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Your roof is the most important part of your house. Regular roof cleaning and maintenance can save you money in the long run and protect your property value. Whether you live in a calm or busy climate, there can be signs that your roof needs repairs. We’ve put together a quick guide to find signs you need to look out for. 

Color Changes

You want your home to look its best, so it’s necessary to check for any color changes. A rusty roof will appear reddish and may need some cleaning. Other coloration may be a sign of water damage, moss or rot. Roof damage can also affect your heat and cooling, so you’ll want to be on top of repairs. If you can’t tackle your roof yourself, look to a trusted team that will do the work for you. 

It’s Noisy When it Rains

Even metal roofing isn’t supposed to be loud when it rains, so if you hear something it could be a sign of trouble. A damaged roof can drive your property value down, can put your home at risk for water damage and can be obnoxious when you’re living in the home. If you’re in a windy or stormy climate, check for leaks that may tell you your roof has been damaged by the weather. Consider hiring a team that knows the deal about roofing. Explain the noise issues and get an expert opinion before it’s too late. 

Your Roof is Old

Your landlords and realtors may tell you how old your house is but may not mention the last time your roof was repaired. Small signs may include curling on the shingles and streaks from mold. Try to take a peek out of an upper window if you can see the view in order to assess any damage.

It may sound silly, but if you’ve experienced a change in the number of birds and other wildlife on your roof it may be a sign you have rot and damage. Look to regular gutter cleaning if you see algae and moss. This can help you to assess whether there are larger underlying problems.

Simple inspections and repairs can protect your home and the wellbeing of you and your loved ones. We all deserve a good roof over our head and regular maintenance can save you trouble and money.  If you do plan on undergoing a major remodel, make sure to get it inspected so you can be aware of any potential problems. Look to signs that may not be obvious and don’t be afraid to contact a trusted team of professionals for help.

Charles Bellefontaine

Dressing up the exterior of your home can increase its outward appeal and market value as well as reflect a potential for indoor beauty. Exterior lighting is a powerful means to draw positive attention to your house. However, there are a few details that you need to address regarding exterior lighting to prevent stumbling blocks.

Common Issues

Before installing landscape or exterior lighting to your home, make sure you have the proper clearance. If you rent your property, you’ll need to check your lease or obtain permission from your landlord. Even if you own your house, make sure you satisfy all agreements and obtain appropriate authorization from your homeowner’s association, if there is one. Although many HOAs welcome exterior lighting as an additional safety measure for residents, they’ll require proper installation to prevent hazardous conditions. DarkSky explains that light pollution or nuisance lighting affects your neighbors. An HOA may regulate where your lights are placed and how bright they can be.

If no such organization exists where you live, you still need to keep these issues in mind. Do your utmost not to infringe on other people’s enjoyment of their property. Exterior lighting concerns include temporary decorations like holiday lights as well.  Don’t compromise on safety or consideration for your neighbors. Always use outdoor-rated fixtures, light bulbs, extension cords, and decorative lights. Make sure animals or children can’t get to your transformers, and contact local authorities about underground utilities if you need to dig. Schedule appropriate inspections and safeguard against defective lights, too.

Electrical Safety

Helius cautions that outdoor lights require careful electrical planning, as even when they’re covered and protected, they have to still deal with more moisture than indoor lighting. This means they can be a common hazard needing inspecting. Refer to the National Electrical Code for guidance. Always use the appropriate wattage light bulbs. Installing bulbs that exceed the maximum wattage recommendations can damage wire insulation because they can overheat. Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters everywhere in your home as well as on your outdoor box. The exception is if you have a circuit breaker or GFCI device higher up in the wiring from your outside box. All outdoor wiring and receptacles need to be weatherproof. Avoid any metal when attaching temporary lighting.

Avoid Corrosion

The extreme moisture exterior lighting faces leads to corrosion and safety issues that can go undetected for a long time. Black Diamond warns that corrosion of bulbs and connections can present dangerous electrical concerns. Make sure to perform regular maintenance on your lighting system. Check halogen and incandescent systems at least twice annually. Plan on replacing all bulbs every two years. When lamps burn out, condensation occurs in the socket, which is a primary cause of corrosion. Besides ensuring you promptly replace old bulbs, you can also use dielectric compounds at each lamp’s base to prevent corrosion.  Avoid substandard connections because if water gets into the wiring, it will, of course, corrode it. Waterproofing connections will further help to prevent corrosion.

Exterior or landscape lighting can be excellent for home improvement. However, legal and community issues, electrical safety, and corrosion are a few elements to consider before embarking on an installation project.

Charles Bellefontaine

An important part of being a responsible homeowner is keeping an eye out for any signs of hidden conditions that could damage your property. Catching problems early is imperative when it comes to protecting your home and health from long-term harm. Here are three things to look out for in your home.

Radon

One of the more dangerous hidden threats that can lurk in your home is radon. This radiation is naturally produced by the earth, making it far more common than you might think. Additionally, the radioactive gas is both colorless and odorless, meaning that the only way to accurately detect the levels in your home is to test for it.

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers, making it important to detect. This harmful gas can seep from the ground through the cracks of your home and build up inside, posing a serious threat after extended exposure.

Termites

Termites pose another commonly undetected threat to the well-being of your home. While preventative methods, such as keeping the area surrounding your house’s foundation clean and free from debris, can help, sometimes these pests chew their way in regardless.

Since termites frequently cause structural damage in hidden areas, you’ll likely want to enlist professional help in determining whether you have a pest problem. You might find quite a few signs that you need pest control for termites during a proper inspection and, from that point, you should look into getting the problem taken care of by a professional.  

Mold

Another potential cause for homeowner concern is hidden mold growth. Mold is known for being persistent and difficult to eradicate, and it can cause serious damage by eating away at the surfaces in your home where it grows. Mold is particularly common in bathrooms, which is why homeowners should inspect their bathroom vanities and cabinets for leaks, mildew, and mold growth. That said you can find mold anywhere there is excess moisture or water damage.

In addition to causing structural damage to your home, mold growth can contribute to a number of health problems as well. Black mold is particularly notorious for aggravating conditions such as allergies, depression and asthma, and extended exposure can even result in death.

Being a homeowner comes with many responsibilities, such as keeping a lookout for hidden dangers in the home. These stealthy threats are more common than you might think, and vigilance is key when it comes to preventing long-term damage. Invest in radon testing, look for signs that you need pest control for termites, and get your home tested for traces of mold in order to maintain a happy, healthy home.

Not 100% convinced that your home needs an inspection? Click here to learn why you might want to schedule one sooner rather than later.

Charles Bellefontaine

Most home maintenance issues that you run into aren’t going to be emergencies, but foundation damage is one problem that you should never ignore. That type of damage can quickly spread to other parts of your home, and a relatively minor fix early on could help you avoid expensive repairs down the road. Here is a quick glimpse at three signs of foundation damage that must be addressed as quickly as possible.

Cracks

Practically every homeowner is going to notice at least a few foundation cracks over the years. Most of those cracks are non-structural and therefore completely harmless. As soon as you see a crack, you should note its overall size and shape. You must then check the crack once every few weeks to make sure that it hasn’t grown larger. Tomlinson Cannon explains that cracked basement walls, floors, windows, and foundation can be caused by drainage problems. That’s why it’s important to have the area inspected to avoid potential issues later on. Homeowners should contact a contractor if they notice that their foundation cracks have grown longer or spread to the nearby walls.

Slab Leaks

Schuelke Plumbing defines slab leaks as leaks that occur in copper pipes under the concrete foundations of your home. These leaks result in diminished water supply and can also cause damage to the surrounding concrete, compromising its strength and integrity, leading to long-term structural damage if not repaired. Some slab leaks lead to visible damage, such as mold and mildew, while other leaks are a little more difficult to detect. One of the most common signs of a slab leak is the sound of running water whenever you are standing near your home’s foundation. You also need to be wary of any unusual smells coming from your foundation or sewage line.

Sticky Windows/Doors

When multiple doors and windows stick, there could be a major problem with the home’s foundation. Sticking doors and windows can also be caused by sudden changes to the humidity levels, but you should never take this problem lightly. At the very least, you need to contact a contractor who can thoroughly inspect every inch of your home. You should also keep an eye out for any gaps around your doors and windows. Covering up the gaps with caulking might be tempting, but that will only mask the problem. In order to find and address the root causes of your foundation damage, you must hire a plumber or contractor.

Foundation damage can be catastrophic, but most homeowners should be able to catch the early warning signs as long as they are diligent. As a general rule, you need to inspect your home’s foundation at least once a year for signs of damage or any other unusual issues.

Charles Bellefontaine

Home inspections can be beneficial for a range of reasons. They can help property owners assess curb appeal and value, first and foremost. They can also help owners determine whether they should take on any renovation or remodeling projects in the near future. If you have any concerns that involve the condition of your home, then you should prioritize getting an inspection without further ado.

Hidden Damages

Residential properties can experience hidden damages in many different ways. If you think you may have any hidden damage, then you should set up a professional inspection as soon as possible. That’s because waiting around can often make damage a lot more severe. Severe damage can cost a lot more to repair, too.

Examples of hidden damages include water stains, termite infestations, and even foundation issues. Hidden damage in many situations isn’t even conspicuous until destruction is extreme, and it’s pretty easy for destruction to get out of hand. Over time, water stains can cause mold development that can negatively impact health.

Damage Can Become Expensive

Hidden damage isn’t only annoying and time-consuming to fix; it can also cost you a pretty penny. If you want to steer clear of the splitting headaches of having to spend a massive sum of money on professional repair service, you should handle problematic situations as soon as possible.

The sooner you inspect your home, the sooner you can start the in-depth repair process. Prompt repair service can often cost a lot less. Delaying matters can often make things significantly more costly for you. This is why many homeowners prefer to use personal loans to cover repair costs, rather than waiting until later on.

Water damage can be particularly bad in homes. This form of damage can bring on the emergence of mold that can intensify by the day. Roofing system destruction can spiral further out of control as time passes, too. Water and fire restoration is a $40+ billion market, and for good reason.

Peace of Mind

Agonizing over the condition of your residential property can keep you up worrying at night. Not only that, but hidden problems like mold could actually be making you sick or causing other problems. If you want to be able to sleep comfortably, then you should invest in a comprehensive professional inspection as soon as possible. Knowing exactly what’s going on with your home can help you to relax.

Take the time to search for and hire a professional inspector who has a lot of experience with homes like yours. It may help to request recommendations from knowledgeable people around you as well.

Charles Bellefontaine

You likely wish to protect the things you love. And you probably like your home a lot. Years may pass without experiencing any weather-related damage to a home. Don’t fall into a lull and assume no natural threats to the property exist. The elements can turn wicked without warning, and you must prepare yourself for what may threaten your home.

Wind Damage

A well-constructed home is sturdy, and the average wind won’t likely do much damage. The winds don’t always stay at normal levels, though. Hurricanes and even lighter storms whip wind up to well over 60 MPH. Winds at that speed can tear a roof apart, smash windows, and rip off aluminum siding. Even minor wind damage brings troubles. Dryhome Roofing & Siding explains that the wind that tears out a single shingle or creates a tear in aluminum siding opens a passageway for rain and melting snow. Once water enters a property, it can do a lot more damage.

Windproofing a home might be a wise idea when living in a known storm area. “Hurricane defense” window doors would be one example of how this to do this. Researching as many ways to protect your home makes sense because leaving property unprotected in horrible weather could lead to a disaster.

Water

Water causes all kinds of different problems for a home. Water leaking above a drywall ceiling, for example, might lead to the ceiling breaking apart under the combination of water weight and rot. Not everyone realizes that cold weather also factors into the damage water can do.

Custom Sealcoating & Paving explains that water seeping into driveways and freezing can do extensive damage to your driveway. Once the water freezes and turns to ice, the driveway cement may suffer significant cracks. A “freeze-thaw” product may help deal with this situation.

Mold

Mold arrives as a byproduct of water and dampness. Mold looks like grimy dirt appearing on walls and ceilings. Mold isn’t dirt; it is a living organism that consumes wood for sustenance. Mold requires moisture to grow, but it does not need a lot. Even a small leak in the roof or plumbing could create enough moisture for mold to grow. As mold grows and eats wood, severe structural damage could occur. Moldy, rotted support beams can’t hold up a roof for long.

And then there’s another issue with mold: black mold is toxic. Moldpedia explains that inhaling mold spores could cause an adverse health reaction. So, in addition to tearing out moldy wood, mold removal specialists must eliminate the presence of mold in the air. Otherwise, a home remains a health hazard.

Caring for your home sometimes requires battling the elements and the natural world. Homeowners must be up for the task. Otherwise, safety and equity go south.

You should plan on getting home inspections every so often. Let Chicagoland Home Inspectors, Inc. help!

Charles Bellefontaine

A Northbrook Home Inspection (New Construction), we found a missing mortar joint.

It may not seem like much, until the stone comes loose and needs to be repaired.

Charles Bellefontaine

Charles is a home inspector and a home inspector trainer. He started as a professional home inspector in 1993. He works for Chicagoland Home Inspectors, Inc. and Bellman Group, Inc. He has earned the title of Certified Master Inspector (CMI) from the Master Inspector Certification Board. He earned the title Certified Property Inspector (CPI) from the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. He earned the title ASHI Certified Inspector (ACI) from the American Society of Home Inspectors. He served as a Director and Officer of the American Society of Home Inspectors. He hs a tremendous passion about the home inspection profession and prides himself on helping his clients with the biggest purchase of their lives.

https://www.thehomeinspectors.com/

If a fire starts in a garage, you do not want it to spread to the attached house. Additionally, if you start up your vehicle in the garage, you do not want carbon monoxide entering your home.

Homeowners (me included) have a tendency to store an assortment of flammable materials in garages.   Gas, diesel fuel, paint thinners and removers, cleaning solvents, propane cylinders, swimming pool chemicals, and other compressed gasses such as welding gas.

I have also been on many calls as a fireman where the car was started inside the garage so it can warm up.  This allows carbon monoxide (CO) and other gas accumulation within the garage.

Fire separations are required between residences and attached garages and their attics. We find, and document, this issue often during our home inspections.

Here is the wording from the IRC 302.5
Openings and penetrations through the walls or ceilings separating the dwelling from the garage shall be in accordance with Sections R302.5.1 through R302.5.3.

R302.5.1 Opening Protection

Openings from a private garage directly into a room used for sleeping purposes shall not be permitted. Other openings between the garage and residence shall be equipped with solid wood doors not less than 1³/₈ inches (35 mm) in thickness, solid or honeycomb-core steel doors not less than 1³/₈ inches (35 mm) thick, or 20-minute fire-rated doors, equipped with a self-closing or automatic closing device.

(Many communities have amended the self-closing  or automatic closing device to read self-latching hardware).  I haven’t memorized every community’s code (also every year of every code) about this reference.  I treat the above reference by looking for a self closing device and if it is present, then it should work.

R302.5.2 Duct Penetration

Ducts in the garage and ducts penetrating the walls or ceilings separating the dwelling from the garage shall be constructed of a minimum No. 26 gage (0.48 mm) sheet steel or other approved material and shall not have openings into the garage.

I just recently did a home inspection in Chicago that had the dryer vent running through the garage and exited the structure through the garage wall.  This is not acceptable and I consider this a breach in the fire separation.

R302.5.3 Other Penetrations

Penetrations through the separation required in Section R302.6 (see below) shall be protected as required by Section R302.11, Item 4. (At openings around vents, pipes, ducts, cables and wires at ceiling and floor level, with an approved material to resist the free passage of flame and products of combustion. The material filling this annular space shall not be required to meet the ASTM E 136 requirements.) This means that fire rated sealant is not required.  Typically drywall mud is installed here and that is acceptable.

R302.6 Dwelling-Garage Fire Separation

The garage shall be separated as required by Table R302.6. Openings in garage walls shall comply with Section R302.5. Attachment of gypsum board shall comply with Table R702.3.5. The wall separation provisions of Table R302.6 shall not apply to garage walls that are perpendicular to the adjacent dwelling unit wall. (This means that if there is not a living space on the opposite side of the garage wall, then the drywall is not required.)

TABLE R302.6 DWELLING-GARAGE SEPARATION

Attic Pull-Down Stair Units

One obvious example of a ceiling fire separation breach is the near an attic pull-down stair unit. Many of the pull down stairs that I see are not designed for this installation.  They do make pull down stairs that are rated for this type of installation, but those commonly are not found at the home repair stores.  The photo to the left is a ladder that is designed for garage penetrations.  The door of the ladder fully closes and seals when the ladder is in the up position.

Charles Bellefontaine

Charles is a home inspector and a home inspector trainer. He started as a professional home inspector in 1993. He works for Chicagoland Home Inspectors, Inc. and Bellman Group, Inc. He has earned the title of Certified Master Inspector (CMI) from the Master Inspector Certification Board. He earned the title Certified Property Inspector (CPI) from the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. He earned the title ASHI Certified Inspector (ACI) from the American Society of Home Inspectors. He served as a Director and Officer of the American Society of Home Inspectors. He hs a tremendous passion about the home inspection profession and prides himself on helping his clients with the biggest purchase of their lives.

https://www.thehomeinspectors.com/

What does efflorescence mean to the home inspector?

Efflorescence is the salt deposits on a masonry or concrete surfaces that is associated with water moving through walls. Water in the walls dissolves salts from the mortar and concrete or masonry.  As water evaporates off of the wall surface, the salts are left behind as crystals on the masonry.  They are usually whitish, but they can also be green or brownish as well.  They are soft, powdery, and usually project 1/4″ or so out from the wall if protected from rain.  It would be more of a stain if not protected.

The efflorescence itself is often not an issue, but it does suggest that water is in the concrete or masonry.  In our winters spalling is an issue when water freezes.  The goal is to try to stop the water from getting into the masonry.

The crystal deposits on the fee of the masonry are largely sulfates or carbonates of sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminum, and potassium. Portland cement mortars may be the source of the sodium and potassium. Other soluble salts such as chlorides may also be deposited as water evaporates from the surface of the masonry.  There may be a lot of efflorescence immediately after construction, diminishing and disappearing over. the first few years.  Seasonal efflorescence is also common. being noticeable only during colder weather.

Control Wetting To Control Efflorescence.

Bricks that absorb or trap water easily are more prone to efflorescence than bricks with a low absorption rate.  Efflorescence can sometimes be reduced by rinsing the wall with water or dilute hydrochloric acid. although the additional water can Mae the problem worse. in some cases.  Preventing chronic or continuous wetting of the masonry should help control efflorescence.

Whenever we see the efflorescence, we look for the water.  (except on new construction)  It is the water that is the problem and we need to keep it away from the concrete or masonry that is affected.

Charles Bellefontaine

Charles is a home inspector and a home inspector trainer. He started as a professional home inspector in 1993. He works for Chicagoland Home Inspectors, Inc. and Bellman Group, Inc. He has earned the title of Certified Master Inspector (CMI) from the Master Inspector Certification Board. He earned the title Certified Property Inspector (CPI) from the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. He earned the title ASHI Certified Inspector (ACI) from the American Society of Home Inspectors. He served as a Director and Officer of the American Society of Home Inspectors. He hs a tremendous passion about the home inspection profession and prides himself on helping his clients with the biggest purchase of their lives.

https://www.thehomeinspectors.com/

During an inspection of a home with a basement walkout, I noticed the exterior floor drain was covered with ice and there was not an additional drain on the interior side of the door. There are two schools of thought and depending on which suburb you are located in, this is what is required:

• Option 1:(this is what the case it in this photo) The floor drain at the bottom of the stairs would travel to a sump pump.
• • Pro-1 Exterior rain water should not travel into the sewerage lines.  If too many people do this, then it would overwhelm the sewerage treatment plants.
• • Pro-2 Snow and ice will will not drain until temperatures rise enough to melt the snow.
• • Con-1 If this drain gets clogged, the water has no place to go except to the interior of the home.
• • Con-2 If the power fails, and there is no battery backup, water will enter the basement. (That would happen anyways if the drain was there or not).

Additional photos were taken of the bottom left and right of the door that showed minor damage to the door frame from water entering the basement. This has happened and I advised my clients that this drain must be kept clear at all times.

• Option 2, The drain from the stairwell travels to another drain just inside the door. The drain inside the door is trapped and the intake from the exterior drain is not trapped (common in Chicago and the collar communities).
• • Pro-1, These setups send water from the stairwell to the sewer lines. As long as these waste systems are not overhead sewers, gravity will always allow water to fall and leave the building without any chance of back up.
• • Con-1, Rain water will enter the sewer lines and many communities want this disconnected so their systems do not get overwhelmed.
• • Con-2, If the sewer line clogs during a rainfall, then the water will keep coming.

I must admit that I do not know every code in the City of Chicago, nor do I know every code in every suburb. No home inspectors does. I assume that whichever method was installed, was installed to the local authority’s code. My job is to see if it is working properly and to warn my clients of possible issues.

The most important item with any exterior drain is to keep it clean. This includes window wells, bottoms of driveways, patios, and also the walkout basement stairs which we are talking about here.

Charles Bellefontaine

Charles is a home inspector and a home inspector trainer. He started as a professional home inspector in 1993. He works for Chicagoland Home Inspectors, Inc. and Bellman Group, Inc. He has earned the title of Certified Master Inspector (CMI) from the Master Inspector Certification Board. He earned the title Certified Property Inspector (CPI) from the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. He earned the title ASHI Certified Inspector (ACI) from the American Society of Home Inspectors. He served as a Director and Officer of the American Society of Home Inspectors. He hs a tremendous passion about the home inspection profession and prides himself on helping his clients with the biggest purchase of their lives.

https://www.thehomeinspectors.com/