Crawlspaces Inspection

If you have a crawlspace, you should inspect it at least twice a year. This is to check for the accumulation of moisture on the floor or condensation on the structural material.

Ventilation in these places is very important, as such you should have through-the-wall ventilators. You should check the crawlspace on very hot or cold days. If there is water accumulation, this is a sign that the ventilation is not sufficient.
Asbestos insulation is frequently detected around boiler lines. If it is in good condition, it can be covered with tightly sealed plastic to keep the fibers from becoming airborne. If it is not in good condition, it will need to be removed, however the homeowner should never attempt this removal. Instead they should call a specialist.

We are the Columbia River Gorge's Premier Inspection Company. If there is anything we can ever do to help you when buying or selling a home then check us out on the web @ www.thepremierinspector.com or give us a call Hood River, OR (541) 386-3968 or in The Dalles (541) 296-0102. We also perform Infrared Thermal Imaging and Home Energy Audits. Save Money, be Green, increase your home's value, and be more comfortable. Premier Inspection Services LLC Hood River Home Inspection The Dalles Home Inspection

Furnace Maintenance

Furnaces can be fueled by many different things. Electric Furnaces are the cleanest but can be the most expensive to operate in some areas. These furnaces require very little maintenance other than changing the filter and occasionally replacing a burnt out heating element.

Forced air gas furnaces are quite efficient and are much more common than the oil furnace. The heat exchanger in these is quite difficult to inspect because it is encased inside the cabinet. If a hole develops in the heat exchanger, the entire unit should be replaced.
If there is an accumulation of rust flakes in the bottom of the unit you should have it checked out.

Maintenance of a Forced Gas Furnace is fairly easy, consisting of cleaning the combustion compartment and flue annually. Gas furnaces should be serviced by a qualified technician every two or three years. While oil burning ones should be serviced every year.


We are the Columbia River Gorge's Premier Inspection Company. If there is anything we can ever do to help you when buying or selling a home then check us out on the web @ www.thepremierinspector.com or give us a call Hood River, OR (541) 386-3968 or in The Dalles (541) 296-0102. We also perform Infrared Thermal Imaging and Home Energy Audits. Save Money, be Green, increase your home's value, and be more comfortable. Premier Inspection Services LLC Hood River Home Inspection The Dalles Home Inspection

Humidifiers

Forced hot air may become very dry and you may wish to add some moisture to it. This is normally done with a humidifier. When placing this humidifier you should not place it directly over the furnace heat exchange.

If the humidifier is not kept clean, or if water leaks it can flow into the furnace causing a hole and the furnace will need to be replaced.
It is preferred to put the humidifier on duct work away from the furnace. it is also preferred that you use the evaporation type of humidifier as opposed to the spray type, because the evaporator type is more easily maintained.

Remember, that all humidifiers need routine maintenance and checking, and that these are some of the most neglected appliances in your house.


We are the Columbia River Gorge's Premier Inspection Company. If there is anything we can ever do to help you when buying or selling a home then check us out on the web @ www.thepremierinspector.com or give us a call Hood River, OR (541) 386-3968 or in The Dalles (541) 296-0102. We also perform Infrared Thermal Imaging and Home Energy Audits. Save Money, be Green, increase your home's value, and be more comfortable. Premier Inspection Services LLC Hood River Home Inspection The Dalles Home Inspection

Retaining Walls

Retaining walls have a high chance of settling, bowing, leaning or cracking; especially if the weep holes are too shallow. Weep holes allow the moisture that builds up between the wall and the dirt to escape.

Wood retaining walls can require replacing the broken or rotted boards, while masonry retaining walls can be much more expensive to repair; while you certainly can have them repaired you can also replace the broken pieces with Pressure Treated Lumber, simply because it is less expensive and more easily drained. Remember, proper grading behind retaining walls is essential.




We are the Columbia River Gorge's Premier Inspection Company. If there is anything we can ever do to help you when buying or selling a home then check us out on the web @ www.thepremierinspector.com or give us a call Hood River, OR (541) 386-3968 or in The Dalles (541) 296-0102. We also perform Infrared Thermal Imaging and Home Energy Audits. Save Money, be Green, increase your home's value, and be more comfortable. Premier Inspection Services LLC Hood River Home Inspection The Dalles Home Inspection

Roof Maintenance

Most all roofs can, and will develop leaks in them; and a simple home inspection won't guarantee to find them all.

Leaks normally start as very small crevices or cracks, without the homeowners knowledge. In the early stages of a leak only small amounts seep through the crack, this is not a sufficient amount to alert the homeowner as it doesn't travel through all the layers of the ceiling.

It is recommended that you have your attic, and roof thoroughly checked twice a year for such leaks.

The most common source of leaks is flashing as they are often overlooked when repairing/replacing the roof, so be sure to inspect your flashing from time to time.


We are the Columbia River Gorge's Premier Inspection Company. If there is anything we can ever do to help you when buying or selling a home then check us out on the web @ www.thepremierinspector.com or give us a call Hood River, OR (541) 386-3968 or in The Dalles (541) 296-0102. We also perform Infrared Thermal Imaging and Home Energy Audits. Save Money, be Green, increase your home's value, and be more comfortable. Premier Inspection Services LLC Hood River Home Inspection The Dalles Home Inspection

Smoke Detectors...Check Them Out!!

Well, we just sprung forward because of Daylight Savings. One thing you should always do is check all your smoke alarms and change their batteries. Listen to us on blogtalkradio.com and find out more about the smoke alarms in your home. Is it time to purchase new smoke detectors? Are your current detectors over 10 years old?



Here area a useful link from the State of Oregon when Selling Your Home:

What You Need to Know About Smoke Alarms Before You Sell Your Home

Check out our online radio show on BlogTalkRadio--Smoke Detector Safety

If you have older neighbors or family members, help them be more safe by checking their smoke alarms also.

Be Safe!!

The "House Detective"



We are the Columbia River Gorge's Premier Inspection Company. If there is anything we can ever do to help you when buying or selling a home then check us out on the web @ www.thepremierinspector.com or give us a call Hood River, OR (541) 386-3968 or in The Dalles (541) 296-0102. We also perform Infrared Thermal Imaging and Home Energy Audits. Save Money, be Green, increase your home's value, and be more comfortable. Premier Inspection Services LLC Hood River Home Inspection The Dalles Home Inspection

Water Heaters...

Water Heaters have a life expectancy of 8-12 Years. The two key factors to a water heater are size and recoverability. While gas and oil water heaters are more effective because they have a faster recovery rate, They have to be serviced more often.

Servicing: An oil water heater has to be serviced annually, while a gas water heater has to be serviced every four years, and electric water heaters have elements that occasionally burn out and have to be replaced.


We are the Columbia River Gorge's Premier Inspection Company. If there is anything we can ever do to help you when buying or selling a home then check us out on the web @ www.thepremierinspector.com or give us a call Hood River, OR (541) 386-3968 or in The Dalles (541) 296-0102. We also perform Infrared Thermal Imaging and Home Energy Audits. Save Money, be Green, increase your home's value, and be more comfortable. Premier Inspection Services LLC Hood River Home Inspection The Dalles Home Inspection