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6 Basic Tools for Homeowners
Purchasing a home is a goal that many people have, however, homeownership also means you are responsible for maintenance tasks around the house. You will no longer have the luxury of being able to call the landlord to take care of issues around the property. By relying on a few basic tools for homeowners, you can easily make simple repairs.
Six Basic Tools for Homeowners to Include in Their Toolbox
1. Claw Hammer
A hammer is one of the most basic tools that every homeowner should have, and you may already own one. This hammer has a head with a flat side and another with a V-shape designed to extract nails without damaging surfaces. If you do not already have one, choose a quality hammer with solid construction and durability.
2. Screwdrivers are Basic Tools for Homeowners
Screwdrivers are helpful tools to have in your home. Tighten cabinet knobs, open battery cases, and assemble furniture with this basic tool for homeowners. It’s also important to note that screwdrivers come equipped with a variety of screw sizes and heads, so purchase some with multiple head sizes and tips.
3. Pliers are Basic Tools for Homeowners
Generally, there are two types of pliers you will want to have: tongue-and-groove and needle-nose. Needle-nose pliers can be used to grip and bend wires and nails while tongue-and-groove pliers are used more for tasks like crimping and fastening.
4. Level
Whether it’s a laser level or a standard level, this is a useful tool to include in your toolbox. A level helps you install items such as mirrors, shelves, and frames.
5. Staple Gun
A staple gun is great for tasks like securing fabric, installing carpet, and adding insulation. Many homeowners prefer to use manual staple guns because they’re easier to use and less expensive than electric ones.
6. Cordless Drill
The best perk of a cordless drill is that they don’t require an electrical outlet or cord. A cordless drill is a convenient basic tool for homeowners to have around the house.
When you own a home, stock your toolbox with these basic tools. Even if there are no pressing tasks that need to be completed yet, it’s always a good idea to have these tools for future maintenance tasks that are sure to arise.
Elite Home Inspections serves Louisville and the surrounding area with home inspection services. Contact us to request an appointment.
Helpful Hints to Repel Mosquitoes Around the Home
Mosquitoes are troublesome insects that can disrupt a beautiful evening outdoors. Here are helpful hints to repel mosquitoes around your property.
Repel Mosquitoes Around the Home
One useful hint to repel mosquitoes is to check that the screens on your windows and doors are in good condition. Mosquitoes are small insects, so a tiny tear in the screen is enough to allow them access to your home. Repair window screens to keep the bugs outside.
Treat Your Lawn to Repel Mosquitoes
Have a lawn service apply mosquito repellant around your property. Having your lawn treated for mosquitoes will help keep them away from your home. Depending on how many rainy days you have, your lawn may need to be treated several times throughout the summer.
Plant Natural Mosquito Repellents
Some plants naturally repel mosquitoes and are a beautiful addition to your landscaping. Depending on your particular climate, you can plant catnip, rosemary, lemon thyme, holy basil, feverfew, or citronella to help repel mosquitoes.
Drain Stagnant Water
Mosquitoes need water to lay their eggs. Anywhere that water settles is a perfect breeding ground for them. Birdbaths or unused kiddie pools are common culprits. Keeping an eye out for standing puddles is one of the most helpful hints to repel mosquitoes.
Use Scented Repellents
There are plenty of options for bug repellents. You can find them made from chemical solutions or derived from natural sources.
- Sprays or lotions are available for your skin.
- Mosquito repellent candles can be used outside.
- Use oil repellents in lanterns to repel mosquitoes in larger areas.
- Mix natural oils like peppermint, citronella, and camphor with water and spray on decks and outdoor furniture.
Hints to Repel Mosquitoes Include Keeping Your Gutters Clean
Your gutters are another area where mosquitoes can breed. Debris that settles inside of your gutters creates damp areas that mosquitoes like. Have your gutters cleaned on a regular schedule to help discourage mosquitoes.
Using these hints to repel mosquitoes, you’ll enjoy being outside this summer without pesky insects biting you.
Elite Home Inspections serves Louisville and the surrounding area with home inspection services. Contact us to request an appointment.
Addressing High Radon Levels in the Home
Radon is a radioactive gas that is created as uranium breaks down in rocks and soil. Radon enters into homes through cracks in the foundation or utility openings. Since houses are enclosed and doors and windows are often shut, radon can build up indoors. Exposure to high radon levels is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. It is important to test for radon in the home and take steps to lower unsafe levels.
Testing For High Radon Levels in the Home
Radon testing is the first step toward identifying and correcting any issues. The gas is challenging to detect because it does not emit any odor or taste, and it is colorless. Hire a professional to test for high radon levels in the home. Their training, experience, and knowledge will deliver the most accurate results. Also, professionals use superior devices which are more accurate and reliable than DIY home testing kits.
Mitigation for High Radon Levels
Mitigation refers to the process of reducing high radon levels in the home. It’s critical to hire a radon mitigation professional to reduce radon levels because DIY tactics often backfire. Some methods include using pipes to suction the radon away from the home, sealing cracks to prevent more radon from entering, pressurization, and installing heat recovery ventilators.
Dealing with high radon levels in the home can be challenging. Hiring a professional will simplify the process and correct the issues in an effective and timely manner.
Elite Home Inspections provides radon testing to Louisville, Kentucky, and the surrounding area. Contact us to schedule a radon test.
5 Benefits of a Pre-Listing Home Inspection
Why Order a Pre-Listing Home Inspection
It is common for a home buyer to schedule a home inspection. Sellers can also benefit from having their home inspected before listing the property for sale. A pre-listing home inspection can be used to more accurately price your home, avoid surprises, and help you decide which repairs to make before listing.
1. Avoid Surprises
After living in a home for many years, you know that it isn’t perfect, but you might not know of specific issues and their order of importance. A pre-listing inspection will inform you of potential problems so you can avoid unpleasant surprises when the home is inspected by the buyer.
Problems like a hidden roof defect, foundation issue, or termite infestation can derail a closing. These surprises affect the value of your home, can interfere with the buyer’s ability to get a mortgage, and potentially cause the buyer to walk away from the deal.
One of the primary benefits of a pre-listing home inspection is uncovering potential issues so they can be addressed before the home is shown to buyers. Depending on the results of the inspection, you might choose to make repairs or updates to your home or change the price of your home to account for any issues.
2. Time to Fix Problems
If the inspection reveals items that need to be repaired, it’s best to find out early in the process rather than in the middle of escrow. A pre-listing home inspection gives you plenty of time to fix issues so you can make smarter decisions about home repair. When you aren’t under a time crunch, you can shop around for the best price from a contractor.
3. DIY Repairs are an Option
When the pre-listing inspection turns up minor issues that can impact your home’s value, you have the option to tackle projects on your own. Once you are negotiating with a buyer, they will likely require that you bring in a professional, even for simple fixes. This can cause easy, inexpensive projects to become more costly.
4. Reduce Negotiations
By eliminating surprises and addressing any needed repairs before the home is listed, you can shorten the negotiation process by taking defects off the table. This helps you gain the upper hand in negotiations by removing the buyer’s justification for price reductions, repairs, and other concessions.
5. Accurate Pricing
One of the most challenging aspects of selling your home is choosing a price that is fair and will help your home sell quickly. When your home is priced correctly, you get the most money possible and a quick offer. A pre-listing home inspection helps you set a reasonable price for the property being sold.
Elite Home Inspections offers pre-listing home inspections and other inspection services to Louisville and the surrounding areas. Contact us to schedule your inspection.
Keep Your Home Warm and Reduce Your Energy Use
When it comes to heating your home, it’s easy to forget about the cost involved when you need to increase your energy use. If you’re looking for a few ways to save extra money during winter, here are a few tips to follow to help keep your home warm while saving energy
Close the Curtains
Use thick blackout curtains to block cold air from coming in through the windows. The curtains will act as an extra layer of insulation and are affordable to purchase. You can also open the curtains in the morning or midday to let sunlight into the house as a free way of heating up your home.
Check for Air Leaks to Keep Your Home Warm
The exterior doors on your house may be drafty, which can increase your energy usage as warm air escapes the building and cold air seeps inside. Caulking the windows and doors will prevent drafts and help keep your home warm. Use weatherstripping tape around the doors to seal up any gaps around the sides or underneath.
Turn Down the Thermostat
Turning the heater off during the day may seem like a good idea, but it’s not efficient and won’t keep the home warm. Opt for turning down the thermostat at night when your family members are sleeping and warm in bed. You can also turn it down when you leave on vacation or when the home is unoccupied throughout the day to increase your savings and reduce your energy usage.
Installing a programmable thermostat is the easiest way to adjust the thermostat based on your routine. A smart thermostat takes it a step further by learning your family’s habits and automatically lowering the thermostat when everyone is away. You won’t have to worry about adjusting the device throughout the day or knowing everyone’s schedule.
Increase Your Insulation to Keep Your Home Warm
If you want to keep your home warm, opt for adding insulation to the attic where heat can escape during the colder months of the year. Go into your attic and check for areas where insulation is missing. Attic insulation can be installed by an experienced DIYer, but it is important to wear protective gear.
Order an HVAC Tune Up
The heating system requires attention before the start of every season that it will be in use. Have an HVAC professional come for a tune-up to help the system run more efficiently by making adjustments and repairs as needed. Also, clean ducts and a fresh air filter will help air move through the home easier and use less energy.
There are many ways to keep your home warm throughout the winter season while also reducing your energy use. By using these tips, you can keep your home comfortable while reducing your energy bills.
Elite Home Inspections serves Louisville and the surrounding area with home inspection services. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
Five Tips on How to Safely Take Down Holiday Decorations
Many people enjoy decorating for the holidays but few people consider the hazards when undecorating after the New Year. Falls, cuts, shocks, and other injuries are all possible risks when taking down and putting away decorations. Review these tips on how to safely take down holiday decorations.
1. Set Up Your Ladder Safely
Many people hang holiday lights high on the roof without considering the ways to safely take down holiday decorations. When removing decorations from roofs, balconies, and trees, you’ll need to set up the ladder safely to prevent falls. If you are using an extension ladder, lean the ladder against the house at a 75-degree angle. Place the ladder on sturdy and dry ground. Have someone hold the ladder down so it doesn’t move while you’re using it.
2. Test the Lights
Testing your lights is the next step after you safely take down holiday decorations. Before returning the lights to storage, check for broken bulbs and frayed cords that could spark and create fires. You want the lights to work and to know they are safe to decorate with next year.
3. Be Careful With Heavy Items
Do not injure yourself while carrying heavy items. Big holiday decorations can weigh a hundred pounds or more. Set a maximum limit for each box that does not exceed 50 pounds. That is the weight that most people can carry without injuring themselves. Lift with your legs instead of your back.
4. Get Rid of Broken Items
Get rid of broken ornaments immediately after you safely take down holiday decorations. Do not stash them away, thinking that the damages are small and barely noticeable. Cracked bulbs or glass ornaments are still hazardous to children and pets.
Always Consider the Ways to Safely Take Down Holiday Decorations
After the holidays pass, it’s typical for people to remove their decorations quickly and carelessly when storing them. With a little planning and thoughtfulness, you can avoid injury. Remember these tips when you safely take down holiday decorations.
Elite Home Inspections provides home inspection services to Louisville and the surrounding areas of Kentucky. Contact us to book your appointment.
How to Improve Home Security During the Holidays
Protecting your home against invasions, burglaries, and other crimes is a year-round task, but it becomes more important over the holidays. In many homes, expensive gifts are placed under a tree and conveniently packaged in boxes for criminals to haul off in a matter of minutes.
Travel is common over the holidays so burglars are on the lookout for vacant homes. Boosting home security during the holidays is smart and can be accomplished in a few easy steps.
Easy Ways to Improve Home Security During the Holidays
Now is the time to assess your home’s most vulnerable areas. View the exterior of your home by putting yourself in the mind of a criminal. Is your home easy to access without being noticed? What is inside your home that may be appealing to criminals and easy to haul off?
By focusing on the right areas, you can improve home security during the holidays and throughout the rest of the year.
1. Install Motion Sensor Lights
Many criminals use the darkness of night for concealment as they get in and out of homes. Therefore, when you look at ways to improve home security during the holidays, illuminating your home’s exterior should be a top priority.
Improving landscape lighting throughout the exterior is one idea, and you can also install bright motion sensor lights that turn on when someone approaches your home at night. These lights can sense motion several feet away. If someone is up to no good, a bright light turning on might scare them off.
2. Invest in a Security System
Another smart idea is to invest in a home security system. A basic system can be armed when you leave and will alert you and authorities if the doors or windows are opened.
A more advanced system may have motion sensors in the home as well as video surveillance capabilities. You may also be able to activate and monitor the system remotely from your smartphone using an app.
3. Use Smart Home Technology
Smart home technology can be used in a number of ways to improve home security during the holidays. For example, a wireless video feed on a smart doorbell or exterior video camera can be used to alert you when motion is sensed on your front patio.
You can connect interior lights, the TV, and even automatic blinds to your smart home system. When you are away, you can adjust these features periodically to give the appearance that someone is inside the home.
4. Talk to a Trusted Neighbor
When you are away during the holidays, it is helpful to have someone who lives close by to keep an eye on your home. You may also have a pet sitter visit your home several times per day or a housesitter that stays for the duration of your absence. Either one can collect your mail and newspapers while you are out of town.
If you have a neighbor that you know and trust, inform them when you will be out of town, and ask them to keep an eye on your property. You can return the favor for them.
Improving home security during the holidays requires forethought and planning. After you identify your home’s vulnerabilities, determine which of these tips may be most effective for you. Combining all of these tips will allow you to enjoy your holiday vacation with peace of mind.
Elite Home Inspections wishes you a happy and safe holiday season!
Steps to Prepare Your Fireplace for Use
As part of your seasonal home maintenance tasks, preparing your fireplace for the first use of the season should be included in a fall maintenance schedule.
Regardless of whether you intend to use your fireplace only a few times or daily, you need your fireplace to be well-maintained and clean. By taking these steps to prepare your fireplace for use, you can keep your home and your loved ones warm and safe all season long.
Why You Need to Prepare Your Fireplace
If your fireplace functioned well the last time you used it, you may question the need to take any additional steps to prepare your fireplace for use at this time. However, house fires can be caused by dirty or damaged fireplaces. Even though your fireplace appeared to work well during your last use, it is common for birds or rodents to build nests in the flue.
The last time you inspected your fireplace may have been a year ago during the last fall season. It can be risky to begin using the fireplace again without understanding its true condition. When you take these steps to prepare your fireplace for the upcoming season, you’ll feel confident as you enjoy its warmth.
1. Clean the Firebox
The firebox may be filled with ashes which can hinder your ability to start or maintain a fire. More than that, soot and creosote that have caked onto the sides of the firebox can be flammable.
This may not seem like a concern given that you will have a fire burning in this location. However, these materials can catch fire along with the logs you are burning, and it can get out of control quickly. Clean the firebox before starting the first fire of the season.
2. Open the Damper
The damper is located in the flue, and it opens so that smoke can rise up and out of the home. Make sure that the damper opens and closes fully as needed. If the damper does not function properly, it should be repaired before the first use.
By opening the damper, you may notice that debris from bird and rodent nests falls down. This is a sign that flue cleaning service is essential. Keep in mind that the debris that is used to make nests is usually flammable. Also, blockage in the flue can cause smoke to filter into your home instead of up and out.
3. Check for Signs of Damage
As you clean the firebox and open the damper, pay attention to the overall condition of the structure. When you prepare your fireplace for its initial use, any cracks, fissures, or other damaged areas must be repaired.
A professional should be called to inspect the fireplace and determine the best course of action. Repair work should be completed before your initial use of the season in order to protect your home and loved ones from harm.
4. Schedule Flue Cleaning Service
Your flue should be professionally cleaned annually and the best time for this service is before the first use of the season in the fall. A professional will clean the flue from the top of your roof and from inside the fireplace.
When your fireplace’s various components are dirty, damaged, or clogged you’re at a higher risk for a fire or experiencing smoke-related damage. If you intend to use your fireplace at all in the months ahead, now is the time to take these steps to prepare your fireplace for use.
Elite Home Inspections provides home inspection services for Louisville, Kentucky and the surrounding area. Contact us to book your appointment.
6 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Fall
As fall approaches, it’s important to get your home ready for the cooler days ahead. There are probably many tasks you’ll want to get done before the weather sunny, warm weather disappears, but here are 6 things you should definitely complete in order to prepare your home for fall.
1. Clean Your Gutters
Although it can be a tough job, cleaning the gutters is an important way to prepare your home for fall. It’s a job that should be done every year so that you don’t experience big problems over the winter months. As you’re cleaning your gutters, you also have the opportunity to inspect the condition of your roof and chimney. You can check for damage or note any areas that might become a problem as the weather cools down and your roof is faced with snow, ice, and severe winter weather.
2. Fix Cracks in the Sidewalk to Prepare Your Home For Fall
As summer winds down, you should work on filling in any cracks in your sidewalk, patio, or other concrete areas to prepare your home for fall. This could be the last chance you have to do this before the sunshine and warm weather disappear.
3. Compost Leaves
As the leaves start to fall off of the trees, start composting them to save for your garden next spring.
4. Turn Off Outside Plumbing
If you have outdoor hoses, faucets, or other types of plumbing, you’ll want to turn them off and winterize them before cold weather causes them to freeze and burst.
5. Prepare Your Furnace
On the inside of your home, it’s important to clean and inspect your furnace so it will be ready to effectively heat your home. Replace the filters, make sure air vents aren’t blocked, and clean dust and debris away from the unit. Having an HVAC technician service your HVAC when the seasons change is always a good idea.
6. Inspect Windows and Doors
Another important way to prepare your home for fall weather is to inspect all of your windows and doors. Check the weatherstripping on all of your doors and windows so that cold air won’t enter your home and warm air will stay inside. You should inspect any caulking around your windows to see if it needs to be replaced and re-caulk them as necessary. You’ll also want to clean your windows so they will let in more sunlight. This will help warm your home up on cold days.
These are just a few of many things you can do to prepare your home for fall both inside and out. Taking steps to get your home ready to take on the cold weather is important so that you don’t run into problems once colder weather arrives.
Elite Home Inspections serves the Greater Louisville area with comprehensive home inspection services. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
7 Tips for Improving the Air Quality in the Home
Improving Air Quality in the Home for Better Comfort and Health
Air quality is important in every home. Everyone needs to breathe in clean air. Plus, when you walk into a home, you can immediately tell when someone is not proactive about improving air quality in the home. To make sure that you, your family, and your guests breathe clean air, make sure to practice these tips.
1. Avoid humidity.
Humidity can do a number on any building if you’re not careful. Humidity can lead to damp conditions and mold growth. To fight humidity, use a dehumidifier in various rooms of your house. Turn on the fan whenever you are taking a shower or cooking to help draw moisture from the air. Also, it’s a good idea to make sure that the temperature of your home is at a level where humidity can’t flourish. A consistent dehumidifying practice can help with improving air quality in the home.
2. Use indoor plants.
Indoor plants are effective for improving air quality in the home since they purify the air naturally. So, keep one plant for every thousand square feet in your home. An easy way to include indoor plants in your home is by using eucalyptus leaves. Purchase a few sprigs of fresh eucalyptus and hang it from the shower head in your bathroom. Not only will this release a pleasant smell, it’ll also do wonders for the improving the air quality in the home. You can also use plants like peace lilies, spider plants, and rubber figs in various rooms of your home. If you don’t have a green thumb, check out different tutorials online.
3. Clean regularly.
Make it a practice to regularly clean your home. If you have a lot of junk and clutter, it can create an unsanitary environment. This is especially true for rooms like the bathroom and the kitchen. Make certain rules mandatory like always keeping the sink wiped clean. Mop the floors on a consistent basis. Dust and wipe down surfaces regularly. Don’t let food clog up the disposal. As you put food down the disposal, add a few lemon slices to help sanitize and deodorize the disposal. Once you make cleanliness a habit, it is easier to maintain good air quality.
4. Avoid artificial fresheners and cleaners.
Even though cleanliness is important, make sure that you’re not using too many toxic cleaners to get the jobs done. Use eco-friendly cleaning products or make your own cleaning products from natural sources such as lemon, vinegar, and baking powder. It’s also a good idea to watch the number of air fresheners you use. Even though they can make the room smell good temporarily, they can also release toxins that are bad for human ingestion. Use essential oils and diffusers to naturally deodorize the room. If you choose to use candles, make sure that you don’t burn them for longer than three hours at a time, and purchase candles that are made out of natural materials instead of synthetic.
5. Open the windows every day.
Make it a habit to open the windows every single day for at least 15 minutes. This is a perfect way to allow fresh air to flow through the rooms. If it’s really cold outside, know that you don’t have to open the windows really wide to for this to be effective. If it’s really hot outside, wait until the evening hours when the sun sets and the air is cooler.
6. Change your filters.
Regularly change your HVAC air filters at least every three months, or more frequently if you have pets or if anybody in your home has allergies. When you change your air filters, you decrease the chances of circulating toxic air throughout the home.
7. Call the professionals.
It’s a good idea to make sure to have your HVAC system inspected on a yearly basis so it continues to work properly. Professionals can often spot problems that you cannot. It’s better to be proactive and stay on top of the systems in your home than to run into a potentially costly predicament down the line.
Improving air quality in the home is an achievable goal when you make adjustments to the products you are using and your home maintenance routine. Just follow the above suggestions and notice that you are breathing easier before too long!
Elite Home Inspections provides home inspection and testing services to Louisville, Kentucky and the surrounding area. Contact us to schedule your appointment.
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