5 Tips To Prevent Household Leaks

, ,

Minor plumbing leaks can turn into major expenses if they’re not fixed. Here are five tips on how to prevent household leaks from damaging to your home.

1. Prevent Freezing Pipes

Fluctuating temperatures can damage your plumbing pipes by causing the water inside pipes to freeze. Since water expands when frozen, it could make a pipe crack or burst. The aftermath of a burst pipe is costly. Winter plumbing leaks can be easily prevented by covering exposed pipes with foam pipe insulation.

2. Check Your Washing Machine to Prevent Household Leaks

Your washing machine hoses can only be counted on to last about five years due to the corrosive nature of water. The frequent exposure to both cold and hot water causes wear and tear over time. If these hoses are not checked and replaced regularly, they could leak. Check your washing machine hoses for cracks and weak points, and replace them when they are deteriorating, or at least every five years.

3. Check Your Dishwasher and Refrigerator

The plumbing lines for these two appliances are not easily accessible, so they often go unchecked. Some common signs of leakage from your appliances are a moldy odor and discoloration under the appliance.

To prevent household leaks from your dishwasher or fridge, set an annual cleaning schedule. Pull the appliance out from the wall and check the lines for any leaks while cleaning the area. Because these hidden areas are harder to check, minor leaks may go undetected for a long time and cause water damage and mold.

4. Sewer Drain Pipes

Some of the most serious types of leaks are caused by a clog in your sewer drain pipe. One way to help prevent household leaks due to a faulty sewer drain is to have a backflow valve installed by a professional plumber. Another easy prevention strategy is to never pour grease of any kind down the drains.

5. Preventing Household Leaks in the Toilet

While you may not have a sewage drain problem, your toilet could still leak. A common location for plumbing leaks is in the supply line. As with your kitchen appliances, make a habit of checking the toilet supply lines yearly for any signs of wear and tear that could cause leaking. If you see any leaking in the supply line, it’s time to take action to prevent any damage.

Water damage can be hard to detect before it becomes costly to fix. Yearly inspections of appliances and simple preventive steps will minimize the risk of a household leak.

The Best Property Inspections LLC provides home inspection services to Southeast Arizona. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

Important Home Maintenance Services Every Homeowner Should Schedule

, , , ,

As a homeowner, you want to keep your house comfortable and attractive. There are some home maintenance services that should be scheduled regularly to care for your property and avoid costly repairs. Staying on top of a maintenance routine prevents problems later.

Roof Inspection

Check your roof at least twice a year. This is a recommendation from the National Roofing Contractors Association. Look for broken or missing shingles, cracked or rusted flashings, moss, and tree branches and debris. Regular examinations will catch problems before they cause major damage. Loose or missing shingles let rainwater seep into the roof and attic, leading to mold growth and structural damage. Heavy storms can cause leaking and damage to wood and drywall.

Annual HVAC Inspection

HVAC inspections are important to the health of your system. Every homeowner should have their heating and cooling system inspected at the beginning of spring and again in the fall. The technician will change your furnace filters, vacuum and clean your system, tighten bolts, and inspect the system for normal wear and tear.

Chimney Cleaning is One of the Most Important Home Maintenance Services

Having a professional chimney sweep clean and inspect your fireplace and chimney helps to prevent fires. Creosote is the residue that is left behind when you burn wood. It’s highly flammable and can ignite, causing a fire in your chimney. This is dangerous because chimney fires can cause overhanging tree branches to ignite or the flames can spread into the house.

To Help Maintain Your Home, Check for Termites

A termite infestation can cause significant damage to your home. These pests eat the cellulose of any wooden components. The damage they cause can become costly, especially when they destroy structural supports of the home. A yearly inspection will alert you to termites before their colony gets out of hand.

Necessary Home Maintenance Services Include Pumping the Septic Tank

Cleaning out the septic tank is essential for maintaining your plumbing system. If your home has a septic system, the tank needs to be pumped every 3 to 5 years on average.

Backup from a septic tank is not only unpleasant, but is a health hazard. The technician will inspect the tank to see that it is in good working order and empty it with a vacuum hose. Keep this task on your routine maintenance list to avoid any problems with overflowing sewage.

A home is one of the largest investments you will make in your lifetime. Protect your investment by taking proper care of it and scheduling routine maintenance so everything works smoothly.

The Best Property Inspections LLC offers annual maintenance inspections to find any defects or failing components of your property. Contact us to schedule our services.

3 Signs of Mold in Your Home

, , , ,

In nature, mold contributes to the breakdown and decay of organic materials. It is not so helpful when it grows indoors. It can survive anywhere there is moisture, particularly in bathrooms, kitchens, attics, and basements. Mold causes damage to surfaces and also exacerbates asthma, allergies, and other health issues. If you suspect that mold is growing in your living spaces, take action immediately. Call a professional inspector if you notice any of these signs of mold in your home.

Health Symptoms Can Indicate Mold in Your Home

If you are sneezing and coughing while you’re at home, you may have a mold problem. If you notice your symptoms improve when you leave the house, it is even more likely that you have mold growth in the home. Mold isn’t always visible; it is often hidden beneath surfaces. Because of this, health symptoms may be the only clue that mold is growing in your home.

Musty Odor

Another sign that indicates mold in the home is an odor. Don’t ignore a musty smell simply because you cannot see mold. It could be hidden in the wall, beneath the sink, or under the carpeting.

Visual Signs of Mold in Your Home

The most obvious sign is actually seeing the mold. You may notice spots and streaks on sinks, pipes, tubs, walls, and other areas that have contact with moisture. The spots can be almost any color and grow in various patterns. Some varieties grow in patches, while others grow in stripes and streaks. Simply wiping mold away doesn’t solve the problem. Depending on the surface, you may be able to use vinegar, borax, or bleach to eliminate it. The mold spores must be killed or they will continue to return and spread. A serious mold infestation needs to be treated by a mold mitigation professional.

Don’t risk your family’s health or your home’s good condition by allowing a mold problem to persist. If you notice any signs of mold in the home, call a professional to schedule a mold inspection.

The Best Property Inspections LLC offers home inspections, including mold testing, to Southeast Arizona. Contact us to request an appointment.

5 Signs of Electrical Problems in a Home

, , ,

Significant electrical problems in a home affect its safety and the ability to sell. Homebuyers may back out of a sale if a home inspection report reveals electrical system issues. By paying close attention to signs of problems with a home’s electrical outlets and wiring, homeowners can get these issues fixed promptly and keep small concerns from developing into serious hazards.

A Checklist of Signs of Electrical Problems in a Home

This article details some common signs of potentially significant electrical problems in a home. If you notice any of these signs, contact an electrician.

One: Breakers Tripping Frequently Mean Electrical Problems in a Home

Most people have experienced turning on an appliance and suddenly noticing it turn off automatically due to a breaker shutting off or “tripping”. If this situation occurs often in a home, residents should contact a qualified electrician. Too many connections may have caused an overload in the electrical circuit. The tripping of the fuse breaker causes a temporary inconvenience and is also a sign of safety issues. It serves as a warning that additional wiring may be needed in the home to meet all the electricity demands of the household.

Two: Electrical Switches Feel Hot to The Touch

Electricity readily generates heat. However, electrical switches should not feel hot to the touch. Electricians caution homeowners to seek professional assistance promptly if electrical problems in a home include hot outlets or switches.

Three: Sparking Occurs at an Electrical Outlet

Electrical outlets should not emit sparks or smoke. Enlist the help of a licensed electrician immediately if you observe this problem. It could mean wires are overheating and melting, which is a very dangerous situation.

Four: Certain Areas of the Home Lose Electricity Completely

An increase in the number of electronic devices in a home sometimes places a heavy burden on home electrical systems. If an electrical circuit stops functioning completely, contact an electrician to check it out. You may need to replace the existing wiring with new, more extensive wiring. Only entrust these tasks to a qualified, licensed electrician.

Five: Light Bulbs Burn Out Much Faster than Anticipated

While a single burned-out light bulb shouldn’t pose a concern, the repeated burning out of light bulbs at a faster than expected rate suggests an electrical problem. Poor connections may be responsible for this issue.

Why Electrical Problems in a Home Require Prompt Attention

Malfunctions in residential electrical systems sometimes cause fires, serious injuries, and even deaths. The Electrical Safety Foundation International website reports that household electrical fires account for some 500 deaths every year. The organization urges every homeowner to install and maintain smoke detectors. By taking quick action to address electrical repair issues, property owners promote home safety.

The Best Property Inspections LLC provides home inspections to Southeast Arizona. Contact us to schedule our services.

The Dangers of Lead Paint in the Home

, , , ,

Many homes that were built before 1978 have paint that contains lead. Lead is a dangerous substance that is especially harmful to children. Read on to learn about lead paint in the home and what to do if you have it.

When is Lead Paint in the Home a Problem?

The U.S. government banned the use of lead paint in houses in 1978. However, there are still millions of homes that have lead paint on the walls, often underneath newer layers of paint. Lead paint is especially dangerous when it chips or peels and contaminates household dust. Lead paint is a greater hazard on surfaces that see a lot of wear, like door frames or window sills.

How to Tell if You Have Lead Paint in the Home

The only way to know if the paint in your home contains lead is to have it professionally tested. Luckily, lead testing will determine if the base layers of paint contain lead, even if they are under multiple layers of non-lead paint.

Health Problems Caused by Lead

The most common causes of lead poisoning in children are lead paint and contaminated dust from the paint. Lead poisoning can cause irreversible damage to your health. Some of the symptoms include:

  • Seizures
  • Learning disabilities
  • Hearing loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Digestive troubles
  • Fatigue
  • High blood pressure
  • Headaches

Exposure to lead during pregnancy also causes complications, including miscarriage and premature birth.

What to Do About Lead Paint in the Home

Any home built before 1978 should be tested for lead paint. If the test results show that you have lead paint in your house, here are your options:

Removal

Hire a contractor who specializes in lead paint removal. Professionals will remove lead paint with a sander that’s equipped with a HEPA-filtered vacuum or by using a low-temperature heat gun.

Replacement

Another strategy involves removing and replacing the entire parts of the structure that contain lead paint, like drywall, doors, and windows.

Enclosure

Enclosure means covering the lead paint with a new surface, such as new drywall. Window sills can be covered with a vinyl cladding. This method temporarily protects your family from lead paint poisoning, but the lead paint is still a hazard if you remodel in the future.

The Best Property Inspections LLC provides lead paint testing and other home inspection services. Contact us to book an appointment in Southeast Arizona.

5 Tips for Maintaining Your Swimming Pool

, , , ,

A swimming pool on your property is great for family and friends, but without proper maintenance, it can easily become unusable. If you’re unsure of the necessary steps for maintaining your swimming pool, the good news is that it’s a fairly simple process. To help you out, here are five tips for keeping your pool clean and clear.

1. Chlorinate When Maintaining Your Swimming Pool

The purpose of chlorine is to keep the water free from any bacteria that might be dangerous to humans. One easy way to chlorinate your pool is to install a chlorinator, a tube-shaped tank that fits next to your pool filter. With a chlorinator, you add slow-dissolving chlorine sticks to the tank. If you don’t have a chlorinator, another option is a floating container that dispenses chlorine. However, these containers can put a child’s health at risk, so they aren’t a good choice if you have young kids.

2. Clear Away Debris

Another step in maintaining your swimming pool is to regularly remove any debris. Use a skimmer net to remove any leaves and twigs from your pool once a day or several times a week. You should also have skimmer baskets around the edges of your pool to catch excess debris. Empty all skimmer baskets regularly so they don’t overflow back into your pool.

3. Vacuums: Necessary Tools for Maintaining Your Swimming Pool

A pool vacuum is an important purchase if you have a home swimming pool. The purpose of a vacuum is to remove debris from the bottom of the pool and clear away any built-up sediment. While manual vacuums are available, automated pool vacuums propel themselves around the bottom of the pool and can be left alone to do the work.

4. Clean Your Pump Filter Often

Your pool’s pump is a vital piece of equipment that cycles out old water for clean, filtered water. If you don’t clean the pump’s filter regularly, you’ll end up with hazy, contaminated water that can become a bacterial breeding ground. To clean the filter, shut the pump off and close the skimmer valve. Then remove hair, lint, and other debris from the filter.

5. Regulate the pH

One final tip for maintaining your swimming pool is to regulate the pool water’s pH. Testing and adjusting the pH might sound complicated, but a pH testing kit will do the job for you. For safety, your pool water’s pH should stay between 7.4 and 7.6. Test the water weekly, and if it falls under 7.4 (too acidic), add soda ash to raise the pH. Conversely, if it’s ever above 7.6 (too basic), add muriatic acid. Both of these pH-adjusting chemicals are easy to find in pool supply stores or online.

The Best Property Inspections LLC provides pool and spa inspections to Southeast Arizona. Contact us to schedule our services.

Declutter Your Home: 4 Tips and Tricks for Success

, , ,

Decluttering your home isn’t just a trend; it’s a practice to promote a cleaner home and reduce stress. Before you can tackle this project, read our tips on how to declutter your home.

Learning How to Declutter Your Home

Create a plan for decluttering. Instead of looking at it as a monumental task that can only be done one way, take a moment to figure out how you want to organize your home. Below are four tips that will help you get started.

1. Examine the Reasons for Your Clutter

You’ll find plenty of advice about how to declutter your home, but take the time to address the root of the problem. If you want to make your decluttering last, start by determining why your home became cluttered in the first place. Figure out why clutter is accumulating in your home. It could be stress, lack of time to tidy up daily, or buying things that don’t get used.

2. What Organized Means to You

Decluttering means different things to different people. Some might define a decluttered space as having few belongings, while others might define decluttering as putting everything in its place. Set clear goals of what decluttering means to you before you get started. Work towards your own personal definition so that you can enjoy the end product of your work.

3. Start Small to Declutter Your Home

Declutter your home by starting small. Don’t set an impossible task for yourself – begin with a single room or, in some cases, one corner. Tackling one area at a time will give you small victories that will help to keep you motivated throughout the project.

4. Be Realistic

Finally, be realistic about what you’re doing. When you look at pictures of homes that have been decluttered online, you’re not always looking at something that can be accomplished in your own home. You don’t own those shelves, have those closets, or have as much open space in your house. Take a few moments to determine what an organized home looks like to you, and then pursue that outcome in a sensible way.

Figure out what you want from the process of decluttering your home. Once you’ve figured out your plan and set goals, you can declutter your home easily.

The Best Property Inspections LLC offers home inspection services in Southeast Arizona. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

For more on decluttering, see the Ultimate Guide to Decluttering.

Essential Items for Home Safety

, , ,

Injuries that occur in the home account for millions of medical visits annually. This is just one of the reasons to make your home safer for yourself, family members, and guests. Here are a few essential items for home safety that should be in every house.

Fire Extinguishers are Essential Items for Home Safety

It’s easy for a small home fire to quickly grow out of control. Minimize this risk by having working fire extinguishers handy. Be certain you have the right type of fire extinguisher for the type of fire that’s likely to occur. The number of fire extinguishers you’ll need in your home is based on:

• The overall size of your home
• Whether or not you have multiple floors
• Potential fire risks in your home

Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smoke detectors are essential items for home safety, but there are still many households without them. CO detectors are equally important because carbon monoxide isn’t easily detected and can be lethal. Instead of installing two types of detectors in your home, choose combination smoke/CO detector units.

A First Aid Kit is Essential

You may have a well-stocked medicine cabinet in your home, but there are times when you’ll need other supplies to tend to an injury. This is why you should have at least one first aid kit on your list of essential items for home safety.

Regularly take inventory to make sure the kit is fully stocked with bandages and other items to provide immediate care. A good companion to a first aid kit is an updated list of phone numbers for:

• Your family’s primary care doctor
• A local hospital
• The local poison control center

Escape Ladders are Important for Home Safety

In the event of a fire, escape ladders are essential items. They’re meant to be used to escape a room through a window when the door is blocked by flames. For lower floors, consider a ladder attached to the window. For higher floors, use collapsing ladders that hook onto the windowsill.

Disaster Kit

Being prepared for the unexpected also means having essentials in the event of a natural disaster. Items included in a disaster kit will depend on what type of natural disasters your area is susceptible to. However, it’s generally recommended that a disaster kit include things like:

• A gallon of water for each person in your household
• At least three days worth of non-perishable food items
• Personal hygiene items – e.g., toilet paper, portable shaving kit, etc.
• A battery-powered radio
• An emergency flashlight with extra batteries
• Copies of important documents
• Matches or a lighter
• A solar-powered phone/device charger

These are just some of the things you’ll want to have on hand should the unexpected happen. Be better prepared for emergencies by purchasing these essential items for home safety.

The Best Property Inspections LLC offers home inspections to Southeast Arizona. Contact us to request an appointment.

Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal to Attract Homebuyers

, , ,

Homebuyers often begin their search by looking online to decide which homes they want to visit. If you are listing your home online, make improvements to the exterior of your property before taking pictures. Curb appeal also influences homebuyers who arrive at the property. Improve your home’s curb appeal to make a great first impression on a potential buyer.

Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal by Updating the Door

The front door is the focal point of the home’s exterior. Creating an attractive door is essential to curb appeal. If your front door is already in good condition, paint it a complementary color and install new a doorknob and knocker. A front door that’s in poor condition indicates to the buyer that the home isn’t well cared for. Installing a new front door is an extra expense, however, a new door can increase the value of your property.

Repair and Repaint the Exterior

Any cracked or damaged siding on your home should be repaired or replaced. The exterior of the home may need a fresh coat of paint if it’s flaking, faded, or outdated. Choose a neutral paint color that fits the home’s architectural style. Look at similar homes online or in your own neighborhood to inspire color choices. If you have vinyl siding, have it power washed to make it look brand new.

Inspect the Roof

Check out your roof to improve your home’s curb appeal. A decades-old roof that has many missing shingles or tiles or other significant damage is not appealing to potential homebuyers. Before listing your property for sale, have your roof inspected to see if a replacement is necessary. Roofs that don’t need to be replaced should be cleaned and repaired as needed. Also, make sure your gutters are clean and in good condition.

Tidy the Porch to Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Create an inviting porch by cleaning lighting and fixtures, installing a new house number, adding a new welcome mat, and removing faded or damaged porch furniture. These easy improvements cost very little and greatly improve your home’s curb appeal. Flower boxes filled with colorful annuals look nice on porch railings. Comfy chairs or a porch swing help potential homebuyers imagine relaxing outdoors.

Look at Landscaping

The lawn needs regular maintenance and mowing while your home is on the market. Prune overgrown foliage on shrubs and trees. You may want to remove large trees or shrubs that block the view of the home from the street. Keep sidewalks or pathways cleared and in good condition. Keep the walkway to your home well-maintained and inviting.

The Best Property Inspections LLC offers pre-listing inspections to Southeast Arizona to help you address any issues before listing your property for sale. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

3 Reasons Why You Should Request a Builder’s Warranty Inspection

, , , ,

Buying and moving into a newly constructed home is an exciting experience. Since your home is new, you may believe that you don’t need a third-party home inspection. However, a new home does not guarantee a perfect home. Even good builders can leave behind issues that a homeowner may not notice during the first months of ownership. Discovering these problems after your builder’s warranty ends will cost you money. The smart move is to get a builder’s warranty inspection while the warranty is in effect.

1. A Builder’s Warranty Inspection Protects Your Investment

Your new home is likely is the largest purchase you’ve ever made. You should protect your investment with a builder’s warranty inspection. The inspector’s job is to thoroughly check your home for issues that aren’t apparent to untrained eyes. A professional inspector knows when seemingly minor issues can indicate a larger problem. The inspection cost is small compared to how much you’ve invested in your home.

2. You Can’t Rely on the Code Inspection Only

You may be wondering why you need a builder’s warranty inspection since a municipal inspector has approved your builder’s work and issued a certificate of occupancy. First, the primary purpose of the municipal inspection is to verify your home meets a minimum standard. Secondly, these inspections tend to be brief and cursory because municipal inspectors have large caseloads. Municipal inspectors are limited to inspecting for code compliance only.

3. Have Problems Fixed Before the Warranty Expires

Since your builder’s warranty typically expires one year from your settlement date, don’t wait until the last minute to schedule your builder’s warranty inspection. The ideal time to have your inspection is one month before your warranty ends. That gives you enough time to notify the builder of outstanding issues and have them addressed during the warranty period. Once the warranty expires, any underlying problems become your expense.

The Best Property Inspections LLC provides builder’s warranty inspections and other home inspection services to Southeast Arizona. Contact us to request an inspection. Note: A Builder’s Warranty is not the same thing as a Home Warranty. For information on Home Warranties from Consumers Advocate, click here.

Kind Words From Our Happy Clients

Schedule
Your Old Pueblo Inspection

Today.

You’ve found The Best residential and commercial property inspection company in southeast Arizona.

Schedule Now Why the Best?

Dan does a fantastic job! This is the second property he has inspected for us in a relatively short period of time and we couldn’t be more pleased! We heartily recommend him without hesitation!

Dan was very professional and thorough. He spent extra time discussing the findings with the buyers. He was knowledgeable about future obsoletions (i.e. air conditioning unit RU-22 freeon). I will definitely recommend him in the future.

Scheduling Your Inspection Has Never Been Easier

Thank you for choosing The Best Property Inspections! Call 520.365.1000 for a quote, or request an inspection online!

Residential and Commercial Inspection Services

The Best Property Inspections, LLC is your Tuscon home inspection company offering honest and comprehensive home inspections.

Pima County • Tucson • Vail • Marana • Sahuarita • Green Valley • Cochise County • Benson • Sierra Vista

Certified Master Inspector®
AZ HI Cert #62054

Contact Us

520.365.1000
office@thebest-pi.com

© Copyright The Best Property Inspections | Website by Spectora | Privacy Policy