By Lauri Kent, Texas Realtor

 BY LAURI KENT, TEXAS REALTOR

Welcome to the blog about home value, home selling, and all the political and financial winds that blow that can affect the biggest and best investment of your family.

Our mission is to post useful information we find that can help you sell your home, or make sure it maintains its value, through tough economic years.

Friday, September 17, 2010

What You Can Learn From My Home Inspection Professional

As you might expect, even in the world of real estate each professional is only as good as the team of professionals that contribute to the objective of the successfully bought or sold home. I am delighted to have such a team. Integrity is a Lauri Kent Lake Conroe Realty Core Value, and integrity covers not just a general work ethic, but also involves evaluating and protecting that structure and quality of your home. A Total Inspection is my home inspection company, and they have offered a few tips that could help you!

Inspection Trivia
What contributes to some of the biggest problems with houses today?

A Total Inspection Answer: Water
From plumbing leaks to clogged gutters and poor grading. Plumbing leaks need to be repaired and outside rain water needs to be controlled. Water is the silent killer; mold, mildew, foundation failure and termites can be attributed to failure to control water.

Is high water pressure good or bad for a house?

A Total Inspection Answer: Bad
Water pressure should range between 40 and 80 PSI. Water pressure over 80 PSI can cause problems. High water pressure can find a weak link in the plumbing system and can burst. The weak link might be a plastic part in a dishwasher, toilet, or the black hoses on the washing machine. When the part burst, water will run until it is shut off. Running water can do a lot of damage in a very short period of time. The good news is water pressure can be corrected with a pressure relief valve for a very little amount of cost.

What are some of the causes of heat loss in a home?

A Total Inspection Answer: Un-insulated attic access hatches and fireplace dampers.
The attic access hatch should be covered with a piece of insulation. Fireplace dampers left open is like keeping a 48 inch window wide open during the winter; it allows warm air to go up the chimney. Also exterior doors that are not weather stripped and sealed properly.

Can you have too much insulation in your attic?

A Total Inspection Answer: Yes
It is recommended that you have 12 to 14 inches of insulation in your attic. The first 6 inches is most important as it retards 70% of heat loss. Over 14 inches of insulation isn't
necessary.

What is the biggest problem with Electric?

A Total Inspection Answer: Corroded and improperly sized circuit breakers.
Electric is very dangerous and is often ignored. Dampness in an electric box can corrode circuit breakers in the on position preventing them from tripping when overheated. Wires can be improperly sized to circuit breakers.  Also outlets that are within 6' of a sink or outlets in the garage and on the exterior part of the house should be protected By GFCI circuits to prevent possible electrical shock, (Remember safety, safety, safety)


So is your house ready to pass inspection?  Make sure that if you are selling your home, make sure you have a team of real estate experts that will make sure you don't have any last minute complications to the selling or the price point of your home. If you are in the market to buy a home, trust Lauri Kent with Lake Conroe Realty Now to help you find a house of high integrity!

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