Depending on their condition, old flashings can be reused when a roof is re-shingled. Your roofing contractor will be able to determine what is the best optionon whether to reuse or replace. This video is from a recent home inspection where the soil stack and furnace flue have been properly flashed.
Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942
You did way more than I was expecting! I was very pleased that you were consistent in looking for every possible issue an older home could have. Thanks again!
You have cleaned your aluminum siding on your home and it still doesn’t have the luster you desire, painting may be in order. Maybe you have some peeling that you would like to repair. As a home inspector, I occasionally come across aluminum siding that is worn from vegetation rubbing against it or peeling due to the elements.
If painting is the next step, and you have cleaned the siding, your next step is to priming the effected areas. Use a solvent based primer for any bare spots or corroded areas on the aluminum. Perform a careful inspection of all surfaces of your homes siding and apply primer as required. Severely chalky areas should also be primed.
After priming, you are ready for your color top coat. Choose a product that is specifically designed for aluminum and metal siding. Typically this is a 100% acrylic paint. Choosing the right product will result in a surface that will last for 10 years or more on most metal sidings.
If you’re the siding on your home is in real bad shape and has a lot of paint peeling, you may want to contact the manufacturer of the siding. It can be difficult to determine the manufacturer but if you know who the home builder was, or who installed the siding, they may be able to help. Most all manufacturers will stand behind their products.
Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942
I thought the inspection was very thorough. Being a first time homebuyer, I don’t have a lot of experience about things like electricity, sump pumps, etc. I learned a lot of useful information about the home.
We were very satisfied with our home inspection. The walk through not only confirmed what we had already knew, but pointed out many things we didn’t know about the home. We feel we now have a very good set of background information about our new home.
As part of the home inspection process I look at the water heater combustion chamber. The water heater is one of those systems in the home that is commonly neglected until it doesn’t work. Quite often I come across water heaters that are in need of a tune up. In this video I show how rust flakes and debris can build up in the combustion chamber over time, thus reducing the efficiency of your water heater. A simple tune up by your local Rochester or Southeastern MN plumbing contractor can help to save fuel and operating costs for your water heater.
Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942
Deteriorated Chimney Cap and Mortar
After years and years of exposure to the elements, the mortar and wash cap around your tile chimney top can start to crack and deteriorate. These types of defects should be noted by your home inspector at the time of your home inspection.
Cracks in your chimney cap should be caulked or sealed in order to prevent damage form freeze/that cycles during the harsh Rochester and Southeastern MN weather. When water is trapped in the masonry or mortar joints, freezing literally starts to break the chimney apart.
Small cracks can be sealed with masonry caulk, or silicone. The best choice would be a urethane or one part epoxy product.
After inspecting your chimney mortar and cap for cracks and deterioration, clean the cracks with a brush or air spray. Fill the cracks with caulk and/or sealant. Caulk should only be used if the cracks are relatively small. You should inspect your chimney cap at least once a year. If it is too high or dangerous for you to attempt yourself, contact a local Rochester or Southeastern MN. Chimney contractor to perform an inspection and repairs.
Larger cracks or major chimney repairs should be handled by professional masons or certified chimney sweeps. If the chimney cap is in real bad shape, the long term solution would be to have the cap replaced with poured concrete. The concrete mix used should be formulated to withstand the weather extremes and moisture. Caps should have adequate expansion joints between the concrete and the clay chimney flue tile. This expansion joint should be sealed after the chimney cap is cured. Pre cast chimney caps may also be available in various sizes from you local chimney contractor.
Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942
On this home inspection the sellers had disclosed that they had had a leak the previous winter and that the problem had been fixed by removing an ice dam and sealing at the roof to wall intersection. Upon further investigation it is possible that the leak has come from higher up on the roof. I recommend that the owner contact their local Rochester roofing contractor to remedy the problem.
Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspection, Rochester, Southeast, MN. 507-202-8942
Over time, the elements can take it toll on your exterior siding, causing it to fade and discolor. Your siding is under constant attack from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, airborne pollutants, rain, snow, and the extreme yearly hot/cold cycle we see here in the Rochester and Southeast MN area. The finish can chalk, fades and becomes porous which can allow dirt to penetrate the surface. Mildew can form in areas where the siding is damp or does not get much for sunlight, causing staining and discoloration.
You can make your siding look new and shiny with a little cleaning. Siding can be cleaned with a mixture of laundry detergent and bleach. The detergent will wash away the dirt, grime and chalking. The bleach will remove the mildew stains. A thorough inspection of you siding will help you determine the extent of cleaning you will need. There are commercially available siding cleaners that you can pick up at your local hardware store, or you can use a Spic and Span type product. Products like Spic and Span, 409, and Fantastic will work on both aluminum and vinyl siding. These products also rinse well.
Whatever detergent product you use, scrub the siding with a soft brush or sponge and rinse well. Do not allow the detergent to dry on the surface. To prevent stains on your siding, wash from the bottom up. Wet the siding with your hose and apply the detergent either with a brush or a garden sprayer. I like to use an automotive brush on a 6 foot handle. This allows you to work a larger area with less effort. You may have to let the detergent solution sit on the siding for a short period to help eliminate the more stubborn stains. Again, remember to not let the solution dry on the surface.
In areas of heavy mildew, you can try a concentrated mildew and mold remover called Jomax. Mix I pint of Jomax with 3 pints of laundry bleach and 2 gallons of water. Apply the solution with a garden sprayer and let it sit for 5 minutes. Scrub the area with your brush to remove any remaining debris.
Always make sure to follow any and all safety precautions for the cleaners you use. Avoid walking on the roof as it may become slippery as a result of the cleaners you are using.
A good cleaning can restore the beauty and natural colors of your vinyl or aluminum siding. You can also apply a product like Armorall or Penetrol if you would like to restore your siding’s original gloss.
Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeast, MN. 507-202-8942
It is recommended you seal pressure-treated wood used for decking or other outdoor projects. You should do this as soon as the lumber is dry. Pressure-treated wood is treated to resist rot and insects but is not resistant to moisture and sun damage. Applying a sealer will help prevent the penetration of moisture and stop cracks, swelling, and splits thereby increasing the value and longevity of your decking. If you use a pigmented stain/sealer, you can add color and slow the sun damage that would turn the surface gray.
You can determine when to apply the sealer, place a few drops of water on the wood. If the water is quickly absorbed, the wood is dry and ready to be sealed. If the water beads up on the surface, the wood is still too wet to seal. It can take several months for the wood to dry out. You will need to repeat the treatment every few years to prolong the life and appearance of the wood.
Before sealing a deck you must clean it. Choose a cleaner that matches the brand of finish you plan to use. If there are any dark gray mildew stains, add laundry bleach to the solution. Pressure washing is a good option but you should be very careful not to damage the wood. Cedar is particularly soft and can be damaged by too much pressure from your sprayer. Scrubbing the decking with a stiff brush is recommended. If you notice dirt and other debris stuck between the deck boards, you can easily remove this material with an old hand saw. You literally saw the dirt out of the grooves and increase the spacing slightly as you saw.
When should you refinish a deck? Upon inspection of your deck, you will know it is time to refinish a deck when the wood looks worn, dirty and lackluster. The recommended application of sealer is with a “rough surface brush” to ensure it gets into all the cracks and pores of the wood. Attaching the brush to a broom handle will make the application a bit easier. Apply the finish so it will all soak into the wood and not pool on the surface. It should not dry as a tick surface that can peel and be damaged easily.
Weather can be harsh in Southeastern MN, so it is a good idea to maintain proper water resistance. By doing so, you will enjoy many years of use while gaining value in your home. Contact your local Rochester area building supply store for more valuable tips regarding maintenance of your home.
Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspection. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942
Being a first time homebuyer and having our first home inspection, you really took the time to explain in detail and helped us to understand everything. You really went above and beyond what we expected. Thanks Again!
Mike H. St Charles, MN
Rick was very thorough and knowledgeable. Thank You for fitting me in on a Saturday morning. Great Job! I will definately recommend HomePro to my friends in the future.
Rosie P. Rochester, MN
Rick is very much a well-trained professional home inspector. I would definitely recommend him to people who need one. Very thorough and knowledgeable!
Wei C. Rochester, MN