WIN Home Inspection Montlake

03/20/2023

04/26/2020

An update to share: Infrared thermography can be added to my home inspections at this time which can be done of electrical, plumbing, and roof systems. This can be a great way to find hidden issues not easily seen with the naked eye. When booking an inspection just mention you'd like this added feature!

Infrared thermography encompasses using an infrared camera to help detect temperature (warmer or colder) anomalies not readily visible to the naked eye. Temperature anomalies can be present due to various issues, including electrical (loose/worn/corroded wiring or circuit breakers, excessive resistance/voltage, incorrect wire or circuit breaker size, etc), plumbing (pipe/fitting leaks, etc) and roof (roof cover/flashing leaks, etc). Please note, infrared thermography does not enable the inspector to see behind walls/ceilings/floors of the structure. The use of infrared thermography should not be misconstrued into thinking all potential issues will be found. I am a a certified infrared thermographer and will do my best to identify possible issues, however certain climatic conditions may prevent the visibility of some issues.

05/19/2016

I'm happy to announce I am now taking credit cards for home inspections, all major card accepted!

05/05/2016

Here are a few outdoor project suggestions:

With summer weather warming the air, outdoor activities are becoming more frequent. It's the perfect time to grill out on the deck or sit with friends on the porch or balcony. Since these features are so integral to your property, making one the object of your new summer project could help make your place even more welcoming.

Renovating your porch

For instance, an easy way to improve your curb appeal is to fix up the porch skirt. One way to do this is to install lattice framing, which will look nice but also keep your deck frame dry and rot free. The framing can do this because it allows air circulation underneath the porch, but stops any leaves or other debris from getting in.

Along with a porch skirt, add some new color. This is an affordable way to make your porch look fresh and eye catching. Make sure you use colors that go well with the base color of your house, though. You don't want to throw off the look of your place by choosing a color that's too flashy.

Another, way to fix up your old porch is to look at the railings. If your railings are not in the best shape, try replacing them with metal ones. Making this change can give your porch a unique look depending on the style and design you use. Be careful, once again, to match the railing to the style of your house, though.

Cover all your bases

One thing to remember when making big improvements to your home this summer is to check your insurance coverage. A Liberty Mutual study found 40 percent of Americans are unlikely to check their coverage after making home improvements. It's important to check this because if any value is added to your house by the new additions, your insurance may not cover it. Home improvement is fun, but make sure you protect yourself by updating your insurance afterwards.

Speaking of protection, before you get too far into your renovations, you should be sure to utilize home inspection services to check the structure's safety. By doing this before you start your renovations, you can add the safety fixes into your list of improvements instead of finding out about them afterwards.

Getting an inspection for your porch or balcony is imperative because it can save you, friends and family a lot of trouble and pain in the future. Rotting and other structural issues are not always apparent with these platforms; the recent Berkley balcony collapse, where several students fell 4 stories to their death, is a sobering example of why getting these features inspected is so vital.

04/13/2016

Here are a few tips for moving out of, and into, a new home.

The home inspection process is a big part of moving. It can often be overlooked in the many steps involved with moving, from finding a new place to live, to packing up all of your items into boxes, to the day (or days) itself where you put all your precious belongings on a truck and take them to a new home. But within all those tasks come inspections, and it is important to not skip it when relocating.
Both for your old place and the new location you are moving to, an inspection is necessary. To forgo them, or doing them poorly, can be quite costly. Here are some things to remember when going through your move-out and move-in inspections.

Move out-

Before moving from a house or apartment, it is important everything you leave behind is in good working order. Work your way through the property and be meticulous to check every single thing that is broken so they can be repaired. Aspects of the space that are out of order can lead to charges from a landlord. Each room in the house presents its own set of potential issues, so it is equally important to ensure the front hallway looks as nice as a back bathroom.
It is also vital to check for things out of the ordinary. Moving Insider suggests bringing in some outside help for specific tasks, such as the removal of pests and mold. An untrained eye may not be able to catch these things, but they will show up on an inspection report if you are not careful.
If you see insects or rodents, call an exterminator to evaluate and eliminate the issue. Bringing in an expert also makes sense if you see mold or fungus, as those are occasionally missed during home inspections but can be charged to you later on. Additionally, if you are moving out of an older home, it may be helpful to hire a professional to check for lead or asbestos.
The people who are looking to buy or rent your place after you are done with it will do a new home inspection of their own. But before that happens, it is helpful to look it over yourself to make sure there is not any huge concerns that will cost you big time later on.

Move in-

When you find the place you want to live, and before your official move in inspection takes place, take some time to look over the property. There are some common issues that can be avoided by just looking things over with a careful eye.
As you did when you moved out of your old place, review everything in your new home to be sure it is all working properly. If a light bulb is out or a doorbell doesn't work when you moved in, that is not something you should have to pay to repair. However if you don't spot the issue and let the previous owner or the real estate agent know, it will eventually be your sole responsibility to deal with.
Subtle things, such as opening and closing windows, making sure sink drains work correctly, and that the oven heats up, are also worth reviewing, according to Consumer Reports. These tasks may not be atop your checklist when going through an inspection, but they will matter once you are living in the home. Have your spouse - or if you are moving alone, bring a friend - check things over as well, as it can never hurt to have an extra set of eyes take a look.