Home For Sale Real Estate Sign and Beautiful New House.

Seller’s Inspection Benefit

by BlogInspection Philosophy

Seller’s Inspection Benefit

Most people don’t realize how beneficial Seller’s Inspections (Pre-Marketing Inspections) can be.

We feel it’s beneficial for the seller to understand the following two options after a seller’s inspection:

  1. First, the seller has the opportunity to disclose defects upfront and state that they are selling as-is. Buyers will have a hard time negotiating inspection items if they are told about the defect before making their offer. For example, if the buyer has been advised the roof needs replacement, they would have difficulty trying to negotiate the roof issue after their inspection.
  2. Secondly, the seller can deal with certain defects before they cause a problem with the sale. For example, buyers get concerned about termites. So, if we find termites, we recommend a termite treatment; as a result, the termite issue goes away before the buyer gets involved. Similarly, other items may come up during a home inspection that may cause problems with the transaction unless they are dealt with before the house goes on the market.
  3. Here’s a short YouTube video that explains the benefits. https://youtu.be/tNeDhhfvQVg

Based on the above, we feel that Seller’s Inspections provide substantial benefits that most people aren’t aware of. So, if you are a real estate agent or real estate attorney, would you want to advise your clients about Seller’s Inspections?

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Always use licensed and qualified contractors!

by BlogContractors

I hate to say it, but if the plumber is this stupid (look closely at the above picture), more than likely there are lots of other hidden plumbing issues. This plumber was not “licensed and qualified.”

Sometimes when we first arrive at an inspection, we meet the seller, and he tells us that he did most of the work in the house. This raises a red flag for us. He may have done a great job on the work but doing repairs and modifications to homes is oftentimes not as easy as it looks and requires specialized knowledge and experience. Watching HDTV is not the same thing as being licensed and qualified.

We use the term “licensed and qualified,“  because even though the contractor may be licensed, he may not be qualified. So, when you’re searching for a contractor, keep in mind that you’re looking for a “licensed AND qualified” Contractor.

Of course, don’t be in a rush to hire the cheapest contractor. Check references and reviews, and make sure the contractor has valid insurance.  Find out how long he’s been in the business and even talk to some of his past customers. Visit some of his past jobs. Use due diligence, especially on bigger and more expensive projects. You’ve probably heard stories about homeowners who made a substantial down payment, and the contractor never came back!

So, the moral of the story is to be careful when you’re hiring contractors.

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Broken concrete pedestrian footpath revealing a large underground cavity, posing a danger to the general public. Needs urgent repair attention from the local authority.

Are yard depressions a problem?

by BlogYard

Sometimes during our inspections, we see a yard depression. Is this a problem? Well, it depends.

As inspectors a few scenarios go through our minds, some with more important implications than others.

Is it a functioning or an abandoned cesspool? Cesspools often get abandoned which entails filling in the old cesspool with soil. The soil may have settled over the years leaving a depression in the yard. It could also be an abandoned cesspool that never got filled in. Is it a working cesspool that is in a deteriorated condition? Is the depression from a tree that got removed? Is it an oil tank? Is it a broken sewer line washing out the soil? Is it a sinkhole?

All these scenarios have different implications. Based on what was discovered during the inspection, the recommendation may be to do nothing, or it may be to contact a sewage company and/or an oil tank specialist for further evaluation. If a deteriorated cesspool is suspected, it should be dealt with quickly due to safety concerns.

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Don’t Repair Oil Tanks

by BlogOil Tanks

When we see an oil tank that needs any kind of repair, our advice is don’t repair it, just replace it! Sometimes we see fiberglass repairs on the bottom of the tank. Again, our recommendation is to just replace the tank. The downside of a badly leaking oil tank can be a nightmare! We’re talking lots of money to clean it up, not to mention the major inconvenience, odors, etc.! There’s even a possibility the EPA could get involved if oil somehow gets into the soil.

We know of a case where the oil tank overflowed during the filling process. Oil got into the soil and the EPA got involved. The entire basement slab had to be ripped up and all the contaminated soil had to be removed/replaced. The contaminated soil had to be carried out of the house bucket by bucket, traipsing through the kitchen. Also, an air venting system had to be installed to get rid of the odors.

The expected useful life of an oil tank is about 20 years. It may last a lot longer than that, but the recommendation by most experts is to replace it on a preventive maintenance basis after 20 to 25 years. Often, there is no sign of deterioration on the outside of the tank but the inside of the tank is where it deteriorates first. Most residential oil tanks are 275 gallons. When the tank is filled it’s pumped under pressure and the tank fills up within a minute or two. That’s a lot of weight all at once. Sometimes the tanks fail during the fill-up.

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Fire extinguisher, smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm.

MISSING SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

by BlogSafety

One of the most important and common issues that we see during our inspections are missing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  We recommend having an electrician install new smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in all required locations according to the current electrical code.  Many houses have some detectors present but not in all the required locations, or they are old and batteries are dead. By the way, all new detectors are required to be rated for a 10-year life.

We recommend getting high-quality units. It’s like anything else, you get what you pay for. In my opinion, the best protection for you and your family, as well as your home is a new top-of-the-line combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector system.

A system that I have direct experience with is Google’s Nest Protect.  It’s an excellent high-quality product!  But there are other systems on the market today with similar functionality.

  • They can speak clearly in plain language and warn you as to what the nature of the problem is and where it is.
  • They test themselves periodically and warn you clearly in plain language before their self-test.
  • The units are interconnected so that if one unit detects a problem all the units tell you about the problem.
  • These units are Wi-Fi connected and periodically report to your phone or another device as to what has been happening with the system over the last 30 days (for example).
  • Get fast alerts on your phone or device when the system detects a problem.
  • When you approach one of the detectors at night the unit automatically illuminates your pathway.
  • You can “hush” the alarm with your phone.
  • You can test the system with your phone

They can be hardwired to your home’s electrical system, or you can purchase them with a lithium battery that lasts at least 10 years. (Meets New York State laws.)

Of course, the system can be monitored by a central station monitoring company.

It is recommended that these units be installed on the ceiling, one unit in each bedroom, and 1 outside of the sleeping area (in the hallway), at least one detector on each level including the basement.

This may be the single most important piece of technology in your home because it has the potential to save your life and the lives of your family and friends in the event of a fire or carbon monoxide situation, which by the way are far more common than most people think.

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electrical failure in power outlet isolated

Electrical Outlet Safety

by BlogElectrical

Many people ask us what we discover to be the most common electrical issues during a  home inspection.

It’s very rare to find a home that doesn’t have a few incorrectly wired electrical outlets.  Problems such as ungrounded outlets and reversed polarity outlets are very common. Although these aren’t major electrical hazards, they should be rectified to avoid any potential shock hazards. Missing GFCI’s are also very common. GFCI’s prevent electrical shock when an appliance comes into contact with water such as a hair dryer falling into a sink or bathtub. The outlet automatically shuts off to prevent electrocution. These may seem like small issues but could actually save a life!

By the way, we recommend that you enlist the services of a licensed electrician. When it comes to electric and fire safety you can’t be too careful.

All these problems are relatively easy and inexpensive to rectify. We recommend that you have an electrician evaluate all your outlets as well as your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and make modifications as needed.

 

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Close-up view of light gray tile with large diagonal cracks and chips.

Got Cracked Floor Tiles?

by BlogFlooring

Often during our inspections, we see cracked or loose ceramic floor tiles. By the way of background, there are two types of “beds” in tile floor installations. One type is called Thinset, and the other type is called Mortar Bed or more commonly know as a “Mud Bed.”

Thinset consists of a thin layer of bonding cement intended to adhere the tile to the subfloor. Usually, it’s only about 3/8 of an inch thick. It is cheaper to install than a Mud Bed, but it does not allow for movement of the subfloor. Most subfloors move as time goes on, which can result in cracked and loose tiles associated with Thinset installations.

Mud Bed installations are typically considered superior to Thinset applications because:

  1. Mud Beds are usually at least 1 ¼ inches thick offering much more stability
  2. Mud Beds can level out uneven subfloors
  3. Create an ideal surface to which the tile can be bonded
  4. Can incorporate a slope in the tile layer if needed (e.g., slope to a drain)
  5. Reinforces the subfloor (usually relevant in wood framing applications)
  6. Allow radiant hydronic tubing to be installed.

So, if you have the option, we suggest going with a Med Bed rather than a Thinset if possible.

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exterior of a modern two story house with stucco. There is a two car garage with a concrete driveway. The house is in a development in the suburbs.

Synthetic Stucco can be problematic

by BlogGen. Home Components

Synthetic stucco also called Exterior Insulated Finish System (EIFS) has positive attributes:

  1. Less expensive than conventional stucco
  2. Fairly easy and fast to install
  3. Can provide a very attractive appearance to the exterior of the home
  4. Economically provides the appearance of expensive masonry details

Unfortunately, EIFS can be problematic:

  1. Moisture and water intrusion can create mold and wood rot inside the walls, EIFS tends ot hold onto moisture.
  2. The wood rot can ultimately create structural issues.
  3. It’s very important to seal all penetrations (electrical outlets, dryer vents, window frames, door frames)
  4. Poor workmanship is very common. The material must be installed exactly as recommended by the manufacturer. Even then it can be problematic.
  5. There have been class-action lawsuits associated with EIFS

As a result of the concern, most inspectors will recommend further evaluation of the EIFS by a specialist. EIFS inspections are performed by specifically trained inspectors with specialized tools. EIFS inspections can be time-consuming and invasive.

Usually, the presence of EIFS doesn’t develop into a serious issue, but sometimes it does.

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SPRING IRRIGATION SYSTEM TUNE-UP

by BlogInground Sprinklers

Spring is the time to make sure your sprinkler system is working correctly. Maybe a lawnmower damaged a sprinkler head, or there’s an in-ground pipe leak. Perhaps an entire zone is not functioning. More than likely, you wouldn’t know about these issues, unless someone does an inspection. We suggest having an irrigation company do the initial spring turn-on, inspection, and repairs (if needed).

Believe it or not, we once saw a structural issue develop because of an inground sprinkler pipe leaking. The long-term water leak washed out the soil underneath one of the foundation footings and part of the basement slab. Unfortunately, substantial structural repairs were necessary. Nobody knew about the problem until after the damage occurred. Granted, this is a very rare case, but it shows that it pays to keep an eye on the irrigation system.

One of the most common issues with irrigation systems is they run too long. This keeps the ground soggy and causes issues with the lawn, and shrubs.  Running the zones for 15 or 20 minutes Is a good rule of thumb. By the way, we recommend setting up the sprinklers to turn on just after sunrise to reduce evaporation and save on your water bill.

Another recommendation: consider getting a Smart Irrigation System Timer. You can get them for well under $100. These enable you the convenience of operating your entire sprinkler system from your phone. There is a lot more information on the Internet if you want to learn more.

We hope you find these tips useful.

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Stair Codes

by BlogSafety

Injuries on stairs are more common than you may think.

(Reuters Health) – More than 1 million Americans injure themselves on stairs each year, according to a study in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine.

So, it pays to focus on your stairs (both inside and outside of your home).

The following drawings are based on most of the common building codes in effect today. It may take a few minutes to understand what the drawings are saying but we recommend focusing on the subject for your safety, and that of your family.

If you have any questions feel free to call us at 631-275-8080, or email office@safeharborinspections.com. We will be glad to help!

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