DOHERTY HOME INSPECTIONS
  • Home
  • SCHEDULE & FEES
  • SERVICES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • Blog

EVERY LITTLE THING...

9/30/2019

0 Comments

 
Our home inspections cover A LOT. Typically, we inspect every single room and component inside and outside of your home or prospective home (when accessible). Imagine buying a home and moving in and then realizing the oven doesn't work, the exterior wood trim is decayed and letting water in, the crawl space lights don't function, several outlets have open grounds or reverse polarity (which is a safety issue), the spare bedroom window is broken, and there is a mysterious stain on the ceiling in the master bedroom closet. Issues like this will get discovered in your home inspection and included in the web-based report (with pictures AND VIDEO). Even new houses and houses at the 11-month warranty deadline will have issues - but houses that are 5+ years old and older DEFINITELY need to be inspected and more than pay for themselves in every inspection I have done over the years.
0 Comments

What's Wrong with This Picture?

3/12/2019

0 Comments

 

​.​Can you spot the problem here?

​We'll give you a hint... it rhymes with 'hissing clownsprout'. 
.
.
​.
This gutter is missing a downspout (right side). That means that all of the water from rain, melting snow, etc. drains directly into the area next to and into the foundation. As water penetrates into the foundation month after month, year after year, the foundation starts to deteriorate and the area beneath the home (crawl space) is subjected to repeated exposure to moisture (hello mold). It is recommended that a gutter system with extended downspouts at least 3-6 feet away from the home be installed to protect the wall cladding and foundation areas of the home. This is a common concern/defect that the home inspector finds during his inspections and a very easy fix!
0 Comments

Crawl Space 101

1/30/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
The crawl space is one of the most crucial areas a home inspector should inspect. This particular opening isn't exactly large, but trust us, our inspector Rick has gotten into MUCH smaller spaces (attic openings are especially fun!). A home's crawl space often contains HVAC components, exposed plumbing pipes, insulation, and vapor barriers and/or other encapsulation materials. All of these items should be carefully inspected to ensure they are functioning as intended. Signs of trouble can also be spotted in the foundation and in crawl spaces that are wet and musty - dry is what he's looking for!

Image courtesy of Trevor Holman Photography

0 Comments

RAIN RAIN, GO AWAY ... AT LEAST 6 FEET AWAY

10/1/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
After all the rain from Hurricane Florence, we thought it would be a good time to remind everyone about a very simple fix that can save you thousands of dollars in water/foundation damage. 

ALL of the downspouts and pipes around your home should extend at least 6 feet away from your foundation. You can do this yourself by adding flexible pipe (found at Lowes or Home Depot) to the end of the downspout, or if you want something more aesthetically pleasing, you can have piping like a French drain added below ground, leading away from the foundation. 

If you don't address drainage issues (like the one pictured), water - especially heavy rainfall - will continually seep into the foundation, crawl space, etc., and will gradually weaken the foundation and make your home unstable. Cracks in the foundation will eventually form under these conditions and could lead to major (and costly) damage over time. 
0 Comments

STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY

9/7/2017

5 Comments

 
Picture
Don't step on a crack or ... Actually this is a vertical crack. IN THE FOUNDATION. Keep your eyes peeled for tell-tale signs like this that could affect the stability of your current or prospective home. When walking around the exterior of the home and when looking inside the crawlspace (if you can get in there, you should), pay very close attention to the condition of the foundation walls. Stepping cracks, horizontal, and vertical cracks can all indicate potential problems. Sometimes these are easily fixed but sometimes the repairs can be quite costly. Our home inspector will locate and identify these types of issues so that you can make an informed decision about the next steps in the buying process.
5 Comments

    From Rick & Lori:

    Yes, we've joined the 21st Century and started a (mini) blog!  Check here for great updates and tips about your current or prospective home.
    ​Call us at 919-914-0606 to schedule your inspection.

    Archives

    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017

    Categories

    All
    Animal And Insect Issues
    Attic Inspections
    Crawlspace
    Deck Tips
    Dishwasher Inspections
    Downspout Gutter Issues
    Driveways And Walkways
    Dryer Vents
    Efficiency Issues
    Electrical Safety Tips
    End Of Warranty Inspections
    Fire Safety
    Foundation Cracks
    Home Foundation Issues
    Home Inspections
    Home Inspection Tips
    Home Inspector
    Home Safety Tips
    Hot Water Heater Tips
    HVAC Tips
    Inspection Reports
    Landscaping Solutions
    Mold Issues
    New Home Construction
    Plumbing Tips
    REALTOR Spotlight
    Renovations
    Roof Tips
    Sealing Your Driveway
    Standing Water Problems
    Structural Integrity
    Vinyl Siding Tips
    Water Damage

    RSS Feed

Reach us 7 days a week by calling 919-914-0606 or email us at info@dohertyhomeinspections.com
  • Home
  • SCHEDULE & FEES
  • SERVICES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • Blog