Window Caulking Maintenance

After a period of time it may become necessary for you to re-caulk around the windows of your home. Often times the sun will take its toll and cause cracking and separation of the caulk surrounding your windows. When the caulk pulls apart or cracks this will allow water to penetrate into the window are. Caulk forms a seal for cracks that is flexible. Caulk is recommended on cracks or joints that are less than ¼ of an inch. Caulking varys in strength, properties, and prices but can be used for several repairs around the house. Use caulking around bathtubs, wall trim, windows, and doors. Caulking helps to seal out cold air and it can even help with water damage when used around windows. Water-based caulk can be cleaned with water, while solvent-based compounds require a solvent for cleanup.

Be sure to use the appropriate caulk depending on the job you are performing since there are many types of caulk to choose from. First, decide if you want to use water or solvent based caulk, then decide the kind of caulk you’ll use such as, silicone, painters, latex, kitchen and bath, asphalt or rubber. If in doubt, ask your local home improvement store what would be best. The best time to apply caulk is during dry weather when the outdoor temperature is above 45°F (7.2°C). Low humidity is important during application to prevent cracks from swelling with moisture. Warm temperatures are also necessary so the caulk will set properly and adhere to the surface.

When caulking around the home be sure to follow these tips:

1. Clean all areas that will need to be caulked. Remove any old caulk using a putty knife and make sure to dry the area well.
2. Hold the gun at a 45 degree angle so that when squeezing the caulk it goes into the crack
3. Try to caulk in one continuous line without any breaks or stops
4. Be careful to use enough caulk do not try to be skimpy with what you use.
5. Make sure the caulk is sticking as you apply it to create a nice line of caulk
6. Let go of the trigger before pulling the gun away to avoid excess caulk
7. If the caulk shrinks, reapply it or if it comes out, take a putty knife and push it back into the crack or joint.

You will need approximately ½ a tub of caulk per window plus a caulk gun to perform this maintenance.

We are home inspectors for the following cities:

Jeffersonville, Clarksville, Seymour, New Albany, Bedford, Charlestown, Sellersburg and other southern Indiana and also, Jefferson county in Kentucky.

Installing A Door Knob

Do your door knobs close and open the way they should?   Change the door knob, it may be that simple.

We enter and exit our doors several times every day and it’s typical for the doorknobs to become worn out and require to get exchanged.Take a moment to stop and look at the number of times your doors get closed and opened each day.Most people have the necessary ability to remove and replace the door knobs within their home using a screwdriver and some patience; here is some information about how to help make your doors close and open efficiently.

The type of door knob you may need depending on whether or not they are to be used on an exterior door or an interior door.

Outside doorknobs is going to generally be a heavier duty kind doorknob with a heavy duty lock. If you replace the exterior door knob you are normally have a deadbolt lock that needs to be replaced whenever you change your door lock in order to have matching keys for both locks.

Inside doors use a simple doorknob and are available in two typical sizes; 2-3/8 inches and also 2-3/4 inch. How you can figure out which size the door has would be to measure from the sharp edge of your door to the center of the door knob. If you buy a replacement door knob be sure it will match up with your door size.

To remove the current doorknob use the proper kind of screwdriver and take the two screws out completely. Tug on the knobs from each direction and the door knobs should come a part on either side.

To take out the latch extract the pair of screws on the door edge as well as the face plate as well as latching mechanism will pull out. Now remove the strike plate from the door facing by taking out the 2 screws which have been holding it in position.

Now that you are well prepared to get going with your installation; for those who selected an adjustable doorknob make sure it is set in the appropriate setting.

You need to install the latch 1st; slide it through the small opening ensuring it does not bind up and screw it back into place. Simply somewhat snug your anchoring screws, this tends to let you shift it around a bit to get the knob assembly to work a little more smoothly, you can tighten all of them later on.

Now you have everything prepared to slide the doorknob assembly directly onto place, put the side in first that receives the anchoring screws, the actual spindle will have to go all the way through the latching assembly and as well as fit through the opening accurately.

While you’re holding it just barely rotate the knob back and forth, this allows you realize you have it in the right way.

At this time slide the opposite knob assembly directly into place and begin the screw in correctly. Once more; just sung the screws and make sure the doorknob works freely.

At this point place the strike plate located on the door facing simply by being certain that it fits in the slot accurately and installing the screws.

Slowly and gradually examine the door to make any necessary modifications.

Straightforward work saving tip; Make sure you turn any locking mechanisms along with the latch the proper direction initially, you can certainly insert them in facing the wrong direction, then you will have to re-do your work.

For more information on tips to maintaining your home visit our Home Maintenance & Safety section on our website.  Certainty Home Inspections has three licensed home inspectors serving the Louisville Kentucky area and Southern Indiana area including Jeffersonville, New Albany, Seymour, Bedford,  Sellersburg, Charlestown and Clarksville Indiana.  We provide several services including septic, termite, mold, radon and well water testing.  We also perform Indiana Housing and Rural Development loan inspections.  Call us today to book your next inspection 866-417-9591.

Indiana Real Estate Routine Maintenance

If you think home maintenance means fixing something only when it’s broken, then you could be in for some costly surprises. Routine maintenance can help identify and address home-related issues early and prevent them from becoming bigger problems later.

Spring and summer are ideal times to perform critical home maintenance projects. The improved weather allows better access to areas of the home and yard that may have been inaccessible during winter, and the additional daylight allows more time for outdoor work than other times of the year.

“Cars get routine maintenance from a mechanic and people get regular checkups from a doctor, but unfortunately our homes often get neglected until it’s too late,” says Rhonda Hills of Kudzu.com, an online resource for homeowners looking for expert home advice and local service providers. “Homes need constant attention, and in most cases regular maintenance can help save thousands of dollars by allowing owners to catch problems early or prevent them altogether.”

* Get your air conditioner serviced – Properly maintained heating and air conditioning systems run more efficiently and have a longer life expectancy. During a maintenance visit, your HVAC technician should check your system’s refrigerant levels, clean the condenser coil, replace dirty filters and calibrate your thermostat among other things. The goal is to ensure your air conditioning system is operating properly and is in tip-top-shape for the warmer weather ahead.

* Inspect the roof – Wind, rain, hail and other weather events can damage the roof and leave it susceptible to leaks. When conducting a visual inspection, try to stay off the roof. Instead, start from the ground and look for missing or damaged shingles, discolored spots or areas of the roof that sag.

* Check toilets for leaks – The average home loses 10,000 gallons of water per year to leaks, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. That’s enough water to fill a swimming pool. To ensure your home is leak free, start by checking your toilet. Just drop food coloring in the toilet’s tank. If after 30 minutes the water in the bowl starts to change colors, then there is a leak. This can usually be corrected by replacing the toilet’s flapper.

* Have your home pressure washed – Pressure washing your home can keep it looking brand new and can also extend the life of your siding or other building materials. Dirt, mold and mildew will gradually accumulate on your home, deck and other surfaces, and you may not even notice it. In some cases, these contaminants can deteriorate building materials and can create slick, unsafe walking surfaces.

* Get your gutters cleaned – Gutters help capture rain that hits your home and direct it as far from the structure as possible. Clogged gutters cannot properly redirect water and can lead to water pooling against your home’s foundation and leaking into your crawlspace or basement.

* Rake and aerate your lawn – Raking a winter’s worth of leaves will allow sunlight and nutrients to reach your sod, and aerating the lawn will prevent soil compaction, improve drainage and promote better root development.

* Have your trees trimmed – Pruning is typically done to remove dead or diseased limbs, eliminate overcrowding or to prevent potential hazards. In addition to creating a healthier tree, pruning can also allow better light penetration which can be a benefit to plants below.

* Look for termites – Termites are wood-destroying pests that can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home. The most obvious sign of a termite infestation is a termite swarm, which is when winged termites take to the skies to find a mate. These winged termites are easily confused with winged ants, so if you spot a swarm, gather some of the winged specimens and immediately contact a professional pest control company so they can inspect.

Have a quality home inspection performed on your Indiana real estate today and learn about home maintenance and ways to help your home stay in good shape.  A licensed Indiana home inspector from Certainty Home Inspections will inspect your home as if they were buying it for their own family.  Book your inspection online now!