​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. 

​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.