​When we start to see temperatures soar outside we often see home cooling costs soar as well, leaving many homeowners to think about ways of reducing those costs.  While it may not be the first thing you think about when it comes to energy efficiency, your properties landscaping could help with this, how? By carefully designing the surrounding landscape so that trees and shrubs are used to shade parts of the home that need it most.  This method is called landscape shading and it is known to reduce indoor temperatures by as much as 9 degrees Fahrenheit.  Before you decide whether this is a good idea for your home, here are a few points to think about:
 
Any project works best when it has been planned well and this is a vital step to successful landscape shading.  You will need to know what the right location is for a tree to be planted for it to provide the maximum amount of shade.  The type of trees you choose are another important factor, obviously, the denser the tree, the better the shade.  If you want to benefit from the heating effects of the sun during the winter months then its best to select deciduous trees which will give full shade in the summer but then lose those leaves during the winter.
 
Vines are another good way to shade areas of a home.  You can wrap them around lattice or fencing etc. which will, not only provide shade, but permit any breeze to pass through into the house.  Shrubs are another good option if you want to shade a driveway or pathway. 
 
Some other things to consider with landscape shading are the length of time it will take to grow different types of trees and the cost of them.  It is unlikely you will see much in the way of savings at first.  Planting extra trees may affect moisture levels which can cause other problems, so you will want to check this on your property before making any big decisions.  

​As we emphasize frequently here, mold in a home can be a real hazard.  If this is something you are worried about its very important to have someone who specializes in mold to inspect it for you.  What problems does mold cause to a home and its occupants?
 
To answer this and other questions you may have, please watch the following video.  It highlights the problems mold can cause and helps you to have a better understanding of why you should find the right person to diagnose the issue.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you are concerned about mold in your home or, if you have any other home inspection questions.

​Wooden siding has been used on the exterior of homes for decades.  But, were you aware that there are a number of different types of wooden siding?  This is important to know if you are considering this as a choice for your home.  Although your building contractor will, no doubt, advise you as to what is a good option in your area, having a little knowledge yourself on the matter will help you with your choice.  So, here is a brief list of the different types of wooden siding:
 

• Solid wood or lumber is a good option and, as long as it’s well maintained, is very durable and looks good.  It can be arranged horizontally, vertically or even diagonally.

 

• A less costly option is hardboard.  This is generally comprised of wooden fiberboard, compressed with a synthetic adhesive and treated with an EPA approved preservative which protects it from insect damage and decay.

 

• Another choice is plywood siding.  Douglas fir, yellow pine and red cedar will typically be used with this which can add support to the buildings structure.

 

• Cedar and redwood are woods often used for weatherboard or clapboard which is a very attractive wooden siding option.  These woods are strong and less prone to decay and are usually installed horizontally with overlapping boards.

 
As we can see, there is much more than one choice of wooden siding.  It’s good to be aware of what look you desire for your home as well as the type of wood that will suit your location. 

​We place much emphasis on having a home inspection done on your potential new home.  This is because a home inspection can reveal issues with the property that you may not be aware of.  But, if the inspection report does reveal defects, what do you do next?
 
The answer to this question will really depend on the kind of defects the house has and what will be required to fix them.  For example, if the report shows up issues such as smoke detectors not functioning correctly or a roof that has a few missing shingles etc.  these are problems that are easy and fairly inexpensive to correct.  Some problems, on the other hand, could be a lot more serious, defects such as major structural issues, mold and wood rot etc. these would be a much bigger issue and much more expensive to correct.  Some issues might even be too big to fix.
 
So, if the home inspector is also a building contractor, is it okay for them to fix any problems they discover? Although this may seem like a good idea, it’s not always a good decision.  Why? Because it could appear advantageous for the inspector to find issues just so that they can fix them, this would then call into question the accuracy of the home inspection report.  When choosing a home inspection company, make sure they are fully aware of and abide by InterNACHI’s Code of Ethics. 
 
Yes, an InterNACHI certified home inspector is be best choice when it comes to having a thorough home inspection.  We are well aware that your potential new home needs to have the best home inspection possible so that you can enjoy it for many years to come. 

​Buying a home is a big decision, so you need it to be the right one.  While you cannot always find out everything about the home’s history, there are some things that are important to find out.  For example, has the home been previously flooded?
 
There are many reasons why a home might have been flooded in the past.  This is an important thing to find out before you decide to purchase the home because, depending on the reason, this might affect you in the future.  The following video will help you understand a little more about purchasing a flooded home.
 
Here at Melandro Home Inspections, we want you to have the best home buying experience so, please don’t hesitate to contact us regarding your worries and we will be happy to schedule a thorough home inspection for you.

​Most manufacturers will admit that they are always looking for new ways to improve their products.  Drywall manufacturers are no different.  Take paperless drywall, how does it compare to regular drywall? Is it a better product? Let’s look at what paperless drywall is and the pros and cons of using it.
 
Regular drywall has a gypsum core covered in a very thick paper.  Paperless drywall uses fiberglass as its covering instead of paper.  There are some advantages to using paperless drywall.  For example, the fiberglass is more resistant to water and damp, even the gypsum core in paperless drywall is water resistant, this gives the drywall a lot more protection against mold which makes it ideal to use in higher moisture areas such as bathrooms.  Also, due to its fiberglass covering, this type of drywall is stronger and less likely to damage easily.
 
So, what can we say of the disadvantages to paperless drywall? One of the greatest disadvantages is that it is more difficult to install than regular drywall and it is harder to achieve a smooth looking finish.  Also, paperless drywall may not be as readily available as regular drywall and will be more expensive.  Another problem could be that due to the fiberglass covering, installing it could cause some irritation to the skin. 
 
As we can see, then, paperless drywall is good for use in high moisture areas, but it may be more difficult to find and install. 

​As home inspectors we perform our inspections very carefully and thoroughly, however, some areas of a home require us to take extra precautionary measures.  A under house crawlspace is one such area.  The reasons for caution are obvious when we think about the kind of area it is.  A dark, damp environment combined with the fact that the area goes largely undisturbed makes it an ideal place for all sorts of hazardous conditions.  What are some of the things you might find down there?
 
Standing water or even sewage is something that you will possibly encounter in a under home crawlspace.  Mold and fungus are also most likely to be found under there as the conditions are just right for it. 
 
Another very common danger and something most people think about if they have to enter a under house crawlspace are insects and vermin.  The environment is ideal for many different creatures, some of which could be poisonous or dangerous if they are feeling threatened.  This problem could be made even worse by the lack of space down there which would make a hasty retreat hard to do. 
 
Structural problems with the house could also make entering a under house crawlspace particularly dangerous.  If you suspect that the home has issues like this then its best to have a professional look at the home.  If it becomes necessary that you have to go down there, take every precaution necessary and make sure someone knows where you are and can raise the alarm should you become stuck. 
 
As we can see, all the things mentioned here are potential hazards to be aware of.  If you must enter a crawlspace, be sure to wear all the appropriate protective clothing and equipment so that you will keep yourself safe and protected.  Its better to be prepared for whatever is lurking down there.

​With 2019 just around the corner, perhaps you’re thinking about your plans for this coming year.  Is moving to a new house part of those plans? Buying a home can be an extremely stressful process and we’re sure its already occupied a lot of thinking time, especially if you are buying for the first time.  As you are probably aware by now, when you do find that perfect home, it will need to have a home inspection carried out on it to make sure it doesn’t have any hidden issues.  With that in mind, we thought it would be good to show you just how thorough our home inspections are.
 
This month we have a video designed to help you understand a little more about the home inspection process and what types of things we will inspect.  You will see that our home inspections are very detailed.  If you would like to discuss what to expect from your home inspections in more detail, please feel free to contact us.
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​Many homeowners have trees on their property.  They can be a beautiful addition to any yard but what if they are situated too close to your property? Could they cause any problems and, if so, what type of problems could you encounter?
 
There are a number of issues that could arise if a tree is too close to your home.  A big problem is the risk of branches and tree limbs falling onto the homes roof and power or communication lines.  Branches could even fall and injure someone.  This risk is increased if the tree is very old.  A tree situated close to a home would also enable rodents and insects’ better access into the house.  You could also experience clogged gutters and drains from a build up of leaves and branches which, if left untreated, could cause other structural issues.  In areas at risk of wildfire, a tree too close to a building could pose a very dangerous fire risk.
 
Many homeowners worry that a trees roots could damage the homes foundations.  If there are cracks already existing in the building’s foundation, roots can start to make their way in and, if the roots are large enough, they could even grow under the foundations causing them to lift.
 
As we can see, there are certain risks associated with having trees positioned too close to a home.  It’s a good idea to have the trees checked regularly to make sure they are still healthy as an unhealthy or dying tree would pose an even greater risk.   If this is the case, it may be best to remove the tree and eliminate the risk.

​Fixing up an old home can be a rewarding project, to do it well, however, much care and thought needs to go into it.  What are some retrofit mistakes to be aware of that could completely ruin the look and character of an older home?
 
Before you embark on this sort of project, make sure you have all the permits etc. that you might need for the work.  This is important if the building is very old as you may need to check with your local historical committee for any restrictions as to the type of work you can do on it.
 
Older homes were made with durable, solid materials.  When doing repair work, make sure you consider these materials and try not to replace them with less durable ones like plywood or plastic.  Areas that often need repairing or even replacing are windows and doors.  You could ruin the look of the home if you replace these with modern options.
 
Modern materials and even techniques could have a negative impact on the original construction materials of the home.  For example, if you try waterproofing old brick and masonry, you could actually cause it to deteriorate.  This could happen with fire retardants and insulation also.
 
Other issues that will likely come up with an old home are toxic substances found in old building materials such as asbestos and lead.  This is an area where you should call in professionals to take care of them and remove them safely.  
 
In review, while this is only a few of the potential mistakes that can be made with a retrofit, the point is to carefully research the best way of fixing up this kind of property, without losing its old charm and character.