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Here are 5 simple steps homeowners can do to prepare for a home inspection.

The purpose of a home inspection is to evaluate the condition of the home and its major systems. Systems such as AC, furnace, water heater, etc..

1. Remove clutter in the home.
2. Replace burnt light bulbs.
3. Provide unobstructed access to the water heater, furnace, exterior condenser unit and the electrical panel.
4. Ensure the attic entry is not blocked and is accessible.
5. Make repairs to obvious issues like leaky faucets, loose doorknobs and ensure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are in place.

These simple steps should help prepare your home for a smooth home inspection.

Space Heater Dangers

Space heater dangers abound in many New Orleans older homes. While space heaters provide the warmth we desire many are unvented with little to no safety features.  Poor installation location is another safety hazard that is commonly found. It is not uncommon to enter a double shotgun house in the winter to find a space heater in every room lit. The house feels so cozy and warm. At times you may start to feel sleepy; it’s not just from the heat, it’s from the carbon monoxide produced from the unvented space heater. Newer space heaters have carbon monoxide sensors and anti-tip sensors built in with warning labels on the sides.  Installing and maintaining carbon monoxide alarms is a safety feature you may want to consider if you have unvented space heaters.

Falling Bullets

Falling Bullets and roof damage

As the New Year approaches, many will be celebrating. Have you ever stopped to think how many people still recklessly fire a weapon up in the air on New Year’s Eve without considering What Goes Up Must Come Down. While it’s not that common to find a bullet or bullet hole in a roof in the New Orleans area, it still happens. Keep in mind, a falling bullet can cause roof damage but also serious bodily injury or death. Finding another bullet embedded in an asphalt shingle roof in Algiers makes me weary about being outside during the midnight celebrations.

Bullet-in-roof

Problems with Galvanized Water Pipes

Galvanized steel piping was commonly used until roughly 1950. This piping typically lasts 40-60 years.  Where it is found today in single family homes, it is usually near the end of its life. The connections are normally threaded at connections. This is a where you will typically see rust first.

Rusted Galvanized Supply Line

When the pipe corrodes, the rust accumulation inside the pipe chokes down the diameter of the pipe, resulting in poor water pressure. As rust builds up inside the pipe, a brownish color is often noted in the water when a faucet is turned on, especially after several days of inactivity. This rust in the water usually dissipates after a few seconds.

Rusted Galvanized Connection

Continue reading Problems with Galvanized Water Pipes

Historic New Orleans Lighting

While inspecting homes in New Orleans I get to see a vast variety of homes from historic to new. It is amazing the things we find in these older homes. Occasionally there may be several eras of lighting installed within the home.

  

The first picture is of a gas lamp found in a house we inspected. The fixture appears to be upside down based on the photo on the right. The photo on the right is a picture of a bathroom fixture. Continue reading Historic New Orleans Lighting

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