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Detecting Hazardous Gas
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On a recent home inspection I came across what appeared to be a blocked chimney flue.  Both the furnace and water heater were functioning properly with nice blue flames.  I was however getting back draft Carbon Monoxide exhaust from both appliances.  Carbon Monoxide does not smell or taste and can lead to death if occupants are over exposed.  I recommended to the homeowner that they immediately get a qualified Plumbing & Heating contractor to resolve the condition.  In addition, it was recommended that Carbon Monoxide detectors be installed on all levels of the home.

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Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942. http://www.homepro-inspection.com/

Posted on Friday, July 2nd, 2010.
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Posted in Heating, Inspectors Blog, Plumbing

Eliminating Ice Dams
Ice Dam

Ice Dam

Ice dams can be a problem this time of year here in the Rochester area.  Snow melts on the roof and freezes at the eaves leaving a dam. Continued melting will pool up behind the dam and has the potential to seep under your shingles, resulting in water damage to both the roof deck, as well as the walls and ceilings.  During this home inspection I discovered that most all of the insulation from the roof deck had fallen loose in the partial attic section of this story and a half home. In addition, there was no insulation on the interior knee wall, and very little insulation in the ceiling area.  The problem results in heat escape to the roof deck, causing the snow melt. 

Missing Insulation

The recommendation here is to hire an insulation contractor to provide adequate insulation to the affected areas to increase insulation efficiency and eliminate the ice damming.

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942

Posted on Wednesday, January 6th, 2010.
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Posted in Inspectors Blog, Roofing, Structural

Blocked Furnace Venting

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The recent heavy snowfall and drifting brings one more thing that Rochester and Southeastern MN homeowners need to keep an eye on.  Home owners with High Efficiency, direct vent furnaces and water heaters need to check to see that the venting has not been drifted over with snow or blocked.  These systems typically vent through the sill plate of the home, close to ground level through a white PVC piping like in the photo above.  Drifting snow has the potential to block these vents, causing your furnace or water heater to not operate.  These systems have sensors that will detect blockage which will shut down the system.  Simply got out and check to make sure these vents have adequate clearance.  If they are blocked, simply clear the snow out of and away from the vents, and you should be good to go.  If there are still problems, call your local Rochester heating contractor to resolve the issue. 

I was discussing this with a client recently at a home inspection.  The client’s Realtor spoke up and said that he learned this lesson last year.  Cost him $75 to have someone come and clear the snow away from the venting. 

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942

Posted on Friday, December 11th, 2009.
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Posted in Heating

Furnace Improvements

The only can of green beans we have in the house.. And they are way past the expiration date.  I guess we’ll have to run to the store

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Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942

Posted on Thursday, November 19th, 2009.
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Posted in Inspectors Blog, Oh My Gosh...

A Little Caulk Can Go a Long Way

Energy leakage and water damage are a constant threat to homeowners.  Simple caulking and insulating of leaks and openings can help to reduce energy loss by up to a third.

As I suggest during the process of a home inspection, don’t buy the cheap caulk.  Buy a good quality caulk that will last a lifetime.  There are several products available at your local Rochester and Southeastern MN hardware or home supply store. 

Once a year do a complete inspection of your home exterior for potential leaks or openings.  Areas around windows, doors, and utility entry points are the first place to look.  Home Owners that take the time to protect their homes can increase resale value and enjoy low maintenance exteriors.  Preventative measures now rather than later can eliminate big repair bills in the future.  If you keep at it, you can stay ahead of mother nature.

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942

Posted on Monday, October 12th, 2009.
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Posted in Exterior Components, Inspectors Blog

Lower Your Home Heating Costs With A New Insulated Garage Door

At first glance, an old leaky garage door may not seem like something that would contribute to your rising home utility bills, but just might be worth thinking about.  A new, insulated garage door can reduce energy loss through the garage door by up to 71%.

An attached garage usually shares one or two common walls with your home.  Hot or cold air leaking through your garage door will affect the interior temperature of your garage, thus affecting the adjacent living areas of your home.  An insulated garage door will stabilize garage temperatures, thus reducing the effect on common garage/home walls.

A well insulated garage, with a well insulated garage door, can result in your garage being 10-20 degrees warmer that the outside temperature on a cold Rochester and Southeastern MN winter day.  That 10-20 degrees can make a big difference on the temperature of adjacent walls located above or next to the garage. 

Did you know that thanks to the stimulus legislation, if you purchase a new energy efficient garage door for your home, prior to Dec 31, 2010, you will not only save money on your heating bills, you may also qualify for up to $1500 in federal tax credits.

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942

Posted on Monday, September 28th, 2009.
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Posted in Garage, Inspectors Blog

It’s Important That Carbon Monoxide Detectors Are Placed Properly

hh_det_prev_carbon_monoI see a lot of homes in the process of performing home inspections that do not have Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors installed.  In some cases  I find that they are not installed properly.  If you are installing only one carbon monoxide detector in your home, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends it be located near the sleeping area, where it can wake you if you are asleep.  Additional detectors should be located on every level and within 10 feet of every bedroom of a home to provide extra protection against carbon monoxide poisoning.

It should be noted that carbon monoxide detectors not be located directly above or beside fuel-burning appliances, as appliances may emit a small amount of carbon monoxide upon start-up. Also make sure that detectors are not placed within fifteen feet of heating or cooking appliances or in or near very humid areas such as bathrooms.

I often get asked whether it is better to place a carbon monoxide detector at the ceiling or use the type that plugs into an outlet.  Carbon monoxide is roughly the same weight as air so it can and may be contained in warm air coming from combustion appliances such as home heating equipment. If this is the case, carbon monoxide will rise with the warmer air.  Carbon monoxide is produced from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. In the home CO can be formed, for example, by open flames, space heaters, water heaters, blocked chimneys or running a car inside a garage.

Since CO is colorless, tasteless and odorless (unlike smoke from a fire), detection and prevention of carbon monoxide poisoning in a home environment is impossible without such a warning device. To make sure that we are covered here in the Rochester and Southeastern Mn area, the state of Minnesota passed a law that requires CO detectors in all dwellings.  And again, that’s every level and within 10 feet of sleeping areas to protect you and your family.

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942

Posted on Saturday, May 9th, 2009.
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Posted in Interior

Change Your Furnace Filter

When inspecting a furnace during a home inspection, I typically find that most people do not change their furnace filters at regular intervals.

Replacing your furnaces air filter at regular intervals is the first step in keeping your furnace running properly.  The furnace filter’s main purpose is to keep soot, dust, pollens and other particle contaminants out of the air in your home.  Clogged and dirty air filters result in your furnace blower having to work harder.  This makes your furnace more costly to operate and will shorten its lifespan.

Check your owner’s manual for the proper size and type filter for your furnace.  Furnace filters vary in size, and it is important that you use one that is sized for your furnace.  If you do not have access to the owners manual, you can sometimes find the filter information on the inside panel of the furnace.  If the information is not provided on the furnace, you can try contacting the Rochester or Southeastern MN heating company that supports your furnace brand.  Purchasing your furnace filters by the case changing more convenient.

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942

Posted on Tuesday, April 14th, 2009.
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Posted in Heating

Furnace Air Filters And Maintenance

How often should you change the filter on the furnace? Whenever it’s dirty. And although it sounds a little silly, better filters get dirty more quickly and need to be changed more often.

A standard cheap (about $1) fiberglass air filter should be checked once a month and changed when it shows visible dirt. You also need to check the filter when running the central air conditioner, because air circulates through the furnace and the filter.

I suggest you replace the cheap fiberglass filter with a pleated paper filter. You will find them in any hardware or building supply store next to the standard filters. Read the labels-some are more efficient than others. Price will vary from about $3 to $15. These filters will trap much more dirt and smaller particles of dirt. They need to be changed more often because they do a better job of trapping dirt.

The next level up from standard throw-away filters are washable filters and electrostatic washable filters. Washable foam filters work quite well if coated with a special sticky spray like Filter Coat. Electrostatic filters are relatively expensive (about $100), but they do trap dirt well.

A better filter is the 6-inch-thick pleated paper filter. Air is forced through a long accordion of filter paper. Fine holes in the paper trap small particles of dirt. The large surface area limits pressure loss in the heating system. A special frame needs to be installed in the duct work, and the filter costs about $25, but it will last one or two years.

The top of the line is an electronic filter that charges metal plates in the air stream and attracts dust. This is the only type of filter that actually removes smoke particles from the air. This filter costs about $700 installed. Filter plates must be washed monthly in the dishwasher or by hand with soapy water.

I consider the pleated paper filters a good investment. The more expensive electronic filters are great for people with allergies or sensitivity to dust.

Posted on Tuesday, February 24th, 2009.
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Posted in Monthly Home Tip

I was very impressed with the whole inspection process.  All of my questions were answered thoroughly.  My uneasiness and worries were erased after review of the inspection findings and discussion.  Well worth the money.  I will definitely recommend you to others!

Derrick W, Rochester, MN

We have used Rick twice, once in 2005 when we bought our first home and again this year with the purchase of our second home. He is very professional and thourough. I like how his report is layed out with pictures. I like how he labels all the valves in the home. We never felt that he was in a rush and he came prepared to give us our printed report there on the spot. Rick will point out areas that need repair and suggest ways to fix them. I would recommend him to anyone buying or selling a home.‎

Kristine T. Kasson, 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

Call and schedule your inspection today 507.202.8942