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Shawn Martin

Snow Protection

12-23-08
Shawn Martin

Snow Protection

Make sure the ground around the foundation drops 1/2 inch for every foot as you move away from the foundation. The drop should be greater if water flows are heavy in that area. Make sure all concrete patios, walks, and driveways slope away from foundation. Keep gutters clean at all times. During the fall it is better to clean them several times rather than waiting until the end of the leaf season. Make sure the water is not coming down behind the gutters and that the gutters are properly sloped toward the downspouts. Also check that all support brackets and nails are securely in place. Downspouts should discharge water well away from the foundation. If there are any signs of a leak or damaged shingles or flashing, have the roof checked. Generally, if the roof is leaking and is more than 15 years old (with regular shingles), it may be more cost effective to have a new roof put on. Make sure all stairwell drains are clear of debris. Consider building a permanent roof over exterior stairwell to prevent debris and rain from getting into the stairwell. Test your basement sump pump. Make sure all culverts and exterior drains are free of debris.

If you have any questions about this or about home & pest inspections just give us a call

Sincerely,

Shawn Martin

Crosby Inspections

360.721.4577

When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:

11-23-08
Shawn Martin

When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send
it to this address. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think
of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so
much would get.

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington , D.C. 20307-5001

Thanks

Crosby Inspections

What is polybutlene

10-23-08
Shawn Martin

What What is polybutlene

Polybutylene is a form of plastic resin that was used extensively in the manufacture of water supply piping from 1978 until 1995. Due to the low cost of the material and ease of installation, polybutylene piping systems were viewed as "the pipe of the future" and were used as a substitute for traditional copper piping. It is most commonly found in the "Sun Belt" where residential construction was heavy through the 1980's and early-to-mid 90's, but it is also very common in the Mid Atlantic and Northwest Pacific states.

The piping systems were used for underground water mains and as interior water distribution piping. Industry experts believe it was installed in at least 6 million homes, and some experts indicate it may have been used in as many as 10 million homes. Most probably, the piping was installed in about one in every four or five homes built during the years in which the pipe was manufactured.

How to tell if you have Poly

Exterior - Polybutylene underground water mains are usually blue, but may be gray or black (do not confuse black poly with polyethelene pipe). It is usually 1/2" or 1" in diameter, and it may be found entering your home through the basement wall or floor, concrete slab or coming up through your crawlspace; frequently it enters the home near the water heater. Your main shutoff valve is attached to the end of the water main. Also, you should check at the water meter that is located at the street, near the city water main. It is wise to check at both ends of the pipe because we have found cases where copper pipe enters the home, and poly pipe is at the water meter. Obviously, both pipes were used and connected somewhere underground.

Interior - Polybutylene used inside your home can be found near the water heater, running across the ceiling in unfinished basements, and coming out of the walls to feed sinks and toilets. Warning: In some regions of the country plumbers used copper "stub outs" where the pipe exits a wall to feed a fixture, so seeing copper here does not mean that you do not have poly.

Will the pipes fail???

While scientific evidence is scarce, it is believed that oxidants in the public water supplies, such as chlorine, react with the polybutylene piping and acetal fittings causing them to scale and flake and become brittle. Micro-fractures result, and the basic structural integrity of the system is reduced. Thus, the system becomes weak and may fail without warning causing damage to the building structure and personal property. It is believed that other factors may also contribute to the failure of polybutylene systems, such as improper installation, but it is virtually impossible to detect installation problems throughout an entire system.

Throughout the 1980's lawsuits were filed complaining of allegedly defective manufacturing and defective installation causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. Although the manufacturers have never admitted that poly is defective, they have agreed to fund the Class Action settlement with an initial and minimum amount of $950 million. You'll have to contact the appropriate settlement claim company to find out if you qualify under this settlement.

If you have any questions about this or Home & Pest inspections fell free to give me a call.

Shawn Martin

Crosby Inspections

360.721.4577

Fall & Winter Season Maintenance for Homeowners

10-21-08
Shawn Martin

Fall & Winter Season Maintenance for Homeowners

It's not to early to be thinking about winterizing your home

Here's what Martin Home Inspection services recommends:

Attic/crawlspace -- As a general rule, if a home has less than 11 to 12 inches of insulation in the attic or crawlspace, it could probably use more. Use batt or blown insulation for best results. Check with a expert to determine the proper R-value of insulation for your home.

Water heater and hot water pipes -- Conserve heat and energy by swaddling your water heater with an insulation blanket kit or faced fiberglass insulation. Insulate hot water pipes with preformed foam pipe insulation sleeves if they pass through an unheated area or run under your home.

Seal leaks, cracks, openings in the home
Windows -- Remove screens and install storm windows. If you don't have double pane insulated windows already.

Fireplace -- Make sure the damper closes as tightly as possible when a fire is not burning to minimize heat loss.

Draft-prone areas -- Zip up your home's winter coat by caulking, sealing and weather-stripping around all seams, cracks and openings. Pay special attention around windows and where siding or bricks and wood trim meet. Seal areas near electrical boxes and plumbing penetrations as well.

Ductwork -- Look for cracks or air leaks in ductwork.

Furnace filters -- Change forced air heating system air filters bi-annually. Make a clean break into winter with a fresh filter instead of using last year's used goods.

Air registers, baseboard heaters and radiators -- Regularly dusting off these heat sources will improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Ceiling fans -- To save energy during colder weather, activate the reverse setting on your ceiling fans to circulate hot air that rises to the ceiling and blow it back down.

Cool-season grasses -- Fertilize grasses such as ryegrass, fescue, and bluegrass in or before early November.

Bulbs -- Plant hardy bulbs in milder climates in the earlier part of November.

Vegetable and perennial beds -- Clean and prepare beds for next season's planting.

Leaves -- Rake and remove leaves left on the lawn to discourage disease.

Push mower, outdoor power equipment -- Perform annual maintenance before storing.

Lawn and garden equipment, patio furniture -- Store to avoid harsh winter elements.

Hoses, outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems -- Drain before season's first freeze. Cover outdoor spickets.

If you have any questions about home & Pest inspections please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Shawn Martin

Crosby Inspections

Crosby Inspections

10-04-08
Shawn Martin

My name is Shawn Martin. I am the new owner of Crosby Inspections. Tina has semi-retired. I am striving to do the exact same service that Tina has done for you and your clients over the years. The reports, phone numbers and e-mail address are all the same. So if there is anything I can to for you or your clients please fell free to call me anytime.

  • I have been inspecting residential property for almost 5 years
  • I am a certified ITA ( Inspection Training Associate)
  • I am certified by Washington State for Structural Pest Inspections WSDA (SPI)

Sincerely,

Shawn Martin

Crosby Inspections

E-mail Crosbyinspections@comcast.net

PH 360.721.4577

P.s. Attached is a special coupon offer and if you would like to know more about me please feel free to call me anytime.