Preventative Fall Home Inspection for Unexpected Damage

10/10/2023 (Permalink)

A preventative home inspection could save you thousands per year. Don't ignore the signs as temperatures drop.

SERVPRO of Jonesboro understands the importance of home maintenance. In order to maintain a home that will withstand the Fall season, you must maintain a good DIY inspection. This will allow you to sniff out damage before it occurs. Ensuring your home’s maintenance is up to par will also allow you to save thousands of dollars each season. Here are some ways you can inspect your home for damage:

1. Plumbing – Do you have a slow-draining sink? Do you have hair, or a buildup of debris stuck deep down in your pipes? Testing your drains can allow you to observe which drains have plumbing issues. Check your pipes for leaks, as well as letting your faucet run to see if the drains are clogged. This will allow you to see which faucet has insufficient water pressure.
2. Walls, Ceilings, and Flooring – What type of spots do you see on the walls, ceilings, and flooring? When you inspect your surfaces, you want to essentially look for water damage or mold. If you see discolored spots in your walls, ceiling, or flooring, you should inspect that area more and call a professional, like SERVPRO of Jonesboro. These water spots could mean serious problems, even with the insulation.
3. Electrical System – Are your lights flickering on and off? When was the last time you changed the bulbs in your home? Switching your light switch on and off will not suffice in this case. You will want to keep an eye out for electrical outlets and switches. Testing outlets with a receptacle tester to make sure everything is wired correctly will be efficient enough to ensure everything is wired correctly.
4. The Furnace – How old is your furnace? Checking the age of your furnace is one of the most important things you can do. A furnace’s life span is around 20-25 years, and a well-maintained furnace can last up to 30 or 40 years.
5. Windows – Are your windows insulated correctly? Insulating your windows can save you money on your heating and cooling bills as it increases your home’s energy efficiency. Examine your windows for fogginess as well. Although it is not cheap, fogged windows will need to be replaced. This is because water is trapped inside and no amount of wiping or cleaning the panes will clear the foggy film. The excessive condensation on the windows may be the result of a failed heat exchanger or an ailing furnace (although it could be other factors too).
6. Exterior Structure –Are your shingles laying properly? Do you have shingles missing? Inspect your shingles, age is not the best indicator of potential problems. Cupping, curling, cracking, and rounded edges are signs that those shingles need to be replaced.
7. Insurance – Is your home insurance up to date? Does your home insurance include water damage, fire damage, mold remediation, and storm damage? Home insurance could save you a ton of out-of-pocket expenses per year. Safeguard your home and your family by ensuring you don’t experience a total loss.

You can create your own list of seasonal maintenance requirements or utilize this list SERVPRO of Jonesboro has created for you. This will give you more time to catch inaccuracies within your home before it is too late. Fire damage is the most expensive restoration service, this could cost you up to $30,000. Storm damage is just as costly. Having an inspection sheet will allow you to ensure your home and personal items are less at risk of a total loss. Stay in your home by taking care of your home with these preventative measures.

Sources:

https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/diy-home-inspection-tools/

What Will Fail a Home Inspection? Seven Items to Look Out For (tchabitat.org)