Raleigh Home Inspection Firm Suggests That Gutters Should Be Installed On Every Home

What if gutters were installed on every single-family home that was ever built? Well, I suggest that things would be different in many ways…at least insofar as homes, the owners of those homes, and the owners wallets are concerned.

Most people don’t give much though to gutters. As a Raleigh Home Inspector and the owner of a Raleigh Home Inspection firm in North Carolina, I give thought to them most every day. Either there are gutters installed on a home or there aren’t…It’s one of the very first observations I make when I arrive at a property to perform a Home Inspection. And here’s the thing…in the vast majority of instances where there are no gutters installed to control all that roof run-off water, the home exhibits some deficiency or deterioration as a direct result. Why is that?

When no gutters are installed, then all of that wonderful, beautiful, life-giving substance that we know to be water falls onto the roof, runs off of the roof, and is deposited immediately onto the ground next to the foundation…or onto other surfaces such as patios or driveways. This is where the troubles begin.

Too much water adjacent to a foundation can have potentially disastrous results. Uncontrolled grade and roof run-off water can make its way into crawl spaces and that excessive moisture can lead directly to decay of wood structural components like floor joists and support beams. It can also lead directly to conditions that are conducive to the growth of fungal growth…mold and mildew and other such nasty undesirables that can, and often are, associated with health issues.

And the adverse effect of water on buildings isn’t limited to those home constructed on crawl space foundations. Homes constructed on basements are especially vulnerable…in the first place, who wants a wet basement? But excess water on the exterior side of a basement foundation wall can be more than simply annoying or uncomfortable…it can lead to serious structural issues as well. When the soil is constantly wet immediately next to the foundation, that wet soil can exert tremendous inward force against the structure as a result of a phenomenon called hydrostatic pressure where the wet soil presses against the exterior of the foundation and dramatically increases the associated lateral loads, or force, applied to the wall. Resulting structural failure can be very technically challenging, and very expensive, to repair. Roof run-off water that splashes onto walkways, driveways, and porches is yet another common problem. That water often splashes up onto the building and causes the decay of wood doors, door trim, siding, and other such components.

Homes constructed using the concrete slab-on-grade methodology aren’t immune either…although the effects of all that water around a slab foundation might not be readily apparent and may not become obvious for some time to come.

One very simple, and relatively inexpensive way to prevent the possibility of these types of issues is to install a gutter system to control the roof run-off water and discharge that water well away from the foundation. I have found that seamless aluminum gutters are the most effective because…(drum roll, please)…they don’t have any seams that can leak. Properly sized seamless gutters, combined with properly sized and extended downspouts, or splash blocks placed on the soil with a positive drainage slope (so the water runs away from the building rather than toward it), will allow for adequate control of the roof run-off water and preclude that water from damaging a home.

Of course, as with most things, there are other related considerations. First, those wonderful gutters that are doing such a magnificent job of protecting your home…they’re going to have to be routinely maintained and kept clear of debris such as leaves and the like. Because in my professional experience, having evaluated many, many thousands of homes, the only thing worse that a home with no gutters installed…is a home with a clogged or failing gutter system installed. Gutters and downspouts that are allowed to become clogged are just as potentially damaging as having none at all. Most gutters are going to overflow during periods of very heavy rainfall…but gutters and downspouts that are allowed to become clogged will overflow during even minimal or moderate rainfall. And that water can damage other wood components like fascia and soffit at the eaves around the home…and that’s while it’s on the way to the ground where it can be detrimental in the ways previously mentioned.

So simple and inexpensive is the installation of gutters and downspouts that I suggest they should be required components for every home ever built. I have often heard home builders say “We don’t use gutters because they look ugly!”. Personally, I’ve never seen a gutter or a downspout that is more ugly than a wet, nasty crawl space…or a rotten piece of wood…or an expensive door that is so rotten it needs to be replaced. And I should point out that most conscientious builders of quality homes do, indeed, install gutter systems on their homes because…(another drum roll, please)…it makes good common sense!

If there aren’t any gutters installed on your valuable home….then I urge you to have them installed by an appropriate professional. If gutters are installed, then go out and give em’ a good look and make sure they are clear of debris and in good working order.

In summary, an effective gutter system, consisting of seamless gutters and extended downspouts that discharge roof run-off water well away from the foundation, is such a positive aspect of a “healthy” home, that it just simply should not be over-looked. It is exceptionally valuable insurance against expensive repairs as a result of water damage. And they’re relatively inexpensive, too. Who doesn’t like that?

Laminate Flooring Is An Alternative To “Real” Wood

If your home maintenance projects have led you to the conclusion that some of your finish floor covering needs to be replaced, then take a look at laminate flooring….it is durable alternative to wood that is worthy of consideration. This Raleigh Home Inspector installed some laminate flooring in his own home; after six years, its performance and durability are proving to be quite satisfactory.

(ARA) – You love the look of natural wood flooring but are afraid to install hardwood because you know the floor will take a beating from the kids, dogs and the heavy day-to-day traffic all too common in modern family life.

But you don’t have to sacrifice high style looks for boring sensibility when considering a new flooring option in your home – not if you choose laminate, that is.

Today’s best laminates combine the realistic grain and texture of wood with high durability and scratch and indentation resistance that “authentic” wood floors don’t provide, according to Jeff Katz, director – laminate for Tarkett Residential, a leading provider of innovative and sustainable flooring. And not only are today’s laminates available at a fraction of the cost of real wood floors, but they’re right in sync with the latest designs.

“There’s always a new decorating trend around the corner,” Katz says. “It’s imperative for manufacturers to respond to market demand, keeping up with the most up-to-date trends to ensure consumers are getting the latest in style and design, as well as technology.”

One such line is Tarkett’s Trends laminate, a durable new collection featuring eight of the hottest flooring designs, including Old World-inspired antique-stained planks and soft, hand scraped wood grains. Colors and styles in this line will continually rotate out with new introductions to give homeowners the newest, most popular looks in flooring, ultimately providing them with the high style of premium wood floors without the fuss.

“That’s the beauty of laminate products,” Katz says. “They’re the new normal – great-looking products that deliver great performance at a great value.

When shopping for laminate products consumers should look for flooring that is engineered with sturdy inner core board layers – preferably ones that deliver high impact resistance (at least an IC3 rating). This type of rating helps provide excellent indentation resistance, and when combined with highly rated top surface protection (AC3 or better) kids and pets can run and play freely on laminate floors without making a dent or marring up the surface’s good looks. As a result, laminate flooring is so durable versus real wood products that some laminates come with up to a full lifetime warranty.

What’s more, creating a laminate flooring transformation in your home is a relatively simple DIY project. Many of today’s new laminate floors come in easy-to-install planks that simply snap together without the need for messy glue or nails to pound. Laminates can even be used over several types of existing flooring, often eliminating the need for costly sub-floor preparation.

“Consumers now have the choice of selecting laminate floor innovations that provide excellent performance and value, while also reflecting and accommodating their changing tastes,” Katz says. “Laminate flooring solutions keep up with their day-to-day life. That’s something we know will never go out of style.” For more information about the latest trends in laminate flooring, visit www.tarkettna.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

For a Raleigh Home Inspection, call Quality Residential Inspections to schedule today……919.848.4833. We provide Home Inspections, and related ancillary services e.g. Radon testing and water testing, to the greater Triangle region of North Carolina to include Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Wake Forest, Clayton, Garner, and Durham.

Protect Your Home From Termite Damage

In the United States, termites are most abundant in the South and Southwest. Here in North Carolina, we are definitely in the “termite belt”…and as Home Inspectors, it is quite routine for us to discover damage, or visible evidence of likely damage, during the performance of a Raleigh Home Inspection. The little critters are a very big problem that can potentially plague your home…..and your pocketbook…. if they are allowed to reside with you in your home. You just want to live in and enjoy your home, right? Well, the pesky little termites live only to eat it and destroy it! (Boooo….hisssss….bad). This excellent article contains some great tips to protect your home from damage.

Protect your home from termite damage

(ARA) – As Americans head outside to tend to their lawns and repair their houses, it’s just as important to consider what might be happening out of sight, deep inside the home.

Termites, which are found in every state except Alaska, live in colonies that eat continuously. These wood-destroying pests eat homes from the inside out, making their presence difficult to detect. Termites annually cause more than $5 billion in damage, and the destruction termites cause is not normally covered by homeowners insurance, leaving owners to pay an average of $3,000 in out-of-pocket costs for repairs, according to Terminix.

“In most cases, it’s easy to tell when a house is in need of repair. Either the paint is chipping or the roof is leaking. But that’s not usually the case with termite activity,” says Paul Curtis, a Terminix entomologist. “Because termites are often active in the least visible areas of a home, it can be difficult for the homeowner to tell whether they have a termite problem or not.”

Usually, homeowners will only be able to tell they have a termite infestation during swarm season. That’s when winged, reproductive termites leave their colonies and establish new ones.

A swarm can be identified by the large number of flying termites and by the discarded wings they often leave near doors and windows.

“Termites do not discriminate. They eat wooden framing, support beams and the wood flooring inside your home the same way they would a tree in the forest,” Curtis says.

While swarming only takes place during certain times of the year, termite colonies never stop eating, even to rest or sleep. Unless evidence of a swarm is discovered, or damage is severe enough to be noticed, a trained professional will most likely be required to identify the presence of termites within a home.

Although eliminating termites requires the help of a trained professional, homeowners can take the following proactive steps to make their homes less inviting to these wood-destroying pests:

1. Fix the roof or plumbing leaks. The moisture from these allows termites to survive above ground.

2. Clean and repair gutters. Gutters that do not drain properly can allow water to accumulate near the foundation.

3. Eliminate wood-to-soil contact. Any wood that simultaneously touches the soil and the home can provide termites with direct access to the structure.

4. Keep mulch or soil from being piled against the home’s siding. Soil or mulch allowed to pile up against the home can hide termite activity.

5. Avoid storing items in the crawlspace. Pieces of scrap lumber, boxes or even books can serve as a food source for termites.

6. Maintain adequate ventilation in crawlspaces. Termites prefer moist conditions. Eliminating moisture can help make the environment less suitable to them.

7. Use a mesh screen on all windows, doors and ventilation openings. Screening will help prevent winged termites from entering the home.

8. Schedule an annual inspection with a trained professional. Prompt treatment and regular inspections can save thousands of dollars in damage repair.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Call your Raleigh Home Inspector today at 919.848.4833 to schedule your Home Inspection. Quality Residential Inspection is your trusted source for professional Home Inspection and related services.