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Monthly Archives: August 2011
After each replacement, the doorbell worked for about two or three days, then the transformer blew out. What could be causing this to happen? Is it due to a short in the wiring? Do I need an electrician or should I consider replacing the electric doorbell with a wireless one. I have a front and a back doorbell.
A wireless doorbell is an option, but I am not a fan of them. They are better than nothing, but I prefer the real wired doorbells. If there is a short in the wires to your buttons at the doors … Continue reading
Posted in Ask the Home Inspector
Tagged Auto, door, doorbells, doors, Draft, electrician, fan, front, nbsp, replacement, wireless doorbell, wiring
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Smoke detectors cannot be used in unfinished attics because the temperature fluctuations and dust found in attics can cause the smoke detector to malfunction.What do you think?
I don’t disagree that these unfriendly areas may damage the smoke detectors or cause them to malfunction, but the way I see it for what they cost (usually around $10 – $15) you can replace them every year if needed. … Continue reading
Our home is about 7 years old and we have the original appliances in our kitchen. Our dishwasher still works well but has become really ugly due to the stains on the inside of the washer. There are rusty, orange stains on the inside. I have tried different cleaners, including bleach to try and get rid of the stains with no luck. I really don’t want to replace the dishwasher because it still works well. Any suggestions to clean the stains?
There are a couple of things you can try that should get rid of the stains. Citric acid usually works very well in cleaning stains. If you can find centric acid by itself that will work the best. If you … Continue reading
Posted in Ask the Home Inspector
Tagged Auto, bleach, dishwasher, Draft, home, kitchen, luck, orange, rust stains, swimming pool, vitamin c, washer
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Now the mold is back again. I know in south Louisiana it is a problem, but I have friends who say they never have a mold problem and the grout around their bathtub has never been replaced. Could there be something growing on our walls behind the tub area? I am just so sick and tired of this. I would be embarrassed for anyone to see the grout about our tub. And is it harmful for us to be breathing this?Do you know of anyone who could come look at our mold problem?
Mold is a constant problem in Louisiana due to our high humidity. The mold spores are always present. If the moisture levels rise they start to go and off gas. Usually the molds that may grow behind your wallpaper or … Continue reading
Posted in Ask the Home Inspector
Tagged Auto, bathtub, Draft, enclosure, fight mold, moisture, mold, mold and mildew, mold growth, mold problem, mold spores, wallpaper
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My husband & I recently remodeled our bathroom. We did some of the work and hired some of it out. We had a plumber change the faucets and we did the tile work. We did not realize it until after we put the tile up that the plumber put the faucet too far in. Now the handle and cover will not go on. Do you know any way to fix this without tearing out the tile?
This is actually a common problem. It should be able to be corrected without removing the tile. The first thing I would suggest is to call the manufacture to see if they sell a valve or stem extension, most manufactures … Continue reading
Posted in Ask the Home Inspector
Tagged Auto, bathroom, change, Draft, faucet, faucets, plumber, plumbing company, problem, tile work, way, work
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I am going to get my fireplace ready for winter, (even though it is several months away) and wanted to know what I need to do.
It actually is not a bad idea to start early. You have a better chance of getting a chimney sweep now than in January. If you have not had your flue cleaned in a few years you want to be … Continue reading
Posted in Ask the Home Inspector
Tagged Auto, chance, chimney sweep, corrosion, Draft, idea, loose bricks, moisture, moisture intrusion, o neal, professional, wood burner
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Every year my air conditioner shuts off about this time of year due to water in the pan under the unit in the attic. It always happens on the hottest day of the year. How can I keep this from happening?
This is a common problem in our climate. What happens is the drain line gets clogged with algae and the water backs up into the safety pan. If you do not have a safety float switch to shut the unit … Continue reading
Posted in Ask the Home Inspector
Tagged algae, Auto, conditioner, couple of times a year, day of the year, Draft, drain line, hottest day of the year, household bleach, line, problem, water
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The lights in my house go dim every time the dishwasher starts or changes cycles. I also notice it when my wife turns on the dryer or washing machine. Is this something to be concerned about?
Your problem can be due to a couple of different things. A lot of times it is due to lose connections in the breaker panel or incoming service from the utility company. Both of these conditions should be checked and … Continue reading
Posted in Ask the Home Inspector
Tagged Auto, different things, dim, Draft, electrician, house, incoming service, loose connections, machine, problem, washing machine
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I have ceiling fans on my back porch, gazebo and in my outdoor kitchen. Over the years the blades on the fans have drooped making the fans look funny. They actually still work fairly well, but don’t look so good. What can I do?
I see this quite a bit when inspecting homes. If you buy fans made for use outside they usually have plastic blades that do not sag as much. My son who is also a licensed home inspector gave the only … Continue reading
Posted in Ask the Home Inspector
Tagged Auto, back porch, Draft, home, home inspector, inspector, look, outdoor ceiling fans, outdoor kitchen, plastic, plastic blades, sag
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Some of the locks on my outside doors are hard to put the key in. Even the doors I use all of the time are hard to put the key in. Sometimes the key gets stuck in and is hard to get out. Is there anything I can do other than buy new locks?
Unless the key or lock has been damaged, this is generally due to corrosion or dirt in the locking mechanism. Use a cleaning agent for locks and graphite to clean and lubricate the lock. Be sure to purchase “lock” cleaning … Continue reading
Posted in Ask the Home Inspector
Tagged Auto, corrosion, Draft, graphite, lock, locks, lubricants, mechanism, reoccur, spray, spray cleaners
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