We recommend that a professional HVAC specialist come and service your unit for you when it is needed. However, there are some things you can do yourself to Maintain your unit and keep it working and kicking out the cool air when you need it.
Note: Turn off all power and disconnect switches before performing inspections/maintenance on the unit yourself.
A/C Home owner Maintenance check list.
Maintain records.
Change out the filter as often as required. (Sometimes once a month).
Switch to high/low returns at the start and end of winter going into spring.
Listen to the unit for any unusual noises and call an HVAC specialist if it is concerning.
Check that the drain lines are draining correctly.
Look for water leaks or changes in the system.
Clean up weeds and plants from around your unit.
Keep the exterior coil clean.
Keep the exterior unit level and away from landscaping materials.
Make sure the inside supply and return registers are not blocked.
Home Owner Heat Pump Maintenance Check List.
Schedule professional service yearly
Watch for ice forming on the exterior unit.
Follow the maintenance recommended for the central air conditioning above.
Summer
It is gearing up to be a nice warm summer. You want to make sure that your A/C unit is working at its best. The best way to do that is to maintain your unit every year. Regular maintenance will not only keep your unit nice and cold when you need it most but, will keep it working longer.
Budgeting?
A home inspection is not only for when you are purchasing or selling a home. It can also help you know what things are happening in your home while your living there. Having a plan will help you get to where you want your home to be. A home inspection will help you form your game plan to a well maintained home for years to come.
We are often asked at Top Inspectors, “how much does the inspection cost?”. This is a valid question, especially when you are saving or preparing to buy a new home. However, the question I like to ask in return is, “how much will it cost you if you DON’T get an inspection?”. One of the best things you can do to prepare yourself and to create a new home budget is get a home inspection.
Knowledge is power, and when you are buying a home, you want as much knowledge as possible. No one wants to live in a home they know nothing about. It can be nerve wracking to be in the dark. “How long will my A/C last? When will the water heater stop working?”. These are questions that every home owner struggles with at some point. But, you don’t have to be confused or in the dark. You can take care of your home and your peace of mind at the same time!
Every responsible home owner in a new home creates a budget. The first part of that budget should be a home inspection. Don’t walk into your new home blind, take control of your future.
Specific ways a home inspection can help you budget
Saving money is great for your budget!
In one of my last posts, I spoke about how much money the home owner actually saves from getting the home inspection. The amount of money saved from the knowledge gained from a home inspection would surprise you (the average is around$14,000!). You can read that article here, as well as the Porch Analysis.
Plan for the future
Obviously budgeting is all about planning. Having useful knowledge about the current condition of systems in your home can help you create a plan to replace or service systems in the future. Knowing a rough estimate of system lifespans can help tremendously when saving.
Create a maintenance plan with your home inspection report
A good maintenance plan implemented now can save enormous headaches and costs later. Most home inspectors have a very good working knowledge of your home systems and can typically recommend good maintenance practices or programs. It is better to maintain your home now than to have to costly repairs later.
These are just a few of the many ways that home inspections can save you money. A few years back, Top Inspectors had a client call in and ask a slough of questions about home inspections. But, in the end he decided to wave the home inspection because he was trying to save money. His Real Estate agent recommended strongly that he get the home inspection, but he would not be swayed and they went through with the purchase (after he signed a waiver refusing the inspection). Within six months his HVAC system failed and it ended up costing him thousands of dollars in repairs and updates.
Get a head start on your new home budget and don’t leave it up to chance. Get a home inspection before you buy!
Do you really need a home inspection? Last time we talked about if you could do your own home inspection. While technically in some cases you can, it really isn’t recommended by most professionals in Real Estate.
This time, we will explore another reason why you should have your home inspected by a licensed inspector. I want to state again that all reasons are not equally important, so please don’t think one is more so than another. I just want to give you an idea of what home inspectors do and the value they provide.
#2 A Home Inspection Protects Your Investment
For most people, buying a home is the biggest investment they will ever make. Having a home inspection before purchasing is crucial! You don’t want to buy a “money pit”. It took a lot of work to get where you are and you want to make sure you are investing in something that will take care of you as you take care of it.
Most buyers will pay between $200 and $500 for a home inspection. An analysis from Porch.com reveals that price more than pays for itself in the long run. The report even states that a home inspection saves the average buyer around $14,000 on their purchase.
In the report it says, the average list price before an inspection is $226,600. After the inspection, the average closing price goes down to $212,400.
Home inspections are extremely prudent investments, and can save buyers from unforeseen fiscal challenges. Revealing necessary repairs, agents can negotiate thousands off the price their clients might have had to pay.
A professional inspection is very valuable and can definitely help you navigate through one of the biggest investments you will ever make. Don’t take the chance on your investment. Hire a home inspector!
Can you do your own home inspection? The simple answer is yes you can. However, we don’t recommend it, and your real estate broker or other professional most likely won’t either.
In the weeks to come, we will explore why you should have your home inspected by a trained professional. These reasons are not necessarily in order of importance, so please don’t think one is more crucial than another. This will just give you an idea of what home inspectors do and the value they provide.
#1 Home Inspectors Can See Problems You Can’t
The majority of home inspectors (with a few exceptions based on safety) will walk your roof, traverse through the attic and if you have an older home, army-crawl through the space underneath the home known as the crawlspace (yes I said army-crawl). Most home owners or home buyers are not willing to or even know how to enter and get through these spaces properly and safely. Home Inspectors are trained to do these things and do them on a daily basis. Many do this multiple times a day. Don’t worry about getting muddy and dirty in confined spaces or risk your safety walking your roof. Just let the home inspector do it for you, that’s what they’re paid for!
Another thing to consider when contemplating inspecting your own home, is that there may be issues that you can see wide out in the open that don’t require you to enter any confined spaces, but you may not know they are issues. Home Inspectors are trained and have a lot of experience “seeing” things that others can’t or don’t. Many people don’t know that certain conditions inside an electrical panel or forced air furnace can be serious safety hazards. Usually these conditions are not obvious to the casual observer.
Did your roofer or home inspector tell you that your roof shingles are degranulating? What does roof shingle degranulation or granule loss mean and what are granules anyway?
Let’s talk about what roof shingle granules are, what they do and what happens when they come off your roof.
What are roof shingle granules?
Roof shingle granules are actually crushed rock mixed with ceramic granules. They are then colored and treated with other components and features to give the shingles enhanced functions. For example: copper granules are sometimes added into the mix to help resist blue-green algae.
The main purposes of granules is to help shed water and to protect against UV rays. The granules protect the material underneath from exposure by absorbing heat and moisture.
What causes roof shingle degranulation or granule loss?
We know nothing lasts forever, and shingles will eventually wear out. This is the most common reason for granule loss. Eventually, the adhesion to the asphalt and fiberglass underneath fails and the granules fall off. Other reasons for roof shingle granule loss is heavy rain, hail and high winds.
How can I tell if my roof shingles are degranulating?
Here are some ways to tell if your roof shingles are losing their granules:
Check your gutters and downspouts to see if there are excessive loose granules inside. The rain will wash granules into the gutters if they are loose. It is normal for some granules to come off from time to time, but if there are piles inside the gutter or at the bottom of the downspout, that could be an indication that the roof is degranulating.
Walk around the perimeter of your home and stand back far enough from the house so you can see the roof. Look for discoloration or a “shiny” look. Sometimes you can see “bald spots” on your roof even from the ground. This usually means that the roof is missing some granules.
When do I need to replace my roof shingles?
Granules help to make sure that your roof is holding up against the weather. Degranulation does not always mean you need a new roof. When the degranulation is from weather damage, it can be sporadic and only the damaged shingles need to be replaced.
Very worn and degranulated roof
New roof
Should I get my roof shingles inspected?
If you are worried about your roof and you see signs of degranulation, it is great idea to get a roof inspection. Top Inspectors can do an inspection on your roof to let you know what the condition is and help you get the information you need to move forward and ensure your roof is protecting your home the way it should be!
Having your home inspected by a professional, licensed home inspector is a very important step when buying a home. This still holds true if the home is brand new and no one else has ever lived in it before.
I worked as a contractor and carpenter for an independent home builder for many years before becoming a home inspector. When a home is being built, there are a lot of moving parts. There are dozens of different contractors working together to build the home. From the foundation to the framing, and from the electrical to the plumbing. There are typically different contractors or specialists building or installing the systems and components that pertain to their area of expertise. What happens when all these different specialists are all working at the same time is that sometimes, things get overlooked or just forgotten. Remember, a home is a very complex system.
Many times, the general contractor, the one in charge of making sure everyone does their jobs properly and at the right time, will make what is called a “punch-list”. This is a list of items or projects that need to be completed before the home is finished. Unfortunately, all the things on the list don’t always get done before the home goes on the market.
I recently inspected a brand new home and found several things of interest that would definitely benefit a buyer to know before buying the home. Let me show you what I found.
First, I found that as with many Florida homes, there were no gutters on the lower eaves of the home. Gutters carry storm water away from the home and prevent soil erosion and foundation settlement. To read more about gutters click here.
No gutters on this new home
Soil erosion caused by lack of gutters
After that, I found some stucco cracking under the windows. The cracking was still pretty small, but was beginning to spread just behind a sprinkler head. These heads are notorious for getting broken or twisted so they point backwards. With the stucco beginning to crack behind the sprinkler head, it was only a matter of time before water got inside the wall.
Stucco cracking on a new home
While I was inspecting the exterior, I noticed that none of the windows had screens. This can be fairly common on new homes. Sometimes the screens are stored in the garage or in a shed. Nevertheless, it’s always important to know if they are present and accounted for. I was not able to find any screens on the property.
No screens on new home
No screens on new home
Around the back of the home on the underside of the eaves, I found two open electrical boxes. I assume these were in place for light fixtures, or maybe even power for cameras. But, in the current state, the open boxes could be a safety hazard or could just become damaged due to weather.
Open electrical box on a new home
Open electrical box on a new home
When I was inspecting the garage, I found that the fire-rated service door from the garage to the home was equipped with auto-closing hinges. However, the hinges were not working properly and the door just stayed open when swung. The auto-closing hinges keep the fire wall in place between the home and garage in case there is ever a fire in the garage.
Auto-closing hinges are not working
Last I inspected the bathrooms and found that the hallway bathroom fixtures were very loose and poorly secured at the shower wall. I also found that one of the faucets in the master bathroom was not functioning at all.
Loose fixtures at shower in new house
Faucet not working
Overall, home inspectors do typically find much less deficiencies in new homes over older homes. But, you never know what the situation may be. I once found a serious structural defect in a brand new home.
In closing, even if the home is brand new and no one has ever lived in it before, you definitely should still have the home inspected by a professional and licensed home inspector. You are making a huge investment. You want to know what you are buying.
We get asked this question on home inspections all the time. The simple answer is… yes you really should have gutters.
You would think with all the flooding rains we get in Central Florida, that gutters would be commonplace. However, a huge portion of homes still have little to no guttering. The fact that Florida has a sandy soil and most moisture is absorbed quickly without homeowners seeing the ponding may be the reason for this. Or, it may be that builders are trying to save on costs and decided that gutters are not important. Whatever the case may be, we always recommend having gutters installed and maintained at all lower eaves of your home.
No gutters on Central Florida home. (Pretty common)
Let’s say you have good grading and plenty of slope around your home. Should you still have gutters?
As with any other system in your home, the real problems are usually the ones you CAN’T see. In Florida we have a very sandy soil. This allows it to absorb a lot of moisture. However, it is also very easily eroded. Erosion underneath your home can cause all kinds of costly issues from foundation settlement to structural failure. Properly installed gutters with downspouts and extensions will carry the bulk of the storm water away from the home and prevent long term erosion.
Another benefit to gutters is, because the storm water is being carried away to downspouts, it keeps everyone from getting rainwater dumped directly off the roof onto them as they walk in the home. It also keeps flower beds and shrubs from getting washed out.
One thing that people don’t typically think about when it comes to gutters is that without them, rainwater will tend to run down the side of the fascia (eaves) and also down the side of the home. This in turn can cause moisture intrusion into the wall, which can lead to rot and mold. Think of it like a cup that has a loose lid. When the cup is tipped, the liquid runs down the side and gets everywhere!
We all know that water follows the path of least resistance. Properly installed gutters with downspouts and extensions provide a perfect path for storm water and ultimately will help maintain your home for years to come!
It is an exciting time in your life! You just put an offer on the home of your dreams and the offer is accepted! Now you need to choose a home inspector to inspect your new home and make sure the home of your dreams is in tip top shape! However, what if your inspection fails and you must continue your search? We wouldn’t want that. So, we have a little secret for you!
Your home cannot fail an inspection or pass one. There is no pass or fail in home inspections. A home inspection is simply to let you as a new homeowner know what condition the home is in before you sign those contracts. A home inspection is preformed by a highly trained professional, who will offer his/her opinion in a report on the major systems of your home. These major systems include but are not limited to roof, foundation, HVAC systems, and electrical. Your home inspector’s main concern is to make sure the home is safe for you and your family and that all the systems in the home are functioning correctly and safely!
There is no pass or fail!
Your home inspection is not a guarantee that all those systems will work forever. It is a picture, a moment in time that lets you know it is working today or it is not. The home inspection report gives you the knowledge you need moving forward so you aren’t walking into your new home blind.
The home inspection is also a great tool for your real estate agent in the negotiations that allows them to help you decide what things are the most important to fix before signing the contracts and moving into your home.
Getting a home inspection isn’t scary and you shouldn’t worry. You are taking that step to understand your home better and walking into your dream home with understanding and the tools you need to move forward! We are here and happy to help. If you have any questions contact a home inspector they will be happy to answer your questions regarding the home inspection process. You can also comment below with questions and I am happy to answer them!
Congratulations you have put an offer on the home of your dreams! Now you need to get a home inspection. What does that entail and why do you need a home inspection before buying your home? I’m so glad you asked! A home inspection is the first step in negotiating to get the best of your new home as possible. Your awesome real estate agent will be there to assist you and will use the home inspection reports findings to know how to proceed. A home inspection will also help you know more about your new home and give you a clear picture of the condition of your home. Giving you peace of mind to navigate this home buying like a boss!
What does a home inspection look like?
You can view a sample report on most home inspectors’ websites.
What is inspected?
Exterior
Interior
Foundation
Roof
Attic
Window and Doors
Plumbing
Electrical system
HVAC systems
Fireplace
Crawlspace or Basement(if one is present)
What is not inspected in a normal home inspection? The following are a few things:
Courtyard walls
Inside walls
Landscaping
Play equipment
Fountains
Irrigation systems
Mold
Radon
Sewer lines
Pools/spas
Termites
Add on services?
Some home inspectors will charge an extra fee for these items if they include them as part of their services.
Mold inspection
Radon testing
Termite inspection
Sewer line inspection
Four point inspection
Wind meditation
Pool/spa inspection
Irrigation system inspection
Do I need a home inspection? What is its purpose?
You’ve taken the first step and are doing your research. Let’s be honest buying a home is a big decision and we want you to walk in with your eyes open and the lights on! Home inspectors are there to help you do just that. You have a team of professionals and the home inspector is an important member of that team! It is the inspectors job to help you understand your home. That way you can make the decisions based on what they find. Home inspectors are sometimes put into the negative light because they let you, the home buyer know the defective items or items that need maintenance. That is a good thing! They are there to make sure you have peace of mind walking into your new home. No home is perfect but, your home inspector helps you know how to handle those situations and which professionals can help you along the way!
How much does a home inspection cost?
If you do a quick search on the internet it will tell you it is between $350-$400 for a home inspection. This can be misleading as most home inspections may be more depending on the homes age, size and if you need add on inspections such as mold or wind mitigation. Calling home inspection companies and getting quotes is the best way to find out what they offer and what inspection types they perform.
You can’t put a price on yours and your family’s safety.
How long will the inspection take?
A home inspection takes 2.5-3 hours depending on the home. It could be longer when adding other inspection types or if it is an older or larger home. Your inspector will be going through the home inspecting all the accessible and available systems in the home. They will be taking pictures and reporting on their findings. Once the inspection is completed the inspector will give a review of their findings and then will email the full report.
Conclusion:
A home inspector is a highly trained professional and will give you his expert advice on the condition of the home at time of inspection. Their reports will help you decide what to ask your realtor to negotiate and how to move forward in the transaction.
