Cross Check Inspection

More on Ice Dams

dparish — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 18:34:45 +0000

Ice dams form when heat from the inside of the home escapes into the attic and warms the roof decking in the winter. The heat, combined with heat from the sun, can melt snow on the roof. Melting snow on the upper roof and in the valleys, runs down to the eaves as water. When it reaches the cold eves and gutters, it refreezes. The continual thaw and refreezing creates Ice Dams. Resulting in water and ice backing up under the shingles and/or fascia boards. where it can then soak through decking or wall sheathing, causing damage to attics, ceilings, and walls.

Ice dams along the roof plane can add an extreme weight load to the roof structure as well as the gutter system. This is noticeable after the spring thaw, and your gutters are bent, sagging , or literally falling off the house. Depending upon the height and roof pitch, having them professionally removed, can be quite costly, ranging in the area of $100.00 to $500.00, depending on the situation.

Prevention: If you address your insulation, and ventilation you will be ahead of the game with close to a 90% success rate when done properly. Attics should have cross ventilation. Natural venting from the soffits (soffit vents), to the top of the roof, via ridge vents or more traditional roof vents. Recommended venting is at least 1 sq ft free venting to every 300 sq ft of attic floor area. Power ventilators are another option, but should be controlled for humidity as well as heat. Trying to acquire cross ventilation, with a somewhat circular air flow through the attic. This will help to prevent heat buildup in the attic and the snow melting on the roof, causing water to turn into the dreaded Ice Dams.

Dave

Attic Ventilation

dparish — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 14:03:50 +0000

Tis the Season. Well almost. Old man winter and the snow that comes along with it is just around the corner. And although attic ventilation should be thought about year round, Ice Dams are the worry in the colder climates. A proper balanced ventilation system can help prevent ice dams, as well as help maintain a comfortable climate indoors. Ice damming can cause serious damage to the roof sheathing, soffits, fascia, and cause water intrusion to the interior of the home as well. Ventilation is one of the best ways to prevent dams by creating a “cold” roof. Roof design can determine what style of ventilation is best for your roof. In some cases good ventilating of the attic is all but impossible, without rebuilding the roof structure itself. Power vents and/or wind turbines can help. And as a last resort snow raking the roofs, at least five feet above the roof eves, or heat tapes applied to this same area can be the answer. I could ramble on for a long time, but to save time I found a pdf put out by Air Vent INC. that is a good reference on the issue and has some really good and detailed information on ventilation. Please take a look at this and you too will be well informed.

(right click then open in new window)

Attic Ventilation.pdf

Dave

Rodent Incursions

dparish — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 13:47:22 +0000

It’s at this time of year when little critters are looking for a warmer place to spend their winter. So if you are hearing the sounds of little feet in your walls or in your ceilings, it’s time to take action. Rodents can carry diseases, , as well as using your valuable paperwork for nesting materials. Rats, mice and other vermin can chew through insulation and wiring, and are the suspects of many house fires. Also known for damage to the structure itself. Nesting has been found in larger appliances, drawers, closets, you get the idea, they can be rather creative in their search for housing.

What to Do: Traps, Bait products, share you home with a cat or two, poisons, or calling an exterminator are some of the best options. Mice droppings can carry the deadly Hantavirus, and rodents themselves can carry everything from salmonella to the plague. Knowing some of these facts can help you in making an informed decision on the means to protect you home from these invading pests, and sometimes professional help might be the wisest choice.

Dave

PEELING PAINT

dparish — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 22:32:29 +0000

Most people look at paint on a house as strictly aesthetic. That is only part of the paints purpose. Being the “skin” of the house, it’s the first line of defense against water, Mother nature, and pests. Water seeping into wood, can lead to rot, Unpainted wood can dry and crack. A quality paint can help to seal the siding and trim to help prevent weather damage and intrusion of pests.

Repairs: Scrape old loose peeling paint, and sand to smooth edges of remaining paint. Prime surface, spot priming may be acceptable, a good oil base primer is recommended. Apply 1 to 2 coats of fresh color paint, either latex or oil. Contact your local paint dealer for suggestions. Before starting the removal of old paint, caution should be taken for any homes built before 1978. Prior to this date some homes were painted with a lead base paint. Dust and chips from this paint can cause irreversible brain damage in children, and nerve damage in adults. Consider hiring a professional to test and remove any lead paint. Local or state health departments should be able to provide referrals for testing labs, and contractors. Another good resource for information on lead based paints is at www.epa.gov.

Dave

HOME OWNERSHIP

dparish — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 02:23:07 +0000

Owning a home can be expensive, that’s why many homeowners procrastinate on needed repairs. Real estate agents generally call this “deferred maintenance.
Some repairs should never be delayed. Ignoring these major issues can be much more expensive later on. Or possibly even cause injury or death.
Check my website regularly, as I will be updating this section regularly with some of the issues home inspectors around the country recommend to lookout for.

Dave