Testimonials

One of the unique gems of older homes and history.

This milk slot was found during an El Paso home inspection. The milkman used to drop the butter, milk or whatever you ordered into a slot in the sidewall of the home (icebox). The clip at the bottom would be for an invoice. This was found in an early 1900 home.

Unsafe door landings that drop down or a door that opens over a stairwell can be dangerous. A door landing that was not at least the width of the door was found last month at a new home inspection in El Paso. If you step in from the side garage door, you can trip, twist an ankle, and fall on the curb. Commonly found at new homes and older El Paso area homes?

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Please call FYI Property Inspection for your new or pre-owned home inspection. (915)490-3160

This electrical panel was found during a home inspection last week. These unsafe wires were not installed by a licensed electrician. Homeowner or handyman installed wiring can be quite dangerous. When this type of work is visible, start thinking about what else may be installed in the walls, and what other “repairs” or “upgrades” were made.

Dryer vent terminations with screens I find too often during home inspections. Smashed covers are also not to be on the dryer vent termination. They pose a fire hazard. The vent termination should have a damper flap that opens/ closes fully to keep birds and rodents out of the home. Dryers that vent through the wall are the preferred method, but many newer homes vent through the roof. You should check your drying times frequently to indicate a possible blockage in the vent pipe.

If you have any questions, feel free to call us! (915) 490-3160

Do not install a clothes dryer with flexible white plastic venting materials. These are no longer sold.

If a flexible metal (foil type) duct is installed, it must be of a specific type identified by the appliance manufacturer as suitable for use with clothes dryers. Flexible venting materials are known to collapse, be easily crushed, and trap lint. These conditions will obstruct clothes dryer airflow and increase the risk of fire. Make sure to cut any extra to prevent it from being pinched. Many homes in the El Paso area have vents that come out of the roof instead of the wall. These are also required to be cleaned. Many times I have found the termination on the roof clogged or screened during the home inspection. The best type has a round flap that self closes when the air from the dryer has stopped blowing.

Sometimes you do not have to be a professionally trained inspector to see problems at a home. Be your own home inspector before making an offer on a home.

There are some obvious items you can check before hiring me to do your home inspection.

Is the plumbing under the sinks or at the toilets the proper color (PEX tubing)? Blue is cold. Red is hot, right? If you find mixed colors, think about which color goes where when you replace your faucet or toilet. This is a sign of a lazy plumber. Call us for an inspection before you close.

Not flushing your water heater each year of sediment build-up can keep the water heater from operating at full capacity. By flushing the tank once a year you won’t be wasting cash by heating through the debris and sediment.

Start by turning off the heater and letting the tank cool; then shut off the water supply. If the drain to the outside is downhill, connect a hose to the drain cock and run it to a floor drain or out of the home.

If you don’t have a drain, send the water to a sink or bucket using a drill pump. Draining 3-5 gallons is usually enough but you may have to do it a few times until the water is clear and free of visible sediment. This will save you energy and extend the life of your water heater.

The inspection of the water heater should also be done. When it is re-fired make sure that the flame is a nice bright blue. If it is not, call a plumber to repair as carbon monoxide can occur with a poor burn.