​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.

​Unless you purchase a brand-new build, the home you decide to buy will come with its own, unique, history.  This may be a good thing, but it can also mean the home comes with its share of issues.  Its important to find out as much as you can about the home you’re considering buying because it may well affect its value in the future, not to mention you’re comfort while living there. 
 
One example of potential issues with the home is if the property has a history of flood damage.  To help you understand what that may mean for you as the new owner, we have a brief video.  It will help you get an overall idea of what you should consider when purchasing a home with flood damage history.  You may well have more questions and concerns after viewing this video so, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to advise you as qualified and experienced home inspectors.
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​Perhaps the word condensation doesn’t necessarily conjure up thoughts of major damage to a home, but it can, over time, start to create certain issues.  For example, if you have condensation continuously dripping water in a certain area, that area could start to see damage in the form of rotten flooring and mold.  If the water is dripping on any type of electrics, this could create a fire hazard. 
 
Are there some things you can do to reduce condensation in the home? Yes, there are a few options you can try.  To start with, you want to lower indoor humidity levels.  A dehumidifier is a great way to do this as it draws in water vapor and gathers it in a tank instead of it forming on surfaces of the home.  You could try an air conditioner also.  Another thing to remember is that if you have a lot of house plants, this will contribute to higher humidity levels.  Reducing the number of plants will help reduce humidity.
 
As long as the air outside is not very humid, opening windows and doors will help to air out the home and lower moisture levels indoors.  You may have thought about insulating pipes to help with condensation issues.  This is an effective way to prevent it, although if you are relying on the heat from pipes to warm the home, insulating them will stop the heat from radiating. 
 
If, after trying different methods to reduce condensation, you are still seeing an accumulation of water, it might be that condensation is not the issue but that there is water leaking somewhere.  In such a case, it is important to have this looked at by a professional who can detect the leak for you. 

​It’s a sad reality that thousands of elderly people are injured every year due to accidents that occur while they perform everyday tasks in their homes.  A good majority of these accidents are caused from slipping and falling.  With that in mind, what adjustments can you make in your elderly loved one’s home to help prevent some of these accidents?  We will discuss just a couple of simple adjustments that can be made.
 
When looking around the house, have in mind the specific needs of someone with limited mobility and see how easy it is for them to get around.  Check for tripping hazards such as electrical cords.  Is there any stretching over walk through areas?  This could easily cause someone to trip and fall.  Also, depending on the kind of appliance the cord belongs to, it could become a fire hazard as well.  If you notice that there doesn’t seem to be enough electrical cords where they are needed, why not arrange the furniture differently so that no wires or cords need to extend far.  This would also be a good time to check the condition of such wires and cords, anything starting to fray or exposing wires should be replaced as these too are a fire hazard.
 
Carpeting is another area that can easily become a tripping hazard.  Many older ones enjoy the comfort of carpeting.  Look for areas of wear and tear.  Is the carpets adhesive wearing out in some areas? This could make the carpet loose and start to raise up in those areas making it dangerous for an elderly person.  What about rugs?  These can be lethal if they don’t have a good rubber backing to keep them firmly in place.
 
As we stated earlier, this is only a couple of suggestions towards accident prevention in an elderly person’s home.  You will, no doubt, notice many more areas that can be improved for safety as you check through their house.