As a home inspector, I often encounter properties that lack essential safety features. One such oversight is the absence of a whole-house surge protector. While this device may seem like a luxury, it’s actually a crucial investment to safeguard your home’s electrical systems and appliances from potentially damaging power surges.

What is a Power Surge?

A power surge occurs when there’s a sudden, temporary increase in voltage in your electrical system. This can happen due to various reasons, including lightning strikes, utility grid failures, or even nearby construction. While these surges can be brief, they can cause significant damage to sensitive electronics and appliances.

The Consequences of Unprotected Power Surges

• • Damaged Electronics: Computers, TVs, gaming consoles, and other electronic devices are particularly vulnerable to power surges. Even a single surge can render these items inoperable.
  • Electrical System Failures: Surges can overload circuits, leading to blown fuses or tripped breakers. In severe cases, they can even cause electrical fires.

The Benefits of a Whole-House Surge Protector

• • Comprehensive Protection: A whole-house surge protector safeguards your entire electrical system, not just specific outlets or devices.
  • Peace of Mind: Knowing that your home and its contents are protected from power surges provides valuable peace of mind.
  • Potential Cost Savings: By preventing damage to expensive electronics and appliances, a surge protector can save you money in the long run.

Choosing the Right Surge Protector

When selecting a whole-house surge protector, consider the following factors:

• • Amperage Rating: Ensure the protector’s amperage rating is sufficient to handle your home’s electrical load.
  • Clamping Voltage: A lower clamping voltage offers better protection against surges.
  • Warranty: Look for a product with a comprehensive warranty.

By investing in a whole-house surge protector, you can significantly reduce the risk of electrical damage and protect your home’s valuable assets. As a home inspector, I strongly recommend this safety measure to all homeowners.

Spring is finally here! As the snow melts and the days get longer, it’s the perfect time to roll up your sleeves and tackle some home maintenance tasks. But before you get busy planting flowers, take a moment to consider your roof – the shield that protects your entire home.

Here at SJ Inspections and Consulting, LLC, we see a lot of roof problems that could have been prevented with some simple spring maintenance. To help you avoid costly repairs down the line, here are a few key things to check:

• Clear Debris: Over the winter, leaves, branches, and other debris can accumulate on your roof. This debris can trap moisture and create the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. Grab a ladder (safely!) and clear away any debris you find.
• Inspect Shingles: Take a walk around your house and look for any missing, cracked, or curled shingles. These are signs of wear and tear that could lead to leaks. If you see any damage, it’s best to call a professional roofer for repairs.
• Check Flashings: Flashings are the metal strips that seal around chimneys, vents, and skylights. These are critical for preventing leaks, so make sure they are securely fastened and free of rust or damage.
• Clean Gutters: Clogged gutters can cause water to back up under your roof shingles, leading to leaks and rot. Clean your gutters thoroughly and ensure they drain properly away from your house.

Bonus Tip: While you’re up there, take a look at your attic ventilation. Proper ventilation helps prevent moisture buildup and promotes good air circulation, which is essential for roof health.

By taking these simple steps, you can help ensure your roof is in tip-top shape for the spring and summer months ahead. Remember, a healthy roof is a happy (and dry) home!

Do you have any questions about spring roof maintenance? Leave a comment below!

As a seasoned home inspector, my winter inspections take on a unique meaning. While the world admires the picturesque snow-laden roofs, my gaze is trained on the often-overlooked eaves, where a silent threat lurks: ice dams.

These seemingly harmless ridges of ice, resembling frozen teeth clamped onto the roof’s edge, are much more than a winter ornament. They are harbingers of potential disaster, capable of wreaking havoc on the very structure that protects your home and family.

The Icy Genesis: A Battle of Temperatures

The story of ice dams begins with a battle between opposing forces: warmth and cold. Heat from your cozy living space escapes into the attic, melting the snow on the upper part of the roof. This meltwater trickles down, but as it reaches the colder eaves, it encounters a frosty adversary – freezing temperatures. This creates a dam, blocking the natural flow of water and causing it to pool behind.

Think of this dam as a ticking time bomb. The trapped water, unable to escape, seeks the path of least resistance. It seeps under the shingles, infiltrating the roof deck and potentially leaking into the attic. This unwelcome guest wreaks havoc, causing a cascade of consequences:

• Rotting wood: The constant moisture weakens the wooden structures of your roof, compromising its integrity and posing a safety hazard.
• Water damage: Leaks stain ceilings, warp walls, and nurture mold growth, creating costly repair bills and potential health risks.
• Exacerbated ice damming: The trapped water refreezes, further expanding the ice dam and perpetuating the cycle of destruction.

Unmasking the Villains: What Fuels the Icy Menace?

But who are the accomplices in this icy crime? Several factors contribute to ice dam formation, acting as unwitting allies to the frozen villain:

• Inadequate attic ventilation: Poor air circulation traps heat in the attic, melting more snow and feeding the dam.
• Poor insulation: Gaps in insulation allow heat to escape more easily, increasing the melting effect and fueling the icy threat.
• Clogged gutters: Blocked gutters prevent water from draining freely, contributing to the pool behind the dam and amplifying its destructive potential.

The Hero’s Journey: Battling Back and Preventing Future Onslaughts

The good news is, you don’t have to surrender to the icy menace. With a proactive approach, you can become the hero of your home’s story, preventing ice dams and safeguarding its structural integrity. Here’s your arsenal:

• Prevention is key:
  • Improve attic ventilation: Install soffit vents and a ridge vent to promote air circulation and keep the roof consistently cool.
  • Upgrade insulation: Seal air leaks and add more insulation in the attic to prevent heat from escaping and melting snow.
  • Maintain clear gutters: Regularly clear your gutters to ensure smooth drainage and prevent water from backing up and forming dams.
• For immediate relief:
  • Ice removal: If dams have formed, remove them carefully using specialized tools or by hiring professionals. Avoid harsh methods that could damage your roof.
  • Heat cables: Consider installing heat cables along the eaves to prevent ice buildup in the future.

Bonus Tip: As a home inspector, I always recommend homeowners check their roofs regularly, especially after heavy snowfall or during periods of fluctuating temperatures. Early detection and prompt action can prevent significant damage and save you money in the long run.

Remember, ice dams are not inevitable winter woes. By understanding their cause, recognizing the hazards, and taking preventive measures, you can transform your roof from a potential battleground into a fortress of winter resilience.

So, this winter, let your snow-covered roof tell a story of proactive protection, not icy peril. Be the hero of your home and take control of the narrative.

Old staircases can be dangerous for a number of reasons. They may be in poor condition, with loose or broken steps, uneven risers, or missing handrails and guardrails. They may also be poorly lit, making it difficult to see where you are going. In addition, old staircases may be narrower and steeper than modern staircases, which can make them more difficult to navigate.

Common hazards of old staircases:

• Loose or broken steps: This is a major hazard, as it can cause you to trip and fall.
  
• Uneven risers: This can also cause you to trip and fall.
  
• Open risers: This can be dangerous for children, as they can fall through the gaps between the treads.
  
• Risers that are more than 7 and 3/4 inches high: This can make it difficult for people with short legs to climb the stairs.
  
• Balusters that are more than 4 inches apart: This can be dangerous for children, as they can put their heads through the gaps and get stuck.
• Missing guardrails over 30” of stairway height.
• Poor lighting: If you can’t see where you are going, you are more likely to trip or fall.
• Lack of handrails: Handrails provide support and help you balance, so they are important for safety.
  
• Handrails that are not graspable: Handrails should be smooth, continuous, and easy to grasp.
• Handrails that are too high or too low: Handrails should be between 34 and 38 inches high, measured from the leading edge of the stair tread to the top surface of the rail. Handrails must also be continuous from the top of the stairway to the bottom.

Who is most at risk?

Anyone can be injured on an old staircase, but some people are more at risk than others. These include:

• Children: Children are more likely to trip and fall because they are smaller and have less coordination than adults.
• Older adults: Older adults are more likely to have balance problems and may be more frail, so they are more likely to be injured in a fall.
• People with disabilities: People with disabilities may have difficulty using stairs, especially if they have mobility or vision problems.

How to make old staircases safer:

There are a number of things that can be done to make old staircases safer, including:

• Repair or replace damaged steps.
• Install handrails on all staircases.
• Install guardrails.
• Improve lighting in stairwells.
• Add nonslip strips to steps.
• Install stairlifts for people who have difficulty using stairs.

If you are concerned about the safety of an old staircase, you should have it inspected by a qualified professional. They can identify any potential hazards and make recommendations for how to make the staircase safer.

Additional tips for staying safe on old staircases:

• Use the handrails.
• Walk slowly and deliberately.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Don’t carry anything that makes it difficult to balance.
• Ask for help if you need it.

By following these tips, you can help to reduce your risk of injury on an old staircase.

Home inspectors are required to call out aluminum wiring in older homes because it is a potential fire hazard. Aluminum wiring is more likely to overheat and arc than copper wiring, which can lead to fires. The risk of fire is even higher in homes with aluminum wiring that has been damaged or poorly installed.

Here are some of the reasons why aluminum wiring is a fire hazard:

• Aluminum is a softer metal than copper, so it is more likely to be damaged during installation or over time.
• Aluminum expands and contracts more than copper, which can cause the connections to loosen and arc.
• Aluminum oxide forms on the surface of aluminum wiring, which can create a barrier that prevents electricity from flowing smoothly. This can also lead to overheating and arcing.

If you are considering buying a home with aluminum wiring, it is important to have it inspected by a qualified electrician. The electrician can assess the condition of the wiring and recommend any necessary repairs or upgrades.

Here are some things you can do to mitigate the risks of aluminum wiring:

• Have the wiring inspected by a qualified electrician.
• Avoid overloading circuits.
• Use circuit breakers instead of fuses.
• Install AFCI (arc fault circuit interrupter) breakers.
• Replace aluminum wiring with copper wiring.

By following these tips, you can help to reduce the risk of fire from aluminum wiring in your home.