Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Septic Systems and Their Maintenance
Anybody interested in getting down and dirty about this hot topic? I'll start a multi-part posting about this subject soon. I gota go.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Are the Utilities ON?
This year has started out with a number of potential clients who want an inspection completed on their home under contract, but the home does not have the utilities on. The home is winterized, for good reason. It's freezing out there.
Remember that a home inspection is a visual examination of the home and includes operating all components and systems by their normal controls. If the power is off, nothing can be operated. No gas = no heat.
Winterized homes provide the biggest challenge to home inspectors, since water problems can create big problems. Some folks think the home inspector should turn the water on or de-winterize the house. But this is usually not within their scope of work, can be time consuming and usually is a two man job (one at the water meter shut-off and one inside the home looking/listening for leaks or open valves). It also puts the home inspector in a postion for potential damages due to water problems during or after the inspection, when the seller turns the power off again but does not re-winterize the home.
Best advise is to have the home professionally de-winterized and all utilities turned on prior to the home inspection. I believe this should be the seller's responsibility since they want to sell their home.
I'm looking forward to a better year in 2010.
Remember that a home inspection is a visual examination of the home and includes operating all components and systems by their normal controls. If the power is off, nothing can be operated. No gas = no heat.
Winterized homes provide the biggest challenge to home inspectors, since water problems can create big problems. Some folks think the home inspector should turn the water on or de-winterize the house. But this is usually not within their scope of work, can be time consuming and usually is a two man job (one at the water meter shut-off and one inside the home looking/listening for leaks or open valves). It also puts the home inspector in a postion for potential damages due to water problems during or after the inspection, when the seller turns the power off again but does not re-winterize the home.
Best advise is to have the home professionally de-winterized and all utilities turned on prior to the home inspection. I believe this should be the seller's responsibility since they want to sell their home.
I'm looking forward to a better year in 2010.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
2010 Guide
HANDBOOK for 2010 (or the rest of your life)
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2009.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't overdo. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...
Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
Everyone have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy & Blessed New Year!
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2009.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't overdo. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...
Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
Everyone have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy & Blessed New Year!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Who are you going to Call?
How to select your Home Inspector
You’ve been looking at homes for months, made an offer and its been accepted – Yippee!
Now it’s time to get the property inspected. Find out the real condition of the property. Looking beyond the fresh paint and new carpet. But who are you going to call?
It’s not like buying a candy bar; all inspectors are hardly alike. And the Great State of Georgia has No Minimum Requirements for a home inspector’s qualifications. That’s right, anybody can call themselves an expert home inspector, a certified master home inspector or any other impressive sounding title.
So what’s a Buyer or Seller to do? Ask a lot of questions, such as:
What’s your education? Architects, engineers and building science degrees are the best.
What’s your experience? How long have you been in business? How many homes have you inspected? Are you full time or part time?
What’s your professional affiliation? Are you a member of any national or state home inspection organization? Do you maintain a minimum number of continuing education credits annually? What does it mean to be “certified” by your organization?
When the above questions have been answered, then ask for a quotation and schedule availability, so you can evaluate and select the best inspection firm for you.
For more information about Hawkeye Inspection Services, our qualifications and fees, please check our website at www.hawkeyeinspection.com.
You’ve been looking at homes for months, made an offer and its been accepted – Yippee!
Now it’s time to get the property inspected. Find out the real condition of the property. Looking beyond the fresh paint and new carpet. But who are you going to call?
It’s not like buying a candy bar; all inspectors are hardly alike. And the Great State of Georgia has No Minimum Requirements for a home inspector’s qualifications. That’s right, anybody can call themselves an expert home inspector, a certified master home inspector or any other impressive sounding title.
So what’s a Buyer or Seller to do? Ask a lot of questions, such as:
What’s your education? Architects, engineers and building science degrees are the best.
What’s your experience? How long have you been in business? How many homes have you inspected? Are you full time or part time?
What’s your professional affiliation? Are you a member of any national or state home inspection organization? Do you maintain a minimum number of continuing education credits annually? What does it mean to be “certified” by your organization?
When the above questions have been answered, then ask for a quotation and schedule availability, so you can evaluate and select the best inspection firm for you.
For more information about Hawkeye Inspection Services, our qualifications and fees, please check our website at www.hawkeyeinspection.com.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Who Knew?
WD-40. Who knew?
! WD-40 who knew? 'Water Displacement #40' The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts. WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a 'water displacement' compound. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40. The Convair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts.
Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you. When you read the 'shower door' part, try it. It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass. It's a miracle! Then try it on your stove top ... Voila! It's now shinier than it's ever been. You'll be amazed.
Here are some other uses:
1. Protects silver from tarnishing.
2. Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4. Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery.
5. Keeps flies off cows.
6. Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7. Removes lipstick stains.
8. Loosens stubborn zippers.
9. Untangles jewelry chains.
10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
12. Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing ..
13. Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16. Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes.
18. It removes black scuff marks from t he kitchen floor! Use WD-40 for those nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring. It doesn't seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off. Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.
19. Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly! Use WD-40!
20. Gives a children's playground gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.
21. Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers.
22. Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.
23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.
24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.
25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.
26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.
28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.
29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.
30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.
31. Removes splattered grease on stove.
32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35. Removes all traces of duct tape.
36. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.
37. Florida 's favorite use is: 'cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.
38. The favorite use in the state of New York, WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.
39. WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose. Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states.
40. Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch.
41. WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag.
42. Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash. Presto! The lipstick is gone!
43. If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would displace the moisture and allow the car to start.
P. S. The basic ingredient is FISH OIL.
! WD-40 who knew? 'Water Displacement #40' The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts. WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a 'water displacement' compound. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40. The Convair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts.
Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you. When you read the 'shower door' part, try it. It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass. It's a miracle! Then try it on your stove top ... Voila! It's now shinier than it's ever been. You'll be amazed.
Here are some other uses:
1. Protects silver from tarnishing.
2. Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4. Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery.
5. Keeps flies off cows.
6. Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7. Removes lipstick stains.
8. Loosens stubborn zippers.
9. Untangles jewelry chains.
10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
12. Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing ..
13. Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16. Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes.
18. It removes black scuff marks from t he kitchen floor! Use WD-40 for those nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring. It doesn't seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off. Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.
19. Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly! Use WD-40!
20. Gives a children's playground gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.
21. Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers.
22. Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.
23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.
24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.
25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.
26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.
28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.
29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.
30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.
31. Removes splattered grease on stove.
32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35. Removes all traces of duct tape.
36. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.
37. Florida 's favorite use is: 'cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.
38. The favorite use in the state of New York, WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.
39. WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose. Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states.
40. Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch.
41. WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag.
42. Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash. Presto! The lipstick is gone!
43. If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would displace the moisture and allow the car to start.
P. S. The basic ingredient is FISH OIL.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Says Who?
Last weekend, I attended the SE Home Inspectors Conference in order to maintain at least 20+ hours of continuing education every year.
Sometimes, the best advise comes from an unexpected source - this time from a conference speakers 7 year old son. He explained that frequently his son would question his parental authority by simply asking "Says Who?" That got me thinking about similar situations often occur during the Home Inspection process of explaining defects to either Buyer or Seller and their agents. The discussion usually starts by me explaining a particular defect, for example some steps missing a handrail, when the Seller states "that's the way it has always been and our builder said it was OK."
I always try to provide an authoritative reference for any defect listed in the Home Inspection Report, such as manufacturers written installation instructions or the Building Code in effect at the time of the home construction. It's also good to remember that the building code is the absolute minimum construction standards which are in place for your safety. You can always exceed the building code, but you should never go below these minimum standards.
Sometimes, the best advise comes from an unexpected source - this time from a conference speakers 7 year old son. He explained that frequently his son would question his parental authority by simply asking "Says Who?" That got me thinking about similar situations often occur during the Home Inspection process of explaining defects to either Buyer or Seller and their agents. The discussion usually starts by me explaining a particular defect, for example some steps missing a handrail, when the Seller states "that's the way it has always been and our builder said it was OK."
I always try to provide an authoritative reference for any defect listed in the Home Inspection Report, such as manufacturers written installation instructions or the Building Code in effect at the time of the home construction. It's also good to remember that the building code is the absolute minimum construction standards which are in place for your safety. You can always exceed the building code, but you should never go below these minimum standards.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Good advice from Lance
Lance's List
Five ways to triumph when feeling overwhelmed:
Get mad. Focus your anger on making positive change.
Put fear in perspective. What's the worst that can happen?
Be ready. Preparation breeds confidence.
Don't dwell. Forget minor setbacks; move on.
Embrace anxiety. It's motivation to take action.
From an interview with Armstrong in Men's Health magazine at http://tinyurl.com/ntdryz
Five ways to triumph when feeling overwhelmed:
Get mad. Focus your anger on making positive change.
Put fear in perspective. What's the worst that can happen?
Be ready. Preparation breeds confidence.
Don't dwell. Forget minor setbacks; move on.
Embrace anxiety. It's motivation to take action.
From an interview with Armstrong in Men's Health magazine at http://tinyurl.com/ntdryz
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