Carl & Ceil Winters Texas Hill Country Home Inspector

This was posted this morning in an article I received from the Key West Citizen Newspaper in Key West Florida. That is where I was born and my dad owned the first Standard Oil station in Key West. Back then not everyone was fortunate enough to own a car. This is when our family purchased our first family car that was a Kaiser (I believe was a Mercury Brand).

I remember we as a family all worked at the service station. (My job was to carry my box out to the car at the pump, step up and clean the windows). My dad usually pumped the gas.That is back when someone would come out, pump your gas, clean your windows, check your tires and oil; have a soda and gossip for awhile. If you didn't have money to pay my mom would keep a record of money owed in a little hand-written log book. Back then we didn't have credit cards. I don't remember a cash register, I think dad had a cigar box to keep the money in and a pickle jar to put change. My brother use to work in the back and helped change tires. I guess my sister just sat and looked pretty, don't remember her having any chores.

Just a few memories as life was back then.Now we pump our own gas, check our own tires, clean our own windows and pay at the pump or go inside, pay and pick up a snack. We are lucky if we see the same person next trip to the"Convenience Store" as we call it today.

This has not one thing to do with real estate, septic inspections, home inspections, swimming pool inspections, commercial inspections, condo inspections but it sure was fun remembering.

__If you are looking for a home inspection service to do all of the above that has to do with "inspections" please call Complete Inspection Service, Carl Winters, License #3630, Comal County Texas (we have been in business since 1994) Advanced Inspector, certified by TREC, NAWT for septic inspections and conduct new home phase inspections___/Localism: Canyon Lake, New Braunfels, Texas/July 1, 2009 Blog

www.home-inspection4u.com

Thank You Carl & Ceil Winters 830-660-0131 realestatinspector@yahoo.com

Plan ahead

All PEC office lobbies and drive-thrugh lanes will be closed on Friday, July 3rd, so that PEC employees can observe the Independence Day holiday. You can still make your payments on the web and check your billing information. Online www.pec.coop

PEC's 24-hours service crews will be on standby and available in case of electric service emergencies.To report interruptions -800-554-4732.

______Blog Info. June 29,2009 from your Hill Country Home Inspector Localism Tip____

Comal County Texas, Complete Inspection Service, Carl Winters, Advanced Inspector #3630 - We have served Comal County customers since 1994. 830-660-0131 .We conduct structural & mechanical property inspections, septic inspections for buyers and sellers for new homes, existing homes, first time home buyers, military. condos. Residential & Commercial.

Localism Informaton Blog for Comal County and PEC Customers. Membe of TAREI, NAWT (Septics), Active Rain Real Estate Network. June 29, 2009

Have a safe and fun Fourth of July Carl & Ceil Winters

God Bless America!

Open to the Public

I did a home inspection in the area of Canyon Lake Golf Course & Country Club a few days ago and thought I would blog on this very nice golf course and club. However, I am not a golfer but I know many folks are and this may help them with a decision if they are thinking of moving to Canyon Lake, TX.

Located in the beautiful Texas hill country between San Antonio and Austin, Canyon Lake Golf Club offers a wide range of activities with facilities and staff to accommodate a variety of needs.

It is par-72 golf course boasts well-manicured fairways accented with rolling hills, live oak trees, and a lovely view of the lake. Several holes have been completely redesigned to challenge even the most avid golfer. New cart paths allow a smooth flow of traffic, while also preserving the fairway.

The clubhouse facilities are also available for parties, receptions, business meetings, banquets, or for just about any get-together you can plan! The formal dining room, complete bar, and two patio rooms overlooking the golf course provide an ideal setting for any gathering from 10 guests to 150!

Open 7 days a week, the golf course and clubhouse is available to members and outside players from 7am to dusk.

Here is one more reason to consider moving to Canyon Lake, TX.

About Me-If you buy a home and need a property or home inspection please call Carl Winters with Complete Inspection Service at 830-660-0131 or 830-899-2441. My license is #3630 and I have been in business since 1994. I do structural & mechanical inspections, septic systems inspections, new home phase inspections, condos. I am an advanced inspector licensed by TREC, NAWT Certified for Septic Inspections and Registered with TRCC for new home phase inspections.

I live at Canyon Lake, Texas but my service area is San Antonio, Texas, North to New Braunfels, Northwest to Boerne, Blanco, Bulverde, Seguin and Wimberly.

Blog: June 26, 2009 Localism Info. For Canyon Lake Texas

Thank You Carl & Ceil Winters

Two items in this blog are for your information if you are a Pedernales Electric Coop customer.

This first item is important and we want to make you aware that some folks are not fortunate enough to have air condition that live in our area. Pedernales offers a gift program, much like buying a gift card. If you know someone or even someone in your own family is having a birthday and you don't know what to get them, you may consider a Give-A-Watt gift check.

If you're searching for the perfect gift idea, look no further. PEC's Give-a-watt gift checks are easy to buy and easy to use. You can go to one of the PEC www.pec.coop offices or click on the website for informatin.

Also is some additional information regarding your ability to get account information from Pedernales Electric website. Hope this is helpful. June 23, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE We need Rain!

PEC debuts MyUse Energy Analyzer conservation tool

At its June 20 Annual Membership Meeting, Pedernales Electric introduced its newest online conservation effort, MyUse Energy Analyzer. The tool will allow PEC members to view their daily electric use in kilowatt-hours and dollars so they can better monitor and manage their monthly electric consumption, budget accordingly and reduce their environmental impact. Members also will be able to subscribe to mid-point notification e-mails detailing their current unbilled kwh use.

"PEC's MyUse Energy Analyzer is an exciting tool," PEC General Manager Juan Garza said. "We encourage members to conserve electricity, and with MyUse, they will have the ability to view their daily use and change costly electric habits. This is just the first in a continuing series of beneficial products we hope to be unveiling in the future."

To ensure the tool would serve its members, PEC conducted focus groups and used member feedback to guide the development of MyUse. "It is important for us to gather member input, and we've utilized members' specific ideas to improve MyUse," said PEC Communications Manager Michael Racis. "We've married emerging technology and member suggestions to create a conservation tool PEC members can benefit from."

The tool will be available online at www.pec.coop for all PEC members to utilize beginning in July 2009. For more information about PEC's MyUse Energy Analyzer, call us toll-free at 1-888-554-4732.

http://www.pec.coop

Localism: Canyon Lake, Texas & Comal County Information

Thank You Carl and Ceil Winters, Advanced Home Inspector, License #3630 - 830-660-0131-

www.home-inspection4u.com

God Bless Texas!

I know this isn't the most exciting blog I have ever done but it is necessary; we all have one, two, three and may four in our home.

Most folks are pretty good at replacing the inside items that need to be replaced from time to time. No Problem...

Now does your "throne" rock? I recently inspected a home that had the most, we'll say "not level" toilet I have ever seen. Just in case some folks don't know it can be easily fixed. You can call a plumber or you can do it yourself. Here are a few tips if you want to try your handy work.

•1. Remove the tank. Modern style toilets have Two bolts that hold the bowl to the closet flange

•2. Remove the nuts from these bolts. If you have a 4 bolt type, remove all.

•3. Ooops, I forgot make sure the water is turned off.

•4. Now pull the toilet straight up and set down on some newspaper.

•5. Clean off the closet flange and inspect for damage. If the flange has sunk below the flooring, you will need a flange extension or a double seal. No big deal. If the flange is above the floor, you will either need to shorten the pipe or cut out a piece of plywood in the shape of the bowl to build it up. If it's minor, you can put some Plaster of Paris down and set the bowl in that to build it up.

•6. Place your new wax seal around the hole on the bottom of the bowl, and carefully lower over the bolts. You can buy one of these at the big box store (in the plumbing department).

•7. New bolts are a good idea if you are going to all the trouble.

•8. Use an extra nut to hold the bolts firmly to the closet flange.

Now Test:

Sit on the bowl a few minutes to compress the wax and then put the nuts back on the bolts. Sit again and retighten. Do not over do it. Follow the same instructions in tightening these bolts as you did for the Close Couple bolts. The bowl should not rock or move. If it does, try some wedges, or the Plaster of Paris tip above.

Applause! No More Rocking Throne

*First Time Home Buyer? Moving to Comal County? San Antonio or surrounding counties? Need a home inspection? Septic system inspection, condo inspection?...I am an Texas Advanced Home Inspector, License #3630 and have been in business since 1994___For questions you can reach me at 830-660-0131.

realestateinspector@yahoo.com www.home-inspection4u.com

Thank You Carl & Ceil Winters

Blog: Localism, Canyon Lake, New Braunfels Texas

June 24, 2009