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Preston Sandlin

What's Wrong with Aluminum Wiring

charlotte home inspector shows aluminum wiring

Aluminum wiring is more prone to start a fire than copper wire due to some inherent properties in the metal. In this discussion it is important to realize that we are talking about single strand aluminum wire used for 110/120 circuits as opposed to the multi-strand 220/240 aluminum wire. The single strand wire was used from 1965 to 1974.

One of the problems with the aluminum wire is that it has a higher resistance to electricity than copper does. This higher resistence cause heat to build up with obviously is a problem. This problem is compounded by the fact that aluminum is more valuable than copper. Sometimes when the wire is connected or screw is tightened down it changes the diameter of the wire. Also the wire can expand or move on its on creating a loose connection which causes heat to build up. Another problem with aluminum is that it is much more susceptible to oxidation and corrosion than is its copper counterpart. It's exposure to the elements has to be limited.

So now that you know the hazards associated with single strand aluminum wiring used in houses built between 1965 and 1974 what can be done to reduce some of the hazards? Well the ultimate would be to rewire the house but the cost might not make that practical on a grand scale. One way to reduce the risk is to add copalum crimped copper wires at the connections. Amp Inc makes such a crimp. Other solutions that aren't universally approved include the use of anti oxidant paste at the connections, pig tailing to copper wires with a twist on connector, and or the removal of any combustible material at the connections.

Single strand aluminum wiring is more prone to overheat than copper wiring due to inherent properties in the metal. Home inspectors like Home inspection Carolina look for aluminum wiring in houses they inspect that were built between 1965 and 1974. If your house is identified as having aluminum wiring it is not a deal killer. After all most housing periods have something if not another to look for. It could be asbestos, polybutylene piping and even EFIS. There are practical was to fix the aluminum wiring but Home inspection Carolina recommends that you consult an electrician first.

Charlotte Home Inspector Explains GFCI Outlets

A GFCI outlet may be wired in a branch circuit, which means other

outlets and electrical devices may share the same circuit and breaker

(or fuse). When a properly wired GFCI trips, the other devices down

the line from it will also lose power. Note that devices on the circuit

that come before the GFCI are not protected and are not affected

when the GFCI is tripped. If the GFCI outlet is improperly wired, none

the other loads, upstream nor downstream are be protected.

If you have an outlet that doesn't work, and the breaker is not tripped,

look for a GFCI outlet which may have tripped. The non-working outlet

may be down line from a GFCI outlet. Note that the affected outlets

may not be located near the GFCI outlet, they may be several rooms

away or even on a different floor.

GFCI outlets should be tested periodically, at least once a year. A

GFCI outlet has a "Test" and a "Reset" button. Pressing the "Test"

button will trip the outlet and break the circuit. Pressing the "Reset"

will restore the circuit. If pressing the test button does not work, then

replace the GFCI outlet. If the outlet does pop when you press the

"Test" button, but the outlet still has power, the outlet is miswired. A

miswired outlet is dangerous and it should be fixed immediately.

Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years. Preston has a masters’ degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years. He also is a certified infrared thermographer. Home Inspection Carolina has been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show . So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Weddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector

Charlotte Home Inspector Reveals Bad AC Unit

bad ac unit on Charlotte Inspection

Charlotte home inspector Preston Sandlin was inspecting a home on Vintage Ln when he noticed rust coming down the right side of the house. He knew right away what the problem was. The primary condensation line was clogged causing the condensation to fill the catch pan filled with water and drained down the right side of the house. After awhile the pan began to rust and then the water coming out being rusty stained the side of the house.

This will have to be repaired soon as the pan will eventually rust through and then the condensation water will come through the ceiling. We recommend cleaning out the condensation line and replacing the metal pan with a plastic pan. You might ask what causes this problem. Basically it is because someone did not change their filter.

If you are moving the Charlotte NC area and will be needing one of the thorough home inspections you can get call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575. You can call or schedule online 24 hours day online at Home Inspection Carolina.

Charlotte Home Inspector on HGTV My First Sale

Charlotte home inspector Preston Sandlin was recently on HGTV's My First Sale. The Cornelius sellers were selling their home to move up and take their kids out of daycare. They had an offer but there was siding issue that the Charlotte home inspector found and there was an issue with the dog next store that kept barking and was a little on the mean side. The first buyers decided not to move forward. I didn't kill the deal Preston said, It was the dog. Fortunately another buyer came along and bought the house and they weren't even concerned with the siding issue

Before You Move In.....

dryer outlet

So you have bought the new house and picked out the colors and the window treatments, you had the home inspected and the repairs have been made are you ready to move in? Well one thing you might not realize is that there are about four diferent types of dyer plugs out there and depending on the year your house was built and the year your dryer was manufactured they may or may not match up. What can you do? Actually it's a pretty easy fix as you can go to Lowes or Home Depot an buy the chord that will fit your plug. Installing it on the dryer is a simple affair as it has four wires that are color coded and can be easilly installed with a small screwdriver. You just want to make sure you know which one of the four your plug is before you go to the store and don't do like i did and have to buy all of them and take back the one's that it's not. At Home Inspection Carolina we actually take a picture of your outlet so you will know which chord to buy. It is some much easier to install before you move the dryer in.

There are many home inspection companies you can choose from when you need a home inspector in Charlotte NC. Let me tell you why Home Inspection Carolina is your best choice. These guys have over 100 years of combined home inspection and construction experience. They fix the small things like rubbing doors and sticking windows instead of putting them on the home inspection report like other home inspectors. They have a preinspection program designed to help you sell your house by offering you a discount on the inspection and providing you with multiple copies of the report to give out. They also put out a just inspected sign in the yard of your Charlotte NC home. Home Inspection Carolina then sends out a "just inspected" email to their data base. They like to think of it as a premarketing inspection instead of a prelisting inspection.

Two new things that Home Inspection Carolina has started doing are home maintenance videos and customer coupons. They have a large library of home maintenance videos on youtube so they link to these within the appropriate points in the report. They also have established relationships with many vendors and contractors that allow them to give coupons to their home inspection clients. The idea is to provide am entertainment book or citi pass book for new homeowners. These are just some of the benefits of using Home Inspection Carolina. If you are buying a home near Charlotte NC call them today.

Home Inspection Carolina

(704) 542-6575