’s usually located in the street. This kind of inspection looks at a home’s drainage and plumbing system up to the point where it joins the public sewer. Some cities, like Tacoma, recommend that homeowners get a side sewer inspection to ensure that their private line doesn’t have any issues that will impact the home […]