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On a recent inspection on a Townhome built in 2015 I found these two little gems. The attic access was sealed and was probably that way from the time the home was built. I asked the seller if I could cut the caulking and enter the attic and they said ok. When I entered the attic I was expecting some heat, they are always hot, but this was hotter than usual. When I started looking around, I saw that the furnace exhaust was not attached to the chimney and was venting into the attic. It was releasing exhaust gas into the attic. That is never good. I am very thankful that no one was hurt.
I also saw that the dryer vent was not secured and dryer lint was blowing into the attic. This was releasing an incredible amount of heat, flammable material and moisture into the attic. PRO-TIP - The moral of the story is just because it is a brand new build, does not mean that it should not be inspected. Things get missed with the best intentions. It pays to have someone take a second look. Pro-Tip - A dry home is a happy home. Consider where the water from the downspouts is going to flow and make sure it flows away from the home.
Pro-Tip - If you clean your bathroom fans it will help keep the vent clear and help prevent the potential for a fire.
Pro-Tip - As part of your monthly home check, remember to check your smoke alarm, CO alarm, and Fire Extinguisher. Consider practicing the "When in doubt change it out" philosophy and take steps to ensure your family and home are safe.
At a recent inspection I came across this dryer vent that was packed with lint. This is a functional concern as well as a safety concern. As the vent is blocked the dryer has to work twice as hard to dry close and may require multiple cycles as there is no place for the moist air to go. Lint is also very flammable so this is a fire concern as well.
Pro-Tip - Dryer vents should be leaned at least annually to help the system vent and running effectively as well as mitigate fire concerns.  Pro-Tip - One very cold winter I woke up to a very cold house. I had not had my furnace checked and the issue turned out to be a very easy fix that would have been caught during an HVAC service. The service fee would have been a small price to pay to of not had the hassle of no heat. As the saying goes, a ounce of prevention.....
What does your roof look like? On a recent home inspection in Colorado Springs, I came across this roof that had significant hail damage. The home was a rental and the tenants were gone during the hail storm so they did not know that the damage had occurred. Your roof has you covered. Your roof covering is the first line of defense in preventing moisture from penetrating your home. Its main job is to shed water to the gutters and downspouts where it can be moved away from your home to prevent foundation issues. Inspect it. No roof system is water proof but the roof coverings do need to be in good condition to work correctly so it is imperative that you inspect your roof or have it inspected to ensure your home and bank account does not suffer from water damage. Pro-Tip - If you are uncomfortable inspecting it or are not sure what to look for, I recommend contacting a professional roofing company to take a look. Just like your car needs maintenance so does your roof. On a recent inspection by Mountain View Home Inspections LLC in Colorado Springs, I came across this great way to test a sump pump. I recommend testing the sump pump once a month to ensure that it is operating correctly and can get water away from the home during periods of high moisture levels in the soil around your home.
A dry home is a happy home:
With all the rain we have been receiving lately it is no surprise that the ground in our yards are wet. It may be a surprise that the dirt against and underneath your foundation may be wet. *Watch the Video Above* Where is it coming from: In the video above I was performing a home inspection in Colorado Springs and had noticed that the down spouts were not moving water away from the home and the landscaping was not sloped away from the home. It was not really a surprise that the crawlspace floor was wet, but the amount of moisture sure was. There was standing water in one corner, rusted columns, and evidence that this had been going on for a while. They called a plumber: The sellers had actually paid a plumber to come out and see where the leak was coming from that made the crawlspace floor wet. It had not occurred to them that the water draining from the roof was the major cause. Keep it slopped and keep them down: When doing any landscaping, make sure the land slopes away from the home and make sure your down spouts move water away from the home. Pro-Tip - Keep water away from everything inside and out of your home. Think about how it flows away from your home and keep it dry. Doing so will save a lot of headaches and keep your hard earned money from washing away. |
Mountain View Home Inspections LLC - "Every Home Deserves a Mountain View" - Certified Professional Home Inspectors serving Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Woodland Park, Monument, Castle Rock, Calhan and surrounding areas
HoursOnline Scheduling Open 24/7
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Telephone970-361-0477
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jake.mvhi@gmail.com
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ServicesHome Inspections, Radon Testing, Sewer Scope Inspections, Thermal Imaging, Water Quality Testing
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