HOME CARE GUIDE - Amazon S3Care+Guide.tchi.pdfHOME CARE GUIDE TREC #10389 . Texas Certified Home...

Texas Certified Home Inspection 281-705-6889

HOME CARE GUIDE

TREC #10389


Dear Home Owner,

Thank you for your business! At Texas Certified Home Inspection we strive to provide you

with service, care and detail. We take pride in providing you with the best service available. I

hope you found the inspection process helpful and informative.

We take pride in helping our customers not only find out more about the home they are

purchasing or selling but also to help educate our customers about some basic but largely

unknown facts about the mechanics of your home and how they function. We hope our home

care manual will be a great tool to help you maintain your home.

If you appreciate our quality, the best thanks we can receive is by referrals. The inspection

business is done solely by referrals from friends, relatives and business associates of our

customers.

We would like to briefly summarize the benefits of the different inspections for your future

convenience. They are as follows:

NEW HOME PURCHASE: While new home builders do their best to inspect your home

during the construction phase things can be overlooked in the fast paced new home construction

environment. No one wants construction workers completing repairs on their new home right

after they move in. We can help you find defects that may not become evident until you go to

sell your home later and your buyer’s inspector finds things only days before closing.

PRE-OWNED HOMES: As you probably know, many home owners do not properly maintain

their home. This can lead to costly repairs for the new buyer who may be unaware of challenges

during the future of the home. An inspection will save you the stress and time of dealing with

unexpected additional home repairs, and potentially save hundreds of dollars for you as the buyer.

ONE YEAR WARRANTY: Before your one or two year warranty expires it’s a good idea to

have an inspection. This could be your last chance to have the builder take care of defects. When

you buy a new home part of the value is getting a home with a warranty. A little spent on an

inspection can save a lot of money for you after the warranty expires.

We hope to have an opportunity to serve you again in the future. Thank you again for your

business and trust in Texas Certified Home Inspection.

Sincerely,

Texas Certified Home Inspection


Texas Certified Home Inspection’s

Tips on protecting your home

Your home is considered a sanctuary where you should feel safe. You put a lot of time and effort in to making your house a home. It’s the only environment where you have control over who can get close to your family. These are the tips we recommend to help protect your home and family from intruders. Doors and Locks The most common way used to force entry through a door with a wooden jamb is to simply kick it open. The weakest point is almost always the lock strike plate that holds the latch or lock bolt in place followed by a glass paneled door. The average door strike plate is secured only by the soft-wood doorjamb molding. These lightweight moldings are often tacked on to the door frame and can be torn away with a firm kick. Because of this construction flaw, it makes sense to upgrade to a four-screw, heavy-duty, high security strike plate. They are available in most quality hardware stores and home improvement centers and are definitely worth the extra expense. Install this heavy-duty strike plate using 3-inch wood screws to cut deep into the door frame stud. Use these longer screws in the knob lock strike plate as well and use at least one long screw in each door hinge. This one step alone will deter or prevent most through-the-door forced entries.

Use a solid core or metal door for all entrance points Use a quality, heavy-duty, deadbolt lock with a one-inch throw bolt Use a quality, heavy-duty, knob-in-lock set with a dead-latch mechanism Use a heavy-duty, four-screw, strike plate with 3-inch screws to penetrate

into a wooden door frame Use a wide-angle 160° peephole mounted no higher than 58 inches

Be a Good Neighbor

Good neighbors should look out for each other. Get to know your neighbors on each side of your home and the three directly across the street. Invite them into your home, communicate often, and establish trust. Good neighbors will watch out for your home or apartment when you are away, if you ask them. They can report suspicious activity to the police or to you while you are away. Between them, good neighbors can see to it that normal services continue in your absence


by allowing vendors to mow your lawn or remove snow. Good neighbors can pick up your mail, newspapers, flyers, and can inspect the outside or inside of your home periodically to see that all is well. Good neighbors will occasionally park in your driveway to give the appearance of occupancy while you are on vacation.

Get to know all your adjacent neighbors Invite them into your home and establish trust Agree to watch out for each other's home Do small tasks for each other to improve territoriality While on vacation - pick up newspapers, and flyers Offer to occasionally park your car in their driveway Return the favor and communicate often

Lighting

Interior lighting is necessary to show signs of life and activity inside a residence at night. A darken home night-after-night sends the message to burglars that you are away on a trip. Light timers are inexpensive and can be found everywhere.

Exterior lighting is an important deterrent against criminals. They provide adequate light to so you can always be aware of your surroundings as you enter and exit your home. It also provides a great view of things happening around your property.

Use interior light timers to establish a pattern of occupancy Exterior lighting should allow 100- feet of visibility Use good lighting along the pathway and at your door Use light timers or photo-cells to turn on/off lights automatically Use infra-red motion sensor lights on the rear of single family homes

Security Alarms

Alarm systems definitely have a place in a home security plan and are effective, if used properly. The reason why alarms systems deter burglaries is because they increase the potential and fear of being caught and arrested by the police. The deterrent value comes from the alarm company lawn sign and from the alarm decals on the windows.

Alarm systems are effective deterrents with visible signage Alarm systems should be properly installed, programmed, and maintained


Alarm systems need to have an audible horn or bell to be effective Make sure your alarm response call list is up to date Instruct your neighbor how to respond to an alarm bell

Identifying the items in your home

We recommend that you photograph your valuables in their locations around your home and make a list of the make, model, and serial numbers. This is very important for proof when filing insurance claims. You should keep this list in a water and fire proof safe deposit box or with a relative for safe keeping. Keep receipts of the larger items in case you need to prove the value of the items for insurance purposes. Beyond that, we recommend that you photocopy important documents and the contents of your wallet. You will be thankful that you took these steps in case your home is ever destroyed by fire or flood, is ransacked, or if your wallet is lost or stolen.

Identify your valuables by engraving your drivers’ license number Photograph and record the serial numbers of all valuables Photocopy the contents of your wallet and other documents Store the copies in a safe deposit box or with a relative


Seasonal Maintenance

Spring • Fertilize the yard prior to the hot months of summer. After fertilizing yard make sure to sweep

excess fertilizer off concrete before watering yard. The iron in fertilizer will discolor concrete.

• Remove debris from around your air conditioner compressor.

• Check the air conditioner drain pan in the attic for obstructions.

• Check the brick and stone weep holes along the perimeter of the home to make sure they are clear of dirt and debris.

• Drain water heater to remove mineral deposits. Open-Test temperature pressure and relief valve on water heater tanks.

• Adjust sprinkler system settings for the season.

• When installing new landscape or building a pool, try not change the drainage pattern of your yard. If the drainage pattern is changed make sure water is properly redirected.

• Open windows to make sure operating smoothly. Windows with rods and tension springs may need to be lubricated. Apply lubricant to metal rods on both sides of upper panes. Do not use

WD-40. Your local hardware store will recommend the best material.

• Make sure the ground wire is still connected to the clamp which connects to the grounding rod. It is usually located under the breaker box.

Summer • Evenly water your yard and the perimeter of the foundation.

• Use the vacation setting on your water heater when away from your home for extended periods of time to save on utilities.

• Clean any mulch or dirt that has built up to the weep holes of your brick to discourage insect intrusions. Soil and mulch should be kept away from the first course of brick and away from siding.


Fall • Clean leaves and other debris that have accumulated in gutters and downspouts.

• Inspect exterior paint and caulk around windows and doors and repaint as needed.

• Inspect shower and bath tub tile; re-caulk any small cracks that may have developed with 100% silicone caulk.

• Apply a fresh coat of varnish or paint the front door as needed. If you have a wood front door must maintain the moisture in the front door using furniture oil (no wax or polish). Depending on the amount of sun exposure to front door may need to have it refinished by a wood door

company.


• Inspect the furnace for proper operation. Recommend the gas furnace be inspected by a licensed HVAC technician every year.


Winter • Remove all hoses from outside faucets to avoid freezing. Make sure exterior faucets, and sprinkler

back flow preventer are insulated.

• Check the operation of your fireplace damper; if soot and creosote have built-up inside the flue, a good cleaning is recommended.

• When using gas artificial fireplace logs, for best results, preheat the flue by burning on a low setting for 10 minutes. Fireplaces with a pilot must have permanently affixed open damper.

• When installing Christmas lights, use small nails, hooks or self-adhering fasteners and secure lights at least ½ inch from adjacent surface.

• During vacations in the winter months, it is advisable to shut off the water.

• Store firewood away from home and garage to avoid attracting termites.

• To ensure a healthy lawn in the spring, use a winterizing fertilizer.



General Maintenance

1. Caulk windows and trim. In the fall, before it rains (caulk won't stick to moist surfaces),

look for cracks in the trim around the windows and siding of your house. Also inspect the

corners where trim comes together. Fill cracks with caulk. Make sure you are using exterior

caulk.

2. Inspect your crawl space for water. (For Pier and Beam Foundations) Do this every fall,

about 30 days after the fall rain begins so that if water collects, you'll see it. Find the crawl-

space opening by walking around the outside of your house. Look for a trapdoor or a boarded

opening in the foundation. Wearing old clothes and carrying a flashlight, wriggle in there — or

hire someone to do it if you're claustrophobic — and shine the light around to spot any

accumulated water. If you find water, call a home inspector to figure out where it's coming

from and why.

3. Check wooden decks for moisture. Wooden decks should be continually protected from

water with a deck treatment or wood stain. (Synthetic decking products needs no treatment

and should not be stained.) "Not even redwood, cedar or pressure-treated wood will stand up

forever," says the "Better Homes and Gardens Complete Guide to Home Repair, Maintenance

& Improvement." Depending on your weather and your deck's exposure, it may need to be

refinished every two years or even yearly. Paint professionals can help you choose among the

treatment options.

4. Inspect and touch up exterior paint. We all think of painting as a means to spruce up

the appearance of one's home, but it's really a mechanism to prevent damage to exterior

siding, overhangs, soffits, eaves and gutters.

Paint prevents gutters from rusting and wood from deteriorating. In dry summer weather,

inspect your home's exterior from top to bottom, including the trim. Look for paint that has

blistered, bubbled, peeled or cracked. Scrape, sand and fill holes with high-quality exterior-

grade patching compound. Brush primer on bare spots, then follow with paint. Feather new

paint into old using a fairly dry brush and lightly flicking the edges of the new paint into the

old. (Painted patches may look less obvious if you first wash the siding; use a garden hose

and a long-handled truck brush with long nylon bristles.)

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To prevent wood rot at the bottom of exterior door jambs and trim. Check this area yearly.

Re-caulk the bottom of the edge of the thresholds to the jamb. This will prevent water from

getting under the bottom of the jamb.

5. Service and clean the HVAC system. Forced-air furnaces quietly cycle on and off and are

easy to take for granted unless something goes wrong. But these are complex pieces of

equipment and they consume expensive fuel, so peak efficiency is crucial. A breakdown can

let deadly carbon monoxide escape. Have a licensed HVAC technician clean and inspect the

system. Servicing involves cleaning the furnace parts and heat exchanger, lubricating

bearings and testing for leaking gases. In the Houston surrounding area it is just as important

to maintain and clean the air conditioning parts of the system. Some of the things you or

your service technician should do include: Flushing out your bleach line in front of the

condenser is vital. Cleaning the coils around the compressor keeps you system running

efficiently.

We use the A/C approximately 10 months out of the year. The air conditioning system is

invaluable in such a warm city. Think of the HVAC system like your car. You do regular oil

changes and maintenance to your car. The HVAC system to your home should be even more

important. Don’t wait until something goes wrong to have your system looked over.

6. Get the chimney swept and inspected. Do this once a year or after you've burned a

cord of wood, whichever happens first. Why? Because creosote — a flammable, resinous wood

byproduct — builds up inside the chimney flue when you burn wood. (Wood stoves and

fireplaces need sweeping; gas-burning appliances do not. They do need a yearly inspection

from a licensed gas technician to remove accumulated dust or debris and check for proper

operation, leaks and worn or defective parts.

7. Check bathtub caulk. Inspect the line of caulk that seals the tub to the floor and the tub

surround. Repair cracks with 100% silicone bathroom caulk. Also, inspect the points where tub

faucets emerge from the wall or tub surround.

8. Plumbing that is not used regularly. Periodically run water through the drains of sinks,

showers, and tubs in bathrooms that are not used very often. The will keep necessary water


in the drain P-traps. It will prevent sewer gas from coming up through these drains due to the

plumbing’s limited use in these areas.

9. Check the toilet seal. Look for water or discoloration of flooring at the seam where the

toilet meets the floor, particularly behind the toilet. If you find moisture, call a plumber to find

and repair the source.

10. Clean out the gutters. Hire someone or get a stable ladder (and someone to hold it) and

do it yourself. But clean the gutters as soon as leaves and gunk plug them up. That may be

several times a year, depending on the wind and trees around your house. Leaves and pine

needles clog drainpipes that carry rain water from the roof to the ground. When the water

can't drain out, it gathers around the foundation and in the crawl space, rotting house

supports and encouraging mold and mildew. Use a garden trowel or your (gloved) hands to

clean out the debris. Slosh water from a hose through gutters and the drainpipes to finish the

job and test that they're clear.

11. Clean your roof's valleys. Water, your home's worst enemy, also dams up behind debris

that has accumulated in the roof's valleys. Left alone, it will seep under the roofing material

and leak under the eaves and into cavities between walls, rotting wood and making a home for

mold. Once you're up on the roof, also check the flashings — the metal water barrier used to

line and waterproof joints, vent pipes, skylights and chimneys. Look for rust or holes that need

repair.

12. Switch ceiling fans from summer to winter. To get the most from the money you

spend on heating fuel, switch ceiling fans to run clockwise in winter and counterclockwise in

summer. If that's confusing, just watch the fan as it runs: In summer, the leading edge of the

blades (the part that goes around first) should be higher than the trailing edge (the part that

rotates last). That's so the fan will push cool air down. You should be able to stand under the

fan and feel a breeze. In winter, it's the opposite: Switch blades so the leading edge is lower

and the trailing edge is higher, pushing air up into the center of the room, which forces heat

off the ceiling (remember, hot air rises) and down along the walls into the room. You'll find the

fan blade switch on the outside body of the fan. When you use a ceiling fan you can adjust

your thermostat — lower in winter, higher in summer — to save fuel.


13. Exterior Wood Front door. The finish life varies on the wood doors. It may be affected

by the amount of moisture, sunlight exposure and accumulation of dust or exterior elements

will affect the finish. For homes with entries protected from sun and moisture, finishes may

last many years, but in severe weather exposure, finish life without maintenance may be

much shorter. You can determine if the finish needs restoration by visual inspection.

Evidence of dulling, a so called dry feeling, unnaturally raised grain and minor surface checks

are all signs that a finish restoration is needed. A shade of white surface cast to the final

finish, particularly on doors subject to sun and moisture, is also a sign for finish restoration.

Also, dark streaks satin at the bottom of the panels are a sign that moisture is being drawn up

into the wood. We recommend hiring a professional wood door manufacture – installer

refinishes the door. If you choose to do it yourself we recommend getting tips from the local

hardware store on material and application.

Regular maintenance for protection should include wiping down the door to remove dust, dirt

and debris. When Wiping down the door use a furniture oil (ex. linseed oil).

14. Taking care of your garbage disposal. Two or three times a year, pour a cup of

vinegar into an ice cube tray. Fill the tray up with water and freeze it. Pop all the vinegar ice

cubes into the disposal and turn it on. The cubes scrub the disposal and the vinegar removes

the build-up of grease and gunk. Keep fibrous stuff (like potato peels and corn husks) and

eggshells out of disposals. The lug nuts that chew up waste are easily choked. To coax long

life out of your disposal, here's the best way to operate it according to many manufacturers:

Run cold water into the disposal, then turn it on and finally put waste into the cavity, a little at

a time. Don't jam the disposal with stuff. Cold water keeps the motor from overheating. It also

congeals grease. Hot water melts grease and it coats the pipes and disposal walls.

A great way to rid your disposal of strong odors between maintenance cleanings is to pour a

little lemon juice down the drain while the motor is running and the cold water is turned on.

15. Check A/C filters. Check your HVAC’s instruction manual to locate and remove its

fiberglass filter. Hold it up to the light: If it's dark and dirty-looking, replace it. Regular filters

usually must be change monthly. Filters trap dust, pollen, spores and airborne debris,

keeping your home's air clean and extending the life of your furnace. Check to see if you

have a media filter. Media filters may be changed quarterly or bi-annually depending on how

many people, pets and the cleaning schedule of the homeowners. It is normally located next


to condenser in the attic. If you have a media filter you do not need to place filters in the

return air grills around the home. Having filters in the return air grill and a media filter next to

the condenser will cause the unit to work harder. It will send up your energy bill because your

system is now working harder to suck air through two filters. Again do not put filters in the

return air vents if you have a media filter on the condenser.

16. Other Filters. Don’t forget to change the filter for the ice maker or water filter in your

refrigerator. Depending on the type of refrigerator you might have you might need to change

both or may not have any at all. Please refer to your owner’s manual. Changing these

regular will help extend the life of your refrigerator. Note: Whenever you throw out the ice

from the ice maker never let it simply melt slowly in the sink. The sink basin will start to

condensate on the underside of basin. The condensation will drip and leave water stains and

damage inside of the sink cabinet.

17. Clean dryer vent duct. Clean the duct work attached to your dryer of excess lint. If the

dryer vent escapes out the side of the house also clean the vent cover of excess lint. The heat

and built up of lint can be a fire hazard if regular cleaning maintenance is not performed.

18. Lubricate garage door wheels and track. Garage doors with metal or hard plastic

wheel need to be lubricated to eliminated loud noises when open and closing. It will also help

prevent the door from coming off the track. Lubricate the inside of the tracks the wheels run

across. “Genie” sells a garage door lubricant specially made for this type of maintenance (Do

not use WD-40). You can find it at larger hardware stores in the garage door department.

19. Clear Glass Shower. To help prevent the buildup of hard water spots on the clear glass

shower there are a couple of things that can be done. “RAIN-X” which is normally use for car

windshield is a great product to use in your shower. Once applied it will leave a clear coat on

the glass to prevent water and soap scum from sticking to the surface. Clean glass and then

apply “Rain-X” before taking a shower. You can also use “Tilex Glass Shower cleaner”. With

this product you apply the product after cleaning the glass and before the first use of the

shower. Then spray the product on the glass after use on the interior glass. This will also

help prevent the buildup of soap scum on the glass and eliminate the need for squeegeeing

the glass after every use.


20. Reseal around roof vents. We recommend having a roofer reseal all vents on the roof

every 5 years. In the Houston surrounding area we experience extreme heat. The roofing

caulk around the vents will separate and deteriorate from sun exposure and temperatures.

21. Tile Grout. Most new homes the builder does not seal the grout. In pre-owned homes

you cannot be sure if the previous owners went the extra mile to protect the floors. Grout

sealer with protect the condition and original color of the grout. You might have to clean grout

prior applying sealant. Grout sealer comes in different colors, with different types of

application, and may last 1 to 5 years. We recommend going to a hardware or flooring store

and talking with a tile floor representative before deciding which one is best for your needs.

22. Self-Cleaning Ovens. So many people never use the self-cleaning setting on their oven.

How often it needs to be cleaned depends on the owners use. If you choose to use the self-

cleaning setting on the oven rather than cleaning it by hand make sure you remove the oven

racks first. DO NOT apply oven cleaner if using the self-cleaning setting. This will destroy the

interior finish of the oven. Simply remove racks, lock oven, and operate the self-cleaning

setting. It takes a few hours for the oven to complete this cycle. You might have to open the

windows depending on what food particles were left in the oven. Also consider the

temperature and time of day you choose to clean the oven. When the entire process is

complete and the oven has cooled down you should be able to simply wipe down the interior

with a wet paper towel to remove loose particles left behind.

23. Cleaning the whirlpool bath tub. First, fill the bath with hot water and add 4 table

spoons to ¼ Cup of liquid dishwasher detergent. Some manufacturers suggest adding ½ a

Cup of house hold bleach. Run the jets for 10 to 15 minutes. Then drain the bath and refill

with cold water only. Run the whirlpool for 10 to 15 minutes. Then drain the bath and refill

with cold water only. Run the whirlpool for 10 to 15 minutes and drain again. There are also

commercial cleaning products made specifically to do this job. Note: Never use more than ½

a Cup of bleach during the cleaning process. Large amounts of bleach can discolor the jet

caps to a yellow tint.

24. Cleaning Mirrors and Faucets. Most glass cleaners have ammonia as an ingredient.

When you are cleaning the mirrors in your bathroom don’t you usually wipe down the sink and

faucets. Over time the ammonia inside of the cleaners will eat away at the finish on your


plumbing fixtures. We suggest switching to an ammonia free product to protect the life of the

products in home. Most cleaning products come in an ammonia free version

25. Granite and Hard surface counter tops. Use non-abrasive liquid, foam, spray

cleaners. Powder gritty cleaners may scratch the surface. It a good idea to never put hot

pots and skillets on the surfaces even if the manufacturer says it can with stand certain

temperatures. Be careful with things that may stain and discolor the surface. For example,

colored candles placed directly on the stone or marble surface. Over time the waxy color

might seep into pours of the surface. The bottom of a metal vase may eventually leave a rust

stain in the surface. Hot curling irons on white cultured marble will leave a scorch mark.

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