​Water intrusion has the potential to be a big problem for a homeowner. If left untreated, it can result in expensive repairs, bad indoor air quality, and can even lower the value of the home. Identifying the places where water is most likely to enter the home is an important step to avoiding this issue. Here are some of the most vulnerable places to water intrusion:
 
The roof has a lot of potential for water intrusion if it is not well maintained. It should have the appropriate amount of slope that allows for proper drainage. Any flashings on the roof have the potential to seep in water so these should be checked periodically for leaks. Some other moisture trouble spots are gutters and downspouts. If they become clogged, this will prevent water from draining and can cause water intrusion issues. Make sure they are regularly cleaned out and check that the downspouts are positioned so that water runs away from the building.
 
If indoor humidity levels are too high this can also create problems with moisture. Musty odors and poor indoor air quality are some signs that this is a problem. You may also notice staining on your ceilings or walls. A dehumidifier will help to reduce humidity. It is also important to clean and dry areas where moisture tends to collect.
 
Leaking plumbing fixtures, dripping pipes, and blocked drains are just some of the plumbing issues that will create water damage in your home. Even if the leak seems small, it could be doing a lot of damage so be sure to fix any of these problems immediately. Cracks and holes in walls and foundations, which appear over time, are another way water enters the home so these should also be sealed up as soon as you notice them.
 
While there are many more water intrusion trouble spots we could mention it should help to give you an idea of the areas to inspect in your home for signs of water damage.

​Did you know that you know that it is recommended for you to have your home inspected once a year? This may be surprising to many homeowners as the last time the house was inspected was probably at the time of its purchase, which for many, could have been some years ago. So, why is an annual home inspection important?
 
When you think about it, doesn’t it make sense to have your home inspected annually? Think of all the things we generally have checked out at least once a year. We have our cars inspected every year to make sure they stay roadworthy, we get a health examination annually to maintain our physical fitness, and it is even recommended that we have certain household appliances serviced once a year to keep them in good working order. Think of a yearly home inspection in the same way. It is a way to ensure that all is working as it should in your home. What are some other benefits of having an annual home inspection?
 
Another benefit to having your home inspected every year is that it will help to diagnose small issues that, if left for a long time, could become big problems that will cost a lot of money to repair. So, it's clear that an annual home inspection can save you a lot of money in the long run, but you may be thinking that a home inspection will cost you a lot of money. Annual inspections are surprisingly very affordable. We are here to help you with all of your home inspection needs so, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

​With 2021 just around the corner, many people are hoping to make some changes in their lives. What about you? Maybe putting your home on the market is something you are planning to do in the new year. Getting your home ready to sell in advance will make the selling process a lot easier. One of the ways you can do this is with a seller’s home inspection. This type of inspection is designed to find out any problems your home has that could affect its sale before the buyer’s home inspection finds them.
 
Before having the seller's home inspection performed, there are some things you will need to do to prepare. This way, the inspection will go nice and smoothly. The following short video shows you the steps you should take to get ready for the inspection. If you would like to learn more about the seller’s home inspection or any other types of home inspection we offer, please feel free to contact us.
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​A wood-burning stove can be a wonderful source of heat for a room or entire home depending on its size. If you have just moved into a house that has a wood burner, there are some things you need to know in order to maintain a high standard of safety and efficiency. Here are a few recommendations:
 
As the name implies, wood-burning stoves are designed to burn wood. This means that you cannot just burn anything in the stove and doing so may prove hazardous. For example, it is not advisable to burn coal in your wood burner. Coal burns much hotter than wood does and so this will pose a fire risk. You should also avoid throwing items in the stove that emit toxic chemicals. Such items include gift wrapping and colored paper, plastic, painted or pressure-treated woods, plywood, and particleboard.
 
You should also think about the kinds of wood to burn in your wood burner. If you can, choose dry wood that has a low moisture content as this burns hotter than wood that is freshly cut. Some types of wood are quicker to ignite than others and are good to use when lighting the fire. A softwood like pine work well. When you have the fire started, use hardwoods like hickory, oak, or ash and burn them in smaller pieces which will give off a cleaner, hotter burn.
 
Important reminders. It is a good idea to get your wood burner professionally inspected periodically. Creosote tends to accumulate in the stovepipe which is very dangerous. Dispose of ashes in a water-filled, metal receptacle. Finally, ensure your home has a sufficient number of smoke alarms fitted throughout the home, and don’t forget to check that they are working properly at least once a month.

​If you are about to remodel your bathroom, now might also be a good time to think about incorporating a few water-saving features. One option that is becoming more common, especially with new construction, are pressure-assist toilets. So, how does a pressure-assist toilet differ from a standard toilet, and are they a better option?
 
The outward appearance of a pressure-assist toilet is much like a standard type, so you do not need to worry about it standing out too much. Inside, however, it functions much differently. The toilet tank is fitted with an air-filled pressure container. When the toilet is flushed, compressed air is used to push water into the toilet bowl and through the system. This results in a very powerful flush that uses a lot less water, making it a more environmentally friendly option. An added benefit is that you will experience fewer blockages than a standard gravity toilet.
 
As well as new homes, can pressure-assist toilets be installed in older houses? Yes, they can, and you may find there are some advantages to doing so. For example, the way the tank is designed means that it does not have issues with condensation. Also, because the pipework in older homes is often prone to blockages, the power of the flush will help to push waste through and remove anything that may be trapped.
 
After reading about the benefits of a pressure-assist toilet, perhaps you are thinking of installing them in your home, however, it's good to think about any possible disadvantages as well. Pressure assist toilets need about 20 to 30 PSI to work well so this may be a problem if your home has low water pressure. The loud noise of the flush can also put people off. Pressure assist toilets also cost more which you would need to factor into your budget, however, they require hardly any maintenance so you may feel they are worth the money.

With the current economic situation, a lot of people are becoming desperate for income and sadly this can result in fraudulent business practices. For a homeowner that needs some work done to their home, this can mean the possibility of being ripped off by a shady contractor.  There are many ways this can happen but let's just focus on one, for now, termite exterminators.
 
​Of course, not all companies are dishonest but it’s good to recognize some of the tricks commonly used by those who are. When it comes to inspecting your home for termites, a dishonest person may greatly exaggerate the dangers that they pose, tricking you into paying for an expensive, unnecessary treatment. One way you can combat this is to compare prices and services with a few different companies. It is also important to obtain a contract with a guarantee that will cover you in case the termites return within a certain amount of time.
 
While it is likely that you have little experience with termites, don’t just rely on the exterminator’s word that they are present in your home, have them show you the evidence on your property. Termite damage is evident by hollowed-out wood along the grain. Its galleries will also be lined with mud or soil. This evidence should be connected to the home. If they show you evidence of termite damage in fencing or a woodpile that is not attached to your house, do not be alarmed as this does not necessarily present a threat.
 
Finally, be wary of anyone approaching you offering a free termite inspection because their reasons for doing so may be less than honest.

​A home renovation may seem like the obvious way to increase the value of your home but, if you are planning to put your property on the market, are there some other, less costly, ways to make it attractive to a potential buyer? Here are a few ideas:
 
The majority of buyers will be drawn to clean, bright spaces so think about how you can add more light into a room. It may seem extremely obvious, but a good start is with a thorough cleaning throughout which makes everything look brighter. Try to maximize the light from the windows by removing heavy window treatments, cutting back shrubs and trees that are covering the windows outside and, giving the windows a good clean.
 
Over the years you may have accrued many possessions, however, too many items in a room can make it look small and cramped. Clear the home of all clutter and you will be amazed at how big your home looks.
 
Could you use a room for a different purpose? For instance, is there a guest room that you hardly use? What about transforming it into a home office or other useful space? Remember that the idea is to make it appeal to potential buyers, so you want to emphasize the best features of each room. It's also good to think about the fact that many people will look at your home online first, so it will want to look great in photos. If staging a room is not your forte, you may want to employ a professional staging company to help you.
 
Lastly, never underestimate the transforming power of a fresh coat of paint which can be done for a lot less than a costly remodel. You may also want to consider refinishing your aging kitchen cabinetry and reglazing worn out sinks and bathtubs.

​There are so many house remodeling television shows to watch these days that inspire many to want to remodel their homes. Renovating a property can greatly enhance the comfort and lifestyle of the home’s occupants but, if the purpose of remodeling is to increase the home’s value, you may want to think very carefully about the best way to go about it.  Why? Because very often the money you invest in the renovation does not increase the home's value enough to make it a sensible monetary investment. If you decide to go ahead with the remodel, here are some common mistakes to avoid:
 
It is best not to rely on your personal taste in decor when remodeling with the purpose of selling. The aim should be to make your home appealing to a prospective buyer, this means you may want to avoid bold, bright colored statements and appliances.
 
The upgrades you make to the home should fit in with the other houses in your neighborhood. Big, expensive remodels intended to make your property look better and bigger than the rest are not likely to greatly increase your home’s value.
 
Maybe you are thinking of adding a pool or spa on your property in the belief that this will be a big selling point but, this can be a bad investment as they can put as many people off as they attract. A lot of people do not want to deal with the additional maintenance that pools bring and, if they are a family with small children, they may be concerned about the dangers associated with a pool in the backyard.
 
Remodeling a home can be a good idea, particularly if you are planning to live in the house for a long time. However, if you want to sell your home and make money on it,  do not believe everything you watch in those tv shows as they often lure you into a false sense that you will make a big return on your investment. Rather, do some thorough research on the best way to renovate your home so that you increase its value, without spending a fortune.

​Doing plenty of research if you are buying a property is essential, especially if you are buying a home for the first time. With all the different purchase options out there, it can be difficult to decide what is right for you so, let's look at one of those options, bank-owned properties. There are a lot of positives with bank-owned properties, one of which is that they can be a good value for the money. To be a wise investment, however, you need to be aware of what to expect, which is where that research comes in.
 
The property will often become bank-owned because the homeowner was not able to keep up with the mortgage. If they were not able to pay for something as important as their mortgage then it is very unlikely much money has been recently spent on the upkeep of the home and so it may be in some state of disrepair. It is not uncommon to also find that the home has been stripped of anything somewhat valuable or be filled with garbage and vandalized.
 
Naturally, you will have a look around the property before deciding whether or not to buy it and, while this will give you some idea of its condition, it will not reveal everything. The only way to find out its true state is to have the home inspected. Your real estate agent may try to dissuade you from spending the money on a home inspection, seeing that you would buy the property “as is”, but, it is much better to know just what will be involved and how much money will be required to get the property to a livable condition, and then make your decision based on the facts.
 
To review, then, a bank-owned property could be a good investment but make sure the decision you make is based on a knowledge of the home's true condition.

​Moss frequently grows on roofs in places that experience higher levels of moisture. You would most probably notice it on areas of the roof that do not see too much sunlight. If you have spotted patches of moss growing on your roof you may be wondering whether it will do any damage to it. So, should you have the moss removed from your roof?
 
To answer that question, you will need to determine where the moss is growing. For example, if you notice it is growing in and around the gutters and downspouts, it may be causing them to clog up which would prevent water from draining properly. If this is not cleared it could cause the home to have structural issues.
 
Another thing you should consider is the building materials used for the roof’s construction. If the shingles are made of clay or stone, it is unlikely that moss growing on them will create any problems. It is important to remember, however, that moss retains a great deal of moisture which could have a negative impact on the structure of the roof so you may decide to err on the side of caution and remove the moss anyway.
 
Removing moss from a roof should be done correctly. There are some methods used for cleaning roofs that could actually do more damage than the moss itself so do your research and choose the best company to take care of it.
 
If you are unsure about whether moss will damage your roof it may be best to have it inspected. This way you can discover the condition of the roof and find out if the moss is creating any problems.