Orlando Home Inspection Blog - HERO Home Inspections | Home Inspectors in Winter Garden and Orlando, FL Areas!

What is Flashing and Why is it Important?

4/7/2021

Flashing is usually built out of metal but can contain zinc, copper, steel, aluminum, and even plastic or rubber. Flashing is used to keep roof components waterproof and prevent any damage. Without flashing, roof components may come into contact with water that can saturate leak and damage the component or the structure of the house. Roof flashing keeps the integrity of your home intact.

Roof flashing installation occurs throughout your roof including all of the following places:

Valleys and joints
Roof protrusions
Drip edgings
Chimneys
Pipes
Kickouts

If you have ever noticed that there any leaks coming from around your chimney or vent most likely your flashing was not installed correctly or is no longer sufficient.

The main purpose of roof flashing is to protect your home from moisture and saturation. The flashing extends below your roofing and adjacent to the siding to create a solid, weatherproofing seal on your home to protect you from the elements.

So when having your next roof inspected or installed be sure that your flashing is properly installed by your local roofing contractor to ensure the best protection for your roof.

Got Mulch?

3/26/2021

Mulch! It’s used to prevent water loss, help buffer soil temperatures, and suppress weeds. The right mulch makes all the difference. With so many varieties and options of mulch available it can be difficult to choose.

Here is a breakdown of Mulch that you might consider using in the Florida area.

Pine bark - Shredded Pinebark interlocks to avoid washing away and it’s ideal for gardens on a slope. It decomposes into the soil and will enrich the health of your garden over time and it’s least likely to change color
Pine straw - pine straw needles holes in place well they break down slowly and they are ideal for slopes. It’s also a great mulch to use with acid-loving plants like azaleas.
Cypress mulch - Shredded mulch like Cypress Allows water to easily soak into the roots but resists easily washing away after heavy rains. It will also retain its color well
Dyed mulches are the most popular least expensive options. The color may fade and dye from the mulch can lead to the plant’s roots. For organic vegetable gardens stick with mulch is that doesn’t have dye.

You can also use pebbles and we will rocks as a great addition to the garden because they don’t break down and don’t need to be replaced annually.

Home Maintenance in the Spring

3/17/2021

With the days getting longer and the weather getting warmer it’s a good time to get outdoors and tackle some home projects.
Here are a few tasks to check off your list in an hour or less:

Inspect your driveways and paths - Cold weather can be rough on concrete, asphalt, and other hardscape material. Take a walk around your property and look for any damage to pathways, driveways, and walkways.
Keep an eye out for termites - Beginning in March through May or June be on the lookout for these winged insects.
Prevent mosquitoes - The best way to prevent mosquitoes around the house is to get rid of any standing water. Look around the property and see if there is anything or any area where water stands. Fix it and get rid of it or maintain it regularly.

Tackle these To-Dos over a Weekend:

Wash windows - Clean the grime off glass inside and out for a lighter brighter home indoors and increase curb appeal outdoors.
Clean gutters and downspouts - It’s important to have your gutters and downspouts cleaned and repaired. Clogged gutters and downspouts can cause the wood trim to rot and invite all kinds of critters into your attic space.
Clean your fireplace - If your home has a working wood-burning fireplace the end of winter is a good time to give it a fresh start. Carefully remove remains have any charred logs and ash with fireplace tools. Then clean the fireplace surround.
Clean sprinkler and irrigation systems - Run the system through all the manual checks. Make sure none of the sprinkler heads are broken or damaged. Adjust has that are spraying the street sidewalk or porches to avoid wasting water.

Regular spring maintenance will help ensure that the value of the home is considered and kept.

Use that Ladder Safely!

2/24/2021

Safety using a ladder starts with choosing the right letter for your job. Not all letters are created equally and different styles are designed to keep you safe in different situations and conditions. So here are a few tips to help you choose the right ladder for any job:

Make sure you select the right letter. There are extension ladders, platform ladders, work ladders, and even step ladders and they all have a place at home. Choosing the right ladder will help you stay safe when climbing or standing to perform a specific task.
Pick the right material. Aluminum ladders are light and durable but they’re not weather resistant. Fiberglass letters are weather resistant which makes them have a safe choice around electrical jobs.
Make sure the height is correct. When climbing to the top steps or standing too high on a ladder you can put yourself at risk. Pick the latter height that’s correct for the job. Avoid standing above the fourth wrong from the top of the extension ladder.
Check latter ratings or maximum low capacity before purchasing it.
Make sure that you choose a ladder that provides ample reach. A safe flight is no more than 4 feet from the top of the ladder.

Follow these basic ladder guidelines and choose the ladder that’s right for you to use safely!

Why is that Light Flickering?

2/5/2021

If you have flickering lights in your house you know that it’s more than just a slight inconvenience. Electricity is necessary to make our homes feel safe and comfortable. But problems with our electricity can jeopardize that. Flickering lights are not only annoying but can be a sign of a big problem that could cost you money and maybe even your life. Therefore there are some different reasons why your lights might be flickering here are some:

Loose connections are a huge issue of why light flickering occurs. It’s also a common cause of electric fires. Electrical connections need to be as tight as possible. Resistance to that can overheat connections in the surrounding wires and start a fire. A loose connection can also involve a loose terminal on a device or a loose connection to the circuit breaker. You might want to have an experienced electrician evaluate these things.
A loose bulb might be the culprit of flickering light. When a lightbulb isn’t fully secure in the socket it receives inconsistent power the result is a flickering light. Make sure to tighten loose bulbs the easiest way to fix this issue
If a large appliance is turned on and lights flicker it could be a sign of a voltage fluctuation. If you find that your lights are always flickering when you use large appliances call an electric company and have them check out the issues.

Flickering lights can be caused by serious electrical issues or even minor problems. If your flickering lights are the result of serious problems get the help you need and a professional electrician should be called immediately.

Repair That Dripping Faucet

1/27/2021

You can fix almost any dripping faucet in about an hour. For most people the repair is easier than you think. You’ll need a few basic tools. A screwdriver, ranch, pliers, and slip-joint pliers.
It’s always important to be quick about fixing a dripping faucet because you can waste gallons of water a day. If leaks are coming from the spout then it’s probably the faucet handle. Rubber seals can wear out overtime so replacing them can usually fix the problem.

There are a few basic steps for stopping a leaky faucet:

The first thing you wanna do is shut off the water. Always turn the water supply off before doing repair work. Once you’ve turned off the valve, then you can turn on the faucets and release any remaining water or pressure in the pipes.
Next, close off the drain because you don’t want anything to end up going down the drain while you’re fixing it.
Take the faucet apart. Take note of the order of the parts as you remove them. This will make it much easier for you to reassemble. Check all the parts and the seals of the rubber washers and O-rings. These are all often the cause of the leak. Inspect each part for wear and tear and replace the parts if they are in fact in need of replacement.
Clean all the parts now that you’ve taken everything apart. The seals and interiors need to be cleaned. Check the valve for mineral deposits which could cause a washer not to flush. You can loosen those deposits with a soak of white vinegar and a cloth to clean them thoroughly.
Finally, reassemble everything. This is where you want to make sure that you put things back together the same way you took them apart.
Now that you've finished the repair you can turn the water back on. Apply the pressure slowly and let the water run until it flows normally.

If you follow these simple steps you should be well on your way to fixing that leak in your faucet.

Home Inspection Tips for Buyers

1/15/2021

After looking at houses for weeks you finally found just the right one for you and your family. How excited you must be? One of the most important first steps that you will have to take is that of the home inspection.

Here’s a quick tip to keep in mind to help you navigate the process:

Do your own “pre-inspection” -

There is so much to be learned by just looking at a house in detail. Doing a visual pre-inspection yourself will give you a better understanding of the home condition. You can identify any issues that you won’t want to live with or repair. Be sure to go through each room and look at every element and detail. The walls, ceilings, fixtures, molding, doors, windows, and cosmetic details. Look for signs of water damage like stains and discoloration.

Look at the condition of the toilets sinks and showers. Make sure that you take a walk outside of the house with an eagle eye as well. Look for sagging, cracking, damaged gutters, and peeling paint. See how well the landscape, fences, other outside areas have been maintained. Be sure to examine the garage too.

Applying these few tips will help you to feel good about your home purchase and illuminate any additional stress or anxiety that might occur. Make the home buying process enjoyable by applying the suggestions.

December 23rd, 2020

12/23/2020

Bathroom Design Trends

Homeowners wisely keep up with the latest trends in bathroom design. Whether the bathroom is big or small knowing and incorporating the latest trends in bathroom design is essential. This space is very important to buyers and should be equally important to homeowners. This applied knowledge can help to increase the value of your home.

Some of the trends for 2020 would include the following. See if there is anything you can incorporate in your bathroom.

A timeless element that is a definite trend right now is freestanding bathtubs and sinks. Who doesn’t love a classic clawfoot tub? These are beautiful statement pieces that will stand the test of time.

Replace dry and drab colors with bright and Bold colors. Cold drab colors are out and bold bright colors are in. You don’t have to replace the sink or cabinets. Colorful towels, shower curtains, and other accessories can add color. Bright orange, turquoise, and yellow are beautiful and bold.

Matte Fixtures are popping up everywhere. Matte black is the most popular, it's bold, it's striking it's beautiful. Countertops, sinks, and bathtubs are all trending with a matte finish. Think about matte if you want to add a modern look.

A Chandelier in the bathroom you say? Chandeliers add a very bold statement to the bathroom and it's a growing bathroom trend in 2020. Chandeliers will give you light and illumination like no other fixture. Sunburst styles that look like glowing stars seem to be the most popular right now.

Compliment this special and personal space with a Music Sound System. Adding a few small speakers to this space can allow you to create a spa-like sanctuary. There are many types of affordable waterproof speakers available for this perfect space. Go ahead and add some music to the mix in the bathroom.

December 09th, 2020

12/9/2020

Exterior Door Materials

What type of door material do I want for my exterior front door? There are a number of styles and options to choose from. Solid glass, fiberglass, steel, or wood. Before you go shop for your next exterior door here are some different options to consider.

Glass - Glass offers you a wonderful view from inside the front door. It’s also a great way to add natural light inside of your space. On the flipside not only will you get lots of natural light but you might also get lots of unwanted peeks into the home from those in the neighborhood.

Fiberglass -Fiberglass offers a very durable solution with the look of wood. You can paint or stain these doors and make it very personalized. This type of door also has an insulated core which Graves added protection from outside elements. It’s an energy-efficient door and will be slightly more expensive than other options.

Wood- A very popular choice with many homeowners is wood. You can also personalize wood doors and add accents to it like decorative and stained glass. Wood will warp over time and so you might find yourself having to replace it more frequently than some of the other door materials

Steel - This is probably one of the safest materials for your front door. Steel doors are very durable and very strong. Most steel doors are insulated with foam. You can damage this type of door with surface dents. That is the biggest con with this type of door. As a result, this door is difficult to repair and will need to be replaced when damaged.

How and Why Collect Rain Water

11/23/2020

Water is vital to the existence of all living things. Catching and storing rainwater has been a survival tactic for thousands of years. What are some benefits of catching rainwater in our day and time? How can we catch rain and use it for our well being? Let’s consider the answers to those questions in this blog post.

Firstly, if you plan on a good amount of rainwater “catch” you’ll need something big enough to store it all in. A rainwater barrel, tarp, water well, or cistern are used by many. Then there are those beautiful rainwater chains and gardens that are becoming very popular. Have a system in place that will allow rain to be diverted from the roof of your home to the select place where you will be storing your rainwater for use.

There are of course a few things to be cautious of. It not likely to happen but disease can sometimes develop in this water if it is left untouched for a period of time. Additionally, as time goes on, the bacteria in the water will die and actually naturally help to purify the water for use. By using rainwater it can reduce the amount of water actually used by the water company. We all love cutting down on costs when possible.

Patience is needed when catching rainwater. It will take some time for the water to fill up your catcher. Hope for rain, although it’s difficult to predict the weather patterns. Just know that having a catcher in place will be a great investment for when the rain does come.