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Manhattan Home Inspections
(718) 614-9060

Water Stains On The Ceiling

10/27/2015

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Have you ever found yourself walking through your basement only to find yourself staring up at a moisture stain. Before you go and start tearing that ceiling out or calling a plumber, consider a few things it may be first.

For one thing, it could be condensation from the pipes. As the pipes deliver cool water to your sinks on a warm summer day, condensation build on them just like on a cold coke bottle. Generally if you insulate the pipes it can reduce this from happening.

 Another thing that is common to happen (and I apologize ahead of time because it is gross, but true) is mouse nests. Mice have been know to build nests in the ceilings and walls and to create moisture stains that look much like a leaking pipe. Check for any indications of mouse intrusion in your home before you pay a hefty plumber's bill

Another thing to look for is plants above. Sometimes as people  water their plants, small amounts of moisture gets through and can accumulate into staining.

So in short, don't rush off to Google the closest plumber. Before you do that, check for those three items first.


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Cover Your AC Units

10/23/2015

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If you haven't done it already, it is a good time to cover your exterior AC unit. 

Winter here in NY can be cold and harsh, and leaving your AC unit uncovered can be damaging to it.

So if you want to help ensure that you have AC come next summer, buy a cover for your unit.


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Dryer Fires in NY

9/24/2015

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Dryer Fires in NY
Many times on a home inspection I see the makings of a dryer fire. This is unfortunate AND dangerous. Here are a few simple steps you can take to make sure that you do not have this occur in your home.


  1. Clean the lint trap after every load of laundry
  2. clean the inside of the dryer as well (the lint trap doesn't catch every bit of lint)
  3. Keep the area around the dryer clear of debris and clutter
  4. Check gas lines (if you have a gas dryer) for any gas leaks or other issues
  5. Check and clean the vent hose regularly.

Questions? Contact me!
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Missing Collar Ties On Home Inspections

9/19/2015

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Missing collar ties
In this month's home inspection picture we see attic framing with no collar ties.


Whenever you have an older rafter system, collar ties help to keep the roof from sagging over time. 

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Free HomeBuyer E-Booklet!

8/30/2015

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Email me to download your free e-booklet: Tips for Homebuyers:  
What Every Homebuyer in NY, Must Know
home inspection book
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Denim Insulation

8/13/2015

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Denim InsulationDenim Insulation
Denim insulation is something that is gaining a lot of popularity here in NY. It is a fantastic product with a lot of great qualities. It is even common to have listings for homes that advertise denim insulation as a selling feature.


So why is denim insulation so popular? Here are a few reasons:


  1. It's quiet. Especially here in NY (depending on where you live) it can get pretty noisy. Denim insulation has an acoustical rating that is about 30% higher than most other common types of insulation, so it keeps your home more quiet. 
  2. It keeps your home warmer. Denim insulation has great R-Value, and saves you money during the colder months.
  3. It's save and healthy. Generally it has an EPA product applied to it that makes it more fire resistant. It also is generally low/no VOC. Most of all (in my opinion) it does not have the itchiness that fiberglass insulation has



So what is the down side? Cost. It costs on average about twice as much as traditional insulation. If you are able to work through the cost of it though, then denim insulation is a great alternative to consider for your home


Questions? Contact me

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Home Inspection Picture, July 2015

7/16/2015

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In this month's home inspection picture we see that the electrician... missed the junction box somehow. Those wires should be spliced inside that metal box. In addition to that, he spliced copper and aluminum wires - very dangerous in this situation. Let's just say tis was not a pretty home inspection report...
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Home Inspections

7/2/2015

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home inspections
Home Inspections - It can easily be said that a home inspections are one of the most important aspects of a real estate transaction. Knowing how important home inspections are makes me wonder why they are still "optional" here in NYS.


Whenever the real estate market picks up, and people get into bidding wars, one of the things that happen is buyers start to waive their home inspections to make their offer seem more appealing to a seller holding 3 offers. But is that wise? Of course not.


Even the home of your dreams can quickly become a nightmare without a home inspection. Issue that we may not see can come up later on. A home inspection is also an objective view - no emotions attached. And let's face it, when we are buying a home their are emotions in play that can affect our thinking, and maybe even make us overlook certain issues.


So no matter what your circumstances are, never skip your home inspection!


Questions? Contact me today!


Home Inspections In: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Bronx and Long Island NY
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Guaranteed NY Home Inspector

6/22/2015

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Guaranteed NY Home Inspector
Guaranteed NY Home Inspector - There are a lot of home inspectors here in NY. Many of them SAY they are objective, hard working, and honest (and I prefer to believe them, because I feel there is still trust and honor in this world), but only an InterNACHI Certified Professional Home Inspector, sch as myself, has the Honor Guarantee on all of his home inspections. So why choose anyone else for your NY home inspection. Contact me today!

Home Inspections In: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Bronx and Long Island NY
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Termites in NY

6/10/2015

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Termites in NY - Termites cause millions of dollars in damage every year here in NY (Manhattan, Staten Island, Bronx, Queens, and the surrounding areas). They generally cause damage that is completely hidden and not able to be found without dismantling things. They do this naturally to avoid predators.


So what can be done to find and identify them? First, look for mud tubes. It is generally the easiest way to see if they are there or not. Then, if you are able to find their damage, don't mistake it for carpenter ant damage like many people do - even experienced pest control operators. When you see damage in your home, compare it to the picture below. Notice how the "frass" is packed into their tunnels. Questions? Contact me!
Termites in NY
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