Tag: Heating

What First Time Buyers need to know about Home Inspections

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What First Time Buyers need to know about Home Inspections

Home inspection should be a top priority for anyone interested in purchasing a new home. This includes first time buyers. After years of scrimping for a deposit and hard slog at work to climb the career ladder you may be thrilled to finally be able to afford your first house or apartment. You may even be burning with excitement at having finally found your dream house after months of visiting underwhelming or overpriced properties. The last thing you want is anything to spoil it. Getting a home inspector in to examine a property that you are thinking of buying is crucial, however. Even an immaculate and new apartment or a house that looks like a showroom can be hiding costly flaws. They might make you live to regret ever buying the property years down the line.

As a first time buyer you probably won’t have any particularly detailed knowledge of what makes a property sound and how to check a home is in good order, and there is no reason why you should. For example, can you identify what signs give away five or more of the most common roof problems? Or do you know how to tell if a property is at risk of developing a mold problem? Or how about making sure that the wiring is as it should be? Thought not! That is okay because fortunately, a good home inspector will be able to do all of this for you and more.

A home inspection checklist for first time buyers

For your own peace of mind you might consider making sure that you are present during the home inspection of your potential first home. It is useful to have your own checklist of basic tasks which a home inspector should carry out in order to ensure that you get a thorough job. The home inspection should include the following:

* Checks on the structure and foundation of the property: Irrespective of whether a house is built on a concrete slab or full basement, it needs to be resting on a foundation that is able to both take and distribute its weight. It also needs to be capable of withstanding the lateral forces of soil, which can sometimes cause problems with leaks and cracks. It cannot be stressed enough that checking the foundations of a house is absolutely crucial. It is true that first time homeowners can get wrapped up in all of the other things involved in securing a property like bargaining the best price and finding a mortgage. The latter is an especially huge issue for Americans in the wake of the subprime mortgage crisis as less mortgages are now available for people buying their first home. This is not just the case in the USA.

In the UK too, for example, qualifying and finding a first time mortgage is the number one concern of people buying property for the first time as banks have been accused of lending less since the financial crisis. As money.co.uk says, “If you’re looking to buy your first home then finding the best first time buyer mortgages is likely to be one of your main priorities”. There is no point on buying a castle built on sand, however, and the fact is that a thorough home inspection to check that a house has solid fundamentals is often a prerequisite for a decent mortgage. After all, it is in the lender’s interest that the property should be structurally sound. Therefore researching your mortgage and getting a home inspection ultimately go hand in hand.

* Inspection of the plumbing system: Plumbing inspection involves a number of different checks. These checks include examining pipes and faucets for leaks and checking the water pressure in the bathroom furthest away from the property’s water source. Other elements of a plumbing inspection might include checking that the water piping in a property has wrapped pipes to ensure that hot water is preserved over the winter and that the water tank it big enough to meet your needs as the prospective new owner.

* Inspection of the heating system and verification of the type of heating system: An examination of the heating system should include a detailed inspection of the venting system and checking the system for possible leaks. An examination of the blower to ensure that there is no lubrication or possible obstructions should also be undertaken, as should an inspection of the furnace’s inside chamber. In particular some furnaces suffer from holes or rust in this area of the furnace. The inspector should also clean the pilots, burners and sensors. They should verify that there is no risk of the furnace overheating by checking its maximum temperature. Finally the crucial carbon monoxide test is imperative. Other checks that should be included in a heating system inspection include ensuring that the air filters in the furnace are clean, checking the vent registers and that the thermostat is functioning correctly.

* Checking that the property’s wiring and overall electrical system is sound and safe: A house inspector should inspect a minimum of six electrical appliances in a house to ensure that the electricity system is functioning as it should. Furthermore, an inspection should also entail a polarity and earth fault loop test on sockets around the property at random; verification of whether adequate protective bonding conductors are in place; and an inspection of the consumer unit.

* Checking to ensure that there are no bug or insect infestations or a potential environment in which an infestation could develop: Wood-destroying insects can be particularly lethal for homes. For example, powder post beetles can lay their eggs in the cracks in unprotected wood and their offspring can start tunnelling once they have hatched. Therefore, a check for insects in the property is imperative.

* Inspection for asbestos: This should entail taking measures to identify the possible location of asbestos in a property and also the concentration of asbestos. It could also involve making a record of all of the materials in a property which contain asbestos and carrying out a risk assessment on those materials.

* Inspection of the well and septic system: If the property has its own well and septic system, then they should be examined. For example, a well’s record should be obtained from the relevant authorities and its location noted. The well casing should be in good condition without cracks and it should drain correctly. The water quality should also be tested by sampling the water for e coliform, E. Coli and nitrate.

Other things that should be checked

There are other aspects of a house inspection that should be on the checklist and the devil is in the detail. For example, the inspector should look around the attic or basement if the property has one and check the windows and doors to ensure that they open and close properly. All closets, walls, ceilings and floors should be examined. Nor should the outside of a property be neglected. A property’s facade and other aspects of the exterior should also be thoroughly examined for any indication of rot or weather damage. The inspector should also make a thorough examination of the roof, either by getting onto the roof or inspecting it with binoculars.

Furnace Maintenance Basic Tips

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Home Inspection

Furnace Maintenance Basic Tips. Save yourself money and repair costs by following our simple maintenance steps.

Heating system and maintenance

In general, heating systems are easy to maintain and are usually trouble free. Efficient operation is a function of good regular maintenance. There are several things you can do to keep your heating system in top condition no matter the type of furnace you have. When a heating or cooling system fails, it is typically one of three things creating the issue ( the heat/cold source , the distribution system and/or the thermostat) . If the furnace or A/C doesn’t work , chances are the issue is at the source. The unit may have lost power , fuel may not be reaching the unit or the fuel may not be igniting. If the unit turns on but the cold or warm air isn’t reaching the rooms , the blower or distribution system may be faulty. A faulty thermostat or control , could keep the unit from turning on or cause it to turn on and off repeatedly. Whatever the problem, start with the simplest procedures. In most cases, all it takes is patience and common sense.

Before working on the system , take these preliminary steps:

Make sure the unit is receiving power . Make sure the unit doesn’t have a blown fuse or tripped breaker. Some furnaces have a separate power entrance on a separate panel and some have fuses mounted on or in the unit.
If the unit has a reset button , let the motor cool down and press the button. If it doesn’t work right away , wait a little while and try it again.
Make sure the units power switch is turned on. Remember , the unit may have a separate power switch.
If it is a gas burning unit, make sure the gas is on and the pilot light is lit. If it’s an oil burning unit check and make sure there is an adequate supply of oil.

If working on the system is necessary remember these important safety factors :

Before doing any work on the unit , make sure all power to the unit is turned off. Remember the unit could be on a separate panel. Make sure the breakers are tripped or the fuses are removed for the particular unit. If your not sure which breaker or fuse it is , trip the main breaker or remove the main fuse to shut off the power to the entire house.
If the unit is constantly tripping breakers or blowing fuses then there is an issue with the electrical. If this is the case , call a professional service person.
If your home smells of gas , leave your home immediately, leave the door open and call the gas company to report a leak. Do not turn any lights on or off and do not re-enter your home.

Keep your furnace clean

Dirt is your furnaces greatest enemy. It can waste fuel drastically lowering the units efficiency. Dirt affect three basic components on your furnace ( the filter , the blower and the motor ) so keeping them clean is the most important part of furnace maintenance. A disposable furnace filter should be replaced monthly during periods of continuous use. To check the filter , simply remove it and check to see if it looks clogged. If it looks clogged replace it regardless of how long it has been used. Install the filter with the arrow on the outer edge pointing towards the blower on the inside of the furnace. The filter size should be marked on the outer edges of the filter.

A permanent filter can usually be cleaned with a filter coating chemical which should be available at your local hardware store. Clean this filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions which may be located in the furnace housing.

Cleaning the blower assembly is also important for maintaining your furnace because the openings can often become clogged with dirt. To clean blower, remove panel that covers filter to gain access to blower or panel on front of furnace. This panel may be slip-fit on hooks or held by series of retaining screws. Access to inside of blower is usually gained by sliding out fan unit, which is held on track by screws. With toothbrush, clean each fan blade and spaces between blades. Then, with vacuum cleaner hose, remove all dirt and debris loosened by brushing. Also vacuum belts and pulleys. Wipe motor housing clean to prevent heat build-up in the motor.

Keep your furnace motor lubricated

To keep your furnace motor running cool, make sure it’s clean. Most furnace motors are permanently lubricated and sealed by the manufacturer however some have covered oil ports above the bearings near the motor shaft. If your furnace motor has oil ports , it should be lubricated annually .Apply two or three drops of 10-weight non-detergent motor oil (not all-purpose oil) to each port. Do not over lubricate. If the blower shaft also has oil ports then it should be lubricated as well. If the blower shaft has grease cups instead of oil ports then remove the caps from the grease cups and fill the cups with bearing lubricant which should be available at your local hardware store.

Inspect on your furnace belt

While lubricating your furnace motor, it is a good time to check the belts. If the belts are worn or frayed , replace them with new one’s that are the same type and size. If the belt squeaks while the motor is running , spray it with fan belt dressing which should be available at your local hardware store. These steps should hopefully help keep your furnace healthy and your family warm for years to come.

To keep the unit in good shape , have it professionally serviced annually. The end of the heating season is usually the best time to do this because of off-season discounts and the company won’t likely be as busy. It a good idea to have your air conditioning unit serviced at the same time.

Nathan Pile
Barrie Home Inspections

Maintaining Your Furnace Filter

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Heating

Maintaining Your Furnace Filter

The first step in checking furnace filter is to check and make sure your filter is properly sized for your furnace. Ensure that the filter completely fills the holding area, with no gaps at top, bottom or sides. Also the filter should be thick enough to seal off any avenues for air to bypass the filter. You can typically look at the filter in place by removing bottom panel of furnace. This should only be done once power is shut off. Newer furnaces have a safety switch on their fan compartments but turning power off is always advised.

Another item to check is your owner’s manual for the furnace and check that you have the right style of filter for your furnace. Some people buy universal re-usable filters that might provide too much resistance for the modern high-efficiency furnaces used today. If no manual is available check on the internet for manufactures site and look up specifications for model of furnace you have. If no specifications are available, send them an email, most companies gladly provide information on requests from customers.

Clean or replace your disposable furnace filter periodically, during the winter, check the filter monthly. Brush and vacuum the heat exchanger surfaces every year, if recommended by your owner’s manual. Before the heating season, clean the blower blades and seal any air leaks in ducts with several wraps of duct tape. (use the metallic duct tape only)

Types of Filters

Pleated – Experts typically recommend this type of filter as a bare minimum requirement. Pleated filters should also include the metal wire to perform electrostatic dust control. The pleat feature allows greater filtration because of greater surface area which creates less air restriction.
Disposable fiberglass filters – These filter are the least expensive – and also the least effective, designed to block only large dust and dirt particles to protect your furnace. Smaller particles, like pollen and mold, pass right through.
Electronic air cleaners Electronic air cleaners are expensive but are the best at removing harmful particles and pollutants from the air. In many cases, the initial cost can be offset with lower medical bills for allergy suffers.

Filter Ratings

What is an efficiency or MERV rating?

Most filters are labeled with a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating number, which measures a filter’s ability to trap particles ranging in size from 3.0 microns to 10.0 microns. This number is derived from a test method designed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and is intended to help people compare filters.
Residential filters commonly have MERV ratings of 1-11. The higher the MERV rating, the more efficient the filter is, and the more particles it can filter.

A MERV rating of 6 means the filter is 35% to 50% minimum efficient at capturing particles, sized 3.0-10.0 microns.
A MERV rating of 8 means the filter is 70% to 85% minimum efficient at capturing particles, sized 3.0-10.0 microns.
A MERV rating of 11 means the filter is 85% to 95% minimum efficient at capturing particles, sized 3.0-10.0 microns.
MERV is an industry standard rating, so it can be used to compare filters made by different companies.

A little maintenance goes a long way toward keeping your forced-air equipment working properly. Start by cleaning or replacing the filter. With forced-air furnace systems, air returning to the furnace’s blower first passes through an air filter designed to catch dust and debris and help clean the air before it’s recycled to your home.
On new homes, check all your ducts by removing grills and vacuuming any debris that you can reach. If extremely dirty, notify the builder and have him clean the ducts. This is only possible on new construction and ducts should be inspected on your Pre-Delivery Inspection.

When typical filters become clogged with debris, they cut down on a furnace’s efficiency and, over time, can cause parts to wear out faster. Change filters quarterly or sooner if they look dirty. Pleated fabric filters are a good, inexpensive choice for reducing dust and allergens. Most experts recommend a pleated filter with wire for electrostatic performance. If you buy filters that are 3 for .00 then you probably could read a book looking through them, so you can imagine how useful they would be. Also check your manufactures recommendations before installing a washable filter, some type restrict too much air on high-efficiency furnaces and may cause premature failure of fan motor.

Steps to changing your furnace filter:

1) Turn off the power to the unit. Every furnace is required to have shut off switch.
2) Look for the door or panel that conceals the blower; sometimes this is marked “Filter.” Lift this door or panel off of its holding hooks or unscrew its retaining screws to remove it. Some furnaces have a custom sized filter which is held in place by wire screen in bottom compartment of furnace.

3) Standard filters are mounted next to or under the blower motor. Newer furnaces have the filter installed on exterior of furnace on supply side. A good installation will have a metal cover over side of filter to prevent air leakage. Remove cover and slide the filter out along its tracks. Check to see whether it is a disposable filter or intended to be cleaned and replaced–this should be marked on the filter’s edge, along with directions for cleaning if applicable. If it’s a disposable filter, its size will probably be printed on the frame’s edge also. Make a note of its size.

4) Buy a replacement and slide it back into place, noting that arrows stamped on the side indicate the proper direction of airflow; be sure you face these in the proper direction. If your smoke detectors or carbon-monoxide detectors start going off after cleaning your filter, you have installed the filter facing the wrong direction. Remove and reverse filter, this will resolve your detector alarm problem.

If someone in your family has allergies and you move to a new home that had pets living in it, cleaning your ducts might be advisable to remove build up which will then allow your filter to perform to its optimum ability. The most recommended type of duct cleaning is with brushes, which are sized according to the duct they are cleaning. This will allow filter to prevent dust and particles from circulating in your home.

Barrie Home Inspector

Home Maintenance and Tips for Home Owners

Tag: Heating