Shopping for a home? Think like a home inspector with these home maintenance tips. You’ll be able to see if the home was well maintained, and if you’ll have lots to negotiate after the official home inspection.
When Shopping for a Home in the Area
Summer Home Maintenance Tasks Every Homeowner Should Be Doing Right Now
It pays to think like a Houston home inspector when considering the purchase of a new home. Regular home maintenance is critical to sustaining the value of a property. It’s exponentially easier to maintain the health of a home than it is to reclaim it after months or years of neglect.
The changing seasons can be really hard on the physical structure of a home! There are steps every homeowner should be taking now to protect their homes from the heat and moisture damage that can develop in the summer months.
We’ve put together some must-do tasks sellers should be doing. These are area to investigate when you’re considering making a home your own.
Inspect the Roof and Home Exterior
Carefully inspect the entire exterior of your home for damage. On the roof, you should look for cracked, uneven or missing shingles and rusty spots or missing caulk on metal flashings. The structural integrity of the roof is important in keeping out moisture during a summer storm.
When it comes to inspecting a difficult-to-access roof, Texan Inspection Services offers state-of-the-art drone technology, which clearly shows what is happening on a rooftop of a home. Only a premier Houston home inspector can offer cutting-edge technology like this.
Also look for chips or breaks in masonry joints on a chimney and unsealed skylights. These can be sources of nasty water leaks. Damage should be repaired immediately to mitigate mold growth and rot.
Clean Gutters and Downspouts
With a sturdy ladder, climb up and do a quick visual inspection of your gutters and downspouts. The gutter should be clear of muck and the downspout clear of clogs. Make sure water flows away from the house to ensure that it doesn’t collect at the foundation or cause wood rot against the house.
Check Widows, Screens and Awnings
Clean storm windows should sparkle! Look for any damage that might weaken their ability to keep out heat and retain cool air this summer. Check for damaged seals, caulk and weather stripping. This will help insulate your home from summer heat and keep down the cooling bills!
Inspect the HVAC System
Check to see that the HVAC system has been serviced recently and regularly. We recommend an annual tune-up and seasonal maintenance. Air filters should be no more than 30 days old and the vents and exhausts should be free of debris. The unit itself should be less than 15-20 years old.
Also, look for a programmable thermostat. These magical monitors help you save energy and money by adjusting the temperature to keep comfortable while you are home at home and raising the temperature while you are away.
While you can get an idea of what to expect with this do-it-yourself approach, a professional Houston home inspection is the only way to truly evaluate the health of an HVAC system.
Do an Air Leak and Insulation Audit
You want to make sure the home is properly sealed. Look for obvious drafts around windows and doors, as well as missing caulk and weather stripping.
Don’t forget about the attic! Over the years, attic insulation can become compressed and fail to cover everywhere it should. Check for gaps and leaks, especially around pipes and ductwork. Make sure all vents are free of blockage.
Look for Water Damage
Inspect interior walls for water damage. Sometimes – if it is really bad – you can detect a musty smell, but mold inside a wall is virtually impossible to see with the naked eye. Texan Inspection Services offers a unique service that uses infrared thermography technology to see exactly what is happening inside the walls of a home. It’s like getting an MRI for a house – all is revealed!
Test Irrigation Systems
Winter can be hard on outdoor sprinkler systems. Check to see that they are functional and working efficiently. To test for leaks and other problems, remove insulators from outdoor faucets and turn on the water. If the water trickles, get a plumber to inspect your pipes. Inspect sprinkler heads for damage and test the timer.
These do-it-yourself inspections will indicate where the problems are in a property, but don’t take a chance. It’s always better to have a professional home inspection before you fall in love with a home. Ensure your peace of mind. Call Texan Inspection Services at 281-342-5762 or click here today to schedule a complete home inspection.
