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

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

Something most homeowners never think of is the appearance of their house numbers. By house numbers, I mean the numbers displayed for the home’s address. Often times, house numbers aren’t present at all, and it isn’t uncommon for at least one number to be missing, loose or otherwise damaged.

House numbers are very important because they are how first responders (firemen, paramedics, etc) identify homes in an emergency situation. Missing, hidden, damaged or incomplete numbers can make a big difference when it matters most.

Many local authorities have begun passing ordinances with certain requirements for house numbers; but even if your municipality hasn’t, you should be diligent about it yourself to ensure your family’s safety.

So, here are some general guidelines to follow for your own house numbers. First, the numbers should be located in a clear location at the front of the house (such as a porch pillar) that is facing the road that the home’s address is listed on. This may seem obvious, but some homes that exist on corner lots have their numbers on a side facing another road – especially when the driveway and/or most common entrance is connected to the side road. In terms of size, each number should be at least 4 inches high – and preferably at least 6 inches high – to ensure they are readily visible. The width of each number should be at least a half inch, although wider is obviously better. The color of the numbers should contrast with the background they are against – again, to ensure they are clearly visible. If the siding is dark, for example, the numbers should be white or another light color. Along those lines, the numbers should either be capable of being lit or have a reflective surface so they are visible at night. Lastly, it is important to ensure that vegetation (bushes, trees, ivy, etc) is not covering any portion of the numbers from any visible angle.

It’s easy to forget about seemingly small things like our home’s house numbers because we wouldn’t have a need to identify our own home. We need to think, though, about all the factors that could come into play, especially in emergency situations. Take a moment to go outside and look at your house numbers to ensure they meet the guidelines listed here. If they don’t, take the time to make them visible and secure. Doing so may make all the difference at some point down the road.

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

Home inspections can be extremely scary for several people involved with a real estate transaction. The buyer, who is excited about purchasing a new home, may be worried that defects will be uncovered that make the home less appealing. Realtors may worry that the process will lead to an unhappy client or a killed deal. Sellers, especially, tends to worry that the inspection will lead to costly repairs, loss of money on the home, or their sale falling through.

While these can all be valid concerns, the reality is that most home inspections do not lead to a worst case scenario. Typically, a couple or few defects may need to be addressed, but most transactions do not completely fail as a result of a home inspection.

Still, there are times when an inspection does lead to some headaches or additional expense. When this happens, it’s easy to become overwhelmed, frustrated and even angry. After all, a lot is at stake for all parties involved with the sale of a property, and everyone wants the process to go as smoothly, inexpensively and amicably as possible.

Here at HPI, we make it a priority to present a home’s condition in a realistic way so that everyone involved remains as stress-free as possible. A home that is a hundred years old cannot be held to modern standards, and that’s something a buyer needs to understand. The seller also needs to rest assured that while we are required to objectively report on defects based on strict guidelines, our goal is not to dissuade buyers. I can’t personally speak for every home inspector, but we are very careful to not exaggerate defects or influence buyers one way or another. We simply report objectively, provide (hopefully) useful education, and allow each client to make their own determination based on the information provided.

As the occasional bearers of bad news, we inspectors are naturally not everyone’s favorite people at times… and that’s understandable. When a client experiences unwanted stress because of an inspection, it’s only natural to feel some animosity toward the inspector who identified the problems that are now an unexpected burden. As with all professions, it’s important that we are prepared to be understanding of what others are going through and not take their reactions personally.

If you are a new inspector, be prepared to develop “thick skin,” to be understanding of clients’ stress, and to not take the frustration of others too personally. If you’re a seller, understand that the goal of the inspector inspecting your home is not to hinder your sale or cause an otherwise negative impact on you in any way. If you’re fortunate enough to have a good inspector, he or she will be careful to communicate in a way that is more calming than alarming and ultimately more helpful than damaging. Try not to “shoot the messenger,” so to speak; but it’s understandable if an excess amount of stress leads to some temporary frustration. At the end of the day our goal is to help, not to cause more stress!

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

A home I inspected today had in-ceiling electric radiant heat, which many people aren’t aware exists. I’ve inspected several homes with this type of heating, and I’d like to review how this type of system works as well as its pros and cons.

In-ceiling radiant heat was most commonly installed from the 1950s through the 70s, when electricity was a cheaper fuel source than it is now. That’s not to say that this type of heating can’t still be relatively cost-effective, but it no longer has quite the financial appeal it once did.

There are several pros, as well as cons, to in-ceiling radiant heat. For one, electricity is 100% efficient, meaning it converts all of it’s power to heat. Modern high-efficiency gas furnaces and boilers can come close to that number, but electricity reigns supreme when it comes to efficiency. Like all radiant heat systems, electric ceiling heat functions by radiating heat into living space, which means a nice even heat, no drafts, no noise, and no disturbance of dust and other particles into the air.

It seems counterintuitive to have a heat source overhead when heat rises; but energy also always travels from warmer to colder areas, so the heat from the ceiling will still make its way down into the cooler rooms below. As the heat radiates to objects, the objects retain heat and radiate it out into the surrounding space. The result of this natural effect is a feeling similar to being gently warmed by the sun from above, and the temperature difference between the floor and ceiling is generally only about two degrees Fahrenheit.

Electric ceiling heat, like many electric heat systems, is often zoned. That is, it’s controlled by several thermostats – typically one for each room or area. This provides the added benefit of being able to separately control energy usage across different areas of the house to save energy costs and control individual comfort levels. Last but not least, radiant ceiling heat is essentially maintenance free if it’s properly installed.

With so many positive features, there are, of course, a few drawbacks as well. Installation of these systems is somewhat detailed and tricky and is not recommended as a do-it-yourself job. The temperature differences between the warm ceiling and colder interior below tends to cause cracks in drywall ceilings, which, although not a major structural concern, can be unsightly. In fact, hairline ceiling cracks have been present (and usually abundant) in every home I’ve inspected with in-ceiling radiant heat.

Furthermore, while electricity was less expensive during the couple decades when this type of heating was more commonly installed, its cost has since risen quite a bit. Depending on your area, the available fuel sources and their costs will likely determine how good of a long-term option this or any other type of electric heating system may be for your home.

Another slight drawback to this type of heating is that it has a slow recovery time, meaning it will take quite a while to heat up a space that has fallen to a low temperature. This is in contrast to forced air systems that are capable of quickly heating air and blowing it through ductwork and supply registers into the living space.

Like everything, in-ceiling electric heat has its own unique set of pros and cons. If nothing else, it’s certainly an interesting and unique way to heat a home that is pretty fascinating to learn about.

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