Home Inspection Tips
Foundation Soil Maintenance
Most of the North Texas area soil is expansive type clay. Therefore, proper care of your home’s foundation is very important in preserving the integrity of the structure. Clay soils have the ability to expand (when wet) and contract (when dry) at alarming rates. This requires that an EVEN and rather Constant level of moisture be maintained around the ENTIRE house. Defects in foundations occur when the structure does not move as a unit. This could occur when one area around the foundation is continually wet, while other areas remain dry. Listed below are a few suggestions that may be help in your foundation maintenance program
- Maintain the grading and the beds around the foundation so that it gently slopes AWAY from the structure.
- If the house has guttering, be sure that all run-off is diverted well away from the foundation.
- The area around the foundation should always be watered evenly around the ENTIRE structure.
- Trees and large shrubbery can wick the water from under parts of the foundation causing differential settlement.
If Your Soil Is The Expansive Type Clay
- The best way to ensure even watering is to place soaker hoses around the entire perimeter and to water EVENLY every time.
- Do not let water stand next to the foundation.
- Never allow the soil to dry to the point of cracking or pulling away from the foundation. This can allow shifting in the foundation.
HVAC Tips
- Dirt makes HVAC equipment work harder. Heat pumps, air conditioners, and chillers all function by transferring heat. The transfer surfaces work best when they're free of grime, dust, or other obstructions. Cleaning HVAC equipment and replacing dirty filters will save energy and lower costs.
- Change your inside filters once per month. Spend the extra money and buy good quality filters. The pleated type filters provide more surface area and tend to catch more particulate.
- If you see ice building up on your refrigeration lines, contact a qualified refrigeration technician for further evaluation.
- When performing yard work such as mowing and weed eating, direct the clippings, dust, and dirt away from the outside condenser coil. Also it is best to turn off the HVAC when performing these task, as the fan tends to draw the clippings, dirt, and dust into the coils. Once the these contaminates are drawn into the fins of the condenser unit, they are much harder to remove.
- Bent condenser fins cost you money. HVAC units, whether cooling in the summer or heat pumps heating in the winter, by transferring heat from one location to another. If fins on the units are bent over, air flow is restricted and the units cannot transfer the heat. For example, if 10% of the fins on a coil are bent shut, you can in theory expect a 10% waste of energy which equates to a 10% higher utility bill as related to HVAC cost.
- Dryer vents should be several feet away from outside condenser and air flow should be directed away from the condenser coil.
- Have your outside unit cleaned once per year. Safety is very important when performing this task. The electrical supply to the unit should be turned off to prevent electrical shock.
- Air leaks in duct work cost money. Have your system checked for leaks. All duct joints should be sealed up with mastic made for HVAC systems.
- Nothing should be store within 3 feet of the perimeter of the outside unit. This includes any shrubbery that prohibits air flow. Any air flow restriction will cause the unit to work harder, shorten the units life, and leave you with higher utility bills. The top of the outside unit should be kept clear so as not to restrict the air flow.
- Make sure the outdoor unit remains level. Ground shifting or settling can cause an air conditioner or heat pump to sit in an uneven position. When this happens, water and moisture will not drain from the bottom of the cabinet properly. Too much shifting also causes pressure to be placed on the Freon lines eventually causing a leak.
- Keep the larger of the two refrigeration insulated all the way from the inside unit to the outside unit. This is the cooler of the two lines. If the line is not keep insulated, it will absorb heat which results in a loss of energy and higher utility bills.
Save Your Roof
- Trim tree branches that overhang the home if they have a chance of touching the roofing material. Branches will damage any type of roofing, especially softer materials like wood, asphalt, and hot roofing.
- Keep the roof surface clean. Build-up of leaves and debris prevents proper drying of the roofing material and leads to decay and shorter roof life expectancy.
- Keep the gutters clean. One way to help keep gutters clean is to install gutter guards. While gutter guards can greatly help in this matter, they are not the complete answer. Build-up of debris against the gutter guards must still be removed to prevent rainwater backing up under the layers of shingles and causing a leak into the decking and structure.
Reduce The Chance of Termites
- Keep moisture and termite food away from the house:
- Maintain that exterior grade to drain away from the house; even if you change your landscaping.
- Clear sticks, branches, leaves, and other items.
- Fill depressions that might hold water. This will keep water flowing away from the house (and it will minimize the mosquito problem).
- Adjust landscaping sprinklers to ensure that the house is not being watered along with your lawn and garden.
- Make sure splashblocks are in place at downspouts, that the splashblocks are in good condition, and that they still direct water away from the house.
- See if there is leakage at your hose bib (outdoor faucet) when you are using a hose.
- Inspect/replace the washers on your hoses periodically. Water from leaking hoses can run straight down your foundation wall.
Septic System Tips
- Locate your septic tank and drain field. Keep a drawing of these locations in your records.
- Have your septic system inspected at least every two-three years.
- Pump your septic tank as needed (generally every three to five years).
- Do not dispose of household hazardous wastes in sinks or toilets.
- Keep other household items, such as dental floss, feminine hygiene products, condoms, diapers, and cat litter out of your system.
- Use water efficiently. Spread your laundry out over the week. Spiked water usage (Saturday laundry days) is hard on the system.
- Plant only grass over and near your septic system. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs might clog and damage the system. Also, do not apply manure or fertilizers over the drain field.
- Keep vehicles and livestock off your septic system. The weight can damage the pipes and tank, and your system may not drain properly under compacted soil.
- Keep gutters and basement sump pumps from draining into or near your septic system.
- Check with your local health department before using additives. Commercial septic tank additives do not eliminate the need for periodic pumping and can be harmful to your system.