Aries Inspection

Archive for the ‘Tips’ Category

If your home has any wood frame exterior walls or wood gables with stucco, check them a couple of times a year for cracks. Any cracks should be sealed with a knife grade elastomeric patching compound which you can get at any building supply or paint store. Simply apply with a putty knife, prime, and paint. A simple task that will prevent costly repairs.

Concerned about tree roots and your house slab? Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re looking at houses built in the early ’70′s and before and notice cracks in the ceilings, don’t be alarmed.  They’re probably simply due to the fact that the ceilings are plaster, which will crack with the expansion and contraction of the wood ceiling joists or trusses the plaster board is fastened to.  That’s one reason drywall is now used, it won’t crack.

Did you know that the weekest part of a home in a major hurricane is the overhead garage door?  This is one of the lessons learned from hurrican Andrew.  If your door is ’94 or older, protecting it with shutters or panels or replacing it should be a consideration.

Did you know that GFI receptacles and breakers go bad if they never get tripped?

TIP: Once a month trip and reset any GFI receptacles or breakers in your home.

If you are looking at homes built from the early ’80′s to ’95, are familiar with and concerned about polybutylene plumbing, I can show you how to verify it’s presence as you go through these properties and save the cost of a home inspection only to be disappointed or surprised to learn that it has polybutylene.  Read the rest of this entry »