Category: Home Inspection

Getting Rid of Your Bad-Tasting Tap Water for Good

May 23, 2022

If you think you have bad-tasting or smelling water in your home, it may not be in your head. In some areas of the United States, tap water includes additives that you may have certain sensitivities or allergies to. While a few of these added chemicals serve a purpose, such as the addition of fluoride to help protect the enamel on your teeth, there is also unwanted waste that can sometimes end up in the water supply. Blended PipingAnother reason your current water system may be producing a bad taste or foul odor is the piping. For many newer homes, it can be an issue, as the piping leading to the tap is not a pure metal as was once used in older homes built prior to 1950. Today, it is standard practice to use piping that is a blend of metals and plastic such as polybutylene or polyethylene. This type of piping has the potential to cause an assortment of issues. These plastics can lead to problems, specifically for those with latex allergies. An additional issue with the usage of blended pipes is the addition of mold buildup. If mold builds up in the pipes it can not only

Carson Dunlop Acquires National Property Inspections, Inc.

April 4, 2022

National Property Inspections, Inc. is pleased to announce that Carson Dunlop has recently acquired our organization. In this exciting development, Carson Dunlop and NPI are slated to become the preeminent provider of inspection and inspection-related services in North America. “I have long admired the strength of the Carson Dunlop brand and am thrilled to join forces to further accelerate growth at NPI,” said Roland Bates, founder of NPI. “I am extremely proud of the business we’ve built over the last 35 years and am enthusiastic about the future. Becoming part of Carson Dunlop will be an exciting new chapter for us and I look forward to continuing to support the NPI franchise system in my new role.” I have long admired the strength of the Carson Dunlop brand and am thrilled to join forces to further accelerate growth at NPI. I am extremely proud of the business we’ve built over the last 35 years and am enthusiastic about the future. Becoming part of Carson Dunlop will be an exciting new chapter for us and I look forward to continuing to support the NPI franchise system in my new role. Roland BatesFounder of National Property Inspections, Inc. Carson Dunlop has been

What an Energy Audit Can Do for You

March 7, 2022

The average household spends over $2,000 a year on energy expenses. If you fall into the average, or even find yourself surpassing it), you’re ready to start saving money. One way that you can decrease your usage and spending is by having an energy audit performed. Benefits of an Energy Audit You probably already know the biggest benefit of an energy audit– saving yourself money. But there are other positives you may not have thought of. You’ll also be able to save your appliances, mainly your HVAC system, from wearing out as quickly. You may even find yourself living more comfortably without having to constantly fight your HVAC. What Kinds of Homes Should Get an Audit? It’s a given that most older homes don’t hold up as well as when they were first built, so it’s no surprise they can eventually become an energy sinkhole. Older frames tend to split, and this can allow for a higher amount of intrusion from the outside air. Even if your house is brand new or recently remodeled, there can still be defects within the construction that hinder its efficiency. That’s why it pays to have an energy audit so that you can catch

Get the Most Out of Your Home Listing

August 30, 2021

Trying to get the most money for your home can feel like navigating through a maze at times. You try to figure out your local market and price your house competitively, but you’re still struggling to get good offers. As you work with your agent, they’ll likely give you advice on how to optimize your listing. Here are a few tips to draw the perfect buyer to your home. Spruce Up Your Listing To make a great first impression with buyers, start by creating a strong listing. Each part from your pictures to the description of the house should be as accurate as possible. If a buyer comes to tour and realizes things aren’t how they appear in your listing, it can turn them away from making an offer. Staging your home for photos makes all the difference in how buyers will assess it. To get your home picture ready, clean from top to bottom. All your belongings should be put away so that people can see each room in its entirety. If you have a storage area or large closet space you want to highlight, clear it out to show the full size. Lastly, use good lighting so each

Protect Your Home from a Flooding Disaster

August 23, 2021

Water damage has cost homeowners billions of dollars in repairs. Hurricanes, flash floods, and other natural disasters can leave you homeless and wondering how you’ll pay for damages. While you can’t control the weather, you can prepare yourself and your home. A little water can be a big problem. Even if you’re not expecting heavy rainfall, a small amount can create a large issue for your home. Backed-up gutters can cause water to collect around the foundation of your home and make its way inside. If the ground around your home is too saturated or even too dry to hold rain, you could experience more rushing water than usual. Any time you’re supposed to get stormy weather, it’s best to watch the forecast and have an emergency preparedness plan. Understand how your home drains. Knowing how the land surrounding your home is graded gives you an advantage before the rain comes down. Ideally, you want any water to be directed away from the base of your home and towards a storm drain or nearby runoff. If you notice that water tends to collect around your home and not go anywhere, chances are you need to fix the grading. You can

Maintaining Your Sprinkler System

August 9, 2021

A sprinkler system is a great and easy way to keep your lawn looking fresh through the hot summer months. They also require continual maintenance to ensure you don’t turn your beautiful lawn into a pond. Here are some common issues that can come with a sprinkler system and how to fix them. Sunken Heads Over time, the composition of your lawn’s soil can change and shift around. This causes your irrigation system to sink and settle deeper into the ground, shortening the sprinkler heads. Sunken heads don’t have as much clearance above surrounding plants, and therefore don’t cover their intended area. If you notice lots of brown spots or pooled water, the culprit might be a sunken head. Simply digging around the head and adjusting the pipe and filling the space back in will straighten it out. Be careful as you dig to not hit and break the water pipe. Low Water Pressure Inefficient water pressure going through your system is another reason that the heads aren’t popping up all the way. It can also be the sign of a larger issue with your system. Low pressure could mean that there is a break or a leak somewhere along

Choosing the Right Home Inspector

August 2, 2021

Being a homeowner is a major accomplishment! Everyone dreams of getting their own place, and landing your first home is a great feeling. It’s also a big investment to both buy and maintain it. One way you can protect yourself is by having a home inspection performed at the time of the transaction. With different choices for inspection companies, how do you choose the best one? Where to Look When you Google home inspectors in your area, you’re likely to be returned dozens of results. Narrowing down your choices will take a little digging and diligence, but you should get a clear idea of what to expect from each company by perusing websites and reviews. You can also look for a company through inspector databases at the local or national level. Check Their Licenses Along with being part of a verified inspector database, look at what other licensing the inspector has. Are they part of accredited associations like ASHI or InterNACHI? What about certifications for extra services like drones or radon? Even just ensuring they’re licensed properly with the state (if required) will show that the inspector is following all necessary regulations. You’ll know that they’re being held to certain

Should You Get a Builder’s Warranty Inspection?

July 26, 2021

There’s no feeling quite like moving into your dream home, especially if you’ve watched with anticipation as it was being built from the ground up. If it’s your first home, then there’s double the cause for celebration! There can be a lot to learn about your home, from the foundation to the water heater, and you want to be sure that everything is functioning properly before your one-year warranty expires. That’s why it’s always a smart decision to get a builder’s warranty inspection. What’s a builder’s warranty and what does it do? After your home is finished, your builder will likely offer you a one-year warranty. This warranty is intended to cover any needed repairs up to one year after you’ve moved in. You protect yourself from any damage to your home, and it helps keep the builder accountable for their work. Getting a home inspection before your builder’s warranty expires will help catch potential issues early on, and could potentially save you thousands of dollars down the road. Aren’t you fine with just a municipal inspection? Your new home was likely assessed by municipal inspectors from the city or county to ensure it was safe to live in before

Simple Tips to Keep Your Plumbing Flowing

June 28, 2021

Your home’s plumbing requires continual maintenance in order to function properly. However, that can be easier said than done. It doesn’t take much to clog or damage your pipes, and you could find yourself paying for expensive repairs. Luckily, a little bit of preventative action on your part can help you avoid a larger issue. A lot can happen to your plumbing. There’s a multitude of reasons that your plumbing is struggling. From a child’s toy lodged in the toilet to a crack somewhere down the line, it could take a bit of work to correctly identify and treat the cause. Some of the most common problems are: Roots are also a top cause for your pipes to become broken. Trees, bushes, and other vegetation are attracted to the water from a leaky pipe and can grow in small cracks. Since most plants grow relatively slow, it could take years before you notice. Don’t rely on your garbage disposal. If your sink has a garbage disposal, don’t rely on it to chop up everything. Not all the food gets ground up completely and certain foods can clump together in your drain. Dump your leftovers into a trashcan, and when you

How to Handle Mold in Your Attic

June 14, 2021

Attic mold is one of the most common maintenance issues, with thousands of homes each year requiring an infestation removal. Attics are notorious for producing the right conditions for a mold outbreak, as there can be an excess of moisture if your roof isn’t properly sealed. Unless you consistently check your attic for mold and other issues, the problem can quickly grow out of control and turn into an expensive repair. Luckily, there are ways for you to stop mold before it appears. What Causes Mold?The main reason that mold forms in your home is a large amount of moisture accumulation. If you live in an area that has humid summers, the chances of mold growth increase. Attics that aren’t well ventilated trap moisture and don’t allow for the wooden beams to properly dry out. Ventilation is also important when it comes to your kitchen stove, bathroom fans, and even your dryer. Appliances that don’t correctly exit through your roof can deposit water droplets in your attic as well. Even a small hole in your shingles or a gap between your roof and gutters creates an opening for water intrusion. How to Spot MoldThere are several ways you can tell