Louisville Home Inspector- Cory Kern

I had this inspection done because I was getting ready to list my house for sale and some of the BEST money I spent. I was there at the start of the inspection, and even as he looked at things, Cory talked to me about what he saw while I was near to where he was inspecting. I didn’t get in the crawl space. After he came out from under the crawl space, he took off the protective clothing he had on, and changed shoes BEFORE he stepped into the house. Then after everything was done, he showed me ALL of the pictures he had taken and what they were of and any suggestions that I might need to have the problem fixed. Then I got the hard copy in a VERY nice binder with color pictures. Donna Balentine

Louisville Home Inspector talks about GFCI Receptacles

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) are circuit breakers installed at the panel to provide ground faulty protection for the whole circuit. Circuits with GFCI’s need to have fuses or breakers to shut off the electricity in the case of an overload. GFCI’s receptacles are currently required in the United States for bathrooms and washrooms, outdoors, in garages, above counters for a kitchen sink or wet bar, and in unfinished basements and crawlspaces. They are typically installed to protect against electrocution in areas where a person is susceptible to grounding hazards, such as wet locations and when using equipment outside.

There are three types of GFCI’S that can be used in residential properties:

1. The receptacle type is used in place of the standard duplex receptacles found throughout the house. Some GFCI’S may protect other outlets down line in the same circuit. Sometimes the protected outlets will be in different rooms. For example, if an outlet in a patio does not work you should check other locations such as baths or the garage for a tripped GFCI which protects the entire circuit.
2. The circuit breaker type is installed in the electric panel and protects seledted circuits. Although there are limits to the number of outlets protected sometimes a single wire will run from the breaker, through the house, to bathrooms, kitchens and ouside locations protecting each of these.
3. The portable plug in type may be used in area where permanent protection is not available such as with extension cords for power tools operated outside from an unprotected circuit.

Chimneys And Their Caps!

Chimney caps and crowns are used to stop the damage to your chimney. Chimney caps simply act as a roof for your chimney. The water will be deferred from the chimney and kept from entering the chimney and causing deterioration of the masonry and brick. Water can actually do more damage to masonry chimneys than a fire can. A chimney is constructed of a variety of masonry and metal materials, including brick, mortar, tile, steel and cast iron. All of these will deteriorate sooner if susceptible to water. Masonry products deteriorate quickly when exposed to the freeze and thawing process.

Water can cause interior and exterior damage to your chimney. To help maintain your chimney for longer wear and tear, we suggest you install a chimney cap that will help prevent the deterioration of your chimney and give it longer life. A strong well designed cap is inexpensive and can help keep water out, as well as, animals. Caps also serve as spark preventers, preventing sparks from landing on the roof. A chimney cap should be constructed to overhang the chimney by at least two inches. There is a waterproofing cement you can use to cost the crowns to help with any damage.

For better protection use flashing to seal between the roofing material and the chimney. Flashing prevents rain water from running down the chimney into living spaces where it can damage to your ceilings and walls.

Paint should never be used as a water sealer because it will trap moisture inside the chimney and accelerate deterioration.

There are products that have been developed to specifically waterproof a masonry chimney. These products are vapor permeable which means that they allow the chimney to breathe out, but not in. Therefore water that has penetrated the chimney or moisture that has come from inside is allowed to escape, while the waterproofing agent prevents water from entering from the outside.

Water damage to a chimney is usually a slow subtle process. Sometimes it is not noticed until it becomes a serious problem.

Certainty serves the Louisville Kentucky area as well as Southern Indiana

Home Inspection Nightmares

Louisville Home Inspector Reports Double Tap

Double tapping is a term used to describe a condition created when two or more electrical connections are made at one terminal or breaker. Although commonly found, it is recommended that each branch or service wire be individually connected to their own terminal or breaker. Most breakers or terminals are designed to connect one single wire. Multiple connections at terminals or breakers runs a greater risk of the wires becoming loose and causing possible arcing and increasing the risk of fire. At Certainty, our inspections identify this type of electrical concern that should be corrected by a qualified electrician.
To the left is an example of double tapping, please visit other inspection discoveries at www.certaintyinspections.com

 

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Louisville Home Inspector-Severe Indiana Mold Issues

Home Inspection Nightmares

Certainty Home Inspections found things with my new home that certainly should not be expected with homes for sale in Indiana. Great job and well worth the money!! Patti Jenkins

Certainty Home Inspections serves all of Southern Indiana and Louisville Kentucky

Louisville home inspector explains horizontal cracking

Louisville Home Inspector Impressed Me!

A true professional home inspector. Very prompt and ready to get the job done as soon as he stepped out of the truck. Revealed more about my home than I thought possible. Very pleased with services, saved me money, informing me of small problems that could have turned into large problems. Very reasonable price for the service received. Highly recommend to all who are buying or selling a home. You WILL be impressed. April 09, 2009 by: Steve McPike THANK YOU! Louisville Kentucky 40201

Louisville Home Inspector Tells About Overgrown Vegetation

Keeping vegetation trimmed back from a structure helps avoid moisture related concerns, staining of the siding and keeps thieves from having a place to hide. Avoid promoting insect infestation by keeping the shrubs trimmed around your home. By removing these unwanted shrubs and trees, you’ll give your home the ventilation it needs to avoid these unwanted problems, keeping your home safe. Your Louisville home inspector will most likely point this minor problem out to you when you have your home inspection performed on your new Louisville real estate.

 

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