​Last month we talked about the general lifespan of a home's water heater. This month we are going to discuss when it is the right time to replace it altogether.
 
As we touched on in our last blog, a water heater requires maintenance over time. You may have started to notice puddles of water under the water heater, or perhaps your showers turn cold, etc. all signs that indicate the need for repair. Even if the water heater is not showing these signs but is at the end of its average lifespan, is it worth spending the money on it to keep it maintained?
 
Besides the water heater's age, you will also want to check if it is still under warranty. If it still has some warranty left on it, look to see whether it covers the cost of labor as well as the replacement parts. The work is often not covered under the warranty and this can end up being rather expensive. For example, one job that can be a difficult one to do is replacing the sacrificial anode, which is a part that commonly needs to be replaced. If the job is not done properly, it can easily damage the water heater. The warranty may also become void by replacing this part. With this in mind, if the water heater is very old, you should consider if it is worth it to fix the old one or replace it with a new one.
 
To give you another idea of whether or not to repair your old water heater or install a new one, consider the amount of money you spend every year on average maintaining it. If it turns out to be more than 10 percent of the amount it costs to purchase and install a new one, it might be better just to replace it altogether.
 
If you are still wondering what the best thing to do is, why not have the water heater inspected? This will help you find out what condition the existing water heater is in and give you a much better indication of whether to replace it or not.

​For the home to run comfortably a water heater is essential, which is why we home inspectors take the time to inspect them carefully during our home inspections. One question regarding water heaters that is often asked is how long do they last before needing to be replaced? The simple answer is that a water heater generally has a lifespan of around 10 years, however, this depends on a few different factors. Let’s look at some of them.
 
The installation of the water heater. If the installation is not done correctly, this can affect its lifespan. For example, many homeowners in an effort to save money try installing a water heater themselves but often find it is not an easy job, especially if it is a tankless gas heater. Water heaters must be fitted in an upright position and placed in a well-ventilated area. Be careful not to install the heater in any area at risk of flooding as this will rust the exterior pipes, not only reducing its efficiency but also its lifespan. You should also keep in mind future inspections and maintenance of the water heater when deciding where to install it by positioning it in an easy to access area.
 
Usage plays another role in determining the lifespan of your water heater as, naturally, the more water it will have to heat, the harder it will work which places additional stress on it.
 
If you are shopping around for water heaters, how can you be sure you are buying a good one that will last? As is the case with the majority of appliances, you will get what you pay for. A water heater that costs more will probably last longer than a cheap one. Also, be sure to check the length of warranty it comes with. Longer warranties usually mean the heater is built better and will last longer.

​For many people, a home inspection is only something necessary for an older home, one that has had time to develop issues from years of being lived in. But what about when the home has been built recently or is in the process of being constructed? Do these require inspecting? Yes, they do. In fact, there are many advantages to involving your home inspector through the entire building process. Let’s consider some of those advantages:
 
If you are having your dream home constructed, you will naturally want it to be built to a very high standard. It's important to remember, however, that even with the best of workers, mistakes can happen. These mistakes could even be covered over by another material like drywall and go unnoticed. For example, let’s say a piece of plumbing pipework or an electrical component is damaged in some way and then covered over. The problem may not be detected for some time and by then could have become a much bigger issue. Here is where your home inspector comes in. By having them inspect the home through its different construction phases, they can detect and diagnose any potential problems before they are covered over.
 
This is not the only benefit of including your home inspector through your home building process. It also means that they will be extremely familiar with the house and all the details of its construction. This will make future inspections a lot easier and help the inspector to quickly locate and diagnose any problems that may come up.
 
So, is it wise to include your home inspector during the construction of your new home? The answer is yes and the benefits of doing so are very clear.

​Excessive moisture in a house can create a real problem for homeowners. Not only does it result in expensive home repairs, but it also contributes to poor indoor air quality and, can even lower the property's value. Obviously, then, this is something to watch out for so, let's look at some of the areas in the home that are most vulnerable to moisture intrusion:
 
Roofs are one of the places that can be highly susceptible to water intrusion for a number of reasons. A roof should have the appropriate amount of slope for water to drain, also the roof's flashings need to be periodically checked for leaks. If gutters and downspouts become clogged this prevents water from draining properly so have them cleaned out regularly, you should also have downspouts positioned for water to drain away from the house.
 
Over time houses develop cracks and holes in foundations and walls, etc. which can make them susceptible to moisture intrusion. Seal them up as soon as you notice this happening. The home's plumbing system should also be checked for leaking fixtures, dripping pipes, and blocked drains as these are high-risk areas.
 
High humidity levels are yet another cause of moisture intrusion which often manifests itself with stains on ceilings and walls, musty smelling odors, and poor indoor air quality. When you observe moisture collecting on surfaces in the home, clean and dry them immediately which will help to prevent these issues.
 
Water intrusion, as we have mentioned, can cause some real problems for your home so make sure that you keep up with regular home maintenance and act quickly to fix any problems you find.

​Perhaps you are looking for a new start in 2021 and are planning to put your home on the market. It takes a lot of time and effort to get a home ready to sell but, what if, after all your hard work, the home buyers' inspection reveals issues with your property that you didn’t know existed? This would be very frustrating, and you may end up not getting the right price for your home. So, what steps can you take to make sure this does not happen?
 
Well, maybe a pre-listing home inspection is the answer. You might be wondering, what is a pre-listing inspection? The following video will help to briefly explain what you can expect from a pre-listing home inspection and why it is advantageous to do so.

​Putting your home on the market shouldn’t cost you a fortune, however, most homeowners want to do all they can to make their homes attractive to potential buyers. So, how can you make your home more appealing without spending a lot of money to do it?
 
Instead of replacing a kitchen or bathroom that is looking a bit shabby, what can you do to make it look better? You could re-glaze a bathtub or sink and refinish kitchen cabinetry, etc. This can give them a whole new lease of life.
 
A clean, bright room will be a lot more appealing to a buyer than one that is dark and dingy. One way to brighten up the home is by giving it a fresh coat of paint. Also, remove any window treatments that make a room look dark and dated, and you will be surprised how much lighter it is. It is also a good idea to cut back any trees or other foliage that may be blocking the window and making the room look dark.
 
Do you have any rooms in your home that are hardly ever used, like a guest room, for example? Why not repurpose the room into a home office or other useful space that would appeal to a buyer? Rearrange the rooms in your home so that their best features are highlighted. Look up different staging techniques to help you with this. Another thing to remember is that most people will see photos of your home online before coming to view it so, any photos taken should make your home look at its best.
 
Finally, remember that the less clutter there is in a room, the bigger it will look. A potential buyer does not necessarily want to see your home filled with knickknacks so you may want to think about either getting rid of some things or putting them in storage while the home is on the market.
 
As you can see, there are many ways to improve the look of your home and make it appealing to a buyer, without spending a fortune to do it.

​Most of us at some time or another have seen a home renovation or house flipping television show. The results they achieve from a major renovation are truly impressive and can add a whole new level of comfort to the home. This is a great idea if the intention is to live in the home for a long time but, what if you want to remodel with the idea of getting a better price for your property? Is it a wise investment?
 
There is a lot to think about when remodeling a home to sell it but, if you believe that a major renovation will greatly increase the value of your home, you may want to reconsider your strategy. In general, the money you spend on the work will not make it a worthwhile investment. If, after a lot of thought, you decide you want to do the work, however, here are a few mistakes to avoid:
 
Any improvements you make on your property should fit in with the rest of the homes in the neighborhood. Of course, you want your home to be the best one but, making it look that much bigger and better will not increase its value by that much.
 
Perhaps you are considering installing a pool on your property, however, this may not be the huge selling point you think it will be. A swimming pool can actually put just as many buyers off as it can attract them. This is because a family with small children, for example, may worry about the dangers of a backyard pool while others may not want to deal with the extra maintenance.
 
Lastly, when remodeling with the purpose of selling the home, avoid decorating to your own specific tastes. It is best to avoid bold, bright decorating statements especially with expensive items like kitchen appliances.  Instead, think about what would be more attractive to a buyer.
 
So, while a renovation may seem like the obvious way to sell your home for more money, it is not always the best investment but, if you do decide to remodel, do your research and make wise choices based on what a potential buyer is looking for.
 

​It is pretty common to see moss growing on roofs, especially in areas with higher moisture levels. You may also notice it on parts of the roof that are mostly shaded and don’t see a lot of sunlight. One question you may have is; if moss is left to grow on a roof, will it damage it? Let’s discuss the answer to this question.
 
When determining whether moss will damage your roof you should start with looking at where the moss is growing. For example, is it growing inside or around guttering and downspouts? If it is then it may start to prevent water from being able to drain away properly. It is best to remove the moss is this case because, if left, it could cause water intrusion and structural issues.
 
You will also want to look at the materials the roof has been constructed with to determine if moss will damage it. If the roof has clay or stone shingles then moss would not be a problem, however, keep in mind that moss holds a lot of moisture and this could have negative effects on the structure of the roof.
 
So, what if you determine that it is best to remove the moss? You will want to carefully research the best way to clean your roof based on its construction and the materials used. If not, cleaning of the roof may do more damage than the moss itself. You may also want to consider having your roof inspected as this will help to determine the roof's condition and help you decide whether removing the moss is really necessary.
 

​Everyone wants a safe and secure home and many homeowners will go to great lengths to obtain it. One area that should be given consideration when it comes to home security is exterior doors. What features should an exterior door have to make it a safe one?
 
One of the first things you need to think about is what the door is made of. A lightweight, hollow-core wooden door is going to be easy to smash through. Ideally, an exterior door should be made of sturdy construction with a solid wood or steel core. It is also very important that the door is in good condition and not displaying signs of rotting, warping, or cracking.
 
The door lock is an essential security feature. It should be a quality deadbolt lock. If you like the security of a door chain, that is fine but only use one in addition to a deadbolt lock and never instead of it. It is also a good idea to install a bump-resistant lock. This is because bump keys have become a popular option for intruders these days.
 
Many front doors have glass paneling in them, but this could be a security risk if the lock is situated close to the glass. Try to position the lock far enough away from the glass so that it would be difficult to reach the lock if the glass were smashed.
 
Installing a peephole is another good option to enhance security as it allows you to check who is at your door before you open it.
 
Some front doors have a mail slot in them. These should always be fitted with a cage or box that surrounds the mail slot, otherwise, an intruder could gain access to the doors lock from the inside through the slot. 
 
Why not inspect your exterior doors and see if they are equipped with these security features?

​We all know that major earthquakes can cause serious damage to buildings, but what about minor ones? Were you aware that even minor tremors can put our properties at risk? The reason for this is because, in locations that do not experience a lot of seismic activity, houses are usually built with less strict earthquake preparedness building codes, so if there are smaller tremors, the home could experience some damage. Let’s look at a few potential weak spots your home may have and ways you can reinforce those areas:
 
Let’s start with the foundations of the home. Your home needs to be firmly fixed to its foundations. You will also want to check for signs of deterioration in cement foundations such as cracking and crumbling of the cement.
 
A common and serious problem that can occur after an earthquake is leaking gas. If you have any appliances that run of natural gas, it’s a good idea to fix them securely to a wall or floor. Also, unless the home has an automatic shut off valve, you need to know the location of the home's manual shutoff valve, have it clearly labeled, and be able to access it easily if the need arises to shut it off quickly.
 
A chimney can become extremely unsafe if it is damaged in an earthquake as it runs the risk of falling into the house itself. With this in mind, make sure you do not set up children’s playrooms near the chimney. You may also want to use angle bracing and sheet metal straps to secure an unreinforced masonry chimney.
 
Freestanding water heaters could become another potential hazard in a minor earthquake so you may also want to secure this to a wall using metal straps.
 
These are just a few of the potential weak spots in a house that may be affected during a small earthquake. It is good to have an assessment done on your home to find areas that may need reinforcing and protect it from damage.