Anchor Bay Home Inspection Inc.

01/02/2021

04/26/2020

Now that we find ourselves spending more time at home. Consider these Home Maintenance Tips for Spring.

Interior
• Change HVAC air filters.
• Clean and inspect window screens for damage.
o A little work now will keep unwanted pests outside your home.
• Look for moisture in the basement and crawl space.
o Leaks in these spaces could turn into costly repairs.Inspect the air-conditioning system.
• Trim brush around the unit and clean the coils if necessary.
o Inspect the washing machine water hoses for cracks and the dryer vent for lint buildup.
• Inspect the air ducts for buildup of mold, allergens or debris.
• Make sure your sump pump is in working order.
Exterior
• Inspect gutters and downspouts for damage and debris.
o Working gutters ensure that water is diverted from your home's foundation.
• Trim trees and shrubs that are near the house.
o This can prevent damage to siding, windows or the roof.
• Inspect caulking around doors and windows for damage or wear.
o Replace if necessary to increase energy efficiency.
• Inspect wooden decks, railings, windowsills and steps for rot.
o Repair or replace damaged wood, and touch up paint, stain or wood finish.
• Pressure wash patios, decks, driveway / walkways, and outdoor furniture.
o Pressure wash your soffits and siding too, if necessary.
• Inspect outdoor sprinkler heads for damage from snow plows or cold weather.
o Look for leaking valves, and verify the watering schedule on the control panel.
• Inspect and tune up any lawn maintenance equipment.
o Sharpen tools, charge batteries, lubricate moving parts and replace old gas.
• Clean debris from foundation vents and window wells.

02/22/2020

Is your house cold? Many areas to consider and improve.

10/11/2019

Before the weather grows colder it’s important to prepare for the winter months to prevent costly damage. Below are the fall preventative home maintenance steps that every homeowner should follow.

Gutters and Downspouts
Clean gutters and downspouts frequently throughout fall to prevent build up of leaves and other debris. Neglected gutters can lead to wood rot problems and pest infestations, not to mention ruined gutters.

Be sure water is not coming down behind gutters and that all support brackets are securely in place.

Ensure that water drains properly and doesn’t pool. Pooling can cause damage to foundations, driveways, and walkways.

Windows and Doors
Change summer screens to cool weather storm windows and doors.

Inspect and repair any loose or damaged window or door frames.

Install weather stripping or caulking around windows and doors to prevent drafts and to lower heating bills.

Heating Systems
Replace the filter in your furnace.

Consider having a heating professional check your heating system to ensure optimal performance and discover minor problems before they turn into costly major repairs.

Clean your ducts to better your heating system’s efficiency as well as to reduce household dust and to provide relief to those with respiratory problems.

Plumbing
To prevent pipes freezing and bursting, ensure that the pipes are well insulated.

Know how to locate and turn off the water shut-off valve in case pipes do freeze.

Chimney and Fireplace
Call a professional in to inspect and clean your chimney. Fireplaces that are regularly used during the season should have an annual cleaning to prevent dangerous chimney fires.

Test your fireplace flue for a tight seal when closed.

Attic ventilation
Be sure attic insulation doesn’t cover vents in the eaves to prevent winter ice dams on the roof.

Be sure ridge vents and vents at eaves are free of plants and debris.

Check bird and rodent screens for attic vents to prevent any unwanted guests.

Landscape and Yardwork
Although grass appears to stop growing in the fall, the roots are actually growing deeper to prepare for winter. Now is the best time to fertilize and reseed your lawn.

Prune your trees and shrubs after the leaves turn to encourage healthy growth.

Trim any tree limbs that are dangerously close to power lines or the roof of your house. Heavy snow and ice can cause damage in the winter.

06/06/2019

Some quick maintenance tips for summer.

Found on Google from trinity-homes.com

06/06/2019

Brought to you by Get a jump-start by prepping your home and garden for warm weather, setting up the perfect drip-dry spot for beach towels, reorganizing the kitchen (hello, smoothie bar), and more. These 15 to-dos cover all the bases, so you can enjoy your month to the fullest. 1. Keep an eye on ir...

03/02/2019

No matter whether you're buying or selling, the home inspection process can be somewhat intimidating: For sellers, it's a stark reminder of the nagging issues you might have turned a blind eye to over the years. And for buyers, it's a recipe for heartbreak—falling in love with a home that might just end up making no sense to buy.
But don't let the inspection stress you out. And remember, that's not what your inspector wants either—all he wants is a comprehensive to-do list and a happy client.
So form a team with your home inspector to make the process easier and more effective. Knowledge is key! Here are several essential things you keep in mind.

FOR BUYERS:
1. Your potential home may have problems
Your home inspector will likely come up with a list of problems after the walk-through. Don't panic!
2. Almost anything can be fixed
There are a few starkly frightening home inspection terms that seem to be in everyone's vocabulary: mold and asbestos.
And yes, they're scary—but no scarier than a roof that needs replacing. Everything is upgradable, fixable, or replaceable. You just need to have a list of what those things are.
3. One thing you should worry about is water
Make a note of issues such as puddles and leaky ceilings. And give special attention to the basement. Addressing water problems can be an expensive and difficult proposition.
4. Home inspectors can't predict the future
You might want to know how many more years the roof will hold up—and while your inspector might be able to give you a rough estimate, he can't give you a precise timeline.
We can't tell you how long it will last, We can just tell you if it's in good shape.

FOR SELLERS:
1. Move your pets
We know your puppy is adorable—but even if your home inspector loves dogs or cats, pets running underfoot makes the job much more difficult.
2. Don't forget to clean
Whether you plan on being there for the inspection or not, make sure to clean up beforehand. No, you don't need to scrub—an inspector won't ding you because your stove's grimy. But all that clutter?
Often, the inspection is the first time the buyers are (almost) alone in the house for an extended period of time.

11/18/2018

In the Florida headquarters of INTERNACHI polishing my home inspection skills at the House Of Horrors.

03/01/2018

Experts agree that Spring 2018 will continue the trend as a seller's market. Take advantage of this opportunity with a pre-sale home inspection and maximize the value of your home. The folks at Forbes explain why....

Ordinarily, a serious buyer would pay to have a home formally inspected. The goal is to uncover any potential problems before signing on the dotted line, while there’s still time to negotiate. But sometimes, sellers will have their homes inspected before they even put them on the market. Here are ...

01/25/2018

If you are enjoying the glow of your fireplace during these cold winter months, this article from DIY network explains how to operate it in the safest, most efficient manner possible.

Stay warm and safe.

There can be many advantages to using a wood burning fireplace. Among other things, it can save money on heating costs and supplement your main source of heat.

10/29/2017

https://www.familyhandyman.com/roof/roof-repair/roof-repair-how-to-find-and-fix-roof-leaks/view-all/

You can stop leaks yourself-no experience necessary. We show you how to track down and fix the most common types of roof leaks. Most leaks take only minutes to repair.