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All In One Home Inspection Newsletter
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| Spring Newsletter |
Spring 2010 |
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Watch an interview with Joseph Fleming III, PE
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Joseph Fleming III, PE - Owner - Home Inspector
Joseph Fleming is a licensed Home Inspector in NJ and NY and a Professional Engineer. He is a member/director of the Garden State Chapter of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)
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Mike Hoyt - Home Inspector
Mike Hoyt is a licensed NJ Home Inspector. He is a member of New Jersey Association of Licensed Professional Home Inspectors (NJ-ALPHI). He has been in the construction field for over 20 years.
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Welcome
Welcome back to our seasonal newsletter! Spring is here. It's the perfect time to start working on the outside of your home and in your garden. Enjoy the weather and avoid the heat that comes with summer. In this newsletter we have our spring checklist and some information about the pressure washer.
Enjoy reading our newsletter!
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Blasted
This radio was hard-wired with its power cord to the motion light. When the light came on, so did the radio - at full volume. This is one way to keep the deer out of your yard and your neighbors up all night.
Source: ASHI Reporter Magazine April 2009
If anyone has an interesting picture to share, please send it in.
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Spring Checklist
It's slowly getting warmer and that is a nice invitation to go outside and do some work. Especially since you have probably just spend a lot of time indoors because of the cold weather. Open the windows, let the fresh air in.
Use this checklist to make sure your home is ready for spring.
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System
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Check
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- Air Conditioning
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Check that the exterior AC condenser unit is clear of garden debris, shrubs and bushes.
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- Furnace Humidifier
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Turn the control and water off. Close the air duct damper. Does the water panel need changing?
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- Return Dampers
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If rooms are equipped with high and low HVAC returns, open high returns and close low returns for cooling season.
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- Whole House Fan
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Check the fan belt. Lubricate the motor and fan bearings. Clean fan blades, bug/vermin screens and louvers.
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- Gutters and Leaders
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Clean gutters, make sure downspouts are attached and leaders are extended.
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- Roof
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Inspect roof for damage. Trim trees branches if overhanging or touching roof.
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- Roof Vents
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Inspect for damage or bird nests.
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- Chimney
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Inspect for damage to chimney cap, flue cap, chimney flashing at roof, bricks and mortar.
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- Sump Pump
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Test sump pump to make sure it removes water from the sump well.
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- Exterior, General
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Check the caulking at window and door frames. Check condition of exterior paint on wood window frames and siding.
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- Exterior, Grounds
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Check that grading of soil and hard surfaces slopes away from foundation and garage openings.
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- Attic
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Check for signs of leaks, condensation and mold buildup.
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- Attic Fans
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Check operation of thermostatically controlled attic fans. Clean fan blades and bug/vermin screens.
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- Gable Vents
- Basement
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Make sure vermin screens are in place and free of debris.
Check for signs of foundation cracks, structural movement, leaks, rot and mold buildup.
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- Crawl Space
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Check for adequate ventilation to remove excess moisture. Open exterior vents for the summer.
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- Dehumidifier
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Clean filters. Set basement dehumidifiers for 50% relative humidity. Run 24/7.
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- Plumbing
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Open interior valves so that exterior spigots are pressurized for the summer.
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- Clothes Dryer
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Clean lint from duct and from unit per manufacturer's instructions.
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- Sprinklers
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Service and start system.
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- Decks
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Clean walking surfaces of debris and algae. Check deck railings and repair any looseness.
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- Birds
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Look out for unwanted nests, birds are aggressive about nesting this time of year.
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- Termites (WDI)
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Termites and other Wood Destroying Insects will attack soft, moist woods that are easy to get at.
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- Bees
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Bees will start forming nests soon. Small nests are easier to clean away.
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For more seasonal maintenance tips, check the website from How to Operate Your Home. If you need help, call us for a referral (201-263-0040).
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Ode to a Pressure Washer
My precious pressure washer
if I didn't have you
what would I do?
Every year when spring arrives
I happily decide
to go outside.
I go to the garage and get my favorite friend
who's been waiting patiently
and is to me so very dearly.
We go around the house together
and I enjoy this precious time
Is there anything better then springtime?
My Pressure washer is the best
dirt disappears like snow
he leads, I follow.
My house looks like new thanks to my friend
I can't wait until spring comes again
my pressure washer will be ready then.
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Pressure Washer Tips
Pressure washers are a great way to clean the home's exterior surfaces. Clean siding, decks and driveways are always pleasing to look at. Keep in mind that pressure washers are high powered equipment that can cause damage and injury quickly if not used correctly.
Always read the operation and maintenance manual before starting your pressure washing project. Follow the manufacture's instructions and guidelines.
Wear goggles to protect eyes.
Wear protective ear covering around noisy pressure pump equipment.
Always point the sprayer away from self and others.
Make sure all exterior windows and doors are closed when pressure washing.
Choose the correct nozzle tip for the sprayer. Use "fan" spray nozzles for most exterior surfaces. "Point" spray tips will gouge wood surfaces and leave ultra clean marks and lines.
Use a sweeping pattern back and forth. Follow a pattern so you don't miss a spot. Start further back so not to cause damage, moving in closer if surfaces need more pressure to get clean.
Don't ever use on Aluminum siding. The strong spray will remove paint.
Don't use on roof surfaces. The strong spray will remove the protective grit surface from shingles and snap off older brittle shingles.
Prepare to get wet.
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Thank you
We're always happy to help you with any questions or problems. Please keep referring us to your family, relatives, friends and neighbors. If you would like to read our previous newsletters, take a look at our website. If you have any suggestions for blog topics, please let us know.
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All In One Home Inspection provides the following services:
- Home Inspections
- Commercial Inspections
- Radon Tests
- Wood Destroying Insect Exams
- Air Quality Sampling (Mold Testing)
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Area of Coverage:
We cover the following counties in New Jersey: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Union and Warren. We also cover Rockland county and the 5 boroughs of New York.
Click on the picture to enlarge it
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Our philosophy is clients for life.
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Developed and maintained by Martha Schokker ()
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