Top Home Inspection Issues
Here are some common problems that general home inspections bring to light.
1. Plumbing:
• Leaking around exposed pipes, particularly with washing machines.• Outdated pipes. It's common to find old Polybutylene pipes, which your inspector will recommend replacing. 2. Electrical: • Ungrounded outlets. You can recognize these by their two-slot configuration versus the three-slot configuration of a grounded outlet. Most inspectors will recommend that you upgrade to grounded outlets.
• Improperly wired breaker boxes. Common hazards include two circuits on a single-pole breaker, oversized breakers, double-pole breakers that supply two single circuits, and wires that cross over the panel's center.
3. Heating:
• Leaks in piping or heating unit; air ducts that need cleaning.• Not enough insulation. Insulation requirements vary by location, but an improperly insulated home will always lead to high energy bills.
4. Drainage:
• A wet basement is a problem because it indicates that water isn't properly draining away from the home.• Mold in the air. When water isn't draining properly, it can result in mold in the air. Mold can also be a byproduct of dry rot.
• Bowed or damaged walls and signs of mold or water problems
7. Dry rot:
- This occurs when fungus grows in your home's wood due to high condensation. The affected wood will have to be replaced.
- Another main concern is figuring out why the condensation is occurring in the first place.
Home Inspection Myth: You don't need a home inspection for a newly constructed home. Not so. Property defects come upon new construction all the time. Just because the house is new doesn't mean it was built properly. Home Inspection Myth: You don't need a home inspection if you're buying a home warranty. Home warranties rarely cover everything. You'll want to know of any potential problems before your closing so that you the seller can take care of them.
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Local Expert Updates
Brooke Jones
Cell: 641.420.2172
Janie Eick
Cell: 712.339.0574
Greg Sheeler
Cell: 712.330.1573Community Updates
Campus Redemption Center
Have a bunch of cans piling up needing to be recycled? Look no further than the Campus Redemption Center in Milford, Iowa. Some may remember the old location as “Campus Video.” The owner Tom, has quite the set up and will pay $.04 for Iowa deposit containers that come in any bag whether sorted or un-sorted; these will be counted while you wait and there is a 500 limit per day. You’ll be paid $.05 for Iowa deposit containers IF pre-sorted and counted in clear redemption bags. Bags and boxes can be purchased inside. They do not accept glass of any kind. So the next time you’re thinking about tossing out those used cans, think recycling; think Campus Redemption Center at 1904 Okoboji Ave., Milford, Iowa. Hours are Monday - Thursday 12pm -5pm, Fridays CLOSED, and Saturdays 10:30am - 2:30pm.
Ruthven Meat Locker
Ruthven Meat Locker is a local family owned business. Ruthven Locker at the Lakes is their 2nd retail store (with the original Meat Processing plant being a staple in the small town of Ruthven, Iowa). They are a full service meat shop providing their customers with excellent high quality cuts of beef & pork. Also provided are smoked meat snacks which they make right on site in Ruthven. Sure to please even the pickiest of palates! Ruthven Meat Locker prides themselves on promoting other local small businesses by selling them in our Spirit Lake store. You find everything from fine wood pieces to local honey, microgreens, baked goods, and delicious cheesecake. The Butcher’s Wife is always available to answer your questions and take special orders. Come on in and you’ll soon see that the rumors are true!
Comfortec Heating, Cooling & Plumbing
Comfortec has trained and licensed technicians who can handle the job whether you have no heat or a loud noise coming from your equipment. We are a Carrier, Ruud and Lennox dealer giving us an advantage when it comes to working with different types of furnaces. We carry a wide variety of parts and can service any brand of furnace or AC. When it comes to needing someone to come handle your heating or cooling issue, we get there fast and get the job done right anywhere in our service region. Additionally, we provide emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week because problems with your heating and cooling systems or plumbing rarely only occur during a normal workday.