When we start thinking about buying a new home, whether previously owned or a newly built, most of us don’t think about electrical issues. Hidden beneath the walls of your new home could be major problems. If you don’t have a detailed home inspection the results could be deadly! Home builders may not realize it, […]
At first thought a contract for a heating and cooling technician to come to your house and take care of routine maintenance several times a year seems good. Inspectors recommend having the air conditioning and heating checked before each season’s usage. If a company really does the job it’s contracted for, we are in favor
You need your windows to perform properly, even though we don’t often open them in the Houston area. Windows can affect the home’s energy efficiency and safety. Energy efficient homes keep the air conditioning or heat inside with fewer leaks and at a lower cost to the owner. Other than broken windows, there are 4
A builder showed up to our inspection to see if we’d found anything “big” that might be an issue for the buyer. I told him about several issues, including an area where daylight was coming through the attic. A rodent or a squirrel could come through and Wind-driven rain would certainly enter to cause problems.
As you prepare for all the winter festivities, the inviting atmosphere of a fireplace can make these events more special. However, there are 5 signs of trouble you should look for before lighting your fireplace. 1. Firebox Cracks. The firebox is the area where all the magic happens in a fireplace. It is the area
Everything in the house is built upon the most important item – The Foundation. Foundation repairs can range from as little as $3,000 to exceed $50,000. The foundation is so important the Texas Real Estate Commission requires an opinion on its condition. Is the foundation performing as intended? Or does it need a further evaluation?
Fires related to heating equipment are the leading cause of house fires in the United States of America. 19% of deaths in homes are caused by heating equipment. Deaths related to heating are from fires, gas leaks, unsafe fireplaces, old and/or non-working smoke & carbon monoxide alarms, and improperly placed space heaters. Our best bet
Although it is more expensive, most people think buying a new house is a lot like buying a new car or appliance or any other new product. It is NOT! If you bought a new house without having a detailed and thorough inspection, there are going to be some major problems you could face in
The cost of a new roof in Texas ranges between $4,000 and $45,000. When buying a new roof there are different materials, colors and styles to consider. Some companies offer 25, 35, and now even 50 year shingles. As you might expect, the longer life shingles are a higher price. In the Houston Metropolitan Area,
Most of us who swim in lakes or other bodies of water don’t think about being electrocuted. However, even swimming near a boat dock can be dangerous. Electrically charged boat or fishing docks kill people every year due to lack of maintenance. Best practice is to not swim within 50 yards of any known electrical
