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Details,
Details, Details
Realtors often say that the three most important things to consider when looking for a home are “Location, Location, Location”. As a Home Inspector my message is “Details, Details, Details”. Most people want a house that has been well maintained and shows pride of ownership. Often when we live in a home there are details we have overlooked or forgotten. Although
they may not seem important, details can be indicators of potentially
significant issues. A
little attention now could save you from big headaches later. So,
take a little time and check out some of these details before they
become bigger problems.
A
dirty furnace filter indicates a lack of maintenance. Ironically, a
dirty filter lets less dust through than a clean filter, but it
reduces air flow and can damage the system.
Another less obvious but more important detail is the filter
holder. If the filter is
not properly secured, dust laden air can flow around the filter as
though it wasn’t there. The
result is dirty ducts that need cleaning.
When you shop for a filter, be sure to get the right size! Buy
a spare to keep right by the furnace.
They should be replaced periodically during the heating season. Water
heaters have a way of leaking at the most inconvenient times.
Two of the most often missed details of a water heater
installation are the drain line for the drip pan and the discharge
pipe for the Temperature and Pressure safety relief valve. To
avoid water damage, they each need a separate drain to the exterior.
If you haven’t strapped the water heater yet, now is a
good time. Hardware stores have kits with instructions for about $20. The
kitchen stove has a safety detail that is often overlooked.
It’s the anti-tip bracket. You can’t even see it when
it’s installed because it goes behind the stove at the bottom. They
are installed to keep the stove from tipping forward if a curious
child steps on the open oven door and usually come with the stove. If
the bedroom door sticks, it may be time to clean the gutters! When
a house foundation settles in wet earth, the doors and window openings
can distort. Improper
drainage is the biggest cause of failure of an otherwise adequate
foundation. Gutters and downspouts serve to direct water away from the
house foundation. Add splash blocks or extensions to keep the water
from puddling. Remember
irrigation sprinklers are for the plants and need to be directed away
from the foundation. Here’s a really
hidden detail. High water
pressure can stress the plumbing system and cause leaks. You may see a
pressure regulator on the system but only a pressure gauge can tell
you if it is working. As
water demand in a neighborhood grows with increased population
density, the municipal water supply pressure at the street is
increased to assure adequate flow.
I have measured well over 150 psi in some areas.
The recommended adjusted pressure in a house is 45 to 60 psi. Do
you have a circuit breaker that frequently trips and needs to be
reset? This is caused by
one of two things. The
breaker is bad and needs to be replaced, or the breaker is overloaded
and is just doing its job. Either
way, it’s time to call the electrician!
If you know what a circuit breaker controls, label it.
Besides being a safety requirement, it’s reassuring to see
labels on an electrical panel. Details
don’t have to be expensive to fix but they can make a difference.
Sometimes
it’s the details that reveal the true condition of the home. John
McGibbon Real Estate Inspections “Highly
Recommended” (805) 685-2425 www.JMinspections.com |
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Be Water Wise...It's not just the roof Living with a gas water heater |