October 2016 - albaninspect

Ways to heat your home this winter [Video]

Hello again, and welcome back. Today we’ll look at a few of the different ways to heat your home this winter.

First up are furnaces and boilers. Furnaces heat air and spread it around your home through vents, while boilers are similar – except they heat water instead, typically spreading it around your home through radiators. These are the most common ways to heat homes, and they are relatively reliable and affordable.

Next is the fireplace. There are a few versions today, including the traditional wood-burning model and the gas fireplace. Which you prefer is up to you, but gas is typically easier to maintain, and both provide the ambiance that you know and love.

So which one is right for your home? It depends on your budget, preferences and region in which you live. Consult a trusted professional, and make sure you have your heating system inspected before the winter.

Check out these fall lawn-care tips [Video]

It’s not time to give up on lawn care just because the weather is getting colder and the leaves are falling from the trees. Actually, it’s quite the opposite. Your yard still needs some care before the winter, and here are a few tips for doing just that:

For starters, don’t stop mowing. Shorter grass will come back healthier in the spring, so mow as close to the first snowfall of the year as you can. You will also want to water and fertilize in the fall, so your grass can stay strong under mounds of snow.

Above all else, you need to take care of any fallen leaves. They’ll suffocate your yard and still be there in the spring as a rotten, damp mess. Rake a few times throughout the fall and one final time after all the leaves are down.

Thanks for watching, and check back soon for more home care tips.

3 tips for achieving a dry basement

A dry basement is wonderful, while a wet basement can ruin your day. Unfortunately, many homes have wet basements, from small amounts of condensation to a few inches of standing water after every rainfall. In fact, wet basements are a common problem found during a home inspection, and something you should fix as soon as possible if you spot a problem.

Check out these three tips for a dry basement to do just that:

1. Identify the cause
Basement wetness comes from two main sources: inside humidity and outside groundwater. Beyond that, there are few common culprits:

Rain, snow and groundwater runoff.
Indoor components, including dryers, vents and crawl spaces.

With this in mind, go on the hunt for the root of your problems. A popular trick is to tape aluminum foil to a basement wall and wait a day or two. If the moisture is on the outside of the foil, the issue is inside your home. If it's on the inside, the water is likely coming through the foundation. This knowledge will help you implement one of our two other tips for preventing a wet basement.

"Rainwater can easily seep inside your basement."

2. Check your drainage
The most common source of basement moisture is poor drainage around your home. Snow melt and rainwater can easily seep inside your basement, especially if your home is lacking gutters and proper landscaping.

Therefore, consider the following:

Does your home have gutters and downspouts? Are they installed correctly and well-maintained?
Does your driveway slope away from your house?
Are your basement windows and doors in good condition?

If your answer is "no" to any of these questions, then you have a possible source of basement moisture. Focus on fixing these major issues first, especially a lack of or poorly maintained gutters. A lot of water pools around your foundation if you aren't proactive, and it has to go somewhere. Same with sloping your driveway away from the home. The hard surface won't absorb much water, so instead it would flow directly at your home. With windows and doors, it's only natural that damage will make it even easier for water to get in.

The right gutter system will work wonders on a wet basement.

3. Address any interior components
If your drainage isn't the culprit, the problem could be coming from inside of your home. In that case, look at a few possible issues. First, the dryer. Humid air pours out of dryer vents, and if yours is not piped to the outside – or in poor shape – that air will be trapped in your basement. This will lead to damp walls, floors and ceilings, and eventually mold and mildew growth. Make sure your dryer is in tip-top shape. Also look at any HVAC ductwork around your basement. Cracks and leaks will also cause humid air to get stuck, leading to the same problems. Water pipes should also be insulated so condensation doesn't form.

Finally, consider coating your unfinished basement walls with waterproof masonry paint. This prevents any seepage from getting through your foundation, stopping yet another source of moisture. Some homeowners also opt to paint the floor, but at the very least you should cover a few inches away from the walls on all sides. If your basement is still humid, install a dehumidifier as another line of defense.

Overall, a dry basement is the start to well-maintained home. Moisture can create all sorts of problems, some that are cheap fixes and others that will cost a fair bit of money. Contact a trusted home inspector today to assess the quality of your basement.

Water testing: What homebuyers need to know

Millions of Americans live in homes connected to private wells. Whether they're for bathing, drinking or the plumbing, these wells are key components of the property. Therefore, it's equally important – if not more so – that the water is tested to ensure safety and quality.

However, many homebuyers overlook this critical step when in the market for a new home, simply because it's not a problem for every listing – only those that are hooked up to private wells. If you're interested in a home that fits this description, here's what you need to know about water testing:

Why test the water quality?
If you're asking why you should test the water in a private well, the answer is simple: your family's health and safety.

Contaminated wells can contain:

Bacteria
Nitrates
Nitrites
Lead

Many more extensive tests also look for chlorine, clarity of water, iron and even the pH level. All this is done to ensure that the quality is safe not just for toilets, but also for bathing and drinking.

Water quality is important, which is why testing your private well is a must.

How can bad water affect a home sale?
While the health and safety of the residents is paramount, there's another reason why testing the water is a must before buying a home. A damaged well – or a well with low-quality water – could lead to delays in closing and even impact the property's overall value.

This water supply is integral to homes connected to private wells, and any problem, even a minor one, affects the livability of the house. If the buyer finds that the well is contaminated, he or she could either request a lower purchase price or walk away completely. In many cases, it would at least lead to a delay in closing.

In fact, low-quality water can be leverage for smart buyers. They'll now have the upper hand on the seller and can negotiate more concessions out of the deal. Fixing a damaged well can cost thousands of dollars, while cleaning the water could be slightly more affordable, depending on the contaminants.

Finally, the loan itself could be contingent on a well inspection and a passing grade, another wrinkle that could delay a purchase.

What can be done to prepare?
If a home has a private well, it must be inspected by a trusted professional. At Alban Inspections, we are qualified to perform water testing for private wells, including inspecting the well itself for damage.

We will collect the water and work with laboratories in the area to test for all of the contaminants listed above. Furthermore, it is recommended that homeowners test their private wells once per year for any potential problems.

If you have a need for water testing, please give us a call today!

Popular smart home features today [Video]

Smart homes of the future are finally here.

Today, more houses across the country have a number of “smart” features, or those that can be controlled by a mobile device. Some examples include thermostats, security alarms and window blinds.

According to a report from Houzz, almost half of homeowners who complete a renovation project are installing a smart system. Homeowners with these features are also reported to be happier with their properties, and their main reasons for upgrading include security, energy efficiency and resale value.

Overall, smart homes can be easier and more convenient to use – not to mention attractive to potential buyers.

Whether you’re buying or selling, make sure you have a trusted home inspection professional look over your property.

Tune in soon for more from our video blog series!

Report: Home flipping increasingly popular [Video]

Hello again, and thanks for joining us.

According to a report from RealtyTrac, the number of flipped homes in the U.S. has increased by 14 percent in the second quarter. Overall, there were more than 51,000 flipped homes across the country.

This is a fairly significant rise. You’ll remember that home flipping took off after the Great Recession, and there are currently a number of popular television shows detailing the process. One big switch now is that many smaller investors are getting in on the game, instead of just larger companies.

The reason is due to affordable loan options and a favorable lending environment.

No matter what, a home inspection is a must-have, whether you’re flipping or buying for yourself.

Thanks for watching!