Let’s be honest: walking into an open house is a form of psychological warfare. You are greeted by a tray of cookies, a $400 Nest candle that smells like Financial Stability, and a soundtrack of lo-fi beats designed to lower your cortisol levels. The staging is impeccable. There’s a throw blanket artfully draped over a sofa that costs more than my first truck, and every Live, Laugh, Love sign is strategically placed to hide a hole in the drywall.

Sellers are profiling their houses like dating apps. They’re showing you the best angles, the most flattering light, and hiding the fact that the HVAC system sounds like a jet engine clogged with seagull feathers.

As your home inspector, it’s my job to be the professional “buzzkill.” I am the guy who walks into your potential dream home and immediately starts looking for the nightmare lurking below the surface. I don’t care about the quartz countertops or the subway tile backsplash. I care about the stuff that keeps the roof over your head and the water out of your toaster. 

Buying a house is like a high-stakes first date: everyone is on their best behavior until you look in the crawlspace and realize the house has some serious “ex” issues.

If you’re out house hunting and you spot any of these six red flags, don’t let be dazzled by the staging. Don’t panic, but do have my number on speed dial! We’re going to need to do some detective work.

#1 The Spicy Electrical Panel

When I open an electrical panel, I should see a neat, organized rows of breakers. What I often find instead is what I like to call The Bowl of Angry Spaghetti.

DIY Electrical is the leading cause of me having an anxiety attack on the job. Homeowners love to think they’re electricians because they watched a twenty-minute YouTube video. They start adding outlets, wiring up “smart” light switches, and running extension cords through the attic like it’s a jungle gym.

• The Red Flags: I’m looking for “double-tapping” in the breaker box (where some genius jammed two wires into a slot meant for one) or charred, melted plastic on the breakers. That’s not “character”—that’s an active fire hazard.
• The “Panel of Doom”: If I see the words Federal Pacific or Zinsco on the front of that box, we have an immediate problem. These panels are the vintage “fire-starters” of the industry. They are famous for failing to trip when they overheat, which is basically the electrical equivalent of a car that doesn’t have brakes. 

Replacing an electrical panel isn’t the end of the world, but it’s a $2,500+ conversation you need to have before you close.

#2 The Fresh Paint Smell (Everywhere)

If you walk into a basement or a spare bedroom and it smells like a Sherwin-Williams factory just exploded, your Spidey Sense should be tingling. This is what we in the industry like to call “The Landlord Special.” Fresh paint is a classic “homeowner’s highlighter.” It’s often used to draw a nice, crisp, white line right over mold, mildew, or a water stain the size of a Rottweiler. Now, don’t get me wrong—sellers should paint before they list. It’s part of the game. But when I see fresh paint in a basement that has no windows and questionable drainage, I start reaching for my moisture meter.

• The Reality Check: I’ve seen cases where a seller painted over black mold just forty-eight hours before the inspection. It looks great for the photos, but the moisture is still there, trapped behind the “Swiss Coffee” semi-gloss, just waiting to rot the studs.
• Pro Tip: Look at the ceiling corners and the baseboards. If there’s a suspiciously circular patch of “extra white” paint, or if the texture of the drywall feels slightly “mushy” or bubbly, someone is trying to hide a leak from the upstairs bathroom or a failing roof.

#3 The Lasagna Roof Recipe

Did you know you can keep layering shingles on a roof like you’re dressing for a particularly brutal North Dakota winter? You can, but you absolutely shouldn’t.

If you look at the edge of a roof and it looks abnormally thick (like a piece of lasagna, that’s a major red flag. 

Most municipalities allow for two layers of shingles, but I’ve seen three or even four.

• The Physics Problem: Shingles are heavy. A single layer of shingles on a standard house can weigh several thousand pounds. When you double or triple that, you are putting massive, unintended stress on the rafters and the structure of the home.
• The Insurance Nightmare: Here’s the kicker: most insurance companies in 2026 are getting extremely picky. If they see a roof that’s over fifteen years old or has multiple layers, they might refuse to insure the home entirely.
• The Hidden Cost: You can’t just put a new layer over a mess. To fix it properly, you have to pay for a “tear-off,” which means paying a crew to rip off all those layers and haul them to the dump before they even start the new roof. It essentially doubles your labor costs.

#4 Stair-Step Cracks in the Brick

A little settling is normal. Houses are heavy, the earth moves, and over thirty years, things are going to shift. Houses get old, their joints creak, and they get a bit cranky, much like I do when I have to inspect a hot attic in July.

However, there is a very big difference between a “hairline settlement crack” and a “structural SOS.” If you see a crack in the exterior brick or the interior foundation wall that looks like a literal staircase, the house isn’t just settling; it’s trying to return to the earth.

• The Science of the Squeeze: Vertical cracks are often just the house breathing. But stair-step cracks (following the mortar lines) or horizontal cracks are signs of “lateral pressure.” This means the soil outside is pushing against the foundation, or the corner of the house is sinking into a soft spot.
• The “Rule of Thumb”: If the crack is wider than 1/4 inch, or if I can see the neighbor’s backyard through the wall, your bank account is about to have a very bad day. Foundation repair often involves “piers” or “underpinning,” which are fancy industry code words for we have to dig a giant hole and charge you ten thousand dollars.

#5 The Indoor Swimming Pool In the Crawlspace

I’ve spent a significant portion of my life in crawlspaces, and I can tell you that they are the “underbelly” of the housing world.

If I open that hatch and I’m greeted by the smell of old gym socks or worse, a family of frogs splashing, we’re in trouble.

Standing water under a house is a VIP invitation for every nightmare known to man: mold, wood rot, termites, and a guest list of pests (raccoons, opossums, and the aforementioned frog clan) that you definitely didn’t invite to the housewarming party.

• The Evidence: Even if the crawlspace is dry today, I look for efflorescence. That’s the white, chalky powder left behind on concrete walls. It’s the “ghost of water past,” and it tells me exactly how high the water gets when it rains.
• The Rot Factor: Wood is a sponge. If it sits in a high-humidity environment for years, it loses its structural integrity. If I can poke a screwdriver into your floor joist and it goes in like a hot knife through butter, we aren’t talking about a “fixer-upper” anymore—we’re talking about a major structural failure.

#6 Doors That Won’t Close Or Won’t Stay Open

This is the Ghosting Test. If you walk into a bedroom and the door slowly swings open or shut on its own, it likely isn’t a Victorian ghost. It’s probably a foundation problem.

When a house shifts, the frames of the doors and windows are the first things to go out of square. If you have to use your full body weight to get the front door to latch, or if the bedroom door rubs against the carpet, the house is telling you that it’s tilting.

• The Window Test: Try to open a few windows during your walk-through. If they are painted shut, that’s one thing. But if they are physically stuck or require a crowbar to budge, the frames might be compressed from the weight of the house shifting.
• The Marble Test: Set a marble down on a hardwood floor. If it wins a land-speed record rolling toward the kitchen, we need to have a very serious conversation about the “load-bearing” capabilities of your floor joists.

Honorable Mentions (Quick-Fire Red Flags)

• The “Tree Hugger”: A massive oak tree with branches resting on the roof. It looks poetic until those branches act as a highway for squirrels and a saw for your shingles.
• The “Mystery Switch”: A light switch that does absolutely nothing. Usually, this means there’s a junction box buried in a wall somewhere that is just waiting to short out.
• The “Ventless” Bathroom: A bathroom with no window and no exhaust fan is really just a mold cultivation chamber.

The Bottom Line

A red flag doesn’t always mean you should run screaming into the night! Every house has issues. Even new construction. A red flag is simply a price adjustment opportunity.

My job isn’t to tell you whether or not to buy the house; my job is to make sure you know exactly what you’re stepping into. I want you to buy that Vintage Charm house, but I want you to do it knowing that the charm might come with a $5,000 plumbing bill in a year or two.

Don’t let the staging fool you. Before you sign on the dotted line, let’s get dirty and see what’s actually happening behind the façade. By that, I mean let me do it. I’m already wearing my work clothes!

Buying or selling a home in WNC?

Avoid unpleasant surprises! Contact Asheville Home Inspector Peter Young before signing any contracts. Call (828) 808-4980, or click here to make an appointment.

The post Take Off the Rose-Colored Glasses: 6 Inspection Red Flags You Should Not Ignore appeared first on Peter Young Home Inspections.

In this month’s post, I’d like to introduce you to my fictitious colleague, the psychic home inspector Alistair Hearthstone, who combines his expertise with a dose of “second sight.” Take it away, Alistair!


Hello, friends! I’m Alistair Hearthstone, and you’ll soon see I’m not your average home inspector. My colleagues? They’re busy measuring humidity and checking ventilation (which, believe me, is incredibly important!). But I bring a… unique sensitivity to the work. Call it intuition, a sixth sense, or maybe just a very well-honed read of a home’s energy—but when I step onto a property, I don’t just see what is; I often get a clear glimpse of what will be.

Today, I want to talk about how a truly thorough home inspection is so much more than a list of current defects. It’s a powerful crystal ball, predicting your future expenses and helping you budget, plan, and, most importantly, avoid those startling financial surprises down the line.

The Whisper of the Walls: Deciphering Future Repairs

Every home carries its own story, and embedded in that narrative is often a prologue of upcoming expenditures. It’s rarely a dramatic vision of an immediate, catastrophic flood (though I have seen those!). It’s more often a series of subtle indicators that, to the trained eye and a slightly psychic mind, paint a clear picture of what’s coming.

Take your roof, for instance. When I look at those asphalt shingles, I’m not just seeing the granular loss or the slight curl at the edges. I’m seeing the exact heavy downpour in three to five years that will finally compromise its integrity. This leads to a frantic scramble for a contractor and a replacement that will cost a premium because it’s an emergency. Those hairline cracks in the flashing aren’t just cosmetic; they’re a quiet prelude to the slow drip that will unfortunately stain the ceiling of the nursery next spring. My report won’t simply say, “roof nearing end of life.” I’ll tell you to “Budget for a full roof replacement within the next four years to bypass an emergency during the peak wet season.”

Or consider the HVAC system. Sure, the age is a primary clue, but I also listen to its hum. Is it a tired, groaning sound that hints at an imminent compressor failure? Are the condensate lines showing a minor, persistent clog that suggests a full system clean-out and component wear within the year? 

My insight allows me to look past the “currently functional” tag and see the repair person’s van pulling into your driveway for a new capacitor next winter. This isn’t fear-mongering; it’s financial empowerment. It lets you set aside funds for a scheduled replacement or perhaps even an efficiency upgrade, rather than being slammed with a hefty bill when your air conditioning inevitably quits on the hottest day of the year.

The Echo of Energy: Predicting Utility Spikes

Beyond structural repairs, my foresight also helps predict your future utility bills. I once inspected a stunning old Victorian, beautiful in its bones, but with an almost palpable energy drain.

The antique, single-pane windows were practically shouting about heat loss. The thin attic insulation felt like a ghostly chill seeping down into the second floor. My report didn’t just list “deficient insulation” and “dated windows.” It foresaw the astronomical heating bills of December and the struggle to keep cool in July. It forecasted the constant, weary running of the furnace and AC, wearing them out prematurely. I urged the buyers to prioritize insulation and window replacements not just for comfort, but as an investment that would immediately start paying dividends in lower energy costs and a longer lifespan for their mechanical systems. They took the advice, made the upgrades, and later thanked me profusely when their bills were surprisingly manageable.

The Aura of Appliances: When to Expect Replacements

Appliances, too, possess their own subtle auras that hint at their longevity. The water heater, for example. Its rusty outer jacket isn’t just unsightly; it’s a foreshadowing of mineral buildup, reduced efficiency, and the eventual, corrosive leak that will damage your floors. I see the sleek, new unit waiting in the appliance store, ready to step in for its tired predecessor within a year or two.

Even smaller elements like garage door openers or sump pumps reveal their future. The sluggish, protesting movement of the garage door or the faint, too-frequent hum of a sump pump—these are not just observations. They are the initial tremors before a system failure. Being forewarned allows you to budget for a proactive replacement, perhaps even an upgrade with smart technology, allowing you to sidestep the panic and potential damage of a sudden breakdown.

The Ground Beneath Your Feet: Foreseeing Landscape Woes

My visions aren’t limited to the internal workings. The land itself speaks volumes.

The slight slope near the foundation, the perennial puddles after a rain, the aggressive tree roots pushing up the driveway—these aren’t minor landscaping issues. They are the heralds of potential foundation issues, water intrusion into the crawl space, or costly concrete repairs.

I see the future of water pooling against that basement wall, leading to a costly mold remediation project. I glimpse the lifted patio stones that are a future trip hazard. My report doesn’t just state “poor drainage.” It warns, “Address exterior grading within six months to prevent costly water damage to the foundation and interior of the home.”

A home inspection, when performed with diligence and a touch of what I call ‘enhanced perception,’ is much more than a snapshot in time. It’s a predictive analysis, a roadmap of your home’s financial evolution. It allows you to transform potential crises into manageable projects, and surprise expenses into anticipated, funded investments.

So, when you receive my inspection report, remember that it’s not a doom-and-gloom list of problems. It’s a loving guide to your home’s evolving needs, a whisper of its future, helping you prepare, plan, and ultimately, live more comfortably and securely in your cherished space. And that, my friends, is a future I’m always happy to help you see!

Now, back to my good friend, Peter Young.

Whoa, Alistair. You have that gift of second sight. Most of us home inspectors don’t have your psychic abilities!

Please take note: My inspections do not make the claim that I can predict the longevity of anything in the house. NC home inspections are specifically point-in-time inspections. I cannot determine how long any component will last. However, I can give my clients a thorough picture of the condition of the house.
– Peter Young, WNC Home Inspector

Buying or selling a home in Western North Carolina?

Avoid unpleasant surprises! Contact Asheville Home Inspector Peter Young before signing any contracts. Call (828) 808-4980, or click here to make an appointment.

The post More Than Meets the Eye: What Your Home Inspection Really Tells You (A Psychic’s Perspective) appeared first on Peter Young Home Inspections.

Basements have a sketchy reputation. Things lurk down there: forgotten holiday decorations, that treadmill you swore you’d use, and (unfortunately) that dreaded musty smell that hints at water problems.

A wet basement is more than just an annoyance; it’s a structural liability, a potential health hazard (hello, mold!), and a destroyer of perfectly good board games. However, the mere thought of excavating your entire yard to waterproof from the outside can feel like a Herculean task, a muddy, expensive, and frankly, back-breaking endeavor. So, the question arises, with a glint of desperation in your eyes: “Can I waterproof my basement from the inside?”

The short answer, delivered with a sigh of relief, is YES. You absolutely can. 

While not always the permanent “cure-all” for every single problem, interior waterproofing methods are highly effective for patching and managing some common issues. Think of it less as a miracle cure for a sinking ship, and more as installing a robust, internal life raft. Let’s take a quick look.

Find the Source, Of Course, Of Course!

Don’t just assume the water is seeping up from a mysterious underground spring where a forgotten pirate treasure is buried (though wouldn’t that be nice?). 

Look for signs: water stains on the walls, efflorescence (that powdery white mineral deposit that looks like your wall is shedding its skin), and of course, puddles.

Is the water seeping through cracks in the foundation? Is it coming up from the floor? Pinpointing the source is the first and most crucial step.

Once you’ve identified your foe, it’s time to choose your weapon.

Your Interior Arsenal: Sealing & Drainage

One of the most popular and effective interior waterproofing methods involves a combination of sealing and drainage. This is often the go-to solution for walls that are seeping water through small cracks or porous concrete. The process typically starts with a thorough cleaning of the walls to remove any paint, debris, or efflorescence. You need a clean slate for the products to adhere properly.

Next, you can apply a waterproof paint or sealant. These specialized coatings, often sold at your local hardware store, are designed to create a barrier on the interior surface of the foundation walls. Think of it as a super-tough, water-resistant skin for your basement. While this can be a fantastic first line of defense for minor dampness, it’s not a magical fix for major leaks.

If you’re seeing a steady stream of water running down a portion of your wall, paint alone will simply peel and fail under the pressure. For more significant water intrusion, you’ll need to go a step further and install an interior drainage system. This is a game-changer. 

An interior drainage system, also known as a French drain or weeping tile system, can be installed along the perimeter of the basement floor. Dig a trench, put a perforated pipe inside, and cover it with gravel. 

This system’s genius lies in its ability to capture water as it enters the basement from the walls and floors, and then channel it to a sump pump. The sump pump, a hero in its own right, then ejects the water safely away from your home. This method doesn’t stop the water from entering, but it brilliantly controls and redirects it, keeping your basement floor dry and your sanity intact. We highly recommend hiring a professional to set this all up.

Hydraulic Cements and Sealants

Another tool in your internal waterproofing arsenal is hydraulic cement. This isn’t your average concrete; it’s a fast-setting material specifically designed to stop active water leaks.

If you have a specific, gushing crack in your foundation wall, hydraulic cement can be a lifesaver.

It expands as it sets, creating a tight seal that even a determined drip will have a hard time getting past. Applying cement can feel like a high-stakes, race-against-the-clock kind of project, but the satisfaction of watching a leak disappear is unmatched.

Finally, don’t underestimate the power of simply sealing cracks. For smaller, hairline cracks in the floor or walls, using a quality concrete crack sealant can make a world of difference. It’s a bit like putting a band-aid on a scrape. It’s not for a gaping wound, but it’s perfect for preventing a small problem from becoming a big one.

Look Beyond the Walls

So, you’ve painted, drained, and sealed, and your basement is now a dry, usable space where you can finally set up that home gym without fear of your rowing machine floating away. Give yourself a high five!

But here’s the crucial point, the grand finale, the “but wait, there’s more!” of the waterproofing world.

While interior waterproofing is a brilliant and effective solution for many basement woes, it’s crucial to understand what it’s doing. It’s managing the water, not necessarily stopping its source. If you have a significant issue with exterior hydrostatic pressure – water building up against the outside of your foundation walls and actively pushing its way in – interior solutions are a powerful defense, but they aren’t addressing the root cause. This is where you have to look outside. 

Poor grading, clogged gutters, or a failing exterior foundation drain can all be the true culprits. You’ve fixed the symptoms, but to ensure your basement stays dry for the long haul, you may need to address the source of the problem by improving your yard’s drainage and ensuring water is directed away from your home’s foundation. It’s the difference between patching a leaky roof and just putting buckets under the drips. Both will work, but only one is a real fix. 

So, enjoy your dry basement, but keep an eye on the bigger picture. Consider asking a professional to assess your home’s foundation.

Buying or selling a home in WNC?

Avoid unpleasant surprises! Contact Asheville Home Inspector Peter Young before signing any contracts. Call (828) 808-4980, or click here to make an appointment.

The post Out, Out, Damp Spot: A Short Guide to Waterproofing a Basement From the Inside appeared first on Peter Young Home Inspections.

Ah, home ownership. The American Dream. Visions of picket fences, manicured lawns, and warm summer weekends grilling on the backyard deck. What they don’t show you in glossy real estate brochures is the epic battle you’re about to wage against leaky faucets, rogue termite militias, and the terrifying threat of your HVAC going belly up in the middle of a record heat wave. 

Welcome, brave homeowner, to the glorious and always expensive world of home maintenance. But fear not, for we are here to arm you with the ultimate weapon: a budget! Because nothing says “adulting” like meticulously planning for things to break!

You Need a “Fun”d (It’s Not Fun, But We Can Pretend!)

Let’s be honest, nobody wants to think about their roof springing a leak during a deluge of biblical proportions or their water heater turning their basement into a scuba training center.

A dedicated home maintenance budget isn’t just smart; it’s your personal financial superhero, swooping in to save the day when disaster strikes (and it will, eventually).

Think of it as pre-emptive retail therapy for your house.

The Crystal Ball of Costs: Debunking Myths (and Embracing Rules)

Forecasting home maintenance costs can feel a bit like fortune telling. But take heart! Here are some sensible rules of thumb for your home maintenance budget that aren’t based on lunar cycles or planetary alignment.

The 1% to 4% Rule: This gem suggests you squirrel away 1% to 4% of your home’s value each year. So, if your humble abode is worth a cool $400,000, you’re looking at budgeting anywhere from $4,000 to $16,000 annually. Why the wide range? Because a brand-new build might just need a pat on the back and a fresh coat of paint, while a charming, century-old Victorian might demand a small fortune and an exorcist (for the moaning pipes, of course).

The Dollar-Per-Square-Foot Rule: Another crowd-pleaser suggests setting aside $1 to $5 per square foot. So, for a 2,500-square-footer, that’s $2,500 to $12,500. This rule acknowledges that more square footage often means more stuff to maintain, more walls to paint, and more nooks and crannies for critters to stake a claim.

Our best advice? Use both. It’s like having two slightly different magic eight balls; combine their wisdom for a surprisingly accurate (and less stressful) prediction. Aim for the higher end if your home is older, prone to dramatic tantrums, or located in a climate that finds “extreme weather events” entertaining.

What’s Eating Away At Your Home Maintenance Budget?

To truly master the maintenance beast, you need to understand its habits. Home maintenance costs generally fall into these aptly named categories:

Predictable Pests (Routine Maintenance): Minor annoyances, if ignored, become major headaches. Think of them as the tiny gremlins that demand attention. HVAC filter changes (unless you enjoy colonies of dust ogres populating your lungs), gutter cleaning (because nobody needs an unplanned waterfall), lawn care (unless you’re about to film a Tarzan movie), and pest control (because your home is for you, not a termite convention). These are usually manageable, but they can add up.

Unexpected Tantrums (Minor Repairs): Your toilet running like a marathoner? A leaky faucet dripping away your sanity and water bill? A mysterious crack in the drywall threatening to turn into a portal to another dimension? These are sudden, inconvenient, but generally fixable dramas. Keep a small stash of cash for these, because they willhappen. It’s like your house is a toddler, constantly surprising you with new ways to break stuff.

Budget-Busting Blockbusters (Major Replacements/Repairs): Ah, the big ones. The ones that make you gasp and check your retirement fund. A new roof, an HVAC system replacement, a hot water heater that kicks the bucket mid-shower. These are not a question of if, but of when. These blockbusters require a significant financial investment, usually at the most inopportune moment. Start saving for these yesterday.

“Holy Guacamole!” Moments (Emergency Fund Allocation): Despite your best intentions, sometimes your house decides to go rogue. A tree falls on your garage, a pipe bursts during a blizzard, or a stray meteorite redecorates your living room. This is where your dedicated emergency fund shines. It’s the ultimate “break glass in case of absolute chaos” fund, preventing you from needing to sell a kidney on the black market.

How to Tame the Beast: Chaos to Cash Flow

Become a Home Detective:Before you even think about budgeting, grab a flashlight and inspect your home from top to bottom. Are there suspicious stains on the ceiling? A strange hum from the furnace? 

Set Up a “Needy House Account”: Seriously, give it a fun name. “The Fund for Fixing Stuff That Breaks,” “My Home’s Therapy Fund,” “The Great Money Suck,” or whatever motivates you. Then, set up automated transfers. Out of sight, out of mind, until you really need it.

Prioritize Like a Pro: A leaky roof is urgent. A slightly chipped paint job, not so much. First fix what can cause further damage or pose safety risks. You can always tackle the cosmetic stuff when your budget cup is fat with extra cash.

Embrace Your Inner DIYer, but Use Caution: YouTube is your friend! Learn to change an air filter, re-caulk a leaky tub, or fix a running toilet. You’d be amazed at how much money you can save. But know your limits. Electrical work, major plumbing, or anything involving structural integrity? Call a professional, unless you want to star in an episode of “America’s Funniest Homeowner Fails!” 

Track Your Spending: Keep a running tab of every penny you spend on home maintenance. This isn’t just for masochists; it’s crucial data. It shows you where your money is really going and helps you refine your budget for next year. You might be surprised to find out how much that “small” garden project really cost you.

Annual Budget Re-enactments (Review and Adjust): Your home, like a teenager, is constantly evolving. What worked this year might not work next year. Review your budget annually. Did you spend more on HVAC this year than expected? Did you have to replace ancient kitchen appliances? Adjust accordingly. It’s an ongoing, ever-evolving saga.

The Take-Away

Your home maintenance budget isn’t a glamorous topic, and budgeting for it isn’t exactly a thrilling pastime. However, by facing it head-on with a solid financial plan, you transform what could be a source of stress into a plan for proud home ownership. So go forth, brave homeowner, conquer those leaks, battle those termite legions, and enjoy your beautifully maintained and financially secure abode. Your wallet and your sanity will thank you!

Buying or selling a home in WNC?

Avoid unpleasant surprises! Contact Asheville Home Inspector Peter Young before signing any contracts. Call (828) 808-4980, or click here to make an appointment.

The post Home Maintenance: How to Budget for the Inevitable (and Expensive) appeared first on Peter Young Home Inspections.

Your home is likely your biggest investment, and its stability literally rests on its foundation. While often out of sight, your foundation supports the entire structure, sort of like the mythical Atlas carrying the heavens on his shoulders. 

But what happens when that hero starts to falter? Recognizing early warning signs of foundation issues is more than just aesthetics; it’s about your home’s safety and longevity.

The specter of foundation problems can be terrifying, spawning nightmares of bleeding money. However, not every creak or crack spells disaster. The key is knowing what to look for and when to call professionals. 

Your home is communicating with you. Learn its language to know what it’s trying to tell you. And no, we’re not talking about it whispering sweet nothings, but rather, hinting at structural woes.

Cracking up!

Cracks are perhaps the most common and alarming sign. Minor hairline cracks in plaster or drywall can simply be normal house settling or humidity changes. Think of them as your home’s stretch marks. The cracks demanding your attention indicate structural movement.

Foundation cracks are a significant red flag. Check exterior and interior walls for vertical, horizontal, or stair-step cracks, especially around doors and windows. Pay attention to cracks wider than a quarter-inch, or those that grow over time.

Don’t forget to look down! Floor cracks, especially if wide or uneven, can indicate foundation problems. Similarly, drywall cracks, particularly diagonal ones radiating from door and window corners, often signal a shifting structure. If your drywall looks like the roadmap from your last vacation, then it’s time to pay attention.

Doors and windows: The sticky truth

Beyond cracks, your doors and windows can be surprisingly vocal. Difficulty opening or closing them isn’t just annoying; it can be a significant indicator. When a foundation shifts, it can distort frames, causing them to bind or become jammed. If your doors are playing hard to get, or your windows are staging a silent protest, your foundation might be throwing a tantrum.

Even more telling are gaps between exterior windows and walls. If you see light or feel a draft where the window frame meets the wall, it suggests the foundation is moving, pulling the wall away. These gaps compromise energy efficiency and can allow moisture intrusion.

Floors and Walls: A crooked tale

Inside, pay close attention to your floors and walls. Uneven floors, where you feel a noticeable slope or dip, are a classic sign of foundation settlement. This indicates a section of your foundation has sunk or shifted. If walking through your living room feels like navigating a funhouse, your foundation might be the culprit. Similarly, sagging floors can also point to what lies below.

Now, look at your walls. Are they straight, or are they beginning to bow inward? Bowing walls are a serious concern, indicating significant pressure that the foundation can no longer withstand.

If your walls are starting to look like they’re doing the limbo, it’s time for a professional assessment.

What about that stately chimney? A cracked or leaning chimney is another strong indicator. Because chimneys are heavy and independent, they’re highly susceptible to foundation movement. If your chimney seems to be pulling away or is visibly tilted, like it’s had one too many, it’s a clear sign something is amiss below.

Finally, those subtle (or not-so-subtle) gaps between walls and floors are also red flags. As the foundation shifts, it can create separation, allowing drafts or even pests. Nobody wants a gap that lets in a draft and a family of freeloading mice.

Other indicators: The silent whispers

Sometimes, signs aren’t outwardly visible but are equally important. A musty smell, particularly in your basement or crawl space, often signals water intrusion.

While water doesn’t directly damage the foundation’s structural integrity, it can lead to hydrostatic pressure, soil erosion, and mold growth, all of which compromise the foundation. 

Therefore, basement water leaks are a serious indicator. If your basement smells like a forgotten gym sock, it’s more than a sign you need to air it out. It’s a strong hint of possible foundation problems.

Look at any concrete or brick work around your home, like patios or walkways. If you notice uneven concrete or brick, it could be a sign of settling or shifting of the underlying ground, which can impact your home’s foundation. Your perfectly laid patio shouldn’t look like a topographical map.

When to call the professionals

Observing one or two of these signs doesn’t necessarily mean your home is crumbling like a stale cupcake. However, if you notice a combination of several signs, or if any are pronounced and worsening, it’s crucial to seek professional help. A qualified foundation specialist can diagnose the root cause and recommend appropriate action. Ignoring these warning signs can lead to more extensive damage and significantly higher repair costs. 

By learning to recognize the silent language of foundation issues, you can protect your investment and ensure your home remains on solid ground for years to come. So, next time your door sticks, or you spot a new crack, don’t just sigh and blame the weather. Your home might be crying out for attention. Are you listening?

Buying or selling a home in Western North Carolina?

Avoid unpleasant surprises! Contact Asheville Home Inspector Peter Young before signing any contracts. Call (828) 808-4980, or click here to make an appointment.

The post Is your home on shaky ground? The silent language of foundation problems appeared first on Peter Young Home Inspections.

Considering the recent catastrophic effects of Hurricane Helene on Western North Carolina, it’s likely that a significant number of homes for sale in the area have suffered water damage.

Water damage can be a costly and disruptive problem for homeowners. As a potential home buyer, it’s essential to be vigilant and know how to spot the signs. Here’s a guide to help you identify potential water damage, assess its severity, and make informed decisions about whether to proceed with a home purchase.

Why it matters

Water damage must never be taken lightly. It can lead to a host of issues, including:

Structural Damage: Water can weaken the structural integrity of a home, affecting walls, floors, and foundations.

Mold Growth: Damp conditions create the perfect breeding ground for mold, which can trigger respiratory problems and allergies.

Electrical Hazards: Water damage can compromise electrical systems, leading to short circuits and fire hazards.

Decreased Property Value: Water damage can significantly reduce the value of a property.

Water damage red flags

Water damage can hide in clever ways. Knowing what to look for puts you in the driver’s seat. Here are some signs:

• Visible Water Stains: Look for water stains on ceilings, walls, and floors. These can be discolored patches or streaks. Check for water marks on carpets and upholstery. Inspect basements and crawl spaces for signs of past flooding.
• Musty Odors: A persistent, unpleasant odor, often described as “musty” or “mildew-like,” can indicate hidden water damage. Your nose knows! Use your sense of smell to detect any unusual odors.
• Peeling Paint and Wallpaper: Blistering, peeling, or bubbling paint can be a sign of water damage. Water damage can also cause wallpaper to loosen or discolor.
• Mold Growth: Visible mold growth, often appearing as black, green, or gray patches, is a clear indication of water damage. Look for mold in hidden areas like behind cabinets, under sinks, and in crawl spaces.
• Wood Rot and Decay: Inspect wooden beams, joists, and framing for signs of rot or decay. Look for soft, spongy, or discolored wood.
• Electrical Issues: Be cautious if you notice flickering lights, frequent power outages, or a burning smell. Water damage can compromise electrical wiring, leading to safety hazards.
• Foundation Problems: Cracks in the foundation, uneven floors, or doors that stick can be signs of water damage affecting the foundation.

How to know for sure

When you spot tell-tale signs of water damage, here are some additional steps to take:

• Hire a Professional Inspector: A qualified home inspector can conduct a thorough examination and identify potential water damage issues.
• Ask the Seller Questions: Inquire about any past water damage incidents, repairs, and insurance claims filed.
• Review Property Records: Check property records for any water damage claims or insurance reports.
• Use a Moisture Meter:  A moisture meter can help detect hidden water damage in walls, floors, and ceilings.

Potential solutions for water damage

Does uncovering water damage mean you should walk away from a home purchase? That depends upon the severity of damage. For minor damage, repairs can be negotiated with the seller.

For minor water damage, some common solutions include:

• Drying out affected areas with dehumidifiers and fans.
• Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces to prevent mold growth.
• Replacing damaged materials like drywall, flooring, or insulation.

Severe water damage is far more costly and extensive and may include:

• Structural repairs to address foundation issues or weakened framing.
• Mold remediation to remove and clean up mold-infested areas.
• Electrical system repairs or replacement.
• Complete renovation of affected areas.

To buy or not to buy… That is the question!

Should you walk away? When considering a property with potential water damage, weigh the following factors:

• Severity of the Damage: Evaluate the extent of the damage and the potential costs of repairs.
• Seller’s Willingness to Disclose: A transparent seller who is upfront about the issue may be more willing to negotiate a fair price or make necessary repairs.
• Your Budget and Time Constraints: Consider your financial resources and the time you’re willing to invest in repairs and renovations.
• Long-Term Impact: Assess how water damage might affect the property’s value and your future plans.

If water damage is minor and the seller is willing to make necessary repairs, it may be worthwhile to proceed with the purchase. However, if the damage is severe or the seller is unwilling to address the issue, you might just want to pass on the deal.

By understanding the signs of water damage and taking a proactive approach, you can protect yourself from costly repairs and ensure a sound investment in your future home.

Buying or selling a home in Western North Carolina?

Avoid unpleasant surprises! Contact Asheville Home Inspector Peter Young before signing any contracts. Call (828) 808-4980, or click here to make an appointment.

The post Unmasking water damage: A buyer’s guide appeared first on Peter Young Home Inspections.

A special message from Peter Young

Recently, Western North Carolina was struck by a weather disaster of historic proportions. Much of Asheville and surrounding areas sustained heavy damage to property and infrastructure. Some areas were all but obliterated.

Nobody is certain about when power and water will be restored throughout the region. Stay informed about relief efforts and conditions in the area.

Please avoid falling for and spreading all the misinformation circulating on social media. Pitch in to help your neighbors where and when you can.

Here is a list of resources from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.

Wishing you and your loved ones a safe and speedy recovery from the storm.

Peter Young Home Inspections is open for business to take care of all your home inspection needs.

If you suspect your home was damaged in the recent hurricane, we are offering limited storm damage inspections, such as:

• Roof
• Exterior
• Basement
• Attic
• Crawlspace

Please call Peter Young at 828-808-4980 for pricing.

NOTE: For regular home inspections, please see our contact information below to arrange an appointment.

The time to prepare for disaster is NOW

Natural weather disasters can strike at any time, leaving homeowners scrambling to protect their family and their home. While we can’t prevent these disasters from occurring, we can take proactive steps to prepare our homes and minimize their impact to life and property.

In this post, we will discuss simple and effective ways to prepare your home for various natural weather disasters, including hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and winter storms.

Here’s a readiness checklist of tasks to do before a weather emergency is breathing down your neck.

Let’s start on the outside of your home. These steps should be taken well in advance of a storm’s arrival.

• Trim trees and shrubs: One of the most important things you can do to protect your home is to trim any trees or shrubs near your roofline. Branches can break off during storms and crash down on your roof. Also, inspect trees that are within falling distance of your home. If they are old and appear weak and rotted, arrange for a professional to remove them. Falling trees can destroy your home and cause serious injury or death.
• Clean gutters and downspouts: Clogged gutters and downspouts can lead to water damage to your roof and cause flooding near entryways during heavy rain. Make sure gutters and downspouts are clean and free of debris.
• Secure outdoor objects: Put away any outdoor objects that could blow around in the wind, such as lawn furniture, toys, flower pots, hanging baskets, and garbage cans.
• Install storm shutters or storm windows: Storm shutters and storm windows can help protect your windows from damage during high winds and in the event of flying debris.
• Consider a whole-house generator: A whole-house generator can provide backup power during a power outage. These are expensive, but well worth the price if power is out for days. If you are considering a whole-house generator, be sure to have it professionally installed. Improper installation can cause serious injury or death. Click here to learn more about whole-house propane generators.
• Install a buried propane tank: A buried propane tank can provide a reliable source of fuel for your generator. Go for 500 or even a thousand gallons, if you’re looking for longer-term protection. This, too is costly, but can bring real peace of mind during extended outages. Some companies will sell you the tank, but many others rent it for a nominal annual price. If you rent the tank, then you must buy propane from that same company. Some companies will bury the tank as part of the deal, but others leave it up to you to find a company to do the deed.
• Install a propane heater that needs no electricity. If you’re burying a propane tank, why not have a propane heater installed in your main living area? Be sure it’s one that requires no electricity to operate. Empire heaters can operate as radiant heaters during power outages. They also have fans to help distribute the heat when the power is on. Do a search online for distributors in your area. NOTE: We recommend only direct vented heaters. And always have a carbon monoxide detector in the room with your heater.
• Prepare your fireplace or wood stove: If you have a fireplace or wood burning stove, be sure to have your chimney or flue pipe inspected and cleaned annually. Also, be sure you have enough wood stored to get you through several weeks in a winter emergency.
• Check your roof: Inspect your roof for damage after a storm. If you find any damage, be sure to have it repaired quickly to avoid additional property damage.

Interior home preparations

These are the steps we recommend for the inside of your home, and to be sure your family is prepared for emergencies.

• Develop an evacuation plan: If you live in an area that is prone to natural disasters, it is important to have an evacuation plan in place. Decide where you will go and how you will get there.
• Prepare your family: Talk to your family about what to do in case of a natural disaster. Make sure everyone knows where to go and how to contact each other.
• Assemble a disaster supply kit: A disaster supply kit should include everything you need to survive for several days without power or water. This kit should include food, water, first aid supplies, flashlights, a battery-powered radio, and a change of clothes.
• Change batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors: Make sure your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors have fresh batteries.
• Stock up on supplies: Stock up on essential supplies, such as canned food, water, and batteries. If you have a gas stove, you can cook with it during power outages,
• Have a backup plan for communication: If your phone lines are down, you may need to use a backup method of communication, such as a satellite phone or a ham radio. A ham radio will require a source of electricity.

Some additional steps you need to take

Wait! You’re not done yet.

Once you’ve covered the steps above, here are additional recommendations to be prepared for weather emergencies:

• Stay informed: Stay informed about the weather forecast and any impending storms.
• Be prepared to evacuate: If you are ordered to evacuate, be prepared to leave immediately.
• Stay safe during a storm: If you are caught in a storm, stay indoors and away from windows.
• Sign up for emergency alerts: Sign up for emergency alerts from your local government. This will help you stay informed about any impending storms.
• Learn first aid: Learn basic first aid so that you can help yourself or others in case of an emergency.
• Support your community: Volunteer with your local emergency management agency or Red Cross. This will help you learn more about disaster preparedness and response.
• Stay calm and collected: If a natural disaster strikes, it is important to stay calm and collected. This will help you think clearly and make good decisions.
• Have a plan for flushing toilets if you have a well and the power goes out: If you have a well and the power goes out, your well pump will not be operational to provide your toilets (or the rest of your home) with water. However, you can still flush your toilet by using a bucket of water. Fill several five-gallon bottles with water before the storm strikes. Another trick is to fill your bathtub prior to the storm to fill your bucket. Test this out and be sure your tub drain holds the water. If it doesn’t there are drain plugs available at hardware stores. Just fill your bucket with water and pour it into the toilet tank to the proper level. This will allow you to flush the toilet and help to prevent sewage or septic backups.
• Never use portable propane or other fuel camping stoves indoors: Use of camping stoves indoor creates carbon monoxide, which can lead to serious injury or death.

By taking these steps, you can help to ensure that you and your family are safer and more prepared for whatever comes your way.

Buying or selling a home in Asheville?

Avoid unpleasant surprises! Contact Asheville Home Inspector Peter Young before signing any contracts. Call (828) 808-4980, or click here to make an appointment.

The post How to prepare for weather disasters appeared first on Peter Young Home Inspections.

People often ask if a home inspection can kill a real estate deal? The simple answer would be no. An inspection of itself is not the reason deals are called off. However, there are times when the inspector finds serious issues with a house, which can cause negotiations between buyer and seller to break down, and the deal may fall apart.

First, let’s define the role of a home inspector. An inspector is a professional hired by buyers or sellers to carefully inspect a house and inform you of things that may be broken and in need of repair or replacing. When he or she does find issues in a home, the report may recommend seeking out an “expert,” such as a licensed electrician, roofer, plumber, or HVAC specialist for further evaluation or remediation. That’s because most of the time, inspectors are not licensed in these fields.

In most cases, the buyer hires the inspector and pays him to do his job and present his report. There are times when an inspection may uncover serious issues that may cause buyers to walk away from the deal. However, the inspector presents the findings in a neutral fashion, without getting involved in negotiations between the seller and the buyer.

As a home buyer, do you need an inspection? That’s a resounding YES! North Carolina is a “buyer beware” state. As a buyer, it is your responsibility to learn everything you can about a property before signing on the dotted line. When trouble is found, you can request repairs or a discount for the cost of the repairs, but if the seller won’t budge, you have the option of walking away from the deal.

The greater Asheville area is still a hot seller’s market, so negotiation may be off the table for small issues, but major defects are a different matter entirely. Let’s take a peek at some of the discoveries that sometimes derail the sale of a home.

Water damage and mold

Mold forms from damp or even wet conditions. Moisture in the house can come from a leak in the roof or chimney, cracked foundation walls, flooding, failing siding, and more.

Mold in the attic or basement left unchecked can cause problems in the home’s interior.

If you find mold and moisture on the insulation in your attic, make an appointment with a licensed roofing company to find and eliminate the problem at its source. Then you’ll need to consult a mold remediation company to clean it up.

Water and mold in homes may cause some buyers to walk away from the deal.

Major foundation issues

A home’s foundation is the core upon which the structure rests. Major problems with the foundation will likely reveal other issues in the home, such as:

• Uneven floors
• Sticking or tilted doors and windows
• Dampness or water in the basement

Minor cracks in the foundation are normal, since all houses settle over time. However, large cracks can be a cause of concern and require a foundation expert to estimate the potential cost of repair.

Major foundation repairs can range in the tens of thousands of dollars. Discuss solutions with the seller, such as getting them to repair the problem. This may have to be fixed before the deal can go through, because lenders may reject a property with serious foundation issues. If the seller refuses, then the buyer might choose to end the deal.

Roof repair or replacement

A roof is more than just a barrier from the elements. It helps maintain the home’s structural integrity. Instructors will look for loose or missing shingles, soft spots, and signs of water damage. Even relatively new roofs can lose shingles in storms. These are easily replaceable, but rotted wood underneath the shingles can be an expensive fix and may signal the need for complete roof replacement.

Can complete roof replacement be a deal-breaker? That depends. If the roof is shot and needs immediate replacement, some folks will amend their offer, or they might request the seller make the repairs, or they might just walk away from the deal.

Finding asbestos in the home

Older homes may have asbestos, which, when disturbed, can cause a fatal form of lung cancer called mesothelioma. Before being banned in the USA, asbestos could be found in flooring, drywall, attic insulation, siding, and pipe insulation.

The problem occurs if you’re doing renovation and repairs, and the material breaks up and gets into the air (and into your lungs). If you have this in your home and you plan on doing renovations, then you will need to get the material tested and removed by an accredited and reputable environmental contractor. This can be costly (up to $20 per square foot) and may become a deal-breaker.

Polybutylene piping

Polybutylene piping is a type of plastic resin used for indoor plumbing in homes from the late 70s through late 90s. The most common color of “Poly B” was light gray, but there were other colors, such as blue, silver, black, or white, depending upon region and manufacturer.

The main problem with Poly B piping in homes was its susceptibility to degradation and eventual failure over time, resulting in leaks and burst pipes, and causing sometimes catastrophic water damage. 

There are other types of plastic pipes found in homes, but if they are gray and flexible, chances are they are Poly B. Your home inspector should be able to identify them, or may recommend getting a licensed plumber to confirm the findings. Many homes built with Poly B are likely facing the need for replacement with more reliable materials.

Depending upon size, repair costs can range from several thousand dollars to more than $15,000. Discovery of Poly B is, at the very least, a reason for renegotiating a home’s selling price.

Dangerous or outdated electrical system

Two potential sticking points in home deals are aluminum electrical wiring and old-fashioned knob and tube wiring. Aluminum wiring can be trouble, because the connection to outlets, switches, fixtures, and lights can become overheated. Continual heating and cooling can result in loose connections and fires. Many insurance companies will not underwrite homes with aluminum wiring.

Knob and tube wiring lacks a ground wire for safety. An easy way to spot it is all the electrical outlets in the home have only two-prongs.

Electrical repairs and wiring upgrades can be pricey, and some buyers may choose to walk if the seller won’t budge on the price or opt to do the repair.

The need for speed!

If your inspection report reveals serious issues in the home, begin negotiations with the seller immediately, and if you do need to walk away, do it quickly. Your purchase agreement usually contains clauses about a bad inspection report of a low home appraisal. 

Your realtor and attorney can advise you on withdrawing your offer and arranging to get your earnest money returned. Then you’ll be free to find another, more suitable home for your needs.

Buying or selling a home in Western North Carolina?

Avoid unpleasant surprises! Contact Asheville Home Inspector Peter Young before signing any contracts. Call (828) 808-4980, or click here to make an appointment.

The post Potential home inspection deal-breakers appeared first on Peter Young Home Inspections.

Vacation time is here! You’re so eager to hit the road that you’re not thinking about misfortunes that could strike your house when you’re gone. 

Our purpose is not to spoil your fun or convince you to cancel your plans. Quite the reverse! We’re here to share a few common-sense precautions so you can enjoy a more worry-free vacation. 

Let’s take a look at some common home disasters that can occur during vacation time.

Hot hot hot!

Summer is famous for thunderstorms and lightning-related home fires. When nobody’s around to call 911, a fire can gulp down your house for lunch. The best solution is a professionally installed lightning rod. Get the message? Don’t do this yourself. Any metal protrusion on your house must be grounded properly to prevent disaster. 

Call a licensed electrician to install your lightning rod.

Another source of home fires is faulty or failing wiring. If you live in an old house, be sure to have your wiring checked by a professional before going away.

Finally, it helps to have a neighbor you trust keep an eye out for you and call 911 in event of fire.

Lawn death

All the recent hot weather can fry your lawn, opening it to insect invasion. While excessive heat scorches your grass, extreme heavy rainfall makes it vulnerable to disease and fungus. Your best bet while you’re gone is to leave the number of your lawn care service with a trusted neighbor, in case of an emergency. Offer the same when your neighbor goes away. Fair is fair.

Burglary

Going away on Wednesday for two weeks? Why not just advertise it to the world on Facebook? Criminals like to troll the Internet for opportunities. And don’t let your kids share your vacation plans on all their social media venues. Save your vacation pictures until you get home.

If you plan to be gone for a while, arrange with your lawn service to keep your grass mowed, and place a hold on mail and newspaper deliveries. If you’re not inclined to suspend your mail service, ask a trusted neighbor to collect your mail daily.

Keep motion-activated lights operational while you’re gone. Burglars work best in the dark.

Home invasion

We’re talking about pests, not robbers! Bees, wasps, yellow jackets, bats, rats, or squirrels can find their way in and wreak havoc on your home. They build nests in your wood framing, munch their way through electrical wires, and leave droppings in their wake. 

If a rat gets electrocuted chewing through wires, it will begin to decompose quickly in the summer heat, and the stench can become unbearable. 

Be sure to keep your eave vents screened securely, and do the same with openings in your crawlspace.

Do a visual inspection regularly for places around your home where varmints can enter, and be sure to keep them sealed securely.

I think that I shall never see a thing as heavy as a tree…

As mentioned above, summer means storms! Think high winds, heavy rain, saturated soil, and falling trees or limbs. A falling tree can really do a number on your house!

Check out the trees around your home. Are there old, vulnerable trees within falling distance of your roof, or huge, heavy branches hanging overhead? If so, call a certified arborist to come out and take a look. They know how to spot warning signs that might spell trouble for your house. Do this a few months before you plan to leave on vacation.

While on your property, an arborist can cut back overhanging branches, which are best kept at least eight to ten feet from your roof line. Also, they can identify trees that are notorious for uprooting, such as Bradford pears, which might spell disaster in high winds.

When spores attack!

Summer heat and humidity are a perfect recipe for spores. That’s why your HVAC system is your friend, especially when you’re away on vacation. The system not only keeps your home cool, but it draws humidity from inside to outside.

Never leave the AC turned off when you go away. Just a few days are all it takes for spores to take root and fill your home with mold. Keep the AC set at 77 while you’re gone. That should be enough to keep mold at bay.

Water, water everywhere

Do you have known issues with your foundation? I you answered yes, then it’s imperative to keep water at bay. Be sure your yard is graded away from your house, and keep your rain gutters clear to prevent water from running down to your foundation. You may even have to install a French drain to carry water away.

There are other ways water can trash your home when you’re not there. One of the biggest culprits is that aging water supply or drain hose on your washing machine. If you see any suspicious bulges, it’s time to replace them. Also, to be on the safe side, turn off the water supply to your washer before you drive away.

Don’t forget that ancient water heater. If it fails while you’re gone, it can send its whole 75-gallon load rushing across your house. If your water heater was installed back in the Jurassic days, it is probably best to cut the power, turn off the water supply, and drain the water out before you go, if possible. But BEWARE! When you return, you MUST turn on the water supply and fill the tank before switching on the power, to avoid burning out the heating elements.

Take these tips to heart for peace of mind during your vacation.

Buying or selling a home in Western North Carolina?

Avoid unpleasant surprises! Contact Asheville Home Inspector Peter Young before signing any contracts. Call (828) 808-4980, or click here to make an appointment.

The post Going away for vacation? Take steps to prevent disaster before it strikes appeared first on Peter Young Home Inspections.

Becoming a homeowner brings a sense of accomplishment and pride. It’s one of life’s “graduations.” Along with this pride must come responsibility, and there are a number of things every homeowner should know. Here are eight of them.

Return of the Flapper

During the 20^th Century, they called this decade the Roaring 20s. Women known as Flappers were very popular. Today, a different kind of flapper is still popular, but this one resides in your toilet tank.

Let’s say you go into the bathroom and you hear the toilet tank running. Don’t rush to call a plumber. Chances are good that your problem is a corroded flapper. Carefully open the top of the tank (it’s ceramic, so don’t bump it into anything), and look for a red, rubber thingy at the bottom of the tank. Does it look all slimy with dark spots all over it? Replace it!

If it looks okay, it could still be the culprit. To be sure, try this simple test. Put a few drops of red food coloring into the tank and don’t flush for at least an hour. If you see red water in the toilet bowl, it’s time to replace the flapper.

Buy a new flapper at a hardware store. Be sure it’s the same size as the one you’ll be replacing. Before you begin, locate the water shut-off behind your toilet, and turn the valve all the way to the right. If the water is turned off properly the tank won’t fill up again after you flush the toilet. With the tank empty, detach the old flapper’s chain from the flush arm and unhook the flapper from the stem. Attach the new flapper to the stem and attach the new chain (being sure to leave some slack). Turn the water back on and flush the toilet. When the flush is complete and the tank is refilled, there should be no more water draining out of the tank. Congratulations! You just saved yourself a plumbing bill.

Click here to see a video about replacing the flapper.

Pumping Rubber

Never pour latex paint down your sink. It hardens up into a rubbery substance. Don’t even clean your paint brushes in the sink; use a hose in the yard outside. If your home is hooked to a septic tank, the problem is even worse. Latex paint can clog up the openings to and from your tank, preventing waste from passing through. When waste gets backed up, where does it go? You guessed it! Right into your house. If you’re lucky, you’ll just get water bubbling up, but if you’re not so lucky… Well, you get the idea.

Whose Fault Is It, Anyway?

Not many folks know they should test their ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets at least quarterly, and preferably once a month. 

GFCIs are outlets with the “test” and “reset” buttons. They’re mostly found in wet areas, such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and exterior outlets. 

If you have outlets in wet areas without GFCI protection, it’s time to get them replaced. We can’t emphasize this enough.Having a GFCI outlet do its job can literally be the difference between life and death.

Testing them is a breeze! Plug a small desk lamp into the outlet, and turn the lamp on. Next, press the “test button.” If the GFCI outlet is in working order, you’ll hear a click, and the lamp will shut off. Then press the “reset” button. The light should turn on again. If it doesn’t, your GFCI is malfunctioning and needs to be replaced. 

If you are handy with light electrical chores, replace the outlet. Be sure to cut off the power at the circuit breaker before you begin. If you are not comfortable with this kind of repair, call an electrician.

Caught In A Trap

Your kitchen sink is draining more slowly than molasses running uphill. Is it time to call a plumber? That depends on you. If you’re willing to move past your comfort zone and learn about p-traps, you can save yet another costly plumbing bill. 

What is a p-trap? It’s that u-shaped part of the pipes under your sink where stuff like wedding rings can get stuck and where gooky, greasy buildup can prevent water from flowing any further through the pipes. 

First, get yourself a Zip-It Drain Snake. It’s an inexpensive plastic tool that you thread down the drain, wiggle around, and then pull out to remove glop and gunk. Don’t forget to put on disposable rubber gloves before you begin. In the bathroom sink you might encounter a hair clog monster half the size of your arm. The Zip-It is an easy way to clear some or all of it and get things flowing again. But if you can’t clear the clog, it’s fairly easy to remove the p-trap, flush it out with a long, flexible brush, retrieve that ring you dropped in there, or replace corroded plastic washers while you’re at it.

Here’s a video about removing and cleaning a p-trap.

Don’t Get Hosed In Cold Weather

Out here in Western North Carolina, the natives will tell you that when you hear the katydids sing during the day, you’re six weeks away from the first frost. Well, they’ve started singing like chirpy little Carusos! Fall is nearly upon us, and winter will be here sooner than some of us would like. 

If you’ve been in this area for some time, you know that letting your faucets drip can prevent burst pipes during very cold weather. But did anyone tell you that you should disconnect your garden hoses as warm weather comes to an end? Remove all outdoor hoses from spigots when temps are predicted to be at or below freezing. Even “frost-free” hoses can overexpand if it gets cold enough, so be safe and remove them. Burst pipes are costly to fix.

Your Fan Club

Did you know your ceiling fans should not run in the same direction all year? It’s true. During summer your fans should run counter-clockwise to circulate air through the room. In other words, they’re blowing downward. Reverse the direction in the winter so they’re blowing clockwise (upward) to blow the warm air from the ceiling down towards the floor to aid in heating your home. This procedure is as easy as flipping a switch at the base of your fan. Take note of which direction your fan is turning. Then turn it off, wait until it stops moving, and flip the switch in the opposite direction. That’s all there is to it.

Just Breathe

The air filters in your HVAC system are easy to forget until they clog completely or make weird whistling sounds. 

Don’t ignore filters. Your power bill will go up, and if you damage your HVAC system that can get very expensive.

The common belief is to change them every 60-90 days, but if you have a few pets in the house, or if you suffer from allergies, you should think about changing them monthly. Put it on your calendar so you don’t forget.

Always purchase the pleated filters. They don’t cost much more than the flat ones, but they do a better job. Look for an arrow on the filters. This should be the direction of the air flow. Always face the arrow toward the unit – towards the ceiling or wall in which you install them.

Water Water Everywhere…

Is your water heater starting to leak? Sometimes that comes from the drain valve or the pressure release valve. These are easy to replace. However, if the leak is coming from the tank, that’s a red alert! Water heater tanks are lined with a thin glass coating. If or when that glass begins to crack, the water heater becomes a ticking time bomb! The steel starts to rust and a leak appears. Soon the leak will become a flood. It’s not a question of if, but of when. It could take months, or it could take days. If you don’t want 50 or more gallons of water gushing into your house, replace your water heater as soon as the leak appears.

Take pride in home ownership. You’ve earned it. Just be sure to own up to your responsibilities, and you can enjoy your home for many years to come.

Buying or selling a home?

Avoid unpleasant surprises! Contact Asheville Home Inspector Peter Young before signing any contracts. Call (828) 808-4980, or click here to make an appointment.

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