Carl & Ceil Winters Texas Hill Country Home Inspector

This is where I live - Canyon Lake, Texas

This is also where I work and play

Canyon Lake is great for saililng-Great Wind Currents

If you like to Tube...We have that also...Enjoy Tubing down the Guadalupe...

Visitoring Explore Canyon Lake, Texas, a nearby popular recreational area.

Canyon Lake and the Guadalupe River are the heart and soul of the Texas Hill Country. Located just forty miles north of San Antonio and twenty minutes from New Braunfels, Canyon Lake has much to offer whether summer, winter or fall.

Click for a brief history lesson for Brief History of Canyon Lake Area

Parks and Camping Available. Party Boat Available for Evening Cruise

Visit: The Gorge Awesome:

http://www.canyongorge.org/Default.aspx Guided Tours - This will indicate the strength after the flood.

If you anticipate a move to Canyon Lake, TX or New Braunfels, TX and should need a home inspection please call Carl Wnters, Complete Inspection Service for information 830-660-0131

If you are thinking about a stay in downtown New Braunfels, here is a neat Bed & Breakfast you may want to consider. In the next few weeks we will show you some of the things to do and see if you would like to stay in the downtown district of New Braunfels, Texas. This Garden View is welcoming just like the folks here in New Braunfels. The Gerlich-Wagenfeubr Bed & Breakfast, New Braunfels, Texas

http://www.nbconservation.org/bandb.htm For more information for renta you can go to this website.

If your moving to New Braunfels, Texas area and should need a home inspector please call Carl Winters, Advanced Inspector, License #3630 (since 1994). Complete Inspection Service, 830-660-0131

Judi Morgan prompted this blog so here goes...I know I have posted similiar blogs but it's worth another try. Judi mentioned she had shown several houses, one with A/C and the others without. In this Texas heat A/C makes a difference.

*Picture yourself walking into a 90-100 degree house, at 1:30 in the afternoon with no A/C. The next home that is 78 degrees with A /C, Which home would you spend more time evaluating and envisioning yourself living in? Judi said they really liked the one that had A/C.,,,, I wonder why?

Now, here are some tips to prepare for your inspectot the day he comes to inspect your home.

•1. Clean the House - Need I say more. Clean & Declutter

2. Be On Time Because the Inspector Will Be

Sometimes home inspectors are early. If an inspector makes an appointment with you for 9:00 a.m., have the house ready for inspection at 8:30. It's also common for inspectors to start on the exterior of the home, so leave the shades down or drapes drawn until you are dressed.

3. Leave the Utilities Connected- - - Thank You

The home inspector will need to turn on the stove, run the dishwasher, test the furnace and air conditioning, so leave the utilities on, especially if the house is vacant. It's impossible to check receptacles for grounding and reverse polarity if the power is turned off. Without utilities, the inspector will have to reschedule, which could delay the closing of your transaction and the removal of the buyer's home inspection contingency.

4. Provide Workspace Around Furnace and Water Heaters (De Clutter)

Remove boxes, bookcases, furniture and anything else blocking access to your furnace, air conditioner and water heater. The inspector will need three to four feet of working space to inspect these items.

5. Keep Pilot Lights Ignited

Many home inspectors will refuse to light pilot lights because they are not covered for that type of liability. If your pilot lights are not lit, then important items such as the water heater, gas stove or furnace will not be inspected and the buyer could delay closing until those inspections are completed.

6. Provide Access to Attic and Garage

The inspector will need to get into your basement and / or attic as well, so keep a path cleared. Move boxes away from the walls. (clean and de-clutter).

7. Leave Keys for Outbuildings & Electrical Boxes - Important

Leave the remote controls for your garage door opener or a key if the garage is unattached to the house. Unlock the covers for your sprinkler system and electrical box. Leave a key for exterior building access. If not, this means a return trip for the inspector and a possible reinspect cost for time and travel)

8. Clear Away Brush from Exterior Inspection Points

In the summer, cut down dead tree branches and clear brush from the foundation. Move trash cans away from the house. (prepare the outside, just as important as the inside inspection).

9. Provide Repair Documents...Helpful

Make available to the home inspector all invoices and documents regarding remodeling projects or new items such as a roof or furnace. If you've upgraded the electrical from ungrounded to grounded, installed a new dishwasher or repaired a leaky faucet, find the paperwork. It will give the buyer peace of mind to know those items were reinspected. (Keep all your paperwork in one place so you can easilyl locate) I recently did a home in the Dominion with many built in's in the kitchen, items you don't see in a normal home. The owner had all the paperwork available. Some items had not been used and they had lived in the home for a year; so we learned together. Thank goodness for the paperwork.

10. Prepare to be Away for Three to Four Hours Depending On The Size of the Home

Often the buyer will accompany the home inspector, and buyers feel uncomfortable asking questions if the owner is present. Try to schedule a time for the inspection when you can be out of the house, and take the children with you. Crate your pets if you cannot remove them from the premises. (we don't want any surpirses, maybe a bird that may fly out the door or a cat run to the neighors).

11. Make sure the diswasher is empty and don't hide items in the oven or dishwasher. You'll be surprised some of the things I have found through the years.

12. Don't leave valuables, Example: jewelry laying around.

The inspector can not conduct the inspection without electricity and water; it will take several days to have these items turned on; therefore you can save time by not turning these items off.

I'm sure I could add additional items but these are a few that come to mind.

Thanks

Carl Winters, Complete Inspection Service (your friendlly Hill Country Inspector) serving San Antonio and surrounding counties. For the Inspection, Call 830-660-0131

From TAREI:

If you are vacationing at Canyon Lake, TX or New Braunfels, TX or even the Texas Coast be sure to protect yourself from the sun and heat.

Keeping Cool This Summer! Take Care of Yourself & Your Pets!

The Dog Days of Summer Are Here. Everywhere we go we hear these terms:

It is going to be a scorcher today ?

Is this a summer heat wave?

What temperature do you set you're A/C? Be sure to also keep your doggy cool during this summer heat wave. Always have lots of cool, clean water.

Here are some tips to remember to protect yourself:

Summer Heat Precautions

During a heat wave the body has to work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature. Excessive heat can result in serious health threats by pushing the human body beyond its limits. Young children, elderly people, and those who are sick or overweight are most at risk.

Measures for Preventing Heat Related Illnesses

• NEVER leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.
• Slow down, avoid strenuous activity.
• Avoid too much sun.
• Plan outdoor games and activities for early morning or evening.
• Avoid extreme temperature changes.
• Stay indoors as much as possible; use fans or air conditioners to cool the air.
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing that will cover as much skin as possible.
• Protect face and head by wearing a wide brimmed hat.
• Drink plenty of fluids, even if you do not feel thirsty, and avoid alcoholic beverages.

Hot Weather Health Emergencies

Heat cramps: Painful spasms, mostly in legs and abdomen, usually the result of heavy exertion and heavy sweating.

Recognizing Heat Cramps
Painful spasms usually in the legs and abdominal muscles that may occur in association with strenuous activity.

What to do
Apply firm pressure to cramping muscles or gently massage to relieve spasms. Replace fluids. Consult your health care provider.

Heat exhaustion: Typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating.

Recognizing Heat Exhaustion
Heavy sweating, weakness, cold, pale and clammy skin. Weak pulse. Fainting and vomiting possible.

What to do
Lie down in a cool place. Loosen clothing. Apply cool wet cloths. Fan or move person to air-conditioned place. Take sips of water. Consult your health care provider.

Heat stroke: A medical emergency- the body's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. Sunstroke: Another term for heat stroke.

Recognizing Heat Stroke
High body temperature (106+). Hot, dry skin. Rapid, strong pulse. Possible unconsciousness. Individual will likely not sweat.

What to do
Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Call 911 or emergency medical services or get the person to a hospital immediately. Move to a cooler environment. Try a cool bath or sponging to reduce body temperature. Use fans and/or air conditioners, to cool the body.

If your house hunting in the San Antonio Area or Surrounding Counties and should need a home inspection, please call Carl Winters, Complete Inspections Service, Advanced Inspector, Since 1994. 830-660-0131

Motor scooters popular in efforts to save on gas

I think Ceil and I are changing our mode of transportation to save fuel: What do ya think?

I solved the problem for all my Texas friends....Vespa Scooters...gas or electric. They are fun and economical, economical is the key to this blog. With a gas 4 stroke gas engine you can go shopping, carry your clients to view homes, use for your inspection and still be able to save money.

Vespa Scooters I'm using Vespa as an example because I heard on the news today that "Vespa" sales are skyrocketing. Here is a portion of an article that I read... Today, Vespas, like other motor scooters, are the beneficiaries of the increasing willingness of US consumers to buy motor scooters. Sales of motor scooters have doubled since the year 2000. Rising fuel prices are being given the lion's share of the credit for the increasing popularity of motor scooters.

How about this one with this luxuary sidecar?

How about this one with or without the flower? I can use this one for my inspections but without the flower please. Now this one is top of the line. You can even get a cover for the sidecar so your clients won't get wet on rainy days.

Wow! Great colors and even a rear view mirrow. I like the Red One.

"Green is in" ... a lot of people have become environmentally-friendly these days. You can say that it has now become trendy and chic to travel in these "green" modes of transportation.

Pollution free ... Because electric vehicles run on batteries and do not burn fossil fuels as their main system of propulsion, they provide the opportunity to reduce your personal environmental impact and improve local air quality.

Quiet ... There's nothing better than cruising down the streets and the only thing you hear is the wind blowing in the air. Electric motors are quiet and give you an entirely different feeling when riding. Many gas-powered personal vehicles are louder than lawn-mowers. Quiet electric vehicles seem to glide down the road with ease and are welcomed in most communities.

You can even consider an "electric" scooter.

This is what it is going to come to if we don't get this fuel situation under control. Your choices, carpool, mass transportation or a way to travel and get around more economical.

This could be our future

I can not even ride a bike anymore so I guess I'll have to get roller skates for Ceil and myself