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How Long Does A Composite Deck Last

May 18, 2022/0 Comments/in Home Maintenance /by BJ Johnson

Many homeowners like completing projects that can enhance their living style and curb appeal. A great way to do this is by expanding your outdoor living space with a deck. Unfortunately, there comes a time when you as the homeowner have to decide what you can and cannot afford. When it comes to decking, you have an option to choose between a variety of materials. Always remember that all materials are not created equally. The idea that you get what you pay for is certainly true in all cases. Keep in mind that choosing between a composite deck or a treated wood deck can be difficult. In one case you are choosing a deck that lasts a long time with minimal maintenance. In the other case, you are choosing pressure-treated wood that is cheaper and requires more maintenance. How long does a composite deck last? Depending on the manufacturer, they can last from 20 to 25 years. In some cases longer.

Let’s take a look below at what is involved with ensuring a composite deck last a long time.

What Is A Composite Deck

The reason why composite decking is so desirable is its durability. The decking pieces are made of a mixture of plastic film and wood fibers. The reason for the durability is that the plastic film usually consists of polypropylene or polyethylene. This material does a great job of blending with the wood fibers and making the material stronger and more durable than your average 100% plastic.

Why Is It Better

Believe it or not, composite decking has many benefits. In most cases, homeowners consider the obvious, such as maintenance and repair. Luckily, there is more to the benefits of composite decking than just maintenance and repair. Let’s take a look below at how composite decking is better than pressure-treated wood.

Molding or rotting – composite decking is impervious to mold. If it will not rot or break down due to mold. If mold becomes present, it can be washed off fairly easily.
Coloring – wood decks are known to need repeated staining in order to keep the wood looking brand new. On the other hand, a composite deck won’t break down and become weathered to where its color fades. In fact, composite decks will continue to look brand new after 25 to 30 years.
Splinters – no one likes splinters. When wooden decks start to break down, the first thing that occurs is elevated wood chips. They often get into your skin and create an uncomfortable feeling. Most wooden deck boards will begin breaking apart after 10 years. This doesn’t happen to composite deck boards.

Other Recommended Maintenance

Now that you have determined composite decking lasts a long time, it is time to read up on the installation process. When you are building a deck, whether it is elevated or not, you will use some concrete. Most of the time the concrete is used in the footings of the deck. Planning your project out is a good way to avoid the rains that could get in the way. Also, remember that not all concrete can be poured in the rain. In this case, you might be ok but read up on the needs of the project.

While you are outside and exploring your next best projects. Have your local home inspection team take a look at the foundation of your home. Before you go building a deck off your home, you will want to make sure the foundation is looking strong. If there are any cracks in the stucco or concrete block of the home, go ahead and make the repairs before building the deck.

Lastly, while you are working to upgrade your home value, have your local home inspection team also check your windows and entryways. This might be a great time to get a recommendation for a hurricane shutter installation company. Once your new decking project is complete, you can turn your attention toward hurricane shutters. This could save you money on insurance and bring added value to your home.

When Do I Call A Professional

Calling on a professional contractor to quote you on deck installations is key. Not only can they offer you the best materials and a price range for installation. They can also pull the permits necessary for a successful project. Always think about your time and money before you decide to complete a do-it-yourself project like a deck installation. Oftentimes you will need some equipment and tools to assist with the installation and these could run your costs higher. If you aren’t sure that you have the right place to install the deck, reach out to your local home inspection team. They can determine if your deck placement will hurt your home’s foundation or cause a flood issue down the road.

Conclusion

Purchasing a home and venturing down home improvement projects are always fun. Selecting the correct decking for your home’s added curb appeal is not always the easiest. For a project that large, you should always consider the future of the investment. Settling for a project just because your budget is tight should not always be the case First find out what gives you a longer-lasting value. Then, save the money up to ensure that you can select the best materials for the project. If you aren’t sure which contractor to use, call on your local home inspection team. They can inspect the outdoor landscaping of your home to determine where you are best to build a new outdoor living space, and refer you to a reputable contractor. Contact Inside and Out Property Inspectors in Jacksonville, FL, and surrounding areas to get your home inspection done today.

Why Do Rodents Chew Wires

May 6, 2022/0 Comments/in Pest Control /by BJ Johnson

Owning a home requires a lot of work and maintenance. Most homeowners never consider what to do regarding pests. Hiring a pest control company to service your yard and home is easy to do. However, most pest issues do not arise until things have gotten out of control. The amount of damage that rodents and other pests can cause to a home is exponential. In many cases, rodents can destroy a home. Keep in mind that some rodents can destroy more than a home. Have you ever been nervous that if mice or rats get into your home, your electrical wires would be destroyed? Have you ever thought that your car that is parked in the garage could end up with wire damage as well? Why do rodents chew wires? Rodents like to chew wires because they are soft. The rubber coating helps their teeth chisel down and get sharper.

Let’s take a look below at the details involved with a rodent’s teeth and why they chew so much.

What Rodents Typically Chew Wires

Believe it or not, your standard mouse, rat, or squirrel can all be culprits in the wire chewing scenario. Let’s take a look below at why they chew on the wires.

By default – in all cases, it just so happens that rodents hide in places where your electrical wires are run through.
Rodents will begin chewing on the wires because this keeps their teeth from over growing. If the wires aren’t present, they will chew on your wood, rubber, plastic, glass, aluminum, rock, and even your cement.
Wires are perfect to help grind down their teeth. The rodent’s little hands can hold the wire while they chew. This allows them more control when eating.
Rodents will not only eat your electrical wires in the home, but if they get access to your garage, they will nest in your automobile and eat those wires. Make sure that if you have a rodent problem, you are inspecting your automobiles wiring system and engine compartments. This could become very dangerous and start an automobile fire.
Don’t forget that your rodent issue could be self inflicted. Pets like hamsters and gerbils have a knack of escaping and finding places to hide. They too need to sharpen their teeth so chewing on the wires only helps them keep their teeth level and sharp.

How Do I Check My Wires

Checking your wires in your home or automobile can be a tough task. Most homeowners do not stop to think, oh, maybe I should check my wires today. This is a great reason to have a full home inspection done at least once a year on your home. If you cannot have an inspection done, then be diligent about what is happening in your home. Here are some tips for you to understand what might be happening with your wires.

Squeaking or scurrying – hearing these noises is a clear indication that you have rodents in your attic or walls.
Chewing or rustling – hearing a chewing or rustling sound in your walls is a clear indication of rodents in your walls.
Chewed places – if you notice chewed-up wood, paper, or other materials in your attic or crawlspaces, you likely have rodents.
Grease spots – rodents will have greasy feet as they shuffle through old trash and food. These greasy feet will leave dark spots or markings on your walls and flooring.
Sighting – actually spotting a rodent in or outside your home is a clear indication that an infestation has likely occurred.

How Can I Prevent This

The biggest way to prevent rodents from accessing your home is very simple. Take away their food, water, and access to shelter. Just like any living organism, the goal is food, water, and shelter. So, if you can keep these items away from the rats, mice, or squirrels, then your home will be fine.

Make sure to inspect your home and seal up any access points or entryways that the rodents might be able to use.
Trimming your trees back away from the home will keep the rodents from gaining access to your roof or ledges. These could be great access points to your attic space or wall space.
Keeping up with pest control and monitoring your attics, crawlspace, and exterior walls will be your best method of prevention.

How Much Does It Cost

The cost to keep rodents away is fairly low considering the repair cost for any damage that they could cause. The national average for rodent pest control ranges from $175 to $550 per extermination. Keep in mind that the cost to replace damaged electrical wires in your home ranges from $800 to $2,200.

Other Recommended Maintenance

Now that you have an understanding of which rodents like to chew wires and why let’s look at how we can exclude them. Keep in mind, that there are many ways to exclude rodents from your home or from getting near your home. Before you freak out and reach for a do-it-yourself poison for the rodents, call on your local pest control company. They can recommend all of the safe and harmless ways to exclude rodents from your home.

Another area to think about is bed bugs. Bed bugs can be found during the daylight hours by using the sun, a flashlight, or magnifying glass. This is not a pest you want to find in the home. If you are finding blotches on the skin or eggs or blood on sheets or in the crevices of the bed are more indicators.

Ants in the bathroom can show a pest infestation.

Lastly, if you notice ants in the bathroom, you will want to get rid of them. How do you get rid of ants in the bathroom? Seal up the entry points, and look for cracks in the walls. These will need to be sealed up. Also, look for a trail of the ants and where they are coming from, this will help you find where they are starting. Once you figure all of this out, you can proceed with getting the ants out of the bathroom.

When Do I Call A Professional

Calling on a professional pest control service to assist with keeping rodents away is a great idea. Finding the most reputable company that has experience keeping up with rodent issues in your local area is key. Always remember that the best maintenance is preventative maintenance. If you aren’t sure who to call, reach out to your local home inspection team. Not only can they inspect your electrical system for chewed wiring, they can also recommend a reputable pest control service. In some cases, your home inspection team might also offer a pest control service.

Conclusion

Whenever you are dealing with a rodent issue or even chewed wires that are now exposing your home to fire, calling the right pest control and home inspection team is key. As a homeowner, you might find that it is cheaper to buy a few do-it-yourself solutions. However, that is not always the case. Getting rid of the rodents might be the easy part, but understanding where to look for damages and chewed wires might be the difficult part. So, why not call on a local pest control service that can also conduct a home inspection of your electrical wires. Inside and Out Property Inspectors can treat your yard for pests.

Where Do Termites Come From

March 28, 2022/0 Comments/in Pest Control /by BJ Johnson

Termites can be nasty little insects. They are so tiny and can do a lot of damage to your home. Keeping them at bay is a huge undertaking that should not be overlooked by any homeowner. Your first order of business is making sure a termite inspection is conducted on your investment. Whether you are buying a home or just keeping up with yearly maintenance, a termite inspection is vital. Keep in mind that depending on where you live, can explain the type of termite that you might come in contact with and how to manage them. Just like all other insects, it is not possible to completely eradicate these insects, however, keeping them from feasting on your home should be a priority. Where do termites come from? Most come from underground and create mud tunnels. The tunnels take them straight to your home.

Let’s take a look below at some more pertinent information regarding termites.

What Are Termites

Termites are insects that no one wants in or around their home. Their main job is to destroy wood as they feast. Is it their fault that the main food source for termites is any cellulose-based product? Let’s look at the variety of types of termites that are typically identified in the United States.

Drywood Termites – love a good drywood habitat. Woodshop, new home developments, and even forests are full of their favorite food. Dry firewood and furniture are the two most desired kinds of wood for a drywood termite. In the forest, they will seek out larger and older trees.
Dampwood Termites – as the name states, these termites love a good wet tree or rotted trees that have fallen to the ground due to dampness. Homes with leaking pipes and high moisture are highly desired by these termite types.
Subterranean Termites – these termites create access to homes and buildings via underground mud tunnels. Also, they desire all moisture-rich environments. and are very much like dampwood termites in terms of food choices and environmental choices.

What Brings Them In

Just like all organisms, food, water, and shelter are the key factors attracting termites to a home. Anytime a termite can find easy access through your home to their desired food it’s a win for them so your best method for keeping them away is to keep the food, shelter, and water access to a minimum. Termite infestations occur when the termite colony is allowed to thrive in areas of high wood, cellulose material, and water access.

Food – termites’ favorite food is wood and cellulose materials. Any paper, firewood, lumber, and house framing are highly desirable food sources for termites.
Shelter – anyplace that is warm, dark, and wet are the perfect places for a termite to take up residency. You typically see this in your garage, attic, crawlspace, or piles of firewood outside the home.
Water – gutters or downspouts that fail to drain properly can attract termites to your property. This is because the moisture buildup in the soil attracts the termites. High water content and even water pooling in your yard make the conditions very attractive to termites.

How Do I Treat Them

Treating termites can be done in two ways. A termite pest control is typically done using a bait system. The bait system is installed all around the perimeter of the home and keeps the termites at bay. The two ways to treat are as follows:

Chemical treatments – insecticides that are meant to deter termites are sprayed on your wood beams in the attic and crawl spaces. It is also sprayed around the outside foundation of the home. There are a variety of chemicals that are used for this process. You can pick up the most recommended insecticide at your local hardware store.
Baiting treatments – bait systems are placed all around the foundation of the home. They are typically plastic spike units with hollow compartments to store cellulose. The spiked shaft that is driven into the ground has openings to attract the termites. The cellulose material attracts the termites to the bait system allowing the termites to feed. Since you are providing a food source, the termites will not venture any further. A chemical inhibitor is also placed in the bait system. This inhibitor is taken back to the colony and the queen. The chemical prevents any further colony growth and the colony eventually dies.

Can I Prevent Them

Preventing termites can be a very simple task. When homeowners skip out on the termite bonding option of a home, this task can become way more difficult to complete later on. Let’s explore the best ways that we can prevent termites from entering our home:

Keep your home clean – all insects and pests are attracted to a dirty home. Typically, a dirty home provides great shelter and a lot of food. Stay tidy!
Eliminate cardboard – go through your garage and other storage and transfer all items from cardboard boxes to plastic bins. The upfront cost might be horrible, but allowing cardboard to attract termites and other insects like silverfish is a bad idea.
Stay on top of repairs – do not ignore any repairs that may allow excess water damage, moisture, or rodents to enter the home. All of these items attract more and more insects and pests. You will find that keeping your roof in great working condition and sealing up all excess cracks and crevices will allow for a great living experience.
Manage your landscape – keep your hedges and trees trimmed, tree stumps removed, and your yard fed with insecticides, pesticides, and fertilizer for a healthy landscape. Keeping it healthy and free from debris can limit the number of insects in and around your home.
Keep the home moisture limited – allowing excess moisture into your home is no good as moisture can allow mold and mildew to grow and will definitely attract termites.
Take a look around – because you aren’t getting the home inspected once a month, you become the home inspector. Take a look around when you are in your attic, crawlspace, or even basement. Make sure that everything is in good working condition and no termites live there. Also, keep an eye out for possible leaks in your plumbing.
Get an annual inspection – a lot can change in a year. Getting an annual home inspection is a great investment and can save you from deeper trouble down the road.

How Much Does It Cost

The initial termite inspection for your home could cost you around $150. The good thing is, that once you sign on with the termite company that initial cost is usually deducted from your first contract price. The national average contract range for a termite pest control service is between $560 and $900 depending on the size of your home. In most cases, companies charge $3 to $16 per linear foot.

Other Recommended Maintenance

If you are researching the notion of where do termites come from? Then it is highly possible that you either have a termite problem, or you are playing defense against them. Either way, this is a great time to learn about termite inspections. Your local home inspection team could also provide you with a termite inspection. This not only protects the investment of your home but also provides you with peace of mind, once the results are found.

Now that you have an understanding of termite inspections and where termites come from. Take a look at how or if termites travel from house to house. If you can understand the way termites travel, then you can take action to keep them away from your home. Ideally, limiting the colonies from moving from yard to yard is the most important.

Lastly, check your yard for moles. Moles can be attracted to your yard as they search for insect food like termites so the more you neglect the treatment of your yard, the more moles can be present. Allowing insects to run your yard are creating a buffet of food choices for moles. Lastly, read up on how moles are attracted to your yard and what you can do to keep them away.

When Do I Call A Professional

Calling on a professional to teach you about where termites come from and where they might be in your yard or home is hugely important. Additionally, you don’t want to forget about termites and suddenly have an infestation that has to be dealt with. In fact, if you notice mud tubes, wood damage, or live termites in and around your home, call on a professional termite specialist. It is best to keep the termites at bay by hiring your local home inspection team to conduct a termite inspection. Once the inspection is completed, they can inform you of the next step. If you happen to be purchasing a home, you should definitely get a termite inspection as part of the pre-purchase process.

Conclusion

Understanding where termites come from is your best first line of defense. You cannot possibly stop or limit something if you do not know where it originates from. Unfortunately, termites can cause a lot of damage and become a huge headache for homeowners so luckily, there are ways to take preventative measures to protect your investment. Call on your local home inspection team so they can provide you with a termite inspection and follow up with recommended termite prevention and control. Inside and Out Property Inspectors offer termite prevention and termite control and can check out your home in the Jacksonville and St. Augustine, FL areas.

Where Are HVAC Dampers Located

December 21, 2021/0 Comments/in HVAC /by BJ Johnson

Sitting around the house and you begin to realize that the air flow doesn’t seem right. The cooler months are coming and you want to ensure that heat is able to circulate properly throughout the home. There are a couple of ways to ensure that heat is flowing throughout the home. If you have a fireplace, that is a great start to create some heat energy for your main room of the home. Turning up the thermostat to a higher temperature also allows you to have heat in the home.

What if you have a second level and the airflow is struggling to warm the upstairs? You are likely to need to make an adjustment to your HVAC system. Having dampers in your system allows you to cut off the airflow so that the natural heat rises and warms your upstairs. Where are HVAC dampers located? They are located a few feet from the base of the unit, on every air duct run, and away from the air handler.

Let’s take a look below at some more details regarding dampers.

What Are Dampers

Dampers are typically found in older HVAC units. Currently, HVAC contractors save money by leaving out the damper option in new construction. Dampers are put into an HVAC unit system in order to change the flow of air through each room of the home. These allow you to adjust the hot or cold airflow so that you can concentrate the air to one area of the home. Presently, there are electronic options to control the damper system from your temperature control unit on the wall. It might be a good idea to upgrade your system by having an electronic control option installed.

Where Do I Find A Damper

The most standard dampers are found a few feet from the base of the HVAC unit. As you enter your crawl space or air handler unit in a closet, you notice the main connections to the trunk of the HVAC unit. Most homes with a second level will have dampers in their HVAC system. Check your air duct runs as they flow away from the main unit. You should be able to determine if there are dampers located in each run of ductwork. Furthermore, make sure to have your home inspection company check the system thoroughly during a home inspection.

How Much Do They Cost

Fortunately, if you have a system in place that is lacking a damper option, you can have some installed into your current system. The cost is relatively inexpensive. You are looking at a part cost of roughly $200 and a professional installation cost of around $500.

Other Recommended Maintenance

While you are searching for your air dampers, another reason for your airflow to change could be insulation. Making sure that all areas of your home are properly insulated is very important. Check the garage to ensure it is insulated properly. If you aren’t sure about the garage insulation, read up on some of your options. You would be surprised at the change in airflow with a simple insulation upgrade.

Another area where heat or cool air can escape is your roof. Since you are having a home inspection conducted to find your dampers, you should also get a roof inspection done at the same time. This saves time and money and extra potential repair headaches. Additionally, take a look at the roof inspection checklist at least once a year. For example, in Florida, it is best to do this after hurricane season.

Finally, while the dampers are being located, make sure that the entire HVAC system is inspected and serviced. Check the HVAC system. This should be done twice a year to ensure the integrity of the system is maintained. Most HVAC systems give you 10-15 years, however, in Florida, the life expectancy will be decreased in coastal areas and salty air.

When Do I Call A Professional

Although it might seem easy to adjust a damper on your HVAC unit by yourself. You might want to consider calling out a professional HVAC company. Heating and cooling can be finicky business and if the system is not installed properly, you might end up doing more damage than good. Simply closing off one of the dampers is not the best solution.

Before you go and commit to adjusting or changing the dampers in your system, call on a professional HVAC contractor. In addition, they can tell you if you even have dampers in your system. Not all HVAC systems have dampers. Save yourself time and energy and call a professional.

Conclusion

Calling on your local HVAC unit service company and home inspection services allows you to locate all dampers in your HVAC unit. Although, it is fairly easy for you to walk around your attic and identify if there are dampers it is recommended to call on professionals. Your home inspection team can recommend a quality HVAC service company to come out and install dampers as needed. This helps protect the airflow of your home. Check out our home inspection services in the Jacksonville, Area!

Wind Mitigation and Homeowners’ Insurance

September 19, 2017/in Uncategorized /by insideandout

If you live in Florida, then you have probably heard about wind mitigation – the process of
implementation of specific building methods and techniques focused on limiting and reducing the
damage that comes as a result of intense winds.
Unfortunately, Florida has a long history of hurricanes. According to official statistics, the State of
Florida has been hit by over 200 hurricanes in the last 150 years. In addition, the occurrence of strong
winds that cannot be classified as hurricanes (under 74 miles per hour) can cause damage to buildings
too and these strong winds are not rare in Florida.

What does wind mitigation include?

The wind mitigation techniques are focused on different parts of the home. For instance, they are
reinforcing the garages by strengthening the windows, checking door-track strength and more.
Furthermore, replacing glass doors with impact-resistant doors is another great technique that can
protect homes against strong winds. Roof deck attachments, roof shape, roof covering, secondary water
resistance, protection of openings – these are just some of the many wind mitigation techniques used
today in Florida.

Wind mitigation and homeowners’ insurance – is there any connection?

The answer to this question is affirmative. The insurance rates are closely related to the level of risk
associated with a certain item – in this case, homes. So, to put it in simple words, insurance is focused
on evaluating and handling risk. Obviously, if you live in an area where strong winds are able to cause
damage to your property like Florida, you should expect higher homeowners’ insurance rates. However,
by using wind mitigation techniques, you will be able to cut these expenses.
Wind mitigation techniques are used to make any home less vulnerable to the risks brought by strong
winds. By taking good care of the windows, doors, walls, and roofs, your home can be prepared for
these winds.

Using wind mitigation inspection

In order to reduce the homeowners’ insurance rate, you should call a professional home inspector that
provides wind mitigation inspection. The main objective of an inspection like this is to find out the
preparedness of a home to deal with strong winds. A wind mitigation inspection will analyze the
features of the building that are usually affected by hurricanes and strong winds like concrete block
construction, hip roof, the presence or absence of shutters and similar protective items for the
openings, and few other things.
A Florida homeowner looking for homeowners’ insurance can provide the results of the wind mitigation
inspection to the insurance company in order to get discounts. Of course, if you want to get discounts
like this, you should follow the recommendations of the home inspector you have hired. These
professionals will suggest changes, upgrades, and repairs in your home that will make it harder for
almost any type of wind to cause damage. Those interested in using wind mitigation inspection services
should look for a licensed home inspector with experience in this field. By doing this, they can
significantly reduce the cost of homeowners’ insurance and protect their homes.

(1) https://fcit.usf.edu/florida/lessons/hurricane/hurricane.htm

(2) https://www.floridadisaster.org/Mitigation/Documents/Wind%20Mitigation%20Booklet%20.pdf

How does cloth wiring affect homeowners’ insurance?

September 5, 2017/in Home Sellers, Homebuyers, Homeowner Resources /by insideandout

A homeowners’ insurance policy is one of the best insurance policies available in the insurance market in Florida. With this special type of insurance, homeowners can protect their homes and belongings against damage or loss caused by vandalism, theft, fire and other similar causes.

There are many homeowners in Florida who are wondering how much does this insurance cost. There is no straight answer to this question because the cost depends on different factors like the property’s location, the overall value of the home, the unique features present in some homes and even on some seemingly unrelated things like the type of electrical wiring in the home. This is quite logical because there are different types of wiring and some of them are better than the others.

Cloth Wiring Explained

One of the types of electrical wiring systems that were quite popular in the past (before the middle of the 20th century) is cloth wiring. Many homes in Florida have this kind of wiring even today. The reason why people used cloth is simple – cloth is a great insulator. In addition, it was easier to get cloth compared to plastics.

Even though cloth has proven to be an excellent insulator, the truth is that it tends to become brittle after some period of time. As a result of that, it simply falls off the electrical wires. When something like this happens, the risk of fire and injuries is increased.

The Impact of Cloth Wiring on Homeowners’ Insurance Policy Cost

Insurance companies are well-aware of the fact that cloth wiring is prone to deterioration. They know that the risk of fire and shock is relatively high with this type of wiring. Obviously, no one can blame the insurance companies because their assumptions are correct. So, if your home has cloth electrical wiring, you can expect higher insurance rates. (2) In some cases, insurance companies are not ready to work with homeowners that have homes with this type of wiring.

How to Solve This Issue in the Best Way?

First of all, you will have to determine the condition of the electrical wiring in your home. It is a great idea to use a professional electrical home inspection. They will examine the electrical system in your home and highlight the possible problems. Electrical home inspections are highly recommended when buying a home, after a renovation, after adding powerful appliances and when the home is older than four decades.

After that, you should call a certified electrician. These professionals will check and fix the wires and take care of the insulation. Once they are done, they will provide a certification. You can use this certification to convince the insurance company that you have chosen that the electrical wiring in your home is safe. In addition, there are many homeowners who are considering upgrades. This is a more expensive option, but the initial expense will pay off in the long run. There is no doubt that insurance companies are ready to lower the insurance cost if the home is using standard, modern wiring.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cce4Fxy5O-s[/embedyt]

How Much Will It Cost to Replace Cloth Wiring?

As with most things, the cost of replacing your cloth wiring depends on whether you decide to do it yourself or hire a professional. In this case, DIY isn’t recommended unless you have a background in electrical wiring – but if you do, it can save you a lot of money. (3) If you decide to do it yourself, here’s what you’ll need:

soft, pliable non metallic/Romex wiring ($30-$45 for 100 ft)
junction boxes ($75-$100)
grounded receptacles ($5-$10)
breakers ($10)
ground fault circuit interrupters ($20)

Before you begin, be very certain you’ve turned off the power. Check it twice!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpQwhiS-ooY

If you decide to hire a professional you can expect to pay roughly $60/hr for labor plus call-out fees if they split the work into several jobs. It’s a good idea to shop around before hiring any contractor, and this isn’t a cheap job. You can expect to pay several thousand dollars to replace all the old cloth wiring in your home with newer safer alternatives.

Additional Tips for Florida Home Buyers

Buying a new home can be exciting however stressful, especially for first-time home buyers in Florida. One of the most significant aspects of your home purchase will be the inspection. Major concerns in Florida home inspections are much the same as they are in other states, but the added humidity and the hot, moist climate do affect the prevalence of some major issues. Most home buyers are likely to run for the hills as soon as they find out that a home that they’re interested in buying has major issues, like signs of mold or a damaged roof. Avoid these first-time homebuyer mistakes.

Hopefully, these articles will help you make the right decision regarding your cloth wiring.

(1) https://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/Consumers/UnderstandingCoverage/Guides/document s/HomeownersToolkit.pdf

(2) https://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/beware- these-14- home-features- will-raise- your-insurance

(3) https://www.angieslist.com/articles/how-much-will-it-cost-replace-cloth-wiring.htm

BJ Johnson

InterNACHI Certified Electrical Inspector

904-395-1900
Contact me

Florida Maintenance Tips

August 10, 2017/in Uncategorized /by insideandout

Home maintenance is crucial for keeping a home in top value. Even though the climate in Florida is mild
and doesn’t cause problems, homeowners should still take care of their homes on a regular basis. Of
course, some of the maintenance activities should be conducted more frequently than others. The
following is a list of Florida maintenance tips divided into different categories.
On a monthly basis

– Replace the air filters of your HVAC system

– Inspect, and after that, clean or replace kitchen ventilation hood filters
– Flush all the toilets and run warm water through the sinks. This is especially important in the
bathrooms that are not used frequently.
On a quarterly basis
– Inspect your home’s exterior drainage. In this way, you will ensure that there is nothing that
causes standing water to puddle for over 24 hours and that all water regardless of its source is
not ending in your home’s foundation.
– It is highly recommended to test the GFCIs (Ground fault circuit interrupters) for normal
operations by tripping the test buttons and resetting them after that manually. In case they
don’t trip or rest, call a licensed electrician.

– Inspect and clean all the exterior vents. Check whether the air flows freely and that each vent
has a fully functioning damper to prevent back flow of outside air and to keep insects or small
animals from entering your home.
– Lubricate all overhead garage door hinges with high-quality garage door lubricant.
– Inspect and clean all weep holes on the windows to ensure proper water drainage.
On a seasonal basis
– Call a licensed HVAC contractor to service your HVAC system every six months. In this way, you
will extend the lifespan of your HVAC system and optimize its work.
– Inspect and caulk these areas two times a year as needed:
 Bathrooms and kitchen
 Flushing areas
 The siding
 Around all wall penetrations (fireplace, duct work from vents, faucets, hose and chimney
vents)
 Around window and doors
 Interior settling or shrinkage cracks on the sheetrock and trim
 Mortar or stucco cracks

A man is cleaning a clogged roof gutter from dirt, debris and fallen leaves to prevent water damage and let rainwater drain properly.

– Make sure that the gutters are free of debris that could prevent free water flow. In addition,
make sure that you have splash blocks at the base of the gutter downspouts to help deflect
water away from your home’s foundation.
– Inspect and adjust the sprinkler system to avoid spraying your home. Adjust the timers for your
county’s watering days to optimize the use of water.
On an annual basis
– Drain and refill your hot water heaters. It is possible that you will have to do this more
frequently – it all depends on the current water conditions in your area.
– Inspect and test the hot water heater TPR valve.
– Inspect the garage door/s, rails, and lock system. Adjust and lubricate if needed.
– Clean the faucet aerators and inspect the plumbing fixtures for potential leaks.

– Clean and sharpen the garbage disposal by running a tray of ice cubes and depositing a cleaning
(foaming) product into the disposal.
– Inspect your home’s fire extinguishers and replace them if needed.
– Replace the batteries in your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors.
Follow these maintenance tips to keep your home’s value and your quality of life.

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BJ Johnson

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