Water damage is your home’s worst enemy! Here is a perfect example of what I see as a Cedar Rapids home inspector. Gutters that are full of debris and are either clogged or will be clogged at the first rainfall and grounds that slope towards the foundation walls.

As a Cedar Rapids Home Inspector, a part of my mission is to educate people about why keeping their gutters clean and their grounds properly sloped is important. It may seem like a small thing, but at Eastern Iowa Inspection services we view it as a very big deal.

What Do Gutters Do?

Your gutters serve to get water off of the roof and away from the foundation of the home. Many hundreds of gallons of water run down the roof during an average rain here in Cedar Rapids and Waterloo Iowa. You don’t want all that water running down around the foundation walls.

If your gutters are clean and functioning properly they will carry the majority of that water through the downspouts and away from the foundation.

What Can Happen?

As a professional home and commercial property inspector I see many wet basements in Cedar Rapids and Waterloo Iowa. There’s nothing worse than a damp, unusable basement. High moisture levels and seepage in the basement are conducive to Mold Growth and rot.

One thing about being a home inspector in Cedar Rapids and Waterloo Iowa is that you get to see a variety of problems. These problems vary greatly in severity. Clogged gutters and poor perimeter grading really can be your home’s worst enemies!

Here is an example of what happens when the slope of perimeter grading is negative.  This home had the gutters but not the grounds, which has over time caused the dirt to wash away. Fortunately for the home owner’s, they have a good sump pump to pump that water away. Once they get the grounds sorted out that sump pump will certainly run a lot less.

Be Proactive!

Instead of waiting for problems to appear, be proactive and contact us. We’ll come out and perform a professional home inspection that you can use as a road map to getting your house in shape.

Contact Us

It doesn’t matter if I am in Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls, or anywhere in between. The principals remain the same. Keep your gutters clean and the grounds properly slopping away from the home. Otherwise, you may have foundation issues over time that are irritating and costly to repair.

The post The 2 G’s! A Cedar Rapids Home Inspector and Your Home’s Worst Enemy. appeared first on EI2S Inspections.

Water damage is your home’s worst enemy! Here is a perfect example of what I see as a Cedar Rapids home inspector. Gutters that are full of debris and are either clogged or will be clogged at the first rain fall and grounds that slope towards the foundation walls.

As a Cedar Rapids Home Inspector, a part of my mission is to educate people about why keeping their gutters clean and their grounds properly sloped is important. It may seem like a small thing, but at Eastern Iowa Inspection services we view it as a very big deal.

What Do Gutters Do?

Your gutters serve to get water off of the roof and away from the foundation of the home. Many hundreds of gallons of water run down the roof during an average rain here in Cedar Rapids and Waterloo Iowa. You don’t want all that water running down around the foundation walls.

If your gutters are clean and functioning properly they will carry the majority of that water through the down spouts and away from the foundation.

What Can Happen?

As a professional home and commercial property inspector I see many wet basements in Cedar Rapids and Waterloo Iowa. There’s nothing worse than a damp, unusable basement. High moisture levels and seepage in the basement are conducive to Mold Growth and rot.

One thing about being a home inspector in Cedar Rapids and Waterloo Iowa is that you get to see a variety of problems. These problems vary greatly in severity. Clogged gutters and poor perimeter grading really can be your homes worst enemies!

Here is an example of what happens when the slope of perimeter grading is negative.  This home had the gutters but not the grounds, which has over time caused the dirt to wash away. Fortunately for the home owner’s, they have a good sump pump to pump that water away. Once they get the grounds sorted out that sump pump will certainly run a lot less.

Be Proactive!

 Instead of waiting for problems to appear, be proactive and contact us. We’ll come out and perform a professional home inspection that you can use as a road map to getting your house in shape. 

Contact Us

I doesn’t matter if I am in Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls or anywhere in between. The principals remain the same. Keep your gutters clean and the grounds properly slopping away from the home. Otherwise, you may have foundation issues over time that are irritating and costly to repair. 

The post The 2 G’s! A Cedar Rapids Home Inspector and Your Home’s Worst Enemy. appeared first on EI2S Inspections.

I always inspect the sump pit and pump during home and commercial property inspections. It seems to be one of those items that nobody thinks about until it starts running again. It’s a very good idea for you to inspect your sump pit and pump periodically.

First, the pit!

Is the pit clean? Sump pits are wet, dirty and sometimes moldy environments. If your sump pit has not been cleaned in recent years, or ever, it would be a good idea to clean it. It can be easily cleaned with a scrub brush and mild detergent. Simply scrub well, rinse, and run the pump. if you need a source of water, the water heater and washing machine both have faucets to hook up to. If the bottom of the pit has debris present, remove it. If you have drainage tile feeding the pit, check for rodent droppings. Surprisingly, mice can and do enter homes through these tiles. A screen can be placed at the exit of the pipe, but it must be inspected periodically to ensure that no clog is present in order to maintain good function. Now that the pit is nice and tidy, let’s look at the pump.

How to inspect your pump.

Inspecting your sump pump can consist of a simple visual inspection with a quick run, or physically removing the pump to inspect the impeller, electrical connection, and general condition of the unit. While you have the pump removed, you will want to inspect the check valve to ensure proper function. You should also check the condition of the discharge pipe to ensure no leaking has started. The pipes move every time the unit cycles on, so the possibility of leaking exists. Some sump pumps have screens that should be inspected for debris accumulation.

What pump should I buy? How often?

Sump pumps require periodic replacement due to normal wear. Their service life varies greatly depending on several factors, e.g. number of run cycles, condition of your sump pit (clean or dirty) and brand of pump. The brand of pump you purchase is a personal choice. However, if your pump only runs a few times per year, you may opt for a lower priced unit and proactively replace it on a set schedule, say every 4-5 years. Lower priced units usually have plastic cases and can be priced under $100.00. If your pump runs often, you may opt for a more expensive unit with a cast iron case and stainless steel parts. The higher end units may run in excess of $175.00 but are designed for heavy use and typically last much longer.

To float, or not to float?

Last but not least. If your sump pump does run often throughout the year and you don’t have one already, you might consider installing a piggy back variable level float switch. Installing one of these will dramatically reduce the amount of run cycles and may greatly increase the life of your pump. Again, if you are not qualified, I highly recommend these items be installed by a licensed plumber because improper installation can end up being a very expensive mistake.

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Remember the Boy Scout motto? It’s “Be Prepared”. Today’s winter tip is for you to get prepared before something happens, so that when it does happen, you can kick up your feet and relax, instead of fighting the masses of people rushing to the store to prepare after the fact.

There are several potential scenarios that can cause a disruption in our lives and the means of distribution of goods that we rely on. If you live in Eastern Iowa, then you can probably use your imagination to envision some of these potential events. Some examples are; extended power outage, municipal water supply disruption, severe weather, civil unrest, food supply/ distribution employment strike, monetary collapse and nuclear power plant accident.

The U.S. Government provides a rudimentary guide through FEMA for basic preparedness. The guide is a good starting point and will help you get a three-day supply together. Even having a three-day supply is much better than having nothing at all.

Depending on where you live in Eastern Iowa and your socioeconomic status you may decide to be more prepared or less. I strongly suggest the former. Many will seek government assistance during a crisis. In my experience, this is not the best option as any existing bureaucracies will likely be over burdened, under supplied and bogged down in the bureaucratic nightmare of paperwork.

Here are a few ways you can be prepared and help put your mind at ease should the unexpected happen and you need to hunker down for a week or more.

Water: Without good clean water we’re done for. It’s as simple as that. There are a couple of places in your home that you can get clean water from for free. The tanks on the back of your toilet are filled with potable (drinkable) water you might clean those occasionally just in case. The water heater in your home will have clean water that can be used in a crisis as well. Some folks have a water filtration system that can be used in an emergency. There are different types, e.g. pump or gravity. Some folks have pre-filled containers. Either way, it’s a good idea to see to your water needs before a crisis occurs.

Food: Without food we get grumpy, tired, and weak. after a short time our immunity becomes weakened making us more susceptible to sickness and eventually, well…let’s not go there.

It’s a good idea to be prepared by keeping some canned goods stored downstairs. You don’t have to run your own grocery store. But, if you rotate stock, use what you have, and maintain a small supply, you’ll feel better about being prepared and not having to fight the masses if the worst should happen. You don’t have to be wealthy to do this. Just buy a couple of extra cans every time you go to the store and before you know it, you’ll be well stocked and have some extra piece of mind for you and your family.

If you have some extra funds, another option is dehydrated or freeze-dried foods. The picture here comes from My Patriot Supply. These stackable food totes are supposed to contain enough dehydrated food for a full year, be non GM, and have a shelf life of ~25 years. If you are ambitious and want plenty of food for you and your family, this is definitely the way to go. Divide this one year stack by four people and you get a full three-month supply.

Heat: Last but not least is to have an alternative source of heat. To be prepared in Eastern Iowa means that we have another way to supply heat. If the power goes out and you don’t have a back up generator, an alternate source of heat can not only keep you alive, but keep you comfortable as well.

I hope these winter tips have helped you and that you will share them with your friends and family. Have a happy, safe and self-reliant winter. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for tips, advice and fun stuff.

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At Eastern Iowa Inspection Services we can do much more than just your typical home inspection. We offer Thermal Imaging, Indoor Air Quality testing and other services to help you get a complete picture of the property you are purchasing.

If you suspect mold in a home and hire us to do the inspection, we can add some indoor air quality tests to the inspection and verify whether mold is present or not. The air tests will also tell us the genus and its approximate concentration in the air of the home. If mold spore amplification is discovered, some additional inspection or remediation efforts may be required.

After the remediation has been completed, we can come back to the property and perform post remediation air tests to ensure the remediation effort was successful. You can then move in to a mold free home with confidence.

Finding mold during the course of a home inspection is not an everyday event, but it does happen more frequently than you would imagine. Mold is moisture dependent so if you don’t control the moisture, it will start to proliferate. One piece of advice is to NEVER install interior finish materials directly onto concrete. It will wick up moisture whether your basement is dry or not and you will end up with fungal growth. I like to keep any building materials set up off of the floor at least the thickness of the material I am applying, with the exception of paneling of which I would suggest a 1/2″ off the floor. Here a couple of pictures that I have taken over time. Remember, if you suspect fungal growth in your home, we can always come out, inspect and do air quality tests to determine if any is present and to what extent. Visit our Contact Us page to schedule your inspection and air tests today!

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Metal roof installations on residential homes are gaining in popularity. More and more homes are sporting a new metal roof. The question for me as your inspector and for you as a home buyer is, has the roof been installed correctly? Unfortunately, many are not. Here is an example of improper flashing practice on a new metal roof. I have numerous pictures of improperly installed metal roofs from inspections I have performed. Unfortunately there are a lot of “contractors” out there that will simply drive up and start slapping on steel. Buyer beware!

Most, if not all of the manufactures that I have read strongly recommend that a residential installation be installed onto a solid deck and not over existing shingles. That requires the existing shingles be removed down to the sheeting and a new layer of either 30# paper be installed or, better yet the roof be covered in high temp ice and water shield. We are talking about best practice here. Not just slapping up steel.

Unfortunately, the majority of metal roofs I see are installed right over the original shingles. In my opinion this is very bad because the installers have no way to determine the condition of the roof sheeting which prevents them from discovering ventilation deficiencies. Proper ventilation is key to a healthy roof, attic and home. These “contractors” are installing possibly the last roof the home will ever see over a deteriorated and potentially damaged substrate. Does that sound like a good idea to you? Of course not. This is why I strongly recommend that you do your do diligence and hire a contractor that will do the job right the first time. Someone with specific experience and who follows the manufactures instructions to the letter. It may cost extra up front, but it will pay off in the long run.

Properly installed metal roofs have several advantages over a composite shingle installation. A few are of them are;

• Longevity: A properly installed metal roof may last anywhere from 30 years to well over a hundred years and beyond, depending on the type of metal used. Types of metal range from galvanized steel all the way to titanium and come in a variety of colors and types.
• Durability: A properly installed metal roof should give you a class 4 impact rating and a class A fire rating provided it meets the appropriate UL standards. These ratings may have a positive effect on your insurance premiums so be sure to check it out before you purchase your materials. Properly installed metal roofs also have very good wind ratings upward of 140 mph. Contrary to popular belief, metal roofing is considerably lighter than other roofing materials as well.
• Efficiency: If the appropriate color is used, a metal roof may reduce heat gain, thereby reducing utility bills up to 15% in the summer months.

A few of the disadvantages are;

• Cost: The initial cost of materials and installation may be much more than the cost of a typical composite shingle installation making a metal roof a non viable choice for some.
• Longevity: A properly installed metal roof will last many years and if you plan on moving soon you may not enjoy the payback from the initial investment unless you build the roof cost in to the price of the building you are selling.
• Improper Installation: Hiring just any contractor to install your metal roof is a bad idea. Experience and attention to detail are of the utmost importance! Many seek out the lowest bid price for installation. This may be a grave mistake and end up costing much more than the cost of a proper installation in the long run. Buyer beware.

The bottom line is that a metal roof has several advantages over composite shingle installations but will cost much more up front. Proper installation is key and not just any contractor should do, nor should you necessarily go with the lowest bid. If you would like to read about the engineering concerns of commercial metal roofing here is a good article. I hope this brief article helps you make better decisions if you are considering installing a metal roof on your home or commercial building.

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Insulation Deficiencies in a new home

Some deficiencies were discovered using thermal imaging during a home inspection on a new North Liberty home. New homes can have problems too. As you can see by the picture we have some missing insulation in the ceilings of the home. This was discovered in the kitchen and master bedroom. While this is not the end of the world and is easily rectified, it would have cost the owners of the home additional money in utility bills over time. Also, it may have created cold spots causing discomfort during the winter months. Thank goodness this wasn’t found in the exterior walls! At 285,000 dollars this is unacceptable.

Saturated Carpet Pad

It seems that insulation deficiencies were not the only thing wrong with this North Liberty home. While I had the thermal imaging camera out I spotted some anomalies in the basement as well. Sorry for the blurry picture. This is a moisture meter showing near 100% saturation of the carpet pad in the basement. The carpet was the typical contractor grade frieze and this may not have been spotted without the aid of thermal imaging. The carpet and pad were saturated roughly six feet from the exterior wall. Could this be an issue with the brand new foundation? I could only speculate, but based on the lack of craftsmanship we had encountered so far it certainly was possible.

Foundation forming error

Here we have a picture of the basement egress window well. Notice that it has been capped on the top portion? This indicates that there was an error when forming the walls and the cap had to be added later. This will forever be an eyesore to the owners of this North Liberty Home. If we have forming errors on the top of the wall what’s going on down near the footing that we can’t see? Is there unconsolidated concrete that is allowing exterior water to infiltrate the basement? The home had a fairly low elevation in relation to other homes on the street and poor drainage characteristics at the time of the inspection so the probability of water infiltration is definitely increased.

The moral of the story is, if you are building a new North Liberty Home, or a new home in any other city in Eastern Iowa you should have it inspected by a competent  home inspector that has a lengthy and diverse construction background so that you don’t get ripped off. Visit our home page or contact us to schedule your home inspection now.

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Pristine 1957 Boiler

The house was built in 1957. I don’t know any Americans that don’t think of neat stuff when they hear 1957.

When I got to the part of my home inspection where I inspect the HVAC this is what I found. When I entered the room in the basement, it was like stepping back in time. Here sat an American-Standard boiler from 1957 that other than a little dust was in absolutely perfect condition. What a treat!! The saying is true, “they don’t make them like this anymore”. This boiler has been running for 57 years and as long as parts are available and we have natural gas, will continue to run for many more.

This boiler that I found at this Iowa City home inspection has cast iron burners, a quality built steel cabinet and overall great craftsmanship in its assembly. If I cleaned the dust off it would look brand new. Granted, it’s not 90% efficient, but I think it has paid for itself many times based on its service life. I wouldn’t dream of a modern furnace lasting this long. It is superior in its simple design.

Made in America!

I inspected the unit like I always do, looking for gas leaks, checking for flame roll out and adjustment etc. The unit had been well cared for over the years and ran like it was new. A true testament to the saying “if you take care of your stuff, it will take care of you”. I might be waxing nostalgic here, but I’ll tell you, not too many things are made like this anymore. This boiler was made right here in America and is a great symbol of our ingenuity and manufacturing ability. You certainly won’t find too many things these days that will last and perform over the long hall like this.

Here is an advertisement from back then…pretty neat!

1951 Advertisement

This was a rare treat indeed and is one of many reasons why I love being in this business. I hope you enjoyed it too. If you want to see the history of the American Standard company here is a link to their website. American Standard History

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If you are currently building a home or are planning on building in the future, this article is for you.

One part of the planning and building process that often goes by the wayside is the consideration of Radon gas. Radon gas is a radioactive gas that cannot be seen or smelled. It is a decay product of radium. Radium is a decay product of naturally occurring uranium in the soil. In the state of Iowa, Radon gas can be found at concentrations at or above the recommended mitigation level in 50% – 70% of homes according to the Iowa dept. of public health. Radon gas is reported to be the second leading cause of lung cancer in America according to the American Lung Association

Because Radon is a gas, it can enter the living space of your home. It enters the home through cracks, holes, sump pits and any other means available.One of the reasons it enters the home is called stack effect. Stack effect occurs for different reasons. Induced stack effect is created because we pump air out of our home but do not replace it. This can happen by running a vent fan or clothes dryer. When this happens we create a negative pressure in the home which will tend to draw air in from whatever means are available. Natural stack effect is caused by warm air exiting the home and drawing air in to replace it.

Building Radon resistant is simple. Prior to construction be sure to inform your contractor that you would like the home built Radon resistant. This will consist of a minimum 4″ bed of clean rock with a 6 mil polyethylene vapor barrier below the basement slab. A 3″ schedule 40 PVC pipe will be installed into your sump pit or penetrate the slab in another area. It’s best to have the pipe installed during the construction process as it can be easily hidden from view in a chase wall for aesthetic purposes. The pipe will go through the attic and penetrate the roof, similar to a plumbing vent. In the attic a junction box or electrical outlet will be installed close to the pipe. This will allow an easy installation of a mitigation fan should the home test at higher levels after construction is finished and require mitigation. The cost of building Radon resistant varies but on average is much less than installing a mitigation system after construction is complete.

If you have already built your home or have purchased an existing home and have not tested for Radon gas, I suggest you give us a call at 319-310-6044 and schedule your Radon Test today. Or, simply visit the Contact Us page of our website and schedule it there. We use the best equipment available and have all the knowledge and experience to answer your questions and help you find the best solutions.

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