On-Sight Home Inspections Ltd.
1243 Eagleview Crt SW T1B4B8 Medicine Hat, AB, Canada

Over time, minerals suspended in your incoming household water supply can settle to the bottom of your water heater and build up quite an accumulation. The harder your water, the more quickly this can happen. For gas water heaters, in particular, with burners on the bottom, this accumulated layer of deposits can act as an insulation blanket, cutting down the burner's efficiency, increasing energy costs and, in some cases, lead to premature failure of the tank itself. Sedim...ent can also get stirred up by incoming water and carried to faucet aerators, shower heads and washing machine filters. It can clog these fittings causing stuttering, spurting and, in some cases, severe restriction of water flow. Annually draining your water heater can greatly reduce the risk of damage caused by sediment and prolong the life of your water heater. A licensed plumber can do the job for you or you can follow the steps below to easily drain the water heater yourself. Turn off the Water Supply - If you have an electric water heater, turn off the power at the breaker-box. If yours is a gas heater, turn the thermostat to the "pilot" setting. Connect a hose to the drain valve located close to the thermostat, but don't open the valve yet. Turn off the cold-water supply that feeds the water-heater. Drain the Hot Water - Inside your house, open up one of the hot-water faucets in one of your sinks or tubs. This will prevent a vacuum from forming in the lines. Go back to the water-heater, and open the drain valve to drain the hot water out of the tank. Make sure the far end of the hose is draining somewhere that won't be harmed by hot water. An outside driveway is ideal. Flush out the Remaining Sediment - Once the water stops flowing out of the far end of the hose, turn the water supply back on. This will flush out any remaining sediment left behind in the heater. Once the water runs clear from the end of the hose, close the DRAIN valve. Don't forget to turn the hot-water faucet inside your house back off. The heating element could possibly blow if there is no water in the tank. Some tanks may need to be completely full in order to prevent damage. When in doubt, always read the warnings and instructions on the tank label carefully because each tank may vary! Test the Pressure-Release Valve - Turn the power-supply to the water heater back on at the breaker box (or the thermostat), after the tank has filled with water. Once the water temperature has been brought back up, test the pressure-relief valve according to the manufacturer's instructions. This safety device is designed to prevent excess pressure build-up or overheating inside the tank. If it's faulty, you may need to have it replaced by a licensed plumber.

HOW TO FIX 3 COMMON PROBLEMS WITH YOUR AIR CONDITIONER When your air conditioner suddenly stops working, it can be cause for alarm or it can be something as simple as a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. While many problems with your air conditioner will require a professional technician to repair the issue, we find that sometimes a homeowner can fix simple problems with a little troubleshooting....Continue reading

WHY IS VENTILATION IMPORTANT? Home ventilation is important to maintain comfort, health, and indoor air quality in the home. Without proper ventilation, air in the home becomes stagnant, contaminants exist at higher concentrations, and moisture levels can rise, leading to mold and other issues. ...Continue reading

HOW IMPORTANT ARE DOWNPIPE EXTENSIONS? If you don't have them....Get them!!! Downspout extensions play an important role as a vital rain diffusion accessory for your home. A downspout extension is an add-on to your gutter system that is designed to allow water to fall to the ground in a controlled manner, then divert water away from the foundation and structure of your home. The placement of a quality downpipe extension will help to keep water from dispelling next to your home and is equally crucial as having a maintained gutter system. This is important because the accumulation of water around the base of your home can cause severe and costly damage to your basement, patio, or structure of your home!

THE IMPORTANCE OF CLEAN GUTTER The siding, the foundation, interior finishes, and even the landscaping can be ruined if you don’t take proper care of your gutters. Too many people don’t take care of their gutters, believing it to be an unimportant and uninteresting task. However, cleaning your gutters should be penciled in on your maintenance calendar at least once a month. Protect your home and its value Gutters allow rainwater to keep from collecting on the roof, along the... side of the house and at the home’s foundation. They’re designed to direct the water away, but when they’re clogged by leaves and other debris, the water can’t run through them. This leads to three problems that are costly and can be dangerous for the home’s occupants. Problem #1: Rot When the water isn’t able to run cleanly through gutters, it drips down the side. Whether it’s because the gutters have pulled away from the house or because they’re too full of debris to hold more water, the water still has to go somewhere. So it drips down the side of the house. This causes the siding to rot, become stained and create ice dams in the winter. The roof also rots. This can lead to needing expensive repairs and new tiles for the roof. READ What does a home warranty protect? Problem #2: Foundation issues As the gutters direct water away from the home’s foundation, they send it to part of the yard or area around your house that can absorb it. However, when the gutters are broken or overflowing, the water drips down, eventually creating cracks and making it’s way into the basement. This can lead to mold and rot indoors, and it can chip away at the foundation. This can make your whole home unsteady and is very expensive to repair. Problem #3: Pests Mosquitoes, and other pests, love nothing more than standing water. Debris-filled gutters can still hold enough water to attract flies and mosquitoes. At worst this can end up exposing your family to illnesses like West Nile, and at best it makes time spent outside unpleasant because of the risk of bug bites. To avoid pests, rot and foundation issues caused by poorly kept gutters, clean them out at least once a month. Don’t just make sure the debris is out, but check for mold and make sure they run clean. If it’s difficult, hire a professional. A small investment can save you thousands of dollars in repairs.

How Asbestos Becomes a Hazard Asbestos becomes a hazard when it is airborne. If asbestos in the home becomes damaged, asbestos fibers may be released. For example, when asbestos insulation around boilers, furnaces, and pipes deteriorates, it releases asbestos dust. Blown ceilings containing asbestos may release fibers when they are drilled or patched. If the ceilings are in poor condition, air movement from ceiling fans and opening and closing draperies may spread asbestos du...Continue reading