Testimonials

Double cylinder deadbolts are keyed on both sides. These should only be used on interior closets or maybe an office to keep kids or intruders out. Many times they are found at garages and exterior doors of the home. Single-cylinder dead bolts should be used at the exteriors so you and your family can escape a fire without needing a key. If an intruder wants in, let’s face it, he can get in. Windows are easy to break. Doors in the home can be kicked in, or locks picked in seconds. Windows and doors should be accessible without keys for safe exit during an emergency.

At one El Paso home this week I even found a single-cylinder lock on each side of a garage door to the kitchen. No door handle on the garage side and no way to open the door if the other side was locked. I will add a photo to my Image gallery soon.

Is the flow from your faucet is sluggish at one or more locations? The trouble may be in the faucet aerator. This device, at the tip of most faucet spouts, mixes air and water for a smooth flow. But minerals or dirt or pipe particles in the water often build up on the screen and disc, blocking the flow. If mineral deposits are to blame or if aerator parts are damaged, it’s best to replace the aerator. But if dirt is the problem, simply unscrew the aerator from the end of the spout (to loosen stubborn connections, douse them with penetrating oil). Disassemble and set the parts aside in order. Clean the screen and disc with a brush and soapy water; use a pin or toothpick to open any clogged holes in the disc. White vinegar and water solution can be used to remove mineral deposits. Flush all parts with water before putting them back together. This is common in new El Paso homes with PEX tubing. When the pipes are being cut and installed. the lines are not always flushed out before the fixtures are added. Blue or Red colored particles may show up in the sinks, toilets, and tub/showers during the inspections.

Is your bathtub or shower caulk is moldy? You’ve got to remove every bit of old grout so that the new material forms a seal against the tub and tile. If moisture gets back there, mold will form again. Use a 5-in-l tool and a box knife (razor blade) to cut it out, and caulk remover to loosen any remaining bits. Then apply new mildew-resistant acrylic latex caulk. Let the caulk sit for 48 hours to ensure it is fully cured before getting water on the surface.

Many homes I inspect have mildew or damaged grout and caulk. Catching these items before the problem worsens is critical to keeping repair costs down. Maintaining your home is important, you have a lot more money in it than your car. We do frequent oil changes and fluid checks, but sometimes let our homes go. Spend a few minutes each month to take a closer look at your shower grout and caulk.

Ventilation is very important. Use your exhaust fans or windows when bathing.

If you or someone you know has not had a home inspector check out the El Paso area home you currently have lived in for a while, I suggest you get one to point out safety issues and deferred maintenance items.

Looking for a new home to live in? If the home you buy is certified by Energy Star, these newer homes should meet the performance standards established by the EPA and Department of Energy.

These homes are designed to consume approximately 30 percent less energy than standard homes, thanks to features such as enhanced insulation levels, high-performance windows, air sealing and ventilation, and high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment. If you already have a building plan worked out for your new home, then making the upgrades for Energy Star certification costs just a few percent more but should pay for itself immediately. According to Energy Star, their upgrades add just $10 to $15 per month to your mortgage payment but save you around $25 to $45 per month on your utility bills. These numbers vary by state and are approximate.
I have inspected Energy Star homes in El Paso with no insulation installed in the attic, so get the home inspected.

Garbage Disposals and Septic Systems

If the garbage disposal discharges into a septic tank, it can place a significant strain on the septic system. The amount of waste that enters the tank, particularly grease and suspended solids, will increase considerably. This load increase requires that the septic tank be pumped more often than would otherwise be required. The additional strain will also reduce the life span of the septic system. Septic systems can be designed to accommodate food waste but, in general, they are not.

Wiring Inspection

• The National Electrical Code (NEC) does not require garbage disposals to have GFCI protection. GFCI protection for this appliance is optional.
• The vibration caused by the operation of a garbage disposal can cause electrical connections to separate. Check for any loose connections in the wire compartment box at the base of the disposal. Cable clamps should be installed.
• Garbage disposals should be either hardwired or connected to an outlet through a grounded electrical outlet.
• A dedicated circuit is generally recommended, although a circuit that is shared with a dishwasher is sometimes appropriate. The best authority on this distinction is the disposal’s user manual.

Maintenance and Operation Suggestion

• Put only small quantities of food into the disposal at a time. Large food scraps should be cut into smaller pieces before entering the disposal.
• Never put anything down the disposal that is not food or water. Bottle caps, aluminum foil, and other non-food items can damage the disposal or get stuck in piping.
• Run water while using the disposal, and for approximately 30 seconds after you turn it off. Food scraps will flow through the piping more easily if they are pushed along by the water. Cold water is better than warm water for this purpose because it will force fats and grease to congeal and harden, allowing them to move more easily through pipes. Warm water can be run through the disposal while it is not in operation.
• Ice can be used to clear off solidified grease and other debris from the blades in a garbage disposal. Small pieces of citrus (lemon, lime or oranges) can be used to freshen the smell.

The garbage disposal should only be used to grind non-fibrous, leftover food. If in doubt as to whether something can be put in the disposal, err on the side of caution and put it in the trash instead. The following items should never be put in disposal:

• items that are hard enough to dull the blades, such as shells from shellfish or bones;
• food that is highly fibrous, such as corn husks, artichokes, pineapples, potato peels, asparagus, or celery should enter the disposal only in small quantities or be avoided entirely. These foods take a long time to grind and can clog the disposal or the plumbing.
• grease or household oils; or
• chemicals.

Planter boxes are common in many of the older homes in El Paso. The 1950s and 1960s homes were the most common to have planters. When the rains came the plants were watered from the roof run-off.

Most of the planter boxes are made of brick or concrete and are between 3″ to 18″ high. The majority of them are installed directly against the side of the home. When installed like this, the potential for water damage is increased. Many of the planter boxes do not have drains in the sides or bottom and water seeps through the back wall against the home and may cause damage.

Water should never pool near the foundation or walls of the home. Boxes that are installed with 6″-12″ separation from the wall of the home and have drains will allow you to enjoy your flowers and reduce the chance for water damage to the wood structure of your home.

As your home inspector, I want you to have as much knowledge about your home as possible.

FYI Property Inspection welcomes all the new troops to El Paso. A special thanks to all who have served our great country. You give us the freedoms we cherish.

If you are looking for a home inspection, please fill out a booking form and an authorization form with “Military” in the comment section for a reduced quote.

Many homes in the east and northeast are close to the base. I would love to serve you by inspecting your new home. See what my clients have said about our services.

We service El Paso, Horizon City, Canutillo, Anthony (TX) and Socorro areas.

Cash, check or money order are accepted payment.

We welcome your call!

Evaporative coolers, commonly called “swamp coolers,” can cool homes in dry climates. Evaporative coolers have a low first cost, use a lot less electricity than conventional air conditioners, and do not use refrigerants, such as CFCs and HCFCs, that can harm the ozone layer.

Unlike air-conditioned rooms, windows or ceiling vents need to be open when an evaporative cooling system is operating. The large volume of fresh air added to the home replaces a significant amount of air that exits from the home. Every 2-4 minutes you are changing out the air in the room(s) you wish to cool.

Evaporative coolers can run on about one-third of the electricity of a refrigerated cooling system.

Mastercool and Ultracool models have a single thick pad to run the air through. Four side coolers are less desirable because of the damage that can be caused to the ductwork. Water can splash into the squirrel cage and rust out metal ductwork. The single pad models have water only in the are below the pad and less splash occurs, thus saving you money down the road. Pads for single units can run as long as five years with proper cleaning. Saving you more money each year.

Properly drain your cooler and blow out the supply line of any water to prevent freezing and splitting of the waterline.

To help show the importance of removing wrought iron bars over windows. As a home inspector, the last thing I ever want to see or hear about is a death or serious injury in their home. A fire in a home can develop quickly. Anything you can do to speed up the exit of the occupants is good. Padlocks or non-releasing bars should be removed from the home. Many times this is a lender requirement.

<pCarbon Monoxide:

This odorless, colorless gas is toxic and may even kill you. And you may not even realize it’s in your home! We recommend fossil fuel burning appliances be inspected annually by professionals of that field.

Typically, the danger comes from fuel-burning appliances such as; furnaces, stoves, fireplaces, clothes dryers, water heaters, and space heaters, as well as automobile exhaust from attached garages.

During home inspections, I frequently find the door to the garage from the living area with a pet door or a window in it. This door should be fire-rated and have no openings in it.

Water heater and furnace flues are also frequently not connected safely.

Low levels of Carbon Monoxide gas may cause headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea, and fatigue, according to the EPA. Hallways adjacent bedrooms should have CO detectors installed.

Higher levels can lead to impaired vision and coordination, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, unconsciousness and, at very high concentrations, death.

If you have gas logs in your fireplace and it is rated for wood burning as well, make sure you have a “C-clamp” or damper clamp at the damper to allow combustion products out of the home. With gas logs, no smoke is usually seen even if the damper is closed.

If you need your home inspected in the El Paso area or have a question, call us to take a look.