Smiths Creek MI Home Inspections https://huroninspections.com/ Home Inspectors in Port Huron Fri, 18 Jun 2021 17:25:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.1 How to Identify Rotting Wood https://huroninspections.com/how-to-identify-rotting-wood/ Fri, 18 Jun 2021 17:25:32 +0000 https://huroninspections.com/?p=2178 Any condition paired with the word rot can understandably incite fear. As with any household condition that you encounter for the first time, dry rot can be less frightening when you learn what it is and where you’re most likely to find it. Dry rot occurs after moisture and fungus build-up on timber. Dry rot is […]

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Any condition paired with the word rot can understandably incite fear. As with any household condition that you encounter for the first time, dry rot can be less frightening when you learn what it is and where you’re most likely to find it. Dry rot occurs after moisture and fungus build-up on timber. Dry rot is rarely visible or exposed. It usually looks inside walls and underneath the floors and roofing.

Signs to watch for are as follows:

  • Bubbling or blistering paint.
  • Discolored, water stain, cracking, or splitting wood.
  • Wood that feels soft when you touch it.

Since moisture is a key element there are places you want to inspect in your home that is susceptible to dry rot. Here is a list of areas to examine:

  • Caulking.When it’s used to steal joints on indoor and outdoor surfaces.
  • Decks and doors
  • The floor surrounding the base of your tubs and showers
  • Porches and skylights
  • Roof near the edges where gutters are attached
  • Trim on the exterior of your home
  • Windows 
  • Wood that rests on the concrete foundation or around the base of your home.

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Get The Home Inspected! https://huroninspections.com/get-the-home-inspected/ Wed, 19 May 2021 19:51:31 +0000 https://huroninspections.com/?p=2172 The real estate market is hot and home inventory is low. Homebuyers are not taking the time to get the inspection after they go under contract. It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of buying a new home but home inspections are a critical part of the home buying process and can save […]

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The real estate market is hot and home inventory is low. Homebuyers are not taking the time to get the inspection after they go under contract. It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of buying a new home but home inspections are a critical part of the home buying process and can save lots of time and money in the long run.

Appraisals and inspections are not the same things. Appraisals will not provide you with a detailed look at a property or uncover deep-rooted problems and potential pitfalls.

There are some great reasons to have a home inspection before you buy here or just a couple:

  • The power of negotiation. One of the advantages of having a home inspection performed before you buy is the power it might give you to negotiate a lower price. Information gathered during the home inspection will give you bargaining power to talk down the price.
  • Get the seller to make repairs. You can negotiate a lower price by including clauses in the contract that require the seller to make repairs. This is done before any money is exchanged. If the seller is unwilling to make the repairs, estimate the cost and ask them to take the amount of the total. Solid facts about the quality and condition of the home can give you valuable bargaining power.

These are two very strong and powerful reasons to get a potential home inspected before you buy.

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Outdoor Kitchen Ideas https://huroninspections.com/outdoor-kitchen-ideas/ Wed, 21 Apr 2021 18:47:14 +0000 https://huroninspections.com/?p=2168 Great summer entertaining all summer long with a DIY outdoor kitchen plan. Plans include space for a grill, refrigerator, sinks, and even pizza ovens. With the outdoor kitchen space, you’ll find that your indoor kitchen will barely be used. It’s a great place for family and friends to gather and share a meal outside. There […]

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Great summer entertaining all summer long with a DIY outdoor kitchen plan. Plans include space for a grill, refrigerator, sinks, and even pizza ovens. With the outdoor kitchen space, you’ll find that your indoor kitchen will barely be used. It’s a great place for family and friends to gather and share a meal outside.

There are a few different types of approaches here are just a few:

  • The patio turned into an outside kitchenette. With the additions of cabinets, concrete, counters, a sink, and maybe a built-in grill and refrigerator you will love your outdoor kitchen space.
  • DIY outdoor kitchen on a deck. You can build a cinder block and brick pizza oven, a built-in grill, cabinets, and even build a place for a big green egg. You can tackle this plan over a weekend.
  • Backyard wood fire pizza oven. A popular item for an outdoor kitchen is a wood fire pizza oven. Most ovens are built with a cedar block base and then shaped with a wooden frame and brick dome.
  • An outdoor serving cart can create a space for outdoor serving. You can sit the cart outside beside your grill and have extra pep space. Or you can use it as a bar cart on the deck.
  • Patio storage cabinets. Purchase base cabinets and make the construction part easy.  A cement board and tile on top of the cabinets will make them a great place to serve a crowd buffet style.

There are lots of DIY outdoor kitchen cabinet ideas online. Check them out and create your own custom space.

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Carpenter Ants Oh NO! https://huroninspections.com/carpenter-ants-oh-no/ Fri, 12 Mar 2021 21:53:59 +0000 https://huroninspections.com/?p=2164 Carpenter ants are an ant species that are known for damaging the wood. They like to burrow through dead or rotting wood and create tunnel ways or easily traveling from their nests to various sources of protein and sugar. When left untreated carpenter ant infestation can become quite severe as they spend a great deal […]

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Carpenter ants are an ant species that are known for damaging the wood. They like to burrow through dead or rotting wood and create tunnel ways or easily traveling from their nests to various sources of protein and sugar.

When left untreated carpenter ant infestation can become quite severe as they spend a great deal of time developing largeness within the inner work some of which structures.

If you have an infestation of carpenter ants you must act fast to control them and their population.

Check the areas outdoors that hold moisture like fences doorframes window frames sheds and gazebos. Indoors check near window frames doorframes under sinks and whenever wood structures have high moisture content present.

You’re looking for signs of carpenter ants like the appearance of big black or red ants 14 trails. Discarded wings or wind carpenter ants will look like small sawdust piles.

To get rid of the ants you need to apply products both indoors and outdoors for total control. There are several products that can be used to get rid of ants. Diatomaceous earth is a natural non-toxic option for treating carpenter ants.

Prevention is key to keeping your home free of these ants. Start by trimming back vegetation away from the property. Remove wood yard debris and woodpiles or rotting wood. 

The next time you see ants take these precautions to heart to avoid an infestation.

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Crawlspace Impacts the Whole House https://huroninspections.com/crawlspace-impacts-the-whole-house/ Tue, 09 Feb 2021 17:38:00 +0000 https://huroninspections.com/?p=2160 The crawlspace in our home is not one most homeowners want to visit. However, the crawlspace in our home should never be neglected. Why you might ask? Well, the problems in the crawlspace can have an effect on the entire home. There are elements in the crawlspace that you just don’t want there. For example […]

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The crawlspace in our home is not one most homeowners want to visit. However, the crawlspace in our home should never be neglected. Why you might ask? Well, the problems in the crawlspace can have an effect on the entire home. There are elements in the crawlspace that you just don’t want there.

For example mold in mildew can occur if there is an excess of water and moisture in your crawlspace. This can quickly spread throughout the whole house and put your health at risk.

Damage to the insulation in your home will occur if moisture and water are in the crawlspace. The structure of the house is also jeopardized. And termites and other pests will be attracted to the moisture.

It’s also an easy entrance for mice, rodents, and other pests. Because of the low level of this area, these pests can find their way into the crawlspace. And they can cause damage to different elements of the home. Damage to the wiring, insulation, and plumbing.

Some of the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC problems that you have could be originating in the crawlspace. Getting a crawlspace inspection is critical in order to avoid these potential issues.

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Don’t Scratch That! https://huroninspections.com/dont-scratch-that/ Sat, 30 Jan 2021 23:38:10 +0000 https://huroninspections.com/?p=2156 Having hardwood floors is an excellent look for any room, but not so much if they are all scratched up. As a homeowner, you might get freaked out when someone comes into your home and pushes chairs around carelessly or walks around with their shoes on. You might feel like a scratch on your floor […]

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Having hardwood floors is an excellent look for any room, but not so much if they are all scratched up. As a homeowner, you might get freaked out when someone comes into your home and pushes chairs around carelessly or walks around with their shoes on. You might feel like a scratch on your floor would be impossible to fix without expensive repairs, but in fact, you can usually do a pretty good job on your own.

The main thing to keep in mind when fixing a scratch is to always sand in the direction of the grain in the wood. You also want to clean the surface well between each step of the process.

So what do you do? Well, first you sand it down well with either sandpaper or steel wool depending on how deep the scratch is. After that, you can use wood filler to build it back up. After it dries, you sand it until the floor surface is smooth, and then you can finish it all off by applying polyurethane. Your floor will look as new with just a little bit of work.

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Is That Supposed To Look Like That? https://huroninspections.com/is-that-supposed-to-look-like-that/ Thu, 31 Dec 2020 00:19:41 +0000 https://huroninspections.com/?p=2153 Some homeowners do damage to their own homes without even being aware. Naturally, not every homeowner is an expert at how their home works, and while it is encouraged to get familiar with how things work, there is simply too much to know it all. This presents a problem when something might look out of […]

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Some homeowners do damage to their own homes without even being aware. Naturally, not every homeowner is an expert at how their home works, and while it is encouraged to get familiar with how things work, there is simply too much to know it all. This presents a problem when something might look out of place to the untrained eye when there actually isn’t anything wrong at all.

Take kickout flashing for example. Looking at it, you might think that it’s a piece of flashing that has come loose or got bent somehow. This has caused some homeowners to remove it, but it actually serves a vital purpose in protecting your home from water intrusion. Kickout flashing is there to push water out and away from sensitive areas of your home, but when it is removed, water can get into cracks and crevices and then leak into your home.

If you notice that your kickout flashing is missing, getting it replaced as soon as possible will protect your home.

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A Choice For The Environment https://huroninspections.com/a-choice-for-the-environment/ Mon, 30 Nov 2020 20:00:34 +0000 https://huroninspections.com/?p=2150 Have you ever considered linoleum flooring for your floors? There are many good things to say about this material. It is low-cost, so it won’t break the bank for you, and you will find that it isn’t very difficult to install. One reason why some choose this material is that it is made from recycled […]

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Have you ever considered linoleum flooring for your floors? There are many good things to say about this material. It is low-cost, so it won’t break the bank for you, and you will find that it isn’t very difficult to install.

One reason why some choose this material is that it is made from recycled materials, which is good for the environment. There are different materials that are used for making it, but a couple of common ones are cork dust and sawdust. This is mixed with linseed oil and pine resin to make a hard material that can be used for your floors.

While it isn’t hard to maintain a linoleum floor, you should make sure to avoid strong chemicals, whether acidic or alkaline, since these can eat away at the floor and damage it. Even water isn’t great if you use too much, since standing puddles can do damage. The best method for everyday cleaning is using a broom or a vacuum.

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Dangerous Weather https://huroninspections.com/dangerous-weather/ Sat, 31 Oct 2020 19:19:09 +0000 https://huroninspections.com/?p=2147 We’ve probably all watched the news in fascination as a tornado leaves a path of destruction behind. Tornadoes are among the scariest weather phenomena that you could experience, and while they are more common in certain parts of the country, they could strike anywhere.Do you know how to protect yourself and your family in case […]

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We’ve probably all watched the news in fascination as a tornado leaves a path of destruction behind. Tornadoes are among the scariest weather phenomena that you could experience, and while they are more common in certain parts of the country, they could strike anywhere.
Do you know how to protect yourself and your family in case one comes your way? Looking at homes that are leveled by a tornado, it might be hard to imagine how someone could survive that, but the chances are much better if we take the needed precautions.
Of course, if your home isn’t well-built, it might be a good idea to seek shelter whenever a storm comes, but you don’t always get enough warning. If your home has a basement, this would be one of the safest places to be, but lacking that, finding shelter underneath a staircase or in an interior bathroom can also work. It is important to get yourself padded using pillows and mattresses to make sure nothing falls on you and injures you.

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What’s Eating Your Home? https://huroninspections.com/whats-eating-your-home/ Tue, 29 Sep 2020 11:20:48 +0000 https://huroninspections.com/?p=2144 While metals are hard and sturdy, they do have one major weakness that can turn them brittle and useless. Rust is a natural process that breaks down metals using water and oxygen, and various methods are used to prevent or at least delay this process. Unfortunately, these eventually fail, especially when the metal is scratched […]

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While metals are hard and sturdy, they do have one major weakness that can turn them brittle and useless. Rust is a natural process that breaks down metals using water and oxygen, and various methods are used to prevent or at least delay this process. Unfortunately, these eventually fail, especially when the metal is scratched allowing access for the elements to do their work. As a homeowner, you might see different effects of this process. There could just be unsightly spots, but it could also be very serious effects. For example, if you have rust in connection with your electrical system, it could cause fires and electrocution if not dealt with. The rebar in your cement could rust as well, and this could eventually lead to a crumbling foundation. Rust should never be ignored. It is not a situation that will improve on its own. Instead, it will just get worse until the metal object falls to pieces.

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