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continued
from front page...
Interior Walls and Surfaces
Inspect ceilings for
signs of leakage,
especially under a bath or powder
room. Also check for bulges that
could be caused by a leak or age.
Check painted, stained, or natural-finish
surfaces for coating failure
and damage. Repairing and recoating
(paint, varnish, etc.) when necessary
can eliminate major preparation and
painting at a later date.
Check flooring
materials for signs of
excessive wear, particularly
where one material meets
another (for example, wood
to carpet, carpet to tile). All such
areas should be protected. Floors
should also be checked for squeaking,
poor finish, and settling. Minor
problems should be addressed before
they become serious ones.
Attics
Attic ventilation is
necessary if moderate to
above average quantities
of insulation are present.
Ventilation and insulation
are more of a concern
in colder climates. The
best ventilation is
high-low because of the
natural thermal currents
that are present.
Check the condition of
the insulation. Trapped
moisture will cause it to
lose effectiveness. Insulation should "envelope"
the living space. It should not
be installed between the rafters of an
attic that is not being used as a living
space. When rafters are part of the
living space, ventilation must be provided
between the insulation and the
roof sheathing.}
Check the underside of the
roof sheathing for
water stains or dampness. These
problems indicate one or more
of the following: (a) Leaks from the
roof, flashings, or valleys; (b) Condensation
caused by inadequate ventilation
and/or excessive moisture inside.
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BATTLING Eyesores
We’ve
all seen the properties that are neighborhood eyesores.
They bring down the value of adjoining homes and make
your listings harder
to sell,
which is probably no news
to you. If the good-guy
approach does not
work to motivate a
neighbor help clean
up, here are some
tips on what else can
be done:
1. Get The Camera. Taking
pictures of a neighbor’s
junk and weeds, that sometime disappear
when an agency’s inspector comes to
visit, presents the proper picture of the property.
2. Keep Good Records. Record specific examples
of occurrences. For instance, stating
that fifteen trucks were parked in front
of the house on July 6th is more powerful
than "there are always trucks parked
out there".
3. Be Aggressive. Call every official you can
in the township. The
squeaky wheel gets oiled
first!
4. Neighborly Approach. Get the neighbors involved
with the complaining. It will help out
everyone!
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