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Preston Sandlin

Charlotte Home Inspector Finds A Leaky Fountain

Charlotte home inspector Preston Sandlin recently found a leaky fountain near Remax Metro in Charlotte NC The tile on the interior lining of this fountain is failing causing it to leak continiously. Home Inspection Carolina inspectst fountains as well as structural and mechanical and termite inspections. If you have home inspection questions or you are in need of an inspection near Charlotte, Mint Hill, Gastonia, Weddington, Lake Norman, Lake Wylie, Fort Mill, or Rock Hill go to http://www.askthecharlotteinspector.com http://www.homeinspectioncarolina.com

Charlotte Home Inspector Finds Live Termites in Mint Hill House

Charlotte home inspector Preston Sandlin of Home Inspection Carolina found live termite while performing a home inspection in Mint Hill NC. The termites had come up the expansion crack between the slab of the garage and the veneer wall of the crawlspace. There were several tubes. When the inspector pulled the stored items away he found live termites in a box of tiles. Termites come from the ground and return to the ground for moisture. They forage for cellelose material like wood or paper. Termites can squeeze through an area as small as 1/32 of an inch. If you have any questions about termites or home inspection questions, please contact Inspector Preston Sandlin of Home Inspection Carolina at http://www.homeinspectioncarolina.com htttp://www.askthecharlottteinspector.com

Fox Charlotte Interviews Charlotte Home Inspector

CHARLOTTE, NC - Preston Sandlin, a home inspector for more than a decade, has seen it all. Some of his more memorable discoveries: a cigar box used to house electrical work. A water bottle used to plug-up piping. A metal trash can shoved over a chimney. He says, "I definitely would not buy a house without an inspection.” Yet, as the housing market crumbled and now is slowly regaining traction, budget-minded buyers continue to opt-out of home inspections, saving about 400 bucks up front, but in the long term? Sandlin says, "We had a house that had $60,000 dollars worth of damages. If that person tried to save 400 bucks...I'm not good at math, but I can figure that one out!" Sandlin says right now, one in ten home buyers closes without an inspection. Five years ago, it was one in 100. Charlotte Realtor Donna Anderson is also seeing the trend, saying "I do believe this decision from buyers to forego the inspection is because of the economy and the recession." Anderson says home buyers purchasing a new home sometimes forego inspections, too, assuming "new" means "problem free.” Anderson says, "I had a client, it was new construction, and they did have an inspection and the inspector found a problem that could have cause major problems.” Sandlin recalls problems with new homes, too, saying, "I would say a house that's two years old is in better shape than a new house because by then they've figured out some of the stuff that's wrong." The only time experts say you might get away with skipping an inspection is if you're buying your parents home and you know exactly how it's been maintained. Even then, Sandlin says, "If you're going to cut back on something, that probably really wouldn't be the thing." If you do get an inspection, sometimes there are still undiscovered problems. Experts recommend contacting the inspection company first and if you don't get any relief there, call the Department of Insurance

Charlotte Home Inspector Teaches About Carpenter Ants

http://www.charlottenchomeinspector.com Charlotte Home Inspector Preston Sandlin of Home Inspection Carolina recently taught a CE class for the Superior School of Real Estate in Charlotte North Carolina entitled "What's Bugging You" This is a new elective offered by the Charlotte Real Estate School. It covers the standard NC termite letter or WDIR (Wood Destroying Insect Report) The limitation and implications of the report as it relates to the real estate transaction. They also cover all the wood destroying insects including termites, powder post beetles, old house bores, carpenter ants, and carpenter bees. In this poertion of the class Preston teaches about carpenter ants. http://www.charlottenchomeinspector.com

Charlotte Inspector Tells The Best Way To Remove Exterior Paint

peeling-paint There are a few different methods for removing outdoor paint. Depending on the overall project, you’ll either want to remove all of the old paint or remove enough of it to allow a new coat of paint to adhere without the risk of chipping. If the painted surface is wood: When refinishing a wooden deck or fence, the best method for removing old paint is to use a power sander. A sander will take off the top layer of the wood, however be careful not to overdo it. Because the project is outdoors, ventilation is not a problem, but you should still wear a breathing mask. If the painted surface is concrete or brick: Concrete and brick are porous surfaces and getting paint out of all the cracks and crevices is no easy task. The best way to tackle the job is to use a steam pressure washer. This type of pressure washer uses steam which essentially melts the paint, allowing it to be washed away by the pressurized washer. If the painted surface is metal: It can be very difficult to remove paint from a metal surface, especially if you want to preserve the original look and quality of the metal. If scratching the surface is not a concern, then sandblasting will probably work best. If you are concerned about scratching the surface, a chemical paint stripper is ideal, but be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions regarding proper handling and use. For more information please go to our websites: http://www.askthecharlotteinspector.com/ http://www.homeinspectioncarolina.com/