Fall Home Improvement
Staff Writer
With summer fading and harvest hues on the horizon, fall offers homeowners a chance before winter’s blustery weather to make home repairs, and Tana McNutt of Northland Home Inspection Service, Inc., says common sense whether selling, buying or just upgrading your home is a priority. As a home inspector, McNutt has completed 113 home inspections and has come away with one home nearly perfect. She looks at the home’s exterior and interior for wear and tear. She starts at ground level and works her way up.
“Probably the number-one thing I find is trouble with the basements,” McNutt said. “Many people have damp basements around here, but there are things you can do.”
If people have a damp basement, they should put in a sump pump and a dehumidifier to clear the moisture, noted McNutt. If a person’s lot slopes toward the basement, the homeowner may get runoff. That should be fixed … have fill hauled in and re-grade.
Another item that can help with runoff are gutters that direct water away from the basement.
Inside the home, McNutt inspects the electrical system.
“Circuit breakers are a must on my home inspection list,” she said. “I write it up if there are fuses for safety reasons because I was taught that in school.”
Many homes are still furnished with two-plug outlets instead of the three-plug outlet that allows for a ground, McNutt said.
“GFCI outlets in the kitchen and bathrooms are really important,” she added. “It’s about safety even if you are not selling your home.”
Then there is the plumbing within the home.
“I make sure there are shutoffs on all the fixtures,” McNutt said. “You’d be surprised how often there are no shutoff valves.’
She flushes the toilet and runs water to make sure the drains are all working properly.
“I even check the stopper in the sink, which most of the time doesn’t work,” she said with a laugh.
Also, make sure all fixtures are in good condition without cracks or stains.
Other items often overlooked are the doors and windows.
“They should open and close easily,” McNutt said. “They should lock and unlock easily, too. And, there should be screens in all windows.”
Then it’s up to the attic and roof for a look around.
“Most roofs around here are good for 20 to 25 years,” McNutt noted. “You can tell if your roof needs replacing by the shingle wear. I’m finding more people going with metal.”
McNutt also inspects flashing around the chimney and stink pipe.
The attic can also tell an inspector if the roof leaks, too. So, inspectors take a glance inside the attic for leakage and insulation.
McNutt recommends at least six inches of insulation creating an R value of 18.80.
“Usually if the insulation is blown in, it is better than the batts,” she added. “A lot of older places aren’t insulated at all, especially older farmhouses.”
Other parts of the home checked by inspectors are the siding, decks, stairs and the furnace.
“The siding shouldn’t have any cracks or holes,” said McNutt. “And if it is wood siding and it is flaking, it needs to be painted.”
Homeowners should have their furnaces cleaned yearly for proper operation.
“You’d be surprised how many people don’t clean the furnace or make sure it is operating well,” McNutt said. “Make sure there is nothing combustible — paint or gasoline — stored near it.”
On decks, inspectors will look for rotten wood, railings on stairs of three or more and balusters to make sure they are three inches apart so a child’s head cannot get stuck.
The yard is also checked for debris or potential problems. Check large trees close to the house for roots that may be growing into the foundation and causing problems, and make sure that electrical wires from the pole to the home are clear from trees and branches. If there is a problem, call the electrical company.
Retaining walls and cracks in driveways need to be taken care of, too. McNutt also places a roll of paper towel — which is the size and consistency of a child’s head – under the automatic garage door. The door should stop when it touches the roll of paper towel. If not, that is a big concern in McNutt’s report.
“Even if there are minor problems, I will write them in my report, not to affect the sale, but so the new homeowner can at least fix those items before they become a bigger problem,” McNutt said. “Many things you fix just because you live there, instead of getting ready to sell.”
But, many people let the small problems fester.
“A lot of people don’t take care of the little thing and then it gets beyond them,” McNutt said. “The little thing is cheaper and homeowners can repair it themselves usually, but if it gets too involved, you have to hire someone to fix it.”
McNutt attempts to inspect all of the following (when accessible):
• Roof, vents, flashings, and trim
• Gutters and downspouts
• Skylight, chimney and other roof penetrations
• Decks, stoops, porches, walkways, and railings
• Eaves, soffit and fascia
• Grading and drainage
• Basement, foundation and crawlspace
• Water penetration and foundation movement
• Heating systems
• Cooling systems
• Main water shut off valves
• Water heating system
• Interior plumbing fixtures and faucets
• Drainage sump pumps with accessible floats
• Electrical service line and meter box
• Main disconnect and service amperage
• Electrical panels, breakers and fuses
• Grounding and bonding
• GFCIs and AFCIs
• Fireplace damper door and hearth
• Insulation and ventilation
• Garage doors, safety sensors, and openers and more
McNutt serves Aroostook, Washington and Penobscot counties, and she is willing to travel to other counties if an inspector from an area is backlogged with inspections. McNutt can finish an inspection within 24-48 hours’ notice and will deliver the report within 24 hours.
For more information or to schedule an inspection, call McNutt at 207-532-3536.
