Andy Chaudoir

Gaps at the Windows - Inspection Picture of the Day

There aren't a lot of problems that I have pre-written comments for when I do a home inspection. I believe that every home inspection is different and each situation requires it's own unique text to describe the problems I find.

One problem that I do have a pre-written comment for is for gaps in the siding around windows. They're everywhere and I can almost guarantee that I will find them on every home I inspect. I find these gaps or openings on all kinds of construction, new , old and everywhere in between. They can look like this:

This is from a new construction home inspection in Austin, Texas. Unless intended, gaps and openings on the exterior surfaces of the home should be sealed appropriately to prevent moisture and pests from entering the home. The hole in the picture above creates the perfect opportunity for water to enter you wall system where it can cause damage. It also helps create an environment that is conducive to wood destroying insects and organisms.

So, seal 'em up. These gaps or openings are easy to spot and fix if you have an annual maintenance plan. I encourage you to take a walk around your home and see if you can spot small openings and gaps in the wall system. In many cases they should not be there and should be sealed to prevent the kinds of damaged I mentioned above.

Thanks for checking in and have a great evening,

Andy Chaudoir - Professional Inspection Services

"Your Home Inspection Connection in Central Texas"

512-632-3232 - www.centexinspections.com

I Love It When I Make It To The Top. When I do I usually take a picture just to prove I was there!

As a home inspector in the Austin area I get to walk on top of a lot of people's homes and I love it! Sometimes I can't believe people pay me to do this. As a kid, my friends and I could be found climbing on something almost every day, and that includes other people's roofs. We did this quite often during super charged games of hide and seek.

Now that I'm in my 40s I somtimes wonder if there will come a day when I don't want to climb up and take a look at someone's roof. I know the day will come when I will be physically incapable of doing it but hopefully I will have retired long before the physical limitation is the reason I stop.

I'm proud to say that as a home inspector I've never missed a roof because it was too steep, too wet, too cold or too anything. I walk 'em because it's important that buyers have a complete picture of the home and it's components and systems.

We are blessed with good weather here in Texas and luckily I don't have to inspect from the eaves or completely skip the roof due to snow or other inclement weather.

Lately, I've been finding problems at the top. So make sure that when the time comes to hire your inspector he is will to go all the way. Even better, hire one that is looking forward to the climb!

Thanks for checking in and have a great day,

Andy Chaudoir - Professional Inspection Services

"Your Home Inspection Connection in Central Texas"

512-632-3232 - www.centexinspections.com

Are You Ready to Feel the Burn?? - I Sure Wasn't

As a Home Inspector in Austin, Texas I end up in some fairly precarious places. I mean steep roofs, crawl spaces and attics can present hazards that many people don't encounter in their daily routine.

Last week while doing a Home Inspection in Austin Texas I got burned.....literally. As I entered the attic I accidentally touched an exposed 100 watt light bulb with the inside of my arm.

When I do a home inspection I call out all exposed bulbs no matter where they are. Exposed light bulbs get extremely hot, like 400 plus degrees hot.

Light bulbs should always be protected to prevent accidental burns. Many bulbs are protected by using a wire or plastic cage while others are protected with a glass globe.

Exposed bulbs are a burn hazard. They can also be broken much more easily than ones with proper protection. Once broken, bulbs can become a shock hazard and all that glass will surely end up in someones foot!

So, take a look around next time your helping your seller get their home readied for sale. Make sure that bulbs are properly protected. If you don't, unprotected bulbs will most likely end up on your home inspector's report.

Try not to get burned out there and thank for checking in,

Andy Chaudoir - Professional Inspection Services

"Your Home Inspection Connection in Central Texas"

512-632-3232 - www.centexinspections.com

Keep an Eye Out for the X because they are everywhere these days. Especially on really great outdoor gear.

Every few months our local REI Stores have a garage sale. They sell all the stuff that people have returned at really great prices. Some of the items are unused or barely used while some things have had the life beat out of them.

I guess that happens a lot because REI allows you to return just about anything at any time if you're not satisfied. It's a great policy but I'm confident that a few folks take advantage of their system.

So, we picked up a few items at the garage sale REI had on Saturday September 11th at their Round Rock, Texas store. The only draw back to the great deals is that everything you buy will have a large, conspicuously placed X on it.

So, keep an eye out for those Xs. And...if you have an REI nearby you should check out their garage sale.

The Downtown Austin store will host their garage sale on 9/18/2010. They are located at 601 N. Lamar Blvd. Right across the street from Whole Foods.

Thanks for checking in and have a great evening,

Andy Chaudoir - Professional Inspection Services

"Your Home Inspection Connection in Central Texas"

512-632-3232 - www.centexinspections.com

Dining For Life - Stand up by Sitting Down

The 18th annual Dining for Life benefiting AIDS Services of Austin will begin tomorrow and run through Tuesday.

Please consider dining at one of the following restaurants on Monday September 13th or Tuesday September 14th. A substantial portion of each guests check will be donated to the fight against AIDS and HIV.

There are some great restaurants on the list this year. So, it is the perfect opportunity to have a great meal and also help a great cause.

This years lineup of restaurants is as follows:

*All meals, all day.

Thank you for checking in and have a great evening,

Andy Chaudoir - Professional Inspection Services

"Your Home Inspection Connection in Central Texas"

512-632-3232 - www.centexinspections.com