DIY Resources Archives - Inside & Out Property Inspectors

How To Cut Tile Around Toilet

August 8, 2022/0 Comments/in DIY Resources/by BJ Johnson

Homeowners often like to take on do-it-yourself projects around the home. Changing out or repairing damaged flooring is one of the more popular projects that homeowners like to tackle. Always remember that all projects have recommended instructions. If you feel like you have the time to add a new tile to the bathroom floor, be sure to read up on what is needed. One of the more complicated areas of the bathroom is the tiling around the toilet. How to cut tile around toilet? There are two ways, remove the toilet and then tile, or tile around the base of the toilet.

let’s take a look below at what is needed to accomplish this task.

What Do I Need

All projects require tools and equipment. To successfully tile around a toilet, you should have the following materials.

What Should I Do First

If you are looking to have a clean look underneath your toilet, it is recommended that you remove the toilet bowl from the toilet flange. Once this is done, you can get clear access to see how to cut the floor tile and place the tile layout perfectly around the flange. As soon as the tiles are installed you can replace the toilet bowl to the flange and reconnect the plumbing system. Doing this gives you a seamless-looking bathroom floor.

Toilet off — An exposed flange with tile cutouts.

How Will I Tile Without Removing My Toilet

In some cases, it is not possible to remove the toilet bowl from the flange. If this is your situation, have no fear. You can still install tile around the base of your toilet bowl. Tracing around the toilet with construction or tracing paper is key.

Place your tracing paper in the void where a full tile piece would be installed.
Press the paper up against the toilet base so that it creases.
Once you have a crease, you can draw a line to outline the crease surrounding the toilet.
Now that your paper is creased and line sections cut out, you can tape the paper to the full tile.
Begin making the larger cuts with a tile cutter or tile wet saw.
Then use the tile nippers to cut off the remaining small sections.
Sand down the sharp edges with an angle grinder so that the tile fits nicely around the toilet bowl.
Don’t forget to leave extra space for your grout lines.

How Much Does It Cost

The national average cost to retile a bathroom floor ranges from $800 to $4,000. The size of the bathroom floor and the materials required will determine the cost to complete this project.

Other Recommended Maintenance

Now that you know how to tile around a toilet, you will want to keep up the maintenance. It is a good idea to know what can cause a toilet to overflow. This is often due to a clogged drain, blocked vent pipe, or higher float.

Another area is keeping an eye on your bathroom. If it starts to smell like sewage, it could be the shower drain, the Jacuzzi tub, the sink, or the toilet. If there is gurgling noise in the sink and toilet drains and the water smells, there may be a big problem with the sewer system. Contact a professional if you need help.

Lastly, sometimes the bathroom fan stops working and needs to be repaired. You can do this by yourself by following a few steps. Even if you don’t have access to the attic, you can change out the fan. Lastly, you may need help from a certified licensed electrician as you will be dealing with electricity.

Cutting tile — Calling on a professional to cut and install your tile is a great idea.

When Do I Call A Professional

Anytime you are looking to make a flooring change, it can get complicated. If you do not have the right tools to install ceramic tile on your bathroom floor, you should reach out to a professional. With a project like installing a tile floor around your toilet, you might want to reach out to a general contractor to assist. Also, if you aren’t sure who to hire, reach out to your local home inspection team. Your local home inspection team can inspect the bathroom floor and plumbing of the toilet as well as recommend a reputable professional contractor.

Conclusion

Having a nice seamless floor in your bathroom adds to the aesthetics of your home. It is in your best interest to hire a professional tile contractor to complete this project for you. Most homeowners do not have the tools, time, or patience to measure and cut the tile to fit around or under the toilet bowl. Before completing this project, call on your local home inspection team to determine if more repairs are needed in the bathroom area. Contact Inside and Out Property Inspectors in Jacksonville, FL, and surrounding areas to get your home inspection done today.

How to Test AFCI and GFCI Panels

August 20, 2019/0 Comments/in DIY Resources, Home Inspections, Homeowner Resources/by aaron

How to Test Your AFCI and GFCI Panels

The electricity receptacles in your home are not created equal. This is especially true if your home was built sometime in the 1980s when a change in receptacles started taking off. Chances are you’ve seen the difference among receptacles but maybe aren’t familiar with how they are different.

A Standard Receptacle vs. a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)

Electrical outlets are typically looked over during an inspection to ensure they adequately installed and correctly placed. Standard receptacles are usually found in living spaces, bedrooms, hallways, and the like. GFCI receptacles are placed in environments that share electricity and water, such as kitchens and bathrooms.

GFCI outlets (also called GFI) usually look different and have little buttons on them that say “reset” and “test.” This receptacle is designed to keep people from electrical shocks by monitoring the current at the receptacle site. On one side of this outlet, the GFI controls the “hot” wiring against the other side of the outlet considered the “neutral” side. When there is any change in hot vs. neutral current, the outlet will shut off the receptacle.

Where Should GFI Outlets be Installed?

In today’s building codes, outlets that are located near areas that are prone to moisture (kitchens and baths) should be outfitted with a GFI outlet. Here are other places that these receptacles should be installed or may be required by code. Garages, crawl spaces, unfinished basements, laundry rooms, utility closets, bars, kitchenettes, and all exterior sites.

How Should a GFI Outlet be Installed?

Anyone unfamiliar with how electrical work is done should hire a professional electrician to install the outlets. For consumers who have a decent amount of knowledge or experience with electrical work, they may feel comfortable enough to install these on their own. There are plenty of tutorials online; again, these should only be used if you are comfortable with working around electricity. This can be a dangerous project.

How To Check Your GFI Outlets

The easiest way to check your outlets to see if they are working is to plug something simple into one, like a lamp. Turn the lamp on, and press the “test” button. If the light stayed on, your GFI outlet isn’t working, and you should have it looked at by an electrician. Try also hitting the reset button. If the light comes back on, you may just have needed to reset it, and it’s likely working fine.

Faulty electrical distribution systems are the third leading cause of house fires. Your home’s arc AFCIs and GFCIs protect it from electrical fires and electrical shocks. When you hire a home inspector, these issues may be referred to as arc faults and ground faults.

Mostly, you’ll find GFCIs placed in outlets, with AFCIs in the service panel. No matter where they are installed though, it’s critical that homeowners and realtors regularly test their AFCI and GFCI panels once a month. This can prevent dangerous electrical fires, and also prevent the panels from breaking under a home inspection or testing situation. Often, a lack of regular testing can increase the chances of breakage during a home inspection.

Make sure you have both AFCI and GFCI outlets.

AFCI protection is required in laundry rooms and kitchens, and almost every circuit in the house. It’s no wonder since it’s prudent to try and protect the entire electrical system from arc faults. For homeowners, it’s a good idea to install dual AFCI and GFCI protection on every circuit. Homeowners can place dual protection directly in the circuit panel, which protects the structure from arc and ground faults. During testing, if the breakers do not trip, then homeowners need to contact an experienced electrician for replacement.

How to Test AFCI Panels

AFCI panels will protect your electrical system from dangerous arc faults. An arc fault can happen when electrical wiring or electrical devices are damaged, stressed, or overheated. If you don’t test the AFCI panels, they could be broken without your knowledge. An arc fault can then go undetected within the electrical system and start a fire. Here’s what you can do to test AFCI breakers:

Leave the lights and other electronics on.
Locate the electrical panel.
Leave the breaker in the “on” position, and also leave at least one device turned on in the circuit.
Press the AFCI “test” button.
What should happen next is the breaker should trip and move the switch to the “off” position, or the middle “trip” position if that’s what is in the panel.
If it trips after you press the “test” button, then the AFCI is working.
Next, flip the breaker switch to “off” before you turn it back to the “on” position.
For every AFCI breaker in the service panel, repeat the previous steps.
If one of the breakers doesn’t trip, you’ll need to contact an electrician and have it fixed.

How to Test GFCI

GFCIs prevent electrical current leaks. If someone comes across a leak, they can be electrocuted. These interrupters will shut off the power if there is a suspected current leak. While GFCIs mainly protect against electrocution, they can also prevent fires. Here’s how to test them:

Hit the “reset” button.
Plug in a lamp.
The light should go on.
Press the “test” button.
The light should go off.
Press the “reset” button again.
The light should turn on again.

If pressing the “test” button does not turn the light off, then the GFCI needs fixed or otherwise replaced by a certified electrician. Always be sure to test your AFCI and GFCI panels once a month to prevent electrical fires and breakage.

A Final Note

You might also want to get familiar with your circuit breaker box as these breakers can also have GFIs installed on them for added extra protection. GFIs at this location will protect from overloading as well as the fixture or appliance it serves. You can always have an electrician walk you through your breaker box, so you know how it functions if you’re ever faced with a problem.

What Are The Symptoms of “Chinese Drywall”?

January 10, 2019/0 Comments/in DIY Resources, Homebuyers, Homeowner Resources/by aaron

“Chinese Drywall” is a type of drywall imported into the United States from Chinese suppliers between 2004-2007, during the housing boom. This type of drywall has very high levels of sulfur, which can cause a variety of issues. It may have been used in the construction of more than 100,000 homes, with cases occurring in southern states like Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama comprising 86% of all reports.

It can cause issues like asthma, corrosion of home components, and more. Read on, and learn if you may have “Chinese Drywall” in your own home.

What Should I Look For?

There are two primary things you should be looking for, if your drywall was installed between 2001 and 2009.

Blackening of copper components in home – Copper electrical wiring and air conditioning evaporator coils can be affected by high hydrogen sulfide, caused by drywall off-gassing.
Corroborating evidence – If you notice blackening in major copper components, you should look for other corroborating evidence, including Chinese text on the drywall. Lab testing may also be done to test for elemental sulfur, or for copper sulfide deposits on copper components of your home.

Other symptoms of Chinese Drywall include a pervasive “rotten egg” smell caused by sulfur, and potential respiratory problems like asthma, coughing, and difficulty breathing, as well as sinus problems and chronic headaches.

What Precautions Do I Need To Take?

If you think that you may have Chinese Drywall in your house, you may want to take precautions such as using portable air filters, and checking your plumbing and electrical systems for corrosion, to make sure that they have not been damaged by sulfur, and do not represent a danger to you and your family.

Beyond this, dust masks and filtration masks can be worn to help mitigate the effects of sulfur on the respiratory system. We recommend that you leave your home as soon as you can, to prepare for repairs.

What Should I Do If I Think My Home Has “Chinese Drywall?”

We recommend contacting an expert in the field of Chinese Drywall, so that you can have a comprehensive laboratory inspection conducted – and you can choose the proper path forward for restoring your home and removing the problem drywall.

If your home does have Chinese drywall, it’s usually recommended that you replace all of the affected drywall. You may also need to replace corroded copper fixtures, including pipes and wiring, in some cases.

Contact Us For An Inspection Today

If you believe that your home may be affected by Chinese drywall, we recommend that you get in touch with Inside & Out Property Inspectors right away. We’re experts at diagnosing Chinese Drywall in Florida, and we’re always here to help. You can schedule an appointment now, or visit our website to learn more about our services.

Are you Living with Bats?

December 10, 2018/0 Comments/in DIY Resources, Homeowner Resources/by aaron

Are you Living with Bats?

Everyone loves Batman. He fights crime, saves the girl, defeats the evil doers. He’s awesome.

Not everyone loves bats as much. These creatures can wreak havoc in a residential dwelling, spreading diseases and destroying attic and crawl spaces.

The worst part is, most people in Florida don’t even know they’re living in their house. They attribute some noises here and there to the house settling or a sound coming from the outside. By the time they figure out what’s going on, it’s become a massive infestation.

Inside and Out Property Inspectors would rather you not have to find out the hard way that these winged animals of the night are taking up residence in your storage space. So, here’s how to know the Joker’s arch rival is hanging out.

Exterior Signs

Bats come and go through the same entry and exit points for the most part. Check the exterior of your home for stains around holes in the siding or roof or cracks and crevices near the roof line.

Also check for milky white stains from urine on windows and exterior walls.

Mouse like droppings that are found under eaves and overhangs can also be a good indicator.

Guano

Bats, like every other living creature, poop. A lot of bats poop a lot. Large accumulations of guano, which resembles other small critter feces, is a sure sign that you’ve got a problem.

Guano usually piles up under the exit of the roost, and has a shiny, speckled appearance. Please remember to never handle animal feces, especially the bat variety, with unprotected hands and without respiratory protection.

Don’t Write Off That Noise

Keep an ear out around dusk and dawn. Scratching, squeaking, crawling and chewing sounds heard during these times are evidence of an infestation.

Wait until after dark, when most bats are out of the roost to visually inspect the attic area.

More Than a Nuisance

Besides being an unwelcome guest in your home, bats can cause serious medical conditions in humans if they are not removed quickly.

Rabies is the obvious danger, with bats being one of the primary carriers of the disease. Being scratched or bitten by one could lead to devastating health effects.

Along with that danger, long term exposure to the fungal spores found in bat guano can cause a respiratory disease known as Histoplasmosis. Causing flu like symptoms in healthy people, its generally not deadly. But, for those with immune deficiencies, this disease can kill.

You Found Them, Now What?

For those living in Florida, bats are a common source of headache and mischief. Many professionals exist for the sole purpose of removing them. However, if you decide to take this on yourself, here’ a few things you can do.

Identify all potential entry and exit points. They will have stains around them from the bats’ oily skin and droppings beneath them.

At night, while most of the roost is gone, seal all of these points of entry and exit. Doing so will prevent the bats from being able to get back in at the end of the evening.

Install one way “check” valves over an hole that cannot be filled with caulk or some other filling material.

Bat removal in summertime should not be attempted. At this time, baby bats are in the roost and cannot fly. They will remain in the house and either die and decompose, causing problems, or find a food source and grow to adulthood, recreating the problem.

Inside and Out Property Inspectors are committed to keeping you and your family safe here in Florida, and that includes from the presence of bats.

If you’re unsure if you have a problem, and want a professional opinion, contact us now or schedule an appointment today.

How NOT to Install a Kitchen Cabinet

December 7, 2018/0 Comments/in DIY Resources, Homeowner Resources/by aaron

Each and every day, we innocuously open and close our kitchen cabinets without thinking twice. However, property inspectors around the country routinely find major flaws and critical dangers in improperly installed cabinets.

These lackluster installations create major safety hazards for adults, children and pets. A cabinet that unexpectedly falls, especially one from a high position, could easily injure or kill anyone standing in its way.

At Inside and out Property Inspectors, we care about your safety, that’s our job. So, here’s how NOT to install a kitchen cabinet.

Don’t Trust an Anchor

wall anchor

Many people make the mistake of using anchors instead of locating wall studs. While an anchor can hold a heavy picture, or a speaker, they’re not suited for the weight of a wall cabinet.

Use a stud finder and locate the wall framing. Cabinets should always be secured into the 2×4, or 2×6 framing to ensure it will hold.

Splurge on the Screws

drywall screws

Drywall screws are commonly available and relatively cheap. However, they are not recommended for cabinet installation. These screws were designed to hang light pieces on drywall, along with 30 of their friends.

Wall Cabinets have limited real estate for screws, so use the strongest ones you can find that penetrate at least 1.5 inches into the wall framing.

Remove the Shelves

When you’re installing kitchen cabinets, it can become a lengthy process. Many make the careless mistake of not removing shelves to get to hard to reach areas.

This oftentimes results in not enough screws being used to secure the cabinet. Screws should be placed at least every six inches running vertically. The extra time you take to access the entire cabinet could save a life one day.

Washers

Depending on the style of the cabinet, you may not have a frame rail to drive the securing screws through. While you should be using a washer on the screws regardless, if you have to use the back material of the cabinet to secure it to the wall, this is imperative.

A large, thick, heavy duty washer will prevent the screw head from being pulled through the back of the cabinet, something than can result is a devastating fall.

Cabinet Height

If you have high ceilings in your kitchen, it can be tempting to raise the wall cabinets higher than you normally would to expose more backsplash area. Simply, don’t.

Cabinets that are mounted too high often require some type of step stool to access the upper shelves. Not only is this inconvenient, it also drastically increases the chances of you falling from a high point while trying to get into them.

Children are also notorious for climbing on countertops when a parent isn’t looking, to grab a quick snack. Placing cabinets even higher just encourages them to do so.

Find Out How Safe You Really Are

Home inspections aren’t just for new home buyers. Even if you’ve been living in your home for years, a home inspection by Inside and Out can educate you on any potential dangers you’ve never known about.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment and visit our main page for more information on keeping your home and your family safe!

10 Common Issues Found on Home Inspections and What To Do

June 4, 2018/in DIY Resources, Homebuyers, Homeowner Resources/by aaron

When you’ve been in the home inspection business as long as we have, you become familiar with common problems. While we’re used to seeing these typical inspection issues, if you’re in the process of buying or selling a home, it can be a shock. Most issues that turn up on home inspections aren’t deal-breakers though.

Here are 10 of the most common issues, and what you can do about them.

Cracked Grout in the Showers

It’s not just unattractive; cracked grout can lead to loose tiles. Even worse, water can seep in through the cracks and cause damage to the wall behind it. Here’s a video to walk you through the steps of fixing cracked grout.

Hairline Stucco Cracks

Although it’s a very durable finish, it’s not unusual for there to be fine cracks in stucco. If they’re not fixed they can lead to bigger problems down the road, as they allow water in. Here is a tutorial on how to fix hairline cracks.

Stucco Needs Painting

Whether you need to cover the patches in your stucco, or you just need to freshen the color, you may need paint stucco. It’s not that hard, but it is different from painting you may be used to. Here’s some information on how to do it.

GFCI Receptacles Won’t Trip

The outlet could be faulty, or it could be wired incorrectly. This isn’t something you want to ignore, because GFCI receptacles protect you from a fatal shock in case there’s an accident. It’s an easy fix for an electrician.

Garage Door Safety Reverse Doesn’t Work

This is a safety issue because it protects people and pets from getting trapped under the garage door. The good news is that as long as the garage door opener isn’t so old that it doesn’t have this feature, it can probably be fixed by a simple adjustment.

Poor Grading

If the soil around your house isn’t sloped properly, it can allow water to collect around your foundation. This can cause damage to the foundation or even flooding in the basement. It’s definitely worth your time to take care of the drainage around your house. This video shows you how.

Outdated Plumbing

If the plumbing is old, it can cause all kinds of problems. If the pipes are deteriorating or substandard, replacing them will get expensive. However, for more simple problems, you can take care many of these issues on your own. Here’s a great roundup of plumbing tasks that you can learn to do.

Problems With the Air Conditioning

Heating and air conditioning are a huge part of your energy bill. If your air conditioner isn’t working as well as it could, here are some minor repairs you can perform to make it more efficient.

Faulty Wiring

A good inspection will let you know if you have serious electrical issues, such as aluminum wiring. Some electrical problems can be a fire hazard, so you’ll want to take care of it right away. A qualified electrician can make your home safe from wiring hazards.

Poor Ventilation

Modern homes are much more energy efficient, keeping heated or cooled air from escaping. This a great thing for your energy use, but can have negative effects on the air in your home. Without the leaky windows and walls of older homes, moisture in the air can build up inside, leading to mold and mildew. Add in unhealthy fumes from things like cigarette smoke or chemical off-gassing from new carpet or furniture, and the air you breathe can get pretty dirty. Here are some options for improving your home’s ventilation, so you can breathe easier.

A thorough home inspection is vital to let you know what problems a house has, and how extensive they are. Before you know if an issue is something you can tackle yourself, or if it will require an extensive and expensive repair, you need to know exactly what the problem is. At Inside & Out Property Inspectors, our skilled home inspectors are dedicated to getting you the information you need. For a home inspection you can feel confident about, contact us.

20 Home Maintenance Tips for the First-Time Home Buyer

May 15, 2018/in DIY Resources, Homeowner Resources/by aaron

So, you have bought your first home– or you are considering it. By now you have probably heard a million times that a home is the biggest investment you are going to make. What they do not tell you is how to care for your new investment. If you are a new homeowner, there are a lot of little things you will want to keep track of to keep your new home at its best.

At Inside & Out, we see hundreds of homes each year – we see what most home sellers tend to neglect and what new buyers need to do once they get the keys.

Here are twenty maintenance tips for new homeowners.

1. Check Your HVAC Filters

Your HVAC filters are an important part of helping your heating and cooling systems function at their best by preventing dust and debris from getting in and slowing things down. It is a good idea to change them regularly.

2. Caulk Your Windows.

Caulking around your windows and doors can help you cut down on heating and cooling bills by preventing air leaks.

3. Check Your Weather Stripping.

Making sure that you have adequate weather stripping around windows and doors is just as important as maintaining the caulk for keeping utility bills in check.

4. Check Your Crawl Space for Moisture.

Moisture in your crawlspace can turn into moisture in other parts of your home. Moisture in your home only causes trouble like mold and deterioration. Here’s what you can do about it.

5. Reseal Your Deck.

Your deck should serve you for a long time. In order to make that happen you should check the sealant to make sure moisture does not get into the wood. If the sealant is not doing its job, then you should reseal your deck.

6. Touch Up Exterior Paint.

Your exterior paint does not just keep up your home’s curb appeal. It also acts as a moisture barrier. If you notice peeling or chipping in your exterior paint, give it a touch up as soon as possible. You could also consider pressure washing your home prior to painting.

7. Make Sure the HVAC is Serviced Regularly.

You should have your HVAC system serviced at least once a year to keep it running at peak performance.

8. Check the Bathroom Caulk.

The caulk in your bathroom helps to create a watertight seal. You should find it around fixtures like the bathtub and toilet. Maintaining it will prevent water damage and costly repairs.

9. Clean Your Gutters.

Your gutters help to direct water away from your home. This is one more step in keeping your home moisture-free.

10. Seal Your Driveway.

As the ground expands and contracts with the freezing and thawing of the seasons, so too does your pavement. Cracks in your driveway will give weeds an opportunity to take root and destroy your pavement. Sealing the driveway will stop weeds before they start.

11. Clean Your Garbage Disposal.

Food and debris get stuck in your disposal with regular use. As that food begins to decay it can cause an unpleasant aroma. Cleaning it will help to eliminate the stink.

12. Visit Your Attic.

Visiting your attic from time to time can ensure that everything is functioning as it should up there. It is better to find out about leaks sooner rather than later.

13. Insulate Water Heater and Pipes.

Insulating your water heater and hot water pipes will help to cut down on energy costs.

14. Install a Programmable Thermostat.

Heating and cooling your home only when you are there will cut down dramatically on your bills. Having a programmable thermostat will help.

15. Flush Your Water Heater.

Because sediment can build up in your water heater and wreak havoc, it is important to flush it regularly. Here’s how.

16. Clean Your Refrigerator Coils.

Cleaning your refrigerator’s coils will keep it running more efficiently and can extend its life.

17. Clean Your Dryer Vent.

Lint can clog up your dryer and prevent it from working properly. To keep things running smoothly, it is important to clean your dryer vent.

18. Extend Your Downspout.

Your downspout is a part of your gutter system. It helps to direct water away from your house. If it is not long enough to get water away from your house, then it is useless.

19. Check Your Smoke Detectors.

Smoke detectors are your first line of defense in dealing with a fire. If they do not work, your best case scenario is losing your home. Worst case: you could lose your family, too. Make sure that they are well maintained.

20. Make Sure You Know Where Utility Shut-Offs Are Located.

In the case of an emergency, you may need to know how to turn off the water, gas or electric supply to your house. It is a good idea to know where those shut-offs are located and how they work.

When you buy your first home, the list of maintenance can seem overwhelming. Most items on your list only need to be done once or twice a year. Creating a list and how often maintenance is performed can help you to keep track so that you can keep your home running at its best.

As your home inspection experts, please feel free to reach out to us with any questions and especially if you’ll need a home inspection in the future!

First-Time Homebuyer Guide: Spring-Summer Home Tips

May 10, 2018/in DIY Resources, Homebuyers, Homeowner Resources/by aaron

As the weather improves, it is natural to emerge from winter full of ideas for maintaining and improving your new home. As experienced home inspectors, we see first hand the kinds of projects that don’t always get finished before a home goes on the market. Even if you intend to stay in your home for years to come, routine maintenance and improvements are great ways to ensure that your home remains structurally solid and a joy to live in.

Here are some basic home maintenance tips and tasks to consider:

Pressure wash the patio and outdoor sidewalks.

A simple project for a weekend day, pressure washing gets rid of long-term staining and build-up and dramatically improves the look of patios and sidewalks.

Get gutters inspected and updated.

Gutters can get clogged, bent, or broken, so an inspection and repair may be in the cards this spring or summer. Another option is to do it yourself by climbing up and cleaning out those gutters, but if you discover a problem beyond your skills, a professional may be the way to go. If your gutters need extending, this can help prevent future foundation problems.

Recaulk windows and doors, and repair torn screens.

Older homes, in particular, may be draftier than necessary due to breaks in the caulk that seals windows and doors. Visually inspect your window and door seals, and where necessary, add a new bead of caulk to keep the house from losing air conditioning during the summer. Repairing torn screens can also go a long way to preventing insects from getting into your home, so an afternoon spent repairing torn screens is well worth your time.

Get air conditioners inspected and, if needed, recharge freon.

Air conditioners need maintenance, so getting an inspection can determine if your system is low on freon or in need of other repair. The technician can help you to operate your air conditioner in the most efficient way possible.

Visually inspect chimney, roof, and foundation.

US News emphasizes that many simple checks of your home can save you money over time. In this case, get a magnifying glass and a pair of binoculars and scour your home’s roof, chimney, and foundation. If you notice hairline cracks or missing mortar, make a note of it and check again in 3 months. If anything is changing, it might be time to bring in an outside professional.

Check and fix leaky faucets.

A simple trip around the house looking at your faucets and washing machine hoses can ensure that there are no leaks. Where there are drips, you are paying for a slow waste of water; even though this payment is usually very small, there is no point in being wasteful and possibly causing water damage to your home.

Get rid of attic or basements pests and plug holes.

If your attic or basement are popular with critters, check after the winter and make sure that any entry points are sealed off so that the pests don’t get back inside. While you are there, keep an eye out for mold and consider dehumidifying options if you see even the smallest signs that it is coming.

Install a skylight.

Want a project that doesn’t just maintain, but also gains? Look into installing a skylight, which adds a pleasant amount of sunlight in your home while making you enjoy your living spaces even more. Aim to get one professionally installed so that it is in an optimum location and has no leaks.

Regardless of which projects you choose to tackle this spring and summer, trust Inside & Out Property Inspectors to help you evaluate your next home purchase. Well-loved homes often need some TLC, but knowing which projects are urgent and which can wait is a vital step toward happy homeownership.

Need more help with home inspections for needed maintenance? Contact us or schedule an inspection!

10 Ways To Prevent Mold

August 11, 2016/in DIY Resources, Home Sellers, Homebuyers, Homeowner Resources/by aaron

How To Prevent Mold From Destroying Your Home

Believe it or not, mold is actually an important part of Nature and the source of food and medicines. Mold plays an important role in breaking down organic matter like dead leaves and limbs. It is also used to make penicillin and in the making of some cheeses, such as brie. But mold in your home is not only ugly, but can be dangerous to your health.

Mold spores need damp or humid conditions to grow and spread. While mold can be cleaned, it is much better to try to prevent it.

Here are 10 ways to prevent mold from growing in your home:

Make sure you have proper ventilation in your home, especially basements, attics, bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens and anywhere else where moisture is present.
Turn on the ventilation fan when cooking or taking a shower to remove moisture from the room.
Use mold-resistant sheetrock and paints when building or renovating.
Use a dehumidifier.
Clean up any spills, leaks or puddles in the home immediately.
Routinely check windows and ceilings for signs of condensation that may indicate moisture is getting in.
Poor air circulation can cause moisture to be trapped in closets or other closed areas. Keep doors open and use ceiling fans to keep air circulating.
Keep gutters cleaned out and in good repair.
Make sure water drains away from your home and does not puddle up around the foundation.
Cover cold water pipes with insulation to prevent condensation.