The warmer temperatures and days without rain may mean that you’ve been using your sprinkler system a lot more to keep your grass healthy. If you have kids, chances are good that they’ve been home from school through the summer. Typically, this means more people washing their hands, brushing their teeth, taking showers, washing dishes, spraying the hose, and so forth. Has this increased usage of your home’s plumbing system had any impact on it? On the other side of the coin, if you’ve been away from your home for much of the summer, did the lack of use have any impact?

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There are few conditions that can do more damage than water that is allowed to sit on the roof or that seeps in underneath the roofing material. This means that you need to make sure that your gutters and downspouts are doing the work that they were designed for. When there is a rainstorm, a lot of water could collect on your roof. If your gutters or downspouts are clogged, that water can back up underneath the roof.

Another danger is that the water coming out of the downspouts could collect around your foundation and do damage. It is important to have proper grading around your home, as well as a downspout extension to get the water away from your home.

The post An Easy Path For Water appeared first on Long Island Home Inspections | Syosset | Babylon NY | Plainview NY.

This is a reaction referred to as ‘galvanic corrosion’ what does this mean? Well, galvanic corrosion happens when different types of metals are joined together when they shouldn’t be, and then exposed to something that can compromise their union, like water. This would explain why your pipes, something that should hold water without being compromised, start to corrode or rust. Or sometimes a hot water heater contains certain elements or insulation that are metal, but dissimilar to the metal they are joined to, and when exposed to water they rust and have to be replaced.

Think of the statue of liberty, maybe the most notable example of galvanic corrosion, the wrought-iron structure was joined with copper, and when exposed to water the greenish patina corrosion started to take place.

​What are the potential points of galvanic corrosion in your home, how can you avoid them? We’ll talk about this in the next article, and please contact us if you have any questions.

The post What could cause the rusting metal in your home? appeared first on Long Island Home Inspections | Syosset | Babylon NY | Plainview NY.

Flash forward to our day, and now you will find bed bugs are spreading like never before, especially thanks to modern travel. Hotels have become hotspots for spreading bed bugs to the homes of those staying there, and once they get a hold in your home, they are very difficult to get rid of.

To protect yourself, you should take the time before setting down your bags in your hotel room to do a thorough search and make sure you won’t be bringing some unwanted guests home.

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One of the most important things you can do to control the moisture in your bathroom is to increase the airflow. If you have a window in your bathroom, open it as wide as it’ll go during dry days of the year. If you have an exhaust fan, make sure it’s working properly, is clean, and is run during and after each shower. In addition to airflow, do what you can to control moisture. Fix leaky fixtures, dry up water spills, and remove damp towels as soon as possible.

The post Keeping Mold Out Of Your Bathroom appeared first on Long Island Home Inspections | Syosset | Babylon NY | Plainview NY.

While solar energy used to be cost-prohibitive, the technology is more accessible than ever. While the cost of purchasing or leasing and installing the equipment may still be rather high, it can be offset by government incentives and tax credits. Additionally, public utility companies are required to pay you for energy returned to the grid – in other words, the energy that is generated by solar panels that is unused by you. In any case, be sure to do plenty of research if you’re thinking of going solar.

The post Thinking of Going Solar? appeared first on Long Island Home Inspections | Syosset | Babylon NY | Plainview NY.

This is accomplished by various layers of coatings on the glass, which prevent certain infrared and UV rays from penetrating the windows, and reflecting certain heating and cooling inside your home. There are plenty of benefits that come from installing Low-E windows in your home or business. For example, Low-E windows can help save you money on your energy bill and keep furniture and decor from fading due to sunlight.

The post Low-E Windows appeared first on Long Island Home Inspections | Syosset | Babylon NY | Plainview NY.

Did you know?  Your chimney doesn’t just fall on the exterior of the home, but can also collapse in on itself, potentially causing a lot of damage and injury

Make sure that any damage previously incurred to the chimney is quickly repaired

Check that the mortar is in decent shape and repair areas that are crumbling

Look out that the chimney is not visibly coming away from the building

Make sure the chimney has sufficient bracing

It is wise to prevent the areas below, around the chimney from being areas where you would spend time such as areas that children play or outside seating areas.

It is always a good idea to frequently check that your chimney is structurally sound. As your local certified home inspector, I can advise you on many of the ways you can make sure of this. Please contact us for more information.

The post Is My Chimney Earthquake-Proof? appeared first on Long Island Home Inspections | Syosset | Babylon NY | Plainview NY.

The first thing you’d want to look for are potential shingles that are either coming off your roof from wind damage, rain damage, or just general storm damage. This shingles might be easy to pull off, look damaged, or are just not attached to your roof securely. Look for any holes in your roof, and by holes we mean spots where shingles may not cover. They don’t even have to be giant holes, they can start as little tiny holes, then over time, rot your rafters, which would then develop into bigger holes in your roof.

You also want to check your gutter system. Pine needles, grass, branches, and water, when frozen, can expand your system and then cause damage too, not only your gutters, but also to your roof. You can clear all of this debris either by hand, or by using a water hose and spraying every thing out. Regular maintenance on your roof and gutter system will help prevent long term problems for you and your roof.

The post Roof Inspections – Why They’re Necessary appeared first on Long Island Home Inspections | Syosset | Babylon NY | Plainview NY.

Now that the weather is the way it is this time of year, people are understandably looking for more ways to be outside. To that end, many homeowners have invested in playground equipment for their children or grandchildren. This can be a great way for kids to get exercise and sunshine, while simultaneously keeping them occupied.

If you own playground equipment, though, you have an added responsibility when it comes to maintaining it for safety. Undoubtedly you or the person who installed the equipment did so according to the manufacturer’s instructions. However, it’s also a good idea to do some routine inspection and maintenance on your playground equipment. Temperature changes can cause parts of it to warp, and normal use can bend and break other parts. These effects can loosen things up and reveal pinch or tear points that should be repaired to avoid safety hazards. This will help your family to get the most out of your playground equipment without injury.

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