During the long winter months dry air can become a real issue for us, not only does it cause problems such as skin irritations and static shock but even our homes may see the effects of excessively dry air like peeling wallpaper or even wooden furniture beginning to warp.  If you are looking for a solution to this, then a central humidifier may be the answer.  So, how does a central humidifier work and would it be a good option for you?
 
Central humidifiers are generally attached to the forced-air system of the home and fed water via a connection to the home's plumbing system.  This way the entire home experiences dry air relief. 
 
It’s clear that a central humidifier works well in combating dry air but are there any downsides to installing one? If you do not take time to maintain the humidifier you could encounter problems related to an excessive amount of condensation.  This may cause harmful fungus or other bacteria to grow and you may also inadvertently create the perfect environment for mold and mildew which we know to be hazardous.  
 
Before you make the decision to install a central humidifier, do a little research and become familiar with how they work, this way you will know the right way to keep it well maintained.
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What if you already have a central humidifier installed in your home? Check when the last time was that you had it inspected.  If it has been some time, you may want to have it inspected.

​As we often highlight on our website mold is a problem you do not want in your home and can lead to a number of health complaints. Identifying mold in the home is very important so you know the best way to treat it. When inspecting a home, a visual inspection for mold can be done as well as surface sampling, in conjunction with these tests, air samples can be taken as an additional way to detect mold. How is this done?
 
Air sampling is one way to find a mold source that has yet to be detected. As mold spores cannot be seen with the naked eye, an air sample is sent to a laboratory and analyzed there. Results will, not only reveal whether mold is present in the home but will also show how severe the problem is.
 
Air samples are generally taken in places where mold is already visible and areas that have experienced water damage or moisture intrusion. If there are musty odors in any parts of the home, which would suggest the presence of mold, it is also a good idea to take air samples in these areas.
 
Can air samples be taken at any time? A variety of factors can affect an air sample reading such as changes in air pressure which could affect mold spore levels and severe thunderstorms or extremely high winds. When taking an air sample, it’s best to have all doors and windows closed and any indoor-outdoor air exchangers switched off.  Further air samples will also be taken after mold remediation to ensure all mold has been removed.
 
To summarize, then, air sampling is a good additional test for mold and can help determine mold spore levels.

​2020 is almost upon us and with that comes plans for the coming year.  Maybe you’re thinking about the projects you’d like to take on.  For example, will you be redecorating or remodeling any areas of the home? When was the last time you had your home inspected? For many, the last time was probably when the home was purchased.
 
The following video will help you understand why having an annual inspection performed on your home is an essential part of home maintenance.  If you would like to schedule your annual maintenance inspection for the coming year, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help you and answer all your home inspection questions.

​If you are currently thinking about buying a home to renovate it's important you prepare yourself for the problems you may well encounter in older homes. One of those problems is asbestos. Let’s briefly discuss what it is and why it is so bad.
 
Before the dangers of asbestos were known, it was used in building materials because it added strength, delivered fire resistance and provided heat insulation. Asbestos is a mineral fiber.  These fibers are very small and can be released into the air. Being very small, asbestos fibers can also be inhaled easily and here is where the danger lies because prolonged exposure to asbestos has resulted in some very serious diseases. Among them are Asbestosis which causes fibrous tissue to scar the lungs and, Mesothelioma which is a type of cancer affecting the chest lining and abdominal cavity.
 
If the home you are planning to renovate was built during or before the 1970s and has not been touched since it's likely you will encounter asbestos. If you start to tear up flooring and walls, etc. you could release asbestos fibers into the air, producing a hazardous environment. So, what should you do before you begin renovations? Firstly, get the home inspected to find out if asbestos is present. If it is, you mustn’t try to remove it yourself, instead hire a company qualified to safely remove and dispose of it for you.

​While many of us are not yet ready to think about snow and freezing temperatures, October is a good month to start preparing for it. There are several jobs we should take care of in our homes and around our properties to make sure they are ready for the cold. Here are a few of them:
 
We spend a lot of time doing yard work during the fall months. One important job to get done is cleaning out the gutters. If this is not taken care of before the temperature goes way down, any debris in the gutters will freeze and become heavy which may damage the guttering. The sprinkler system is another thing to take care of. Make sure there is no water and air left in the sprinkler system as this can create cracks. You will also want to protect outdoor furniture by storing it in a dry place or covering it.
 
Test the home's heating system. Now is a good time to do it, before you really need it. An easy way to test if it’s working well is to turn the thermostat up and observe how long the system takes to respond. If it is taking an unusually long time, it may need to be serviced. This is also a good time to replace air filters and, if your home is heated with oil or propane, get the tank filled so it's ready to use. If you have a fireplace, have it inspected to make sure it is still safe to use.
 
When outside temperatures are particularly low pipes are prone to freeze and burst in the unheated parts of the home which can damage the home's plumbing system. Cover pipes in the attic, crawlspaces or any other areas which are not heated with foam or fiberglass insulation to protect them from freezing and keep the temperature of the home high enough so that pipes will not freeze even in these areas.
 
These are just some of the ways you can ensure your home stays warm and free of damage during the long winter months.

​The chimney is an important part of the home and one that will often need maintenance.  A variety of problems could be caused by a chimney that has fallen into disrepair and, if these issues are not taken care of promptly, may become a major safety risk not to mention something very costly to repair.
 
Among the ways a chimney can sustain structural damage are if large objects fall on to it such as trees or scaffolding etc.  Earthquakes are another way a chimney can become damaged.  Extremes of weather can also cause a chimney to deteriorate.  Whatever the reason for the damage, if not taken care of, the chimney may end up being in danger of collapse which not only creates a hazard for the exterior of the property but a chimney can even fall in on itself, placing anyone inside the home in harm’s way.   
 
What are some of the warning signs that a chimney is damaged?  Stand back and take a look at the entire chimney, does it look like it is leaning or listing at all?  Can you see signs that it is coming away from the home?  Scrape some of the mortar on the chimney with a screwdriver, what condition is it in? Does it easily crumble?  Have a look at the footings of the chimney, do they look like they are in bad condition and deteriorating?
 
These are just some of the ways you can tell what condition a chimney is in, however, there are other parts of a chimney that are not easy to check, what then?  If you are concerned that the chimney is not working the way it should or that it is not structurally sound, it would be best to have it inspected.  This way, your home inspector can point out any issues that are found and advise you on what will be the next step to take.

​It can often be a challenge to find a trustworthy and honest person to work on your home, this might be especially challenging if you are about to move to a completely different location.  Buying a home in a new area and finding the right people to help you through the process may feel like a stressful prospect.  As a trusted home inspection company, we are here to tell you why we are the right choice for you. 
 
As we have mentioned, it is not always easy to find someone you can trust to do work for you.  This is also true of home inspection companies; they are not all the same and some do not perform as detailed and thorough of an inspection as they should, they may even miss big issues with the property.  If this happens, it could end up costing you a lot of money that you had not planned for.  So, what makes us stand out? And, how can you be sure we are the right choice?
 
We have a lot of experience when it comes to your home inspection and we know what is involved in buying and selling a home.  We want you to have the confidence that your home inspection has been performed thoroughly and honestly.  We are also InterNACHI certified which is the identifying mark of quality and professionalism.  Yes, we are here to help you with all your home inspection needs and we are ready to answer any questions you have regarding the home inspection so, please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

​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.