​As well as a great heating source, a fireplace can add a lot of character and style to a room but, what if your home does not have a traditional fireplace? What can you do? The solution could be a factory-built fireplace.  Let’s look at how installing this type of fireplace might be a lot simpler than you thought.
 
Although fireplaces that are constructed in a factory are often used for new construction homes, they are also ideal for pre-existing homes.  They are usually made up of a firebox enclosed in a steel cabinet which is connected to a steel chimney or flue, making them lightweight, efficient and easy to install.  An additional advantage to a factory-built fireplace is that, in general, they are safe to fit close to wooden framing and have a very small safe-clearance requirement (this will depend on the manufacturer, however, so be sure to check this before you begin installation).  This means that you can install a factory-built fireplace in almost any home and on any floor of the home.
 
Another benefit of factory-built fireplaces is that they have an excellent safety record.  It is important to remember, though, that the same level of caution should be taken around this type of fireplace as you would with a traditional fireplace.  You will also want to regularly check the chimney to make sure creosote is not accumulating inside it.  Yes, you too could enjoy the benefits of a cozy, warm fireplace even if your home was constructed without one.

​We may not realize how much we have come to depend on electricity until we suffer a power outage, this can often plunge us into chaos. However, for some people who rely on electricity for health reasons, a power outage can be a serious issue. One solution to a temporary loss of power is a portable generator. These are very useful machines to own, especially as you do not need a special license to own or operate one. They are also good for camping or traveling to remote locations, etc. due to their being easy to transport.
 
It's important to take safety into consideration when using a portable generator as they have the potential to become a fire hazard or even cause serious injury. Never have a generator running in the house as they produce carbon monoxide which is extremely dangerous. It’s also important not to overload a portable generator and only use it for its intended purpose which is for corded appliances that are necessary for the basic running of the home. Portable generators are not meant for hard-wired appliances either which is something to think about if you rely on these for health purposes.
 
The generator will become hot while it is running. Make sure that small children are kept away from it and be extra careful when adding gasoline as there is a big potential for fire.
 
As is the case with any machine or appliance, a portable generator will work well but only if it is used for its intended purpose. Always consider safety first when using your generator.

​Renovating an old home can be an exciting and rewarding project to take on. However, if you do not prepare yourself ahead for the problems you may encounter in an older home, it could turn into a nightmare experience that will likely blow your budget. We’re going to consider one of those problems…Asbestos.
 
Before very much was known about the dangers of asbestos, it was commonly used in construction materials because of its ability to give added strength, provide heat insulation and deliver fire resistance. So, why is asbestos so bad? Asbestos is a mineral fiber; these fibers are very small and can be easily released into the air. When inhaled these fibers stick to a person’s lungs and stay there for a long time. Being exposed to asbestos over a prolonged period can result in some very serious health conditions such as Asbestosis, a disease that causes scarring of the lungs with fibrous tissue and, Mesothelioma, cancer that affects the chest lining and abdominal cavity.
 
How might you become exposed to asbestos during a renovation project? If the home was built during or before the 1970s and has not been worked on since then, it's possible you will encounter asbestos. Tearing up flooring, walls or any type of demolition can release asbestos fibers into the air, creating an unsafe working environment.
 
What should you do? Before you even begin renovations, have a home inspector look at the property for you. If asbestos is found, do not attempt to remove it yourself but hire a company that is qualified to remove and dispose of it in the correct way.

​Trampolines can be enormous fun for children and adults alike, unfortunately, though, they are also a place where injuries are very common. So, if you have a trampoline in your backyard, what can you do to ensure it stays a safe and enjoyable pastime?
 
As soon as we get on a trampoline we often think we are invincible, however, it's important to consider the fitness level of whoever uses it and warn them about the dangers. Anyone who is not very fit or who suffers from chronic injuries, particularly of the head and neck, must be very careful on a trampoline and should perhaps avoid it altogether.
 
Trampolines are constructed with a lot of metal springs which can be very dangerous if a person falls on them. To avoid this, cover these areas with padding. You will also want to consider the location of your trampoline and think about what type of surface someone would land on if they were to fall off. It is best to place a trampoline on wood chips or another type of spongy surface.  Of course, the best way to prevent someone from falling off at all is to have a safety net surrounding the trampoline.
 
Jumping on a trampoline simultaneously is something children love to do; however, this also greatly increases the chances that a child will get hurt. Make sure you supervise young children while they are using the trampoline and only let one person use it at a time.
 
Remember, as the homeowner, it is your responsibility to make sure your property is a safe environment. This includes the backyard trampoline.

​Moving into a home where the previous owner was a smoker can be a challenge.  Getting rid of the odor tobacco leaves behind is very difficult, this is because smoke particles are very small and can permeate almost anything.  Nicotine also produces a brown sticky residue that will stick to many areas in the home, which is also hard to remove.  So, how can you get your new home smelling fresh again?
 
One of the first steps is to have a good air flow throughout the home.  Try to keep all windows and doors open for as long as possible.  You can also place natural odor absorber's around the house.  Baking soda, coffee grounds and citrus peel are all good options.
 
You will likely find nicotine residue on most surfaces, this will even include light bulbs which, when switched on, will heat up and diffuse a nasty smell into the air.  It would be a good idea to switch out any light bulbs that have been left behind in the home or give them a good clean.  HVAC or air conditioner filters are another thing that should be replaced as soon as possible.  Window blinds are another item that if you desire to keep should be taken down, soaked in a tub then scrubbed and hung to dry.  Hard surfaces (not including wood) can be cleaned with an ammonia-based cleaner which is good at removing nicotine.
 
You may want to give the home a fresh coat of paint.  Ask advice about which paint is best for walls coated in nicotine, if not, you may start to see the brown residue seep through the paint.
 
In order to completely eliminate tobacco odor from a home you may need to get rid of some items.  Carpets are one such item as it is very difficult to remove nicotine from them.  Before installing new carpet, however, make sure the floor underneath has been thoroughly cleaned and dried.
 
While these are simple suggestions for removing tobacco odor from your home, they will go a long way to making the place smell fresh and new in no time.

It can be difficult sometimes to find someone honest and trustworthy to work on your home.  Your home is the place you should feel safe and secure in which is why it matters who you choose to take care of all your property related needs, this includes your home inspection needs.  We are here to help you through the home buying and selling process.  We want you to feel confident about some of the biggest decisions you will make such as buying a house.
 
So, why are we the best choice for your home inspection needs?  When you choose us, you will be getting a thorough and reliable home inspection and while you may think that you can find this with any home inspection company, the truth is that not all home inspectors are the same, some are not as thorough as they should be which means they may miss problems that could end up costing you thousands. 
 
We bring with us years of experience, not just with home inspections, but also with extensive knowledge of what is involved in buying and selling a home.  I am also an InterNACHI certified home inspector which is a mark of professionalism and quality.  Please feel free to contact us at a time that is right for you and we will be happy to answer any questions you have regarding home inspections both as a seller and a buyer. 

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​The title of this blog may seem like an odd question but, when outside temperatures start to rise, we usually see our home cooling costs rise as well.  This can leave many homeowners looking for other, more energy efficient ways to cool the home.  One way this can be done is with strategic landscaping.  Known as landscape shading, this method uses trees and shrubs planted in specific areas so that they provide shade to the home.  This can reduce indoors temperatures by as much as 9 degrees so its worth consideration.  However, before you go out and buy extra trees and shrubs, here are a few points to consider:
 
The key to successful landscape shading is careful planning.  You will need to plan out the exact location the trees should be planted so as to provide the right shade at the right time of day.  Another very important aspect is what kind of trees to use.  If you are looking for a lot of shade, you will require a denser tree.  You also want to think about whether you need shade all year round or whether you want the warming effects of the sun in the winter.  If you do then deciduous trees are best as they provide full shade in the summer and then lose their leaves to allow sunlight in the winter. 
 
Another option that will see more rapid results are vines.  Wrapped around a lattice or fencing they will not only shade an area but also allow a much-needed breeze to pass through the vines.  To shade pathways or driveways, shrubs are another choice to consider.
 
So, there are many advantages to landscape shading but it’s also good to be aware that it may take some time before you see any obvious savings due to the cost of the trees etc.  You also need to check that planting extra trees will not adversely affect moisture levels on your property which can create other problems.

​Spending money wisely is something we should all do but with so much credit often available to us, managing our money can hard.  With that in mind, how does our spending affect our credit score? And, does it really matter if we have a good one or not?
 
While we may not notice the effects of our credit report on a daily basis, when we are ready to make a large purchase such as a house, a poor credit report may lower our chances of being approved for a loan.  The reason for this is that a lender will likely refer to your credit report when deciding whether or not to give you loan.  They will want to see what sort of debt you are in and if you have a history of paying bills on time etc.  What should you do if you have a poor credit score?
 
Its never too late to work at improving it.  You can start by obtaining a copy of your credit report which you are entitled to receive free of charge once a year.  This way you will see it for yourself before a lender does.  You can also pay your bills on time.  If it is hard to remember to pay on or before the due date, why not set up an automatic payment plan to cover at least the minimum due?  This way you will build up a good history of timely bill paying and avoid the hefty fees that accompany a late payment.
 
If you have collected a number of credit cards through the years it would be wise to get rid of those you no longer use.  Make sure you call the company to cancel.  Too many credit cards can give a lender the idea that you put yourself in economic difficulty by allowing yourself too much credit.  It can work in your favor to maintain the longest held cards, though, as this will show a longer history of bill paying. 
 
Remember, a good credit report may be more important than you realize when it comes to making a big investment such as a new home. 

​Perhaps you are wondering what will happen if the home inspection reports reveal problems with the property you want to buy.  Well, its important to be aware that a thorough home inspection is designed to help you, the buyer, find out all you can about the condition of the property you wish to own.  Some things that are noted down as defects are not always serious.  What do we mean by this?
 
Perhaps the report has noted problems such as faulty smoke detectors or even some missing roof shingles.  While you want to be aware of these issues, they are not really that serious and will be a relatively inexpensive fix.  On the other hand, what if the report notes structural damage, mold or wood rot?  These are among the much more serious issues a property could have and would take a lot more work and money to resolve.  In some cases, they might be too bad to fix.  These few examples highlight the crucial role a home inspection plays when it comes to home buying.
 
Another question you may wonder about is; if the home inspector is also a licensed contractor, can they fix the problems they find? It certainly seems like the right choice, after all, they were the one to find the problems but, it could also appear that they only found the issues just so that they could resolve them which would then call into question how accurate the inspection report was in the first place.  If you want to make sure you get an honest and thorough home inspection, be sure to choose an InterNACHI certified home inspector who has knowledge of and abides by InterNACHI’s Code of Ethics.  That way you can have confidence that you’ve had the best home inspection possible.

Buildings can sustain a great deal of damage during a tornado.  While the amount of damage largely depends on the severity of the storm, even a less severe tornado can create a lot of issues that are perhaps not so apparent at first glance.  Let’s discuss some areas of the home that should be inspected for damage after a tornado.

• A buildings structure is severely shaken during a tornado which can affect many areas.  One area to inspect is the homes plumbing system.  Check for leaks by turning on all the faucets in the home and observe any signs of water leaking.  You would want to check under sinks and cabinets etc. also.

• Trees often become uprooted during a tornado and this can disrupt gas lines.  You must make sure this is not the case before you turn on the gas in your home. 

• Go through the home and check for signs of stress cracks, especially where the walls meet the ceiling.  It may be a good idea to use a level to see whether the floors and walls have shifted.

• If you notice damage to masonry and in crawlspaces, this could be an indication that the buildings foundation has been compromised.

• Check the chimney for damage.  This is important because a damaged chimney could cause a build up of carbon monoxide inside the home. 

• A roof often sustains damage during a tornado.  If this is the case, try to have it repaired immediately to prevent further problems such as water damage and mold.

 
If your home has been in the path of a tornado, it might be a good idea to have it inspected by a professional who can tell you if it has sustained any structural damage or not.