The recent scare at a home in Lenexa, KS, regarding carbon monoxide reminds you that a bad or inefficient furnace not only wastes money, it can also be very dangerous. Your Complete Home Inspection includes a thorough furnace inspection, checking for proper installation, function, rust, and more.
Over the last twenty years of inspecting homes in Kansas City, we've found some operating furnaces in occupied homes that were potentially lethal. In some cases, the gas company had to be notified and they came to the home and shut the furnace down for safety reasons. Carbon monoxide is not something to be taken lightly. And the peace of mind that comes from having Complete Home Inspection inspect your home's heating system will, literally, help you sleep better at night. When you move into your new home, install a carbon monoxide detector up stairs or near a bedroom. It's a great way to help ensure your family's health and safety.
Whole house inspections, condo inspections, radon testing, mold testing, and more, we do it all for you. Call or E-mail today to schedule your Complete Home Inspection, 913-268-0222, www.completehomeinspectionkc.com.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Foundation cracks
Another reason you should have your house inspected before you buy has to do with the weather. Yes, you read that correctly. It has been very dry this season here in Kansas City and that has possibly affected the house you're looking to buy.
Soil contracts and expands due to many conditions, including moisture content. As dry as it has been, for quite some time now, the ground around your home is contracting and compacting which can cause movement and cracking in the foundation walls of the house. The dry soil pulls away from the foundation as it contracts and that creates space between the soil and the wall. When we do finally get precipitation this fall or during the winter, the moisture will fill up that space between the soil and the wall, find the new foundation cracks, and seep into your home.
As you're looking at the property, you're thinking about who gets which bedroom, where to put the couch and whether the piano goes better in this room or that one. You're not spending your time looking for cracks in the foundation walls. Let us do that for you. It may not be foremost in your mind right now, but when the rain and snow come, you'll be glad you did.
Whole house inspections, condo inspections, radon testing, mold testing, and more, we do it all for you., Call or E-mail today to schedule your own Complete Home Inspection, 913-268-0222, www.completehomeinspectionkc.com.
Soil contracts and expands due to many conditions, including moisture content. As dry as it has been, for quite some time now, the ground around your home is contracting and compacting which can cause movement and cracking in the foundation walls of the house. The dry soil pulls away from the foundation as it contracts and that creates space between the soil and the wall. When we do finally get precipitation this fall or during the winter, the moisture will fill up that space between the soil and the wall, find the new foundation cracks, and seep into your home.
As you're looking at the property, you're thinking about who gets which bedroom, where to put the couch and whether the piano goes better in this room or that one. You're not spending your time looking for cracks in the foundation walls. Let us do that for you. It may not be foremost in your mind right now, but when the rain and snow come, you'll be glad you did.
Whole house inspections, condo inspections, radon testing, mold testing, and more, we do it all for you., Call or E-mail today to schedule your own Complete Home Inspection, 913-268-0222, www.completehomeinspectionkc.com.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Time to buy?
There are at least six good reasons for you to buy a house now. That's according to the October issue of Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine where the six reasons are listed and discussed.
If you take advantage of current market conditions, whether buying your first home or upgrading to a larger one, include a complete home inspection by Complete Home Insepction in your buying process. Find out the condition of the property before you buy. Know what you're getting into. And, particularly in a distress sale situation, avoid any unpleasant surprises that the house may hold for you. Give yourself the peace of mind that comes only from having the property completely inspection by a thorough, experienced professional.
Whole house inspections, condo inspections, radon testing, mold testing, and more, we do it all for you. Call or E-mail today to schedule your own Complete Home Inspection, 913-268-0222, www.completehomeinspectionkc.com.
If you take advantage of current market conditions, whether buying your first home or upgrading to a larger one, include a complete home inspection by Complete Home Insepction in your buying process. Find out the condition of the property before you buy. Know what you're getting into. And, particularly in a distress sale situation, avoid any unpleasant surprises that the house may hold for you. Give yourself the peace of mind that comes only from having the property completely inspection by a thorough, experienced professional.
Whole house inspections, condo inspections, radon testing, mold testing, and more, we do it all for you. Call or E-mail today to schedule your own Complete Home Inspection, 913-268-0222, www.completehomeinspectionkc.com.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Really?
One more reason to have your home inspected before you buy it: do-it-yourself plumbing repairs.
This was found under the kitchen sink at a recent inspection.
Whole house inspections, condo inspections, radon testing, mold testing, and more, including looking under the kitchen sink, we do it all for you. Call or E-mail today to schedule your own Complete Home Inspection, 913-268-0222, www.completehomeinspectionkc.com.
This was found under the kitchen sink at a recent inspection.
Whole house inspections, condo inspections, radon testing, mold testing, and more, including looking under the kitchen sink, we do it all for you. Call or E-mail today to schedule your own Complete Home Inspection, 913-268-0222, www.completehomeinspectionkc.com.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
What's in it for you
Perhaps a comment from a recent client will give you an idea of what you can expect when you have your home inspected by Complete Home Inspection.
Dustin wrote that the written report he received following the inspection "...looks very thorough. Carol (his realtor) spoke very highly of your services and the report reflects this high level of professionalism."
Put this thoroughness, professionalism, and attention to detail to work for you. Whole house inspections, condo inspections, radon testing, mold testing, and more, we do it all for you. Call or E-mail today to schedule your own Complete Home Inspection, 913-268-0222, www.completehomeinspectionkc.com.
Dustin wrote that the written report he received following the inspection "...looks very thorough. Carol (his realtor) spoke very highly of your services and the report reflects this high level of professionalism."
Put this thoroughness, professionalism, and attention to detail to work for you. Whole house inspections, condo inspections, radon testing, mold testing, and more, we do it all for you. Call or E-mail today to schedule your own Complete Home Inspection, 913-268-0222, www.completehomeinspectionkc.com.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Radon Testing in Kansas
Effective July 1, 2011, all houses in Kansas that are tested for radon gas as a part of a real estate transaction must have that test done by a Kansas certified radon tester. Complete Home Inspection is such a certified radon tester, certified by both the State of Kansas and by NRPP (National Radon Proficiency Program).
All home inspectors doing radon tests in Kansas must be certified, meaning that the inspector has taken the required training, passed the certification test, and registered with the state.
Also, all radon test results in Kansas will now be reported to the state for use in scientific research.
Whole house inspections, condo inspections, radon testing, mold testing, and more, we do it all for you. Call or E-mail today to schedule your own Complete Home Inspection, 913-268-0222, www.completehomeinspectionkc.com.
All home inspectors doing radon tests in Kansas must be certified, meaning that the inspector has taken the required training, passed the certification test, and registered with the state.
Also, all radon test results in Kansas will now be reported to the state for use in scientific research.
Whole house inspections, condo inspections, radon testing, mold testing, and more, we do it all for you. Call or E-mail today to schedule your own Complete Home Inspection, 913-268-0222, www.completehomeinspectionkc.com.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Clean your gutters
The rainy season has come to Kansas City a little later than usual this year. But, it has indeed arrived. Remember, whether you're buying or selling a home, or just maintaining the one you live in, it's time to clean out the rain gutters on the house.
It's easy to remember to do this in the Fall because all of the falling leaves clog things up. But, it's just as important to do in the Spring now that the maple tree "helicopter seeds", the sugar gum tree balls, and the blossoms from flowering trees are down.
Clogged gutters and downspouts lead to overflows and back ups that can put water in your basement. The clogs keep rainwater from flowing away from your house's foundation. Instead, it seeks out the cracks in your basement walls.
So, now's the time to improve the drainage around your house's foundation by sloping the ground away from the house. And, keep the gutters and downspouts free from debris.
Whole house inspections, condo inspections, radon testing, mold testing, and more, we do it all for you. Call or E-mail today to schedule your own Complete Home Inspection, 913-268-0222, www.completehomeinspectionkc.com.
It's easy to remember to do this in the Fall because all of the falling leaves clog things up. But, it's just as important to do in the Spring now that the maple tree "helicopter seeds", the sugar gum tree balls, and the blossoms from flowering trees are down.
Clogged gutters and downspouts lead to overflows and back ups that can put water in your basement. The clogs keep rainwater from flowing away from your house's foundation. Instead, it seeks out the cracks in your basement walls.
So, now's the time to improve the drainage around your house's foundation by sloping the ground away from the house. And, keep the gutters and downspouts free from debris.
Whole house inspections, condo inspections, radon testing, mold testing, and more, we do it all for you. Call or E-mail today to schedule your own Complete Home Inspection, 913-268-0222, www.completehomeinspectionkc.com.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Dangers of Radon gas
Words to consider when buying a new home - "reducing...radon offers peace of mind for homeowners, and that's priceless." Today's edition of The Kansas City Star includes a commentary by staff writer Lewis Diuguid headed, "Beware The Menace That Creeps Into Your Home", that concludes with those words.
When you're buying a home, you have so many things to look at and consider all at once. You need to prioritize it all to get anything accomplished. But few of those other things are as important as your personal health and the health of your family. And there's a simple and relatively inexpensive way for you to help safeguard your health - include a test for radon gas in your home inspection.
The Surgeon General of the United States recommends that all homes be tested for radon. Since it's a colorless and odorless gas, you don't know it's there otherwise. And the EPA says that radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers in the U.S. Read Mr. Diuguid's column in the paper. Read the EPA's Guide to Radon on the Complete Home Inspection web site "Multimedia" page. Call to ask questions. And then include a radon test in your home inspection. As the EPA says, "This is a health threat of epidemic proportions that needs immediate attention."
Whole house inspections, condo inspections, radon testing, mold testing, and more, we do it all for you. Complete Home Inspection, 913-268-0222, www.completehomeinspectionkc.com.
When you're buying a home, you have so many things to look at and consider all at once. You need to prioritize it all to get anything accomplished. But few of those other things are as important as your personal health and the health of your family. And there's a simple and relatively inexpensive way for you to help safeguard your health - include a test for radon gas in your home inspection.
The Surgeon General of the United States recommends that all homes be tested for radon. Since it's a colorless and odorless gas, you don't know it's there otherwise. And the EPA says that radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers in the U.S. Read Mr. Diuguid's column in the paper. Read the EPA's Guide to Radon on the Complete Home Inspection web site "Multimedia" page. Call to ask questions. And then include a radon test in your home inspection. As the EPA says, "This is a health threat of epidemic proportions that needs immediate attention."
Whole house inspections, condo inspections, radon testing, mold testing, and more, we do it all for you. Complete Home Inspection, 913-268-0222, www.completehomeinspectionkc.com.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Short Sales and Foreclosures
April's issue of MONEY magazine states that if you're in the market for a home, you'll almost certainly be looking at distressed properties ("short sales" and bank foreclosures). And, distressed homes are likely to be a significant part of the market for years. The magazine's advice? Even before you make an offer on a foreclosure, get a complete home inspection of the property. The house may be in worse condition than you expect. And, a distressed-property specialist is quoted as saying, "The buyer has to be twice as diligent."
You'll have leverage if you can prove that the property's condition justifies a lower price. New information on the current condition of the house could affect the property's appraised value and you'll be armed with a written inspection report, photos, and a summary page of suggested repairs. Plus, you don't want to be surprised to discover that the previous owners angrily ripped out flooring, appliances, and copper pipes. The magazine goes on to suggest that, after your offer is accepted, you have some "specialty" inspections done on the property, including a mold test. The bank may still be willing to fix problems at this point.
Make a thorough inspection by Complete Home Inspection a part of your home-buying process, particularly if a distressed property is involved. That's the best way to get peace of mind throughout the process.
Whole house inspections, condo inspections, radon testing, mold testing and more, we do it all for you. Call today to schedule your Complete Home Inspection, 913-268-0222. Or send us an E-mail through http://www.completehomeinspectionkc.com/.
You'll have leverage if you can prove that the property's condition justifies a lower price. New information on the current condition of the house could affect the property's appraised value and you'll be armed with a written inspection report, photos, and a summary page of suggested repairs. Plus, you don't want to be surprised to discover that the previous owners angrily ripped out flooring, appliances, and copper pipes. The magazine goes on to suggest that, after your offer is accepted, you have some "specialty" inspections done on the property, including a mold test. The bank may still be willing to fix problems at this point.
Make a thorough inspection by Complete Home Inspection a part of your home-buying process, particularly if a distressed property is involved. That's the best way to get peace of mind throughout the process.
Whole house inspections, condo inspections, radon testing, mold testing and more, we do it all for you. Call today to schedule your Complete Home Inspection, 913-268-0222. Or send us an E-mail through http://www.completehomeinspectionkc.com/.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Eye of the beholder...
Just in the past week, satisfied customers have had this to say in E-mails - "Thank you! The inspection experience was 100% positive and I have posted a report of it on Angie's List. We'll recommend your services to any of our family, friends and associates that are looking to purchase a home in the KC area." and "Wow...lots to digest in your report. Thanks for being so thorough." Another client said, on the phone, that her Complete Home Inspection had been very thorough, but the sellers of that home refused to fix any of the problems uncovered. So, she was scheduling an inspection on the other house they had found after walking away from the first one.
Whole house inspections, condo inspections, radon testing, mold testing, and more, we do it all for you. Call to schedule your inspection today, 913-268-0222. www.completehomeinspectionkc.com.
Whole house inspections, condo inspections, radon testing, mold testing, and more, we do it all for you. Call to schedule your inspection today, 913-268-0222. www.completehomeinspectionkc.com.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Condo Inspections
When you're buying a condo, it's sometimes easy to think that you don't need to have a complete home inspection done because the condo doesn't have many of the same concerns as a free-standing home (perhaps no roof immediately over your living space, perhaps no basement or crawl space immediately below your living space, etc.). But, as many have found in the last few weeks, their condos still had many systems and features that needed a complete inspection.
Your condo inspection includes the plumbing, electric, heating and cooling systems, as well as the appliances, doors, walls and windows. You get a lot of peace of mind from knowing the condition of each of these systems and items BEFORE you buy. You can test for mold, too, if you wish.
Whether it's a high-rise condo downtown or in the Plaza area, or a townhouse-type condo with its own roof and foundation, have your condo thoroughly inspected by Complete Home Inspection.
Condo inspections, whole house inspections, radon testing, mold testing, and more, we can do it all for you. Call today to schedule your appointment, 913-268-0222. Complete Home Inspection.
Your condo inspection includes the plumbing, electric, heating and cooling systems, as well as the appliances, doors, walls and windows. You get a lot of peace of mind from knowing the condition of each of these systems and items BEFORE you buy. You can test for mold, too, if you wish.
Whether it's a high-rise condo downtown or in the Plaza area, or a townhouse-type condo with its own roof and foundation, have your condo thoroughly inspected by Complete Home Inspection.
Condo inspections, whole house inspections, radon testing, mold testing, and more, we can do it all for you. Call today to schedule your appointment, 913-268-0222. Complete Home Inspection.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Ice dams
With all of the snowfall in Kansas City so far this season, pay close attention to the gutters on your house.
Icicles may look pretty and seasonally appropriate, but they're also a sign that heat is escaping through your roof and causing the snow cover to melt. As the melting snow refreezes, it can block the gutters and keep water from draining away as it should. This can lead to the water seeping into your walls or dripping onto your house's foundation instead. And that can lead to many different problems.
Consider using a broom to brush away the snow from lowest few feet of your roof. You may feel silly being out in the cold "sweeping" your roof, but giving the snow melt room to drain unobstructed can help you avoid costly problems with mold, a cracked foundation, and damaged soffits, fascia boards and walls.
To prevent ice dams from occurring, you may need to improve the insulation and ventilation of your roof and/or install a heat strip along the lower edge of the roof or in the gutter. For now, sweeping the snow away will help the situation. And then, when it warms up a little, you can consider your other options.
Icicles may look pretty and seasonally appropriate, but they're also a sign that heat is escaping through your roof and causing the snow cover to melt. As the melting snow refreezes, it can block the gutters and keep water from draining away as it should. This can lead to the water seeping into your walls or dripping onto your house's foundation instead. And that can lead to many different problems.
Consider using a broom to brush away the snow from lowest few feet of your roof. You may feel silly being out in the cold "sweeping" your roof, but giving the snow melt room to drain unobstructed can help you avoid costly problems with mold, a cracked foundation, and damaged soffits, fascia boards and walls.
To prevent ice dams from occurring, you may need to improve the insulation and ventilation of your roof and/or install a heat strip along the lower edge of the roof or in the gutter. For now, sweeping the snow away will help the situation. And then, when it warms up a little, you can consider your other options.
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