Radon Testing for new homes

Recently, a customer asked if he should test his house for Radon, even though the house is new ( less than 1 year old).   Lets review the recommendations!   The EPA and the Surgeon General of the United States recommend that ALL homebuyers test for Radon.   That means new homes / old homes / homes with basement / homes without a basement / split level homes / homes on a slab / homes in "nice" neighborhoods / homes in "not so nice" neighborhoods.....    ALL homebuyers should test for Radon.     Check out www.epa.gov/radon for more information.    Call Duke Inspection Services at 440 937-DUKE

Critters in the attic

Recently, I was called to a house to inspect the roof for hail damage.  The owner was unaware of a hole in the wood trim, just behind one of his gutters...

He told me he recently had chipmunks removed from his attic - well, his exterminator removed them.

So, this year, when you are cleaning your gutters, or having your gutters cleaned by a service company - keep your eyes open for holes and rotted wood: entry points into your home for critters and rodents.

Call Duke Inspection Services for more information

Keep your roof in shape for Fall

August 2010? Why is time flying by so quickly?

Fall is around the corner, and one thing that is often neglected in the homes I inspect is the roof area and gutters.

Gutters and downspouts need to be kept free and clear of tree debris, that's obvious.. but the roof area needs routine maintenance too.

Keep all flashing sealed, look for missing or damaged shingles, and make sure chimney areas are in shape for the bad weather of fall and winter that is coming soon.

A professional home inspector can inspect your roof if you don't want to get on a ladder or walk the roof area.

For more information - call Duke at 440 937-DUKE.

Free Agent

I am staying in Cleveland!

Perhaps LeBron will need a home inspection in Miami, but I am staying here

Inspect a new house?

YES!

I recently inspected a house that was built in 2008, but was never lived in. The client was a little
apprehensive about paying for an inspection, since the builder was claiming the house was in "brand new" condition.

I found loose and cracked siding boards, unfinished plumbing stacks in the attic, and a large foundation crack that needed to be sealed immediately.

Afterwards, the client was quite happy to have had an independent inspection ... The builder made all the repairs before she moved in.

Call 440 937-DUKE if you have any questions about buying a "brand new" house...

440 937-DUKE

WHY DO I HAVE SO MUCH ICE IN MY GUTTER?

Very common question this time of year - one of the reasons is that you forgot to clean out the gutters and downspouts in the fall.

When doing home inspections, more often than not I find gutters need to be cleaned out. Junk from trees is the main culprit. The water flows off the roof into the gutter, then gets trapped. This allows freezing and problems with ice dams.

Attic ventilation and insulation issues are also to blame.

TIP - Do not get up on a ladder and try to chop ice off the roof and gutters. The danger of doing this far outweighs any benefit of ice removal. Also- it is easy to damage the shingles and roof deck if you are using an ax or shovel to chop ice.

Call me if you have concerns about this - I can inspect your home and offer suggestions and remedies.

David Sipple
Duke Inspection Services
440 937-DUKE

Want to become a home inspector?

Before you spend thousands of dollars and hours and hours of time trying to start a home inspection business - call me

I am putting together a training manual and seminar to help you learn about what it takes to start a home inspection business.

Learn from someone who started a successful business from scratch.

Call me directly at 440 937-3853