Providence Home Inspections

Typically, heat loss in the basement accounts for 20-25% of the heating bill!

Is your home already insulated? Some homes may have vermiculite insulation which may contain asbestos.

Typically, heat loss in the basement accounts for 20-25% of the heating bill! Insulating the interior/exterior of the basement improves thermal efficiency...just in time for the winter months!

Control air leakage! Uncontrolled air leakage can account for 30-40% of the heating bill. Cracks through the exterior walls allow mosit air to leak out and cold, dry air to leak in. Homeowners should caulk all cracks form the inside such as around window frames, baseboards, sill plates, openings for pipes and wiring. Also, make sure the attic and basement are insulated!

Preventative Measures for Termite Control: The exterior wall assembly should be inspected annually. Any faults in the wall covering should be repaired immediately. Caulking should be used at all joints of dissimilar materials.

Protect you and your family against carbon monoxide poisoning! Have a qualified, certified home inspector, such as Providence Home Inspections check your home for potential hazards! Carbon Monoxide FAQs What is it? colorless, ordorless, tasteless gas. Signs:... Stuffy air, water vapor, back draft, and soot(from fireplace). Symptoms: Headache, weakness, nausea, vomiting, and loss of muscle control. Symptoms may be flu-like. Effects: If inhaled, carbon monoxide takes away oxygen from the blood. Prolonged exposure may lead to unconsciousness, brain damage, or death. Causes: Blocked, dirty vents, flues, chimneys and furnaces, as well as improper venting while burning wood stoves/fireplaces. Cracked / rusted heat exchangers and faulty gas appliances. Deaths: Approximately 200/year Prevention: Annual inspection and cleaning of Furnaces, Chimneys, Fireplaces, and Gas dryers See more

Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!

The Rod Holes: Water usually enters the basement through some type of opening or penetration. The most common type of opening is a Foundation Crack. A concrete foundation will crack because concrete expands and contracts. This is to accommodate the movement of the wall, making them a natural occurrence and very, very common.

Any change to the original wiring including repair and replacement of electrical devices. Electrical inspections are required for all electrical work (new installments and modifications). ESA will provide information on inspection requirements for the work being done.

Uncontrolled Air Leakage can account from 30-40% of the heating bill. Cracks through the building envelope (exterior walls) allow moist air to leak out and cold dry air to leak in. This makes the home uncomfortable and may cause some structural damage if excessive condensation is allowed to develop within the walls.

Detection of Radon: You may buy radon testing canisters at large hardware stores or look in the telephone directory under Radon Gas or Laboratories.

Replacing the roof covering: There is no definate time period when roofing products totally fail. You should undertake to replace your roof covering soon or at a financially convenient time. Should you wish to defer the cost of replacement, we recommend the following roof maintenance or roof "tune-up" procedures. Caulk all roof joints and flashings, damaged or worn shingles should be sealed with tar or replaced, worn valleys or ridges should be repaired with tar or suitably patched.

Tips on how to prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisioning: Have a qualified service technician check the furnace and other fuel burning equipment for safety and efficiency, make sure a coal or wood-burning stove is properly installed and vented, don't operate a gasoline powered engine kerosene stove or charcoal grill in closed space, clean and inspect your chimneys regularly!

KNOB & TUBE WIRINGThis was a wiring method used up to the 1940's and has no grounding conductor. This wiring may have to be removed from the home and replaced with modern romex conventional copper that meet the needs of today's electrical capacity within the home.