Home Inspection Blogs | Your Chicago Home Inspector

WELCOME TO "YOUR CHICAGO HOME INSPECTOR"

Kollias Property Inspections proudly serving greater Chicagoland and all surrounding communities
in Cook, Will and DuPage Counties.

Experience - Education - Commitment - Honesty - Competitive Rates 708-349-4562

Home Inspection Blog

Sump Pump

Neglecting to test a sump pump routinely especially if it is rarely used - can lead to severe water damage, especially when a heavy storm, snow melt, or flooding sends water against the home.

Overload of the sump pump, due to poor drainage elsewhere on the property can lead to pump failure. Frequent sump pump operation can be a sign of excessive water buildup under the basement floor, due to poorly sloped landscaping, poor rain runoff, gutter back-flows and other problems.

Lack of a back-up sump pump, which can be quickly installed in the event the first pump fails, can lead to serious water damage and property loss. This is especially important if the sump pump is relied upon to maintain a dry basement, or if the house is located in an area of seasonally high groundwater. Sump pump failure can cause extensive water damage and the loss of valuable personal belongings.

Gutters & Downspouts

Clogged gutters can force rainwater to travel up onto the roof under shingles, or to overflow and travel down the inside of the wall, or to overflow and collect at the home's foundation.

First floor gutters can overflow if second floor gutters have been mistakenly directed to drain into them.

An insufficient number of or undersized downspouts can cause gutters to overflow. Downspouts that don't empty far enough away from the foundation walls can lead to foundation wall damage and a wet basement.

Attic Access

Seal up the attic access panel with weather stripping. Cut a piece of fibreglass or rigid foam board the same size as the attic hatch and glue it to the back of the attic access panel.

If you have pull-down attic stairs or an attic door, these should be sealed in a similar manner using weatherstripping and insulating the back of the door. Treat the attic door like an exterior door to the outside.

Main Electrical Service Panel
(Breaker Box)

The main electric service panel is the distribution center for electric service within the building. The primary function of the breakers or fuses (overcurrent protection devices) is to protect the house wiring from overloads.

All service panels must have covers or dead fronts. All openings should be closed.

Main disconnect. A means of disconnect for service must be located either outside or inside the dwelling unit nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors. No more than six hand movements or no more than six circut breakers may be used to disconnect all service. Typically a main disconnect switch is required by the local authority. The main disconnect should be clearly marked to identify it as the service disconnect.

Bathrooms

Plumbing. Obviously, you always want to check for water drips or leaks. Check operation of the lavatory, toilet, tub and shower. A common problem in bathrooms is water leakage around the tub and shower.

It is a good idea to look up and check the ceiling below each bathroom for signs of water or to catch the development of a major water leak.

If a toilet is not a water-saving fixture, consider replacing it with a water-saving toilet that has a 1.6 gallon flushing capacity. Pressure assisted toilets use water pressure to compress air in a tank that makes the 1.5 to 1.6 gallon flush very effective in cleaning the fixture bowl and preventing buildup in the soil pipe.

Remove Snow and Ice from Your Gas Meter:

The regulator on your gas meter has to be able to release gas in the event of a malfunction. If ice or snow covers the vent, the regulator will sense that it cannot release gas. As a result the entire system will automatically shut down, stopping gas service to your home. To avoid gas service interruption, keep your meter free from snow and ice build up, assuring proper operation. However snow removal that damages or dislodges your gas meter can cause a dangerous gas leak, so make sure you follow these guidelines.

• Use a broom (not a shovel) to clear snow from your meter, regulator and    vents.
• Remove icicles hanging above your meter.
• Sweep snow away from the outside vent openings of natural gas appliances    (such as clothes dryers) to avoid a backup of dangerous CO gas into your    home.
• Be sure whomever removes snow from your property is aware of the    placement of your meter if it is near a sidewalk or driveway.
• If your meter becomes encased in ice or if you believe your meter has been    damaged call your local Gas supplier immediately.

If you have any questions or want to comment please E-Mail us anytime

Home Inspections in: Chicago, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Orland Hills, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Palos Park, Mokena, New Lenox, Lockport, Frankfort, Lemont, Homer Glen, Lombard, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Crest Hill, Oak Lawn, Evergreen Pk, Oak Forest, Worth, Alsip, Blue Island, Marionette Park, Plainfield, Hinsdale, Crestwood, Hickory Hills, Chicago Ridge, Matteson, Homewood, Flossmoor, Midlothian, Bridgeview, Burbank, Richton Pk, Willowbrook, Willow Springs, Sauk Village, Countryside, Olympia Fields, Steger, Elwood, Joliet, Downers Grove, Darien, Naperville, Lisle, Burr Ridge, Hillside, Shorewood, LaGrange, Western Springs, Wheaton, Oswego, Aurora, Glen Ellyn, Westchester, Westmont, Woodridge, Clarendon Hills to name a few.

Please visit our other websites (below) to learn more about us and our services

Chicago Home Inspector
Orland Park Home Inspector
Chicago and West Suburban Home Inspector
Chicago and South Suburban Home Inspector
Plainfield Home Inspector

Call: 708-349-4562 Today