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Recent Client Reviews of Quality Residential Inspections…Your Raleigh Home Inspection Firm

June 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Hello folks…thought we would share some recent reviews that we have received from clients of your Raleigh Home Inspection firm. Your Raleigh Home Inspector and Quality Residential Inspections are always heartened when our clients share their satisfaction with our services in a public forum.

Quality Residential Inspections...Your Raleigh Home Inspection Firm..Is All About Happy, Satisfied Customers

Quality Residential Inspections...Your Raleigh Home Inspection Firm..Is All About Happy, Satisfied Customers

Mr. Smith wrote publicly: “Thorough and Detailed. I have used Gary and QRI for multiple home purchases and have been very satisfied with how thorough and detailed his analysis is. Would highly recommend QRI to other potential homebuyers who want to identify the serious and the minor issues with the property they are considering.” CR Smith

Raleigh Home Inspector Provides Excellent Customer Service

Quality Residential Inspections and your Raleigh Home Inspector Provide Excellent Customer Service

Brett also posted publicly: “Great and timely service. Detailed and precise work.” Brett Rickley

Andrew wrote:  “Quality Residential Inspections provide an out standing home inspection service, I recommend them to any prospective home buyer looking for a quality residential inspection. I received a comprehensive home inspection report in less than 12 hours with detailed home inspection photographs and useful descriptions. I also found Gary to be friendly and professional, he also talked about his finding during the home inspection. I highly recommend Quality Residential Inspectors.” Andrew Mitchell – Home Buyer

To see what these and other satisfied clients are saying about us, then visit the Quality Residential Inspections Google Places Page.

We look forward to providing you with the same, top-of-the-line. professional Home Inspection services that we provided to these great people…

And if you find yourself in need of a Raleigh Home Inspection, then give us a call at 919-848-4833 or Schedule Your Home Inspection right here on our website.

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Raleigh Home Inspection Firm Suggests Simple Conservation Measures For A More Green Environement

June 9, 2011 By 1 Comment

Quality Residential Inspections, your Raleigh Home Inspection firm, is all about saving energy. And when you save a little energy, it usually equates to saving a few dollars and maybe even allot of dollars…and who wouldn’t be all for that? Small, simple lifestyle changes…changes in the way we do things on a daily basis around the home…go a long way toward a more friendly environment and toward cost savings as well. Here is a great article the Raleigh Inspector happened across that touches on some of those simple measures to be just a little more conservative in water and energy use.

Simple, everyday conservation acts to help save the environment

(ARA) – The “going green” trend is going strong as more Americans discover that doing their part for the environment is now simpler than ever. Many small, everyday acts can help the environment – things as simple as using a water purifier instead of buying bottled water or switching to concentrated laundry detergents.

Procter & Gamble’s environmental education program, Future Friendly, offers these helpful hints for changes that can benefit the environment and, in many cases, your pocketbook.

Simple Conservation masures can make for big water savings

It's often the little things that matter...and that can add up to big conservation savings

Cleaning up your act

Doing a load of laundry seems like an innocent enough chore, right? Actually, our laundry habits can consume a lot of resources, from using more detergent than necessary to using energy to heat the wash water. Fortunately, greening your practices in the laundry room can be simple.

* Follow on-package dosing instructions – A third of Americans simply guess how much detergent to add to their laundry, with many just filling the cap or scoop to the brim, according to a recent Ipsos survey. In fact, 59 percent of those polled said they learned to do laundry from their mother, and 43 percent have never changed their laundry habits because they’ve never seen a reason to. It’s important to follow the recommended dosing instructions which are generally marked on the cap or scoop.

* Use concentrated detergent – Concentrated powder versions of Tide and Gain are now available, enabling you to use less detergent per load with the same great results. This concentrated formula means the detergents’ packaging has been reduced, creating less waste to toss in the trash or recycling bin.

* Wash in cold water – Most of the energy consumed in a typical load of laundry is used to heat the water, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.  Switching to cold water for every load can yield significant energy savings and, when using specially formulated products, you won’t have to trade-off product performance to realize the environmental benefits.

Water, water everywhere

Water is a precious commodity that needs to be protected to ensure the health of the planet and our communities. Consider these water conservation tips as you go about your daily activities:

* Use a water purifier – While bottled water is a convenient aspect of modern life, the downside is the disposal of all those empty plastic bottles. When you compare the annual capacity and average price of a faucet-mount water filter to the price of water bottles that would hold the same amount of water, switching your household to a water purifier such as those available from Pur could keep more than 1,000 bottles out of the landfill and save around $600 a year.

* Skip pre-washing your dishes – Pre-washing dishes before placing them in the dishwasher can consume up to 20 gallons of water, according to EnergyStar.gov. If you use a good quality “complete” dishwasher detergent such as Cascade Complete, all you need to do is scrape off large food particles then place the dirty dishes in the washer – and you’ll save around 2,600 gallons of water a year (based on 12.5 gallons of water used to pretreat, at four loads per week). EnergyStar also recommends running the dishwasher only when it’s full and skipping the heat drying cycle.

So, try to make it a point to be just a little more “Green” in the activities that you engage in every day.

Quality Residential Inspections provides Home Inspection and ancillary testing services, e.g. Radon testing, to the entire Triangle region of North Carolina. Contact us today at 919-848-4833 or Schedule Your Home Inspection here.

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The Raleigh Home Inspector On: Summer Storm Damage

June 5, 2011 By 2 Comments

This time of year, the Raleigh Inspector and Quality Residential Inspections are often made aware of damage caused by summer storms and by the copious amounts of water that they can bring with them. It is of the utmost importance that your roof, gutters/downspouts, and decks be periodically assessed, particularly after the passing of any of our numerous summer storms, to make sure that any damage is recognized and corrected as soon as possible.

Summer storm damage: What to look for and how to fix it

(ARA) – Storms are a natural part of summer. After a storm has passed and it is safe to go outside, take stock of your home and repair any minor damage caused by the storm. Repairing minor problems quickly can help ensure they don’t evolve into major headaches.

The home improvement and maintenance experts at Lowe’s offer some guidelines for assessing and dealing with storm damage:

Checking the roof:

Your roof and gutters will often take the brunt of a storm’s power. After a storm, check out roof shingles by walking slowly around your home and inspecting from the ground. Use a good pair of binoculars to look for lifting or missing shingles around the edges, valleys, plumbing and furnace vent pipes and the chimney.

Raleigh Home Inspector on Storm and Roof Damage

Summer Storms Can Cause Damage To The Roof Of Your Home

You can also inspect your roof from inside the attic. Discoloration of the decking or plywood surface of the roof could signal problems. And if you can see light coming in around plumbing vents or the chimney, it means the flashing needs to be repaired or replaced.

Roof repairs can be difficult and dangerous for homeowners, even if you’re an adept do-it-yourselfer. So be careful when climbing on your roof to inspect damage, especially after a storm when damage is unknown. Ask for professional help at your local home improvement store if you have any doubt about your abilities. You can also visit www.Lowes.com/roofing for more information about patching or replacing your roof.

Maintaining your gutters:

Clogged gutters and downspouts can keep water from being carried away from your roof. Follow this gutter health checklist for obvious signs of failing gutters:

* Gutter hanging off the roof
* Downspout disconnected from the gutter or house
* Missing gutters
* Water in the basement or elsewhere inside the house
* Leaking or dripping gutter seams
* Overflowing gutters

Gutter damage usually takes one of three forms – holes, cracks or sags. You can easily repair minor sags or pin-sized holes yourself. If careful inspection reveals a pinhole, use an abrasive pad to clean the area. Then, cut a piece of material – the same kind as the gutters – that is 1 inch larger than the hole on all sides. Using a stiff brush, spread a bit of gutter repair compound on the area around the hole and place your patch over the top. Cover the patch with another layer of compound to ensure a good seal.

Raleigh Home Inspection On: Storm and Gutter Damage

Maintianing the gutters of your home is an important aspect of home maintenance

To repair minor sags, simply add a new hanging bracket to the sagging area or replace an existing one if it’s old or damaged. Screw in the bracket until the gutter is back in proper alignment. Be sure to use hanging brackets that are designed for your type of gutter system.

Cracks or more serious gutter damage may require professional help.

Caring for decks:

The safety of your deck after a storm passes through is of great importance, especially if you entertain regularly on your deck. Check for damaged boards and replace them with the appropriate decking material. Tighten loose fasteners or replace them if they won’t tighten. Tap down and set protruding nails or replace them with deck screws. Check for splinters, especially along handrails and steps, and smooth them with sandpaper.

If your deck is too far gone and you have to build a new one, consider using composite decking, such as Trex or ChoiceDek. The decking material is low maintenance, splinter free and mold resistant. You can also use traditional treated lumber for a more economical option.

Sometimes storm damage is unavoidable. But making quick repairs can help ensure your home is safe, sound and dry before the next storm of summer arrives.

If you are purchasing a home and are in need of a Raleigh Home Inspection, or a Home Inspection anywhere in the Triangle region of North Carolina, then give us a call at 919-848-4833 or Schedule Your Home Inspection right here on our website. We look forward to providing you with the very best, and most professional, inspections and ancillary services available.

Quality Residential Inspections also provides Radon-In-Air Testing…

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