The importance of lead paint testing [Video]

With the recent controversy in Flint, Michigan, the issue of lead contamination has come to the fore in a big way. Americans are now testing their children for lead poisoning and submitting enquiries to local governments in an effort to assess tap water metal levels. Unfortunately, most are paying little attention to another household feature that sometimes contains toxic lead deposits: paint.

According to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, most homes constructed before 1978 have lead-based paint. This paint, if ingested or inhaled, can cause kidney and reproductive problems in adults and cognitive issues in children. Lead also impacts pregnant women and can cause birth defects or premature births. 

Homeowners whose houses have lead paint must organize a test immediately and consider making renovations to correct the issue. Alban Inspections employs lead surveyors certified in Washington D.C., Maryland and Pennsylvania. So, if you think your home might have lead-based paint, don’t hesitate to reach out.          

Check out these home spring cleaning tips

Winter's frigid grip is finally loosening, which means many homeowners will soon shut off the heat, cast open the windows and clean out the nooks and crannies left neglected during the colder months. In fact, spring cleaning is an annual ritual for most in the U.S. Approximately 72 percent of Americans engage in the activity every year, according to the American Cleaning Institute.

If you too plan to conduct a post-winter clean sweep, make sure to keep a few salient strategies in mind.

Formulate a plan
You simply cannot kick off an intense spring cleaning session without a solid scrubbing scheme. Planning can cut your cleaning time in half and produce better results, reported Popular Mechanics. Professional speed cleaners approach each situation with a plan. They usually working room-by-room and finish each space where they started so as to maintain uniform cleaning quality. Using a similarly methodical approach, you can tackle your entire house in a matter of hours and produce a whole-home shine that will last for months.

Get the proper tools
Most households store their cleaning supplies in infrequently accessed cabinets and pantries. These spaces inevitably gather dust and grime and render some cleaning tools useless. If you fall into this category, invest in some new, quality equipment before taking on winter crud. Professionals sport carpenter belts stuffed with specialized cleaners and brushes that can fit into the tinniest spaces. You don't have to go this far. Purchasing a new broom, a feather duster and maybe a solid bucket should be enough. If you want to try out something besides a store-bought cleaner, use a lemon. The acid contained within these citrus fruits can dissolve outdoor rust stains and cut through carpet spots. According to Apartment Therapy, you can also add Kool-Aid to your cleaning tool kit. The lemon and orange varieties of the drink make toilet rings disappear and, unlike Coke, another beverage often employed by cleaning innovators, it doesn't leave behind sugary deposits and is eco-friendly.

Start at the top
Even the most committed neat freaks neglect their ceiling fans and allow residue to collect in hidden, ceiling-facing dust deposits. However, during spring cleaning, most leave no surface untouched and gladly cleanse dusty ceiling fan blades. This task is often saved until the last minute. Side tables, couches and other easy-to-reach surfaces always seem to come first. Unfortunately, the majority of fan-cleaning finales leave recently wiped coffee tables covered in dust. The moral of the story: clean from ceiling to floor. Use a vacuum cleaner to suck up stubborn cobwebs. As for the infamous ceiling fan blades, Real Simple suggested using a homemade cleaning solution made from water and distilled white vinegar. Also, as you clean up top, be sure to look for mold. If you encounter some, call a home inspection company and schedule professional mold testing.

The benefits of private well testing [Video]

Roughly 15 million households in the U.S. depend on private wells for drinking water. While effective, these water sources are more susceptible to contamination than more modern systems. As a result, agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommend well users organize annual tests to check for bacteria and other contaminants.

Fecal coliforms are the most common bacteria found in contaminated wells. The reasoning behind this is simple. Seepage from failing underground septic tanks sometimes mixes with well water. These bacteria causes a variety of illnesses, including dysentery and hepatitis. Of course, particularly acidic or basic well water can cause health problems, as well.

Well water users looking to test should talk to their mortgage providers and get in touch with a local water testing company. Alban Inspections performs such tests and deploys inspectors authorized to collect  and screen water samples in all states.

Boost your home’s energy efficiency [Video]

Energy efficiency is a major for concern for modern homebuyers. As a result, many sellers are fine tuning their homes to adjust to this market trend.

You don’t have to perform extensive renovations to improve your home’s energy efficiency. In fact, switching out a few key fixtures will do just fine.

According to the National Resources Defense Council, low-flow bathroom and kitchen fixtures are easy-to-install, energy-saving solutions. Replacing your stock faucet with an energy-saving model will save you 700 gallons of water per year. And, trading in your shower head for a low-flow version will conserve 40 showers worth of H20.

You might also consider installing a programmable thermostat. These devices enable homeowners to schedule automated temperature times to fit their lifestyles. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, programmable thermostats can save you 10 percent a year on cooling and heating costs.

Drafty windows hurt home energy efficiency. In the winter, cold air seeps inside. In summer, air conditioning leaks out. The fix is simple. Laying down a layer of caulk will resolve this problem quickly, but you’ll have to repeat the ritual annually. So, go with weather stripping instead. In no time, you’ll be fielding offers from energy-savvy buyers.      

What to consider when choosing a home inspector [Video]

Spring is the perfect time to schedule a home inspection. The flowers are blooming, temperatures are mild, and home defects once hidden by snow or low winter light are now out in the open. But before you pick up the phone book and call the first home inspection company you see, do a little research. 

First, take a tour around the neighborhood and ask people for recommendations. Also, check out industry sources. For instance, The American Society of Home Inspectors maintains a detailed database that includes information on all its members. The Better Business Bureau is also a good source for concerned consumers.

Once you’ve narrowed down the field, make sure your candidates are certified in your state. Homebuyers looking to inspect a prospective home should pay special attention to this guideline. Many times, sellers only accept repair requests based information gathered from in-state inspectors.

Finally, make sure your inspection company carries insurance to cover any inspection-related damages. Ready to start your search for a reputable home inspection company? Contact Alban Inspections today.

Top spring home-selling tips you need to know

As flower bulbs burst through the soil searching for sun, homebuyers and sellers prepare for the real estate rush that occurs every year during the spring months. According to Realtor.com, individuals looking to sell their homes over the next few months should be excited. Experts say it's shaping up to be a seller's market, as home prices continue to rise and inventory remains relatively low.

However, before entering the fray, sellers should consider a few essential spring-selling guidelines.

  • Get organized and clean up clutter: The home-selling process can move fast – one minute you're contacting a real estate agent and the next, you're leading strangers through your bedroom. So, start things off by deep cleaning your home. Potential buyers don't want to pull up to an unkempt yard or traipse through a cluttered home. Call a cleaning service and put on a fresh coat of paint.

    "When you walk into a nice hotel room, everything is nice and sparkly clean. You want the same thing for your house," Sheryl Grider Whitehurst, managing broker at Traders Realty in Peoria, Illinois, told U.S. News & World Report.

    Additionally, take a look at your landscaping. A few simple outdoor adjustments can improve curb appeal and net you more cash.
  • List now: Once you've prepared your home for sale, list, list, list. It's best to do that between April and June when buyers are plenty, reported Realtor.com. Also, don't write up some run-of-the-mill property rundown. Create a listing that both touches on the essentials and tells a personal story – buyers aren't simply looking to purchase a structure, they're in search of a home. However, keep your anecdote short and stick it near the bottom.

    According to Zillow, most buyers receive 10 or more listings per day via mobile real estate applications or agents. So, put the essential particulars at the top in a bulleted list. Include the
    location, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, lot size and the closest school district. Lastly, don't go over 250 words and include photographs.
  • Offer incentives: Last year, 37 percent of sellers offered incentives, reported Realtor.com. Millennials and other young buyers fear expensive closing costs so many sellers offer to pay these fees in hopes that they will receive full asking price and score a quick sale. This is certainly a wise strategy for those looking sell their homes this spring. Last year, millennials accounted for one-third of the total home sales. Experts say these young buyers will continue to dominate the market throughout 2016. 

Before testing the spring housing market, make sure to hire a home inspection company to look over your property and make sure there are no hidden issues. An energy audit might also be a good idea. Learn more about both of these services at our website. 

Get the most out of your spring home inspection

According to Zillow, springtime is the right time to schedule home inspections. During this advantageous moment, you can survey winter damage and implement exterior and interior changes without the risk of heatstroke. However, to get real value out of these in-depth home surveys, you must follow a couple key guidelines.   

Pick the right people
Not all home inspection companies are created equal. So, when looking into hiring a home inspector, make like most wise consumers and ask for references. Though most states regulate home inspection licenses, the standards they use are widely considered ineffective, reported This Old House. Ask neighbors and friends for recommendations and search trade databases to get a feel for the skill levels of the inspectors in your area. The American Society of Home Inspectors has one such database and offers resources for homeowners. You should also contact your local branch of the Better Business Bureau. Also, ask local real estate agents. They normally give rock-solid recommendations. 

"Real estate agents want to be careful who they refer, " Cara Ameer, an associate broker at Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, said in an interview with U.S. New & World Report. "They want to protect themselves from liability as well, and want to make sure that the people they refer will be objective and do a thorough job."

Additionally, make sure the inspector you hire is licensed in your state. This is an especially important guideline for homebuyers looking to inspect a home they intend to purchase. Often, sellers will deny repair requests or price reductions based on information from a home inspector who's not licensed locally.

Lastly, employ a home inspection company that carries insurance to cover property damage sustained through inspector error. Some companies only hold themselves liable for the cost of inspection, which is a problem for homeowners make drastic changes based on faulty insights. 

Walk along
Once you've scheduled a home inspection, be prepared to spend the day evaluating your property with your inspector. This will give you an opportunity to learn about your home and see how things work, according to Zillow. Homeowners should know, for instance, how to maintain their water heater and ventilation system. Plus, many inspectors offer valuable advice that doesn't end up in the official report. And, as you go along, create a list of non-essential improvements.   

Of course, it will also allow you too watch out for inspection-related red flags. If an inspector completes his or her survey without pointing out at least one or two areas for improvement, you've probably hired a dud. And, if your inspector insists on going it alone, reconsider. Most want homeowners to come along so their advice really sinks in.

Ready to schedule a spring inspection? Contact an Alban representative today. Also, read this post about what goes on during an Alban inspection.

Tips for post-winter home improvement

Now that winter has passed, it's time to take stock of your home, fix any weather-related damage sustained throughout the last four months and plan future improvements. However, before you start tearing apart your house, consult a few crucial spring home improvement guidelines.

Fight back against water damage
Even if your roof wasn't visibly overloaded with snow this past winter, it could still be damaged. And, when spring rains come, the smallest leak can be a huge deal. According to CBS News, interior water damage is one of the most frequently cited issues in home insurance claims. Additionally, make sure your exterior drainage system is still intact and free of blockages.

"If there are 10 things that can go wrong with a house, 15 of them have to do with water," home inspector Bill Loden told Consumer Reports.

Inspect your driveway as well. Snow melt and plows can damage it, reported Popular Mechanics. Weather causes hairline cracks which, over time, deepen and expand with exposure to chemicals and moisture. You won't have to organize an expensive asphalt intervention to resolve this issue. Just stop by your local home improvement store and pick up some hot sealer.

Spring actually poses a more serious threat to driveway continuity. Frost heave – when soil below a paved surface is saturated with frozen moisture and expands – causes driveways to move. Unfortunately, there isn't an easy fix for this. Repaving or extensive patching are your only options.

Prepare for the draft
To prevent drafts and improve energy efficiency, many homeowners reseal their windows every year just before winter arrives. According to U.S. News & World Report, most brands of window caulk crack and crumble away in cold temperatures. So, get a head start on next winter by putting a new layer of caulk on your windows. You should probably go with a silicone or acrylic sealant – both hold up well in the winter. You can also add a few extras to maximize your insulation potential. Weather stripping is a good option, reported Popular Mechanics. 

Additionally, sealing your windows will also cut down on cooling costs, as caulk and weather stripping prevent cold air from escaping your home.

Prevent plumbing problems
Winter can do a number on your plumbing. Cold air can freeze and rupture pipes and outdoor faucets. So, be sure to check your pipes for damage and get any problems fixed before the freeze returns. Once you've resolved any issues, consider further improvements. If you live in a particularly cold area, you can purchase pipe insulation or invest in a new heating system. Frozen pipes are normally the result of an ineffective home heating unit.

Of course, if you're nervous about exploring the inner  workings of your plumbing system or scouring your roof for cracks, you can always call in a home inspection company. They can point out all of your household pain points and offer in-depth advice on how to make key spring improvements.    

Spruce up your home for a spring sale

March is prime home-selling time, reported Zillow. Soon, buyers in the U.S. will be out in force perusing lawns, picking through basements and negotiating prices. Sellers planning to put their homes on the market within the next few months must prepare for the checkbook-toting masses by doing a little spring cleaning. But before you start tearing apart your home, look over a few key home-improvement guidelines.

Clean up
The first step in the home-selling preparation process involves a lot of scrubbing. It makes perfect sense. Most buyers won't set foot in a home with dirty, explicitly lived-in interiors. Perform a detailed house sweep and clean out every cobwebbed corner and bursting broom closet. According to Lifehacker, sellers should cut out the clutter as well. Donate or trash unneeded items and rent a storage unit for those essentials you just can't bring yourself to throw out. Additionally, consider hiring a professional cleaning service to get rid of pet smells or other obnoxious odors. Remember, clean interiors signal to buyers that they're investing in a well-maintained home.

De-personalize
According to real estate experts, sellers should de-personalize their homes and give buyers a blank slate, so to speak. Relocate your collection of vintage signage to a storage unit and take down the family photos that line the walls. Once you have extracted all of those picture hangers, patch and repaint. Most home buyers like to see white on the walls, as the plain hue allows them to envision personal paint preferences. Additionally, if you have performed quirky customizations, consider taking them back to stock.

Do some staging
Cleaning up and moving out personal items isn't enough. You also have to stage. Reorganize rooms to best show off features and hide defects. Also, when reconsidering room setup, take into account local buyer profiles. For instance, if young families are moving into your neighborhood, transform an extra room into a small nursery. If you are really serious about staging, you can even hire a professional home stager.   

Spend to earn
Sellers might want to consider making substantial changes, reported Money. The garage door is a good place to start. Most homeowners recognize the high-pitched shriek most door chains emit after years of regular use. According to This Hold House, you can cut down on the cacophony by adding noise-proof rubber padding to the equation. You can swap the whole thing – motor and all – for a few hundred dollars. And, consider replacing the door with a more aesthetically-pleasing model. You can nab a new door for $3000 to $8000, including labor.

Consider curb appeal
Buyers often place a high premium on curb appeal. Of course, this makes perfect sense – initial gut feelings mean a lot. In fact, studies have show that consumers who act on inexplicable urges are normally more satisfied with their purchasing decisions than those who take an analytical approach, reported Psychology Today. So, make sure you thoroughly address the exterior of your home before putting it on the market. Repaint and reseal outdoor surfaces such as doors and window frames. Also, address any landscaping flaws and plant some nice flowers. Daylilies, petunias and zinnias are good for springtime. 

Prepare for an energy-efficient future
According to the National Association of Home Builders, energy efficiency is particularly important to modern homebuyers. To meet buyer expectations, sellers must first request an energy audit to spot deficiencies. Once you have fixed key trouble areas, maximize your home's efficacy by making a number of small changes. Install low-flow bathroom and kitchen sink fixtures, switch to compact florescent light bulbs and install more ceiling fans to cut back on the need for air conditioning. Additionally, programmable thermostats lower utility bills and improve overall energy-efficiency, reported U.S. News & World Report. Don't worry too much about the cost of these improvements. The Department of Energy offers tax breaks to homeowners who meet its energy-efficiency standards.     

What has energy efficiency done for the US? [Video]

Energy efficient changes, both large and small, can make a real difference in terms of reducing wasted resources, carbon footprints and dangerous pollution emissions.

In terms of changes the U.S. has made, how have they actually enhanced energy efficiency?

According to the American Council for Energy-Efficient Economy, between 1998 and 2014, energy intensity dropped from 12.1 Btus per dollar to 6.1, a 50 percent improvement overall. In 2014 alone, energy efficient changes totaled 58 quadrillion Btus, a savings of almost $800 billion.

Investments in energy efficiency create new job opportunities for workers, in both a physical sense by installing and creating sources of energy, as well as in future savings created by said energy changes.

Consider energy savings in your home today beginning with an energy audit with Alban Inspections.