Sump Pump Selection: What Size, Type & Backup System Do You Need?

Most homebuyers we deal with aren’t aware of average costs for repairs. This makes sense given the vast cost differences between regions, individual contractors, unforeseen circumstances that may arise with particular jobs, and countless other factors.

It’s no surprise, then, that our clients often ask us for estimated costs for necessary repairs we uncover during inspections, knowing we will have a good idea in most cases. What most people aren’t aware of, though, is that we are legally prohibited (at least here in PA) from providing detailed cost estimates because of the many uncertainties inherent with each particular job. Home inspectors are permitted to provide a cost range, but not an exact estimate.

Fortunately, there’s a fairly reliable source for estimating repair costs that anyone can access free of charge. HomeAdvisor, a well-known company, offers their “True Cost Guide” that is specific to zip codes and pools data gathered from different reported jobs in areas throughout the country. Referencing the True Cost Guide is a good first step in getting a pretty accurate idea of what your particular job (or jobs) will cost in your specific area.

At HPI, we provide all of our clients with a link to the True Cost Guide, but I’m writing about it here for the benefit of anyone who may access this blog for helpful advice. We at HPI do not deal with HomeAdvisor in a contractual way (we do not pay them for leads, advertising, etc), but we do recognize the value of the True Cost Guide for buyers or sellers who are in need of at least a rough estimate of what repairs will actually cost before making a large and long-term investment that may involve some back-and-forth (and possibly stressful) negotiation.

Even if you aren’t buying or selling a home, you’ll likely want a good idea of what your total repair or renovation costs will be prior to hiring a contractor. By utilizing the True Cost Guide or similar online tools, you can get the answer yourself rather than having to rely on an outside source.

*To visit the HomeAdvisor True Cost Guide, go to https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/

*To visit our main website, go to http://www.hillinspections.com

I’m excited to announce that we’re now offering an additional service here at HPI: walk-through inspections. This service is available only to clients looking to purchase a foreclosure, investment (rental), or commercial property.

If you fall into that category, the walk-through inspection may be an appealing option. Buyers interested in these types of properties are often not concerned with all the details that come along with a typical, comprehensive inspection and report. Instead, they are usually only concerned with the more “major” items (foundation, roof, HVAC equipment, safety hazards, etc). Likewise, these types of transactions often have short time restraints that make scheduling typical inspections in a timely manner difficult, and the notion of spending the normal amount of money for a traditional inspection is not appealing – especially if utilities are shut off and the inspection is already limited in its scope.

The walk-through conveniently solves these issues. Rather than performing a traditional inspection and providing a detailed and lengthy report for a normal fee, we simply meet the client at the property, perform a walk-through and verbally communicate our findings. Because this process is informal and does not require the additional time and work of writing a detailed report, the cost of a walk-through is much cheaper (about one-third) and is done for a flat fee regardless of the size, age or condition of the property.

It is important to understand that this option is certainly NOT a substitute for a traditional home or commercial inspection that is more comprehensive and provides a detailed, comprehensive and written report. But for clients interested in purchasing a foreclosed, rental or commercial property, this may very well be a practical, simple and cost-effective option.

*To learn more, visit our website at http://www.hillinspections.com.

This article will be a bit more scientific than most on this blog, but it’s important, so don’t let that deter you from reading. If you aren’t a trained plumber or didn’t pay close attention in chemistry class, there’s a good chance you don’t know what a dielectric union is. It’s actually not as complicated as it sounds, though, and hopefully you’ll find it interesting.

Dielectric unions are required when joining dissimilar metals to prevent a reaction called galvanic corrosion. “Galvanic” refers to electrical currents created by a chemical reaction, and “corrosion” refers to the gradual destruction of a material – usually metal. So, in layman’s terms, galvanic corrosion on pipes is the gradual destruction of the metal as a result of a chemical reaction that causes electricity.

But how, exactly, does that work? When two dissimilar metals, like copper and steel, are joined together and water passes between them, the water acts as an electrolyte and causes ions from one metal to separate and move to the other. Basically, the metals and water form a battery, so to speak. If you’ve seen older batteries, you’ve likely noticed some corrosion. This doesn’t happen immediately, but it is guaranteed to happen over time if there’s nothing done to prevent it.

So what’s the remedy for this natural occurrence? You guessed it… a dielectric union. The union contains a rubber gasket in the middle that prevents the different types of metals from touching. Unlike metal, the rubber does not conduct electricity. As a result of this non-conductive separation, the harmful chemical reaction (electrolysis) is essentially prevented and the unwelcome corrosion is kept at bay.

Joining dissimilar metals is fairly common with plumbing work, but it’s especially common at water heater fittings. This is one reason why many water heaters show corrosion in different places, and it’s one of many reasons why qualified plumbers who know how to properly join pipes and fittings need to be the ones installing water heaters (and performing other more detailed plumbing jobs). The last thing you want is a malfunctioning and potentially dangerous water heater!

When you get some spare time, it would be worthwhile to look over your plumbing and water heater to make sure dissimilar metals aren’t directly joined together and that concerning levels of corrosion haven’t formed anywhere. If you notice either of these, call in a qualified plumber for further evaluation and repair or replacement. Simple things, like dielectric unions, can do wonders to prevent potentially dangerous and costly hazards, and knowing these things – however seemingly boring – can be a real life saver.

*To visit our main website, go to http://www.hillinspections.com

Spring is here, and it’s finally that time when we can open our windows and doors. Aside from the happy feelings we get from nice weather and the ability to “let the outside in,” there are some major benefits to keeping your windows and doors open, and I’d like to go over just a few of them in case you’re the type of person who’s inclined to turn the A/C on just a little early.

First of all, open windows and doors provide great ventilation. They allow a continual circulation of air, removal of stale air and dust that are often unhealthy, and a more even pressure balance in the home. Constant ventilation also means decreased condensation, less risk for mold and mildew growth, and removal of potentially toxic indoor air pollutants. As if that weren’t enough, opening your windows and doors often means allowing additional sunlight into your home, which helps your mood and even your physical health.

The positive effects of open windows and doors are pretty obvious in terms of mood and health, but there are financial benefits as well. A steady flow of fresh air means a diminished need for running air conditioners, ceiling fans and other power consuming systems that cost money. Instead of wasting energy (and money) unnecessarily, we can reap the free benefits of nature. It’s a true win-win.

Of course, be sure that your windows and doors are screened if you keep them open to prevent insects and debris from getting in. Along those lines, it’s a good idea to take some time to inspect your screens at the beginning of the warm season, and periodically thereafter, to make sure no new tears or holes have formed in them since they’re prone to damage.

Last but not least, keep your windows and doors open as long as you can! Take full advantage of the nice season and fresh air, and don’t be in a hurry to turn on the central air or ceiling fans. You’ll likely be pleasantly surprised by how much better you feel all around, and your house will reap the benefits as well!

*To visit our main website, go to http://www.hillinspections.com

Without fail, nearly all of my home inspection clients tell me the same thing as I’m going over a home’s defects with them. They tell me, “I’m not concerned about the small stuff; I’m just concerned about anything major.” At times, I can’t help but feel like my job should consist of only inspecting what most people consider to be “major” problems (a bowed or collapsing foundation wall, an active roof leak, a major electrical hazard, etc. And my job would certainly be much easier if that were all it entailed! BUT, then I realize how important the so-called “small stuff” has turned out to be to many of those same clients, and I’m reminded of the incredible importance of what we inspectors actually do in providing our clients with a detailed and comprehensive overview before they make such a major and long-term investment.

It’s not until after you’ve moved into a home and started actually living in it that you realize how significant those seemingly “minor” issues can actually be. You may think nothing of a missing handrail at a stairway, until you happen to fall and instinctively reach for a handrail to quickly discover there isn’t one. That slightly misaligned window that won’t quite fully close and seal shut may seem like no big deal, until a bitterly cold day strikes and you’re the victim of a constant and uncomfortably cold draft. Deteriorated caulk in a bathroom may seem like a mere unsightly annoyance until you discover that the underlying wall or floor structure has been slowly rotting away over a long period of time and will now cost a lot of money to repair. The missing lock on a bathroom door may seem like something you can easily put off, until someone accidentally walks in on you while you’re using the bathroom!

The list of supposed “minor” defects goes on and on, but sufficed to say that most people end up actually being far more concerned with the small things than they imagined they would be once they’ve started living in a new home day in and day out. It’s certainly good to focus on defects that are obviously major and that diminish the safety, durability or function of a home; but it’s typically a mistake to ignore the many other defects listed on your home inspection report. They may just prove to be more significant than you anticipated after all!

*To visit our main website, go to http://www.hillinspections.com