From The Desk of Arthur S. Lazerow
Alban Home Inspectors: A
Multi-Talented Group
Alban has seven
multi-talented home inspectors. I
feel honored to have such skilled
and decent people working with me.
Last month I asked Marty Blackwood
to write why his experiences as a
working architect make him a superior
home inspector. This month is Rudy
Rudacil’s opportunity.
Rudy writes: "After having thirty years experience
in residential remodeling, repair and
contracting, I have learned a lot that helps
me when inspecting a home. I have found
that prospective homeowners usually
come through the front door with preconceived
ideas about the house they want to
buy and my experience is helpful. In
my opinion, the kitchens and bathrooms
should be the focus. These rooms
might be relatively inexpensive to rehabilitate
with a little sweat and a few trips
to Home Depot for some mini-seminars on
bathroom fixtures and ceramic
tiling.
While inspecting, I usually spot loose ceramic
tile problems. The buyer might ask
if patching a loose tile would be appropriate.
I let them know that, in my experience,
the area of wet drywall behind that
one loose tile is much more widespread
than they think and there may be
mold behind the tiles. One of my
other specialties is in finishing basements.
I now see a lot of basements that
the homeowner has finished. I can always
tell whether the basement was done by
a professional, the builder, or by the homeowner.
How the drywall was finished is a
key factor.
When I find an unfinished basement, I like to
ask the buyers if they have plans to finish
the basement, whether it is right away
or down the road. I help them locate the
most logical place for the bath and the best
source for hot and cold water." |
Air Conditioner Advice
A properly maintained
air-conditioning system or window unit will increase efficiency and
reduce energy bills. There are a few steps to follow to maximize
comfort, at the least cost. |
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• Have
the air conditioning system serviced
at the beginning of the cooling
season. Same for heating. A
professionally maintained system will
operate at peak efficiency.
• Since dusty filters reduce
airflow and consume excess energy,
replace the unit’s air filter once
a month if the filter is the regular
one-inch wide paper filter. Clean a
reusable filter monthly. Follow manufacturer’s
instructions for cleaning electronic
filters or replacing hypoallergenic
filters.
•Clear drain channels by passing a
stiff wire through them. Clogged
drain channels prevent the units
from reducing humidity effectively,
and the resulting excess moisture my
discolor walls and carpeting.
• Clean dusty interior coils with
a vacuum cleaner. Exterior coils may
be cleaned using water from a garden
hose. Before you do anything,
remember to unplug or turn off the
system.
• Set a timer (or programmable
thermostat for central air condition) to
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automatically
turn on the system a half hour
or so before returning home. Make sure
that the timer can handle the electrical
load; otherwise, it could be a fire
hazard.
• For central air conditioning
units, make sure the ducts are
properly insulated, especially those
that pass through the attic or any
other unconditioned spaces.
• Close off unused rooms and close
vents in those rooms.
•Weatherstrip all doors and
windows.
• Set
the thermostat to 78 degrees F. to decrease
energy costs by 12-47% (as compared
to setting it to 72 degrees F.). Do
not set the thermostat lower than the
desired temperature when you first turn
it on. It will not cool faster; it will only
cool to a lower temperature than necessary
and therefore waste energy.
•Turn
the fan speed to high (or "ON" not
"AUTO"). Running the fan prevents
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