Tips for Buyers and Sellers of Homes in NE Ohio

The Home Warranty Gets an Upgrade

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 18:07:01 GMT

These partnered services work together to ensure the homeowner is well-protected in future warranty claims.

Getting a denied claim is aggravating and upsetting to say the least, especially when you are out of money from buying your new home.

In the past, home warranties seemed to work as they should. These days, however, bad and fraudulent claims clog the system. Denials due to pre-existing conditions are prevalent and give warranties a bad rap.

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty has figured out how to fix this issue and it’s actually very simple! They have teamed up with an inspection company who verifies the condition of the home; it's a snap-shot in time as to what is operative and what is not. The inspector also captures images of the name plates from all the accessible appliances and systems for the warranty as well. All the pertinent information is shared with the warranty company, and it is documented in the file.

This is a win/win/win for all parties! The buyer gets a warranty that covers the claims as it should, the seller gets to transfer the liability to the warranty company, and the agent gets happy clients. All because the warranty works.

The price for the warranted home inspection is an amazing value because it doesn’t cost any extra for the service. The only requirement is to use TK Home Inspection and 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty for your inspection and warranty service. We do the rest, and you get the benefits of a warranty verified by a third party.

TK Home Inspection and 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty have formed a strategic partnership to offer this new Warranted Home Inspection program to Northeast Ohio homebuyers. Give us a call at 330.361.5505 to order your warranted home inspection today.

Four Things to Teach Your Spouse Before Leaving Them Alone in the House

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 17:19:52 GMT

Do you wonder if your better half will be prepared in an emergency around the home? If you are not, you should be.

The average cost of home renovation after a water leak is $25,000 and it takes weeks if not months to complete the work. However, if the water leak can be contained by turning off the main water valve, damages decrease from $25,000 to just $1,500!

Turn off the Main electric . Know the location of the electrical box. When the door is opened, the shut-off switch is typically located at the very top of the panel box. Most of the time it is labeled ON and OFF. Switch it to the opposite side.
Main water shut off . Knowing the location of your main water shut-off valve will help to prevent water damage. It is recommended that you label the valve with a bright colored tag so you can find it quickly. Inspect the valve yearly to ensure it is functioning properly.
Shut-off valves under sinks . Most sinks have two valves located below the sink. There should be one for hot water and one for cold water. Turn off both valves.
Reset a GFCI . Most GFCI’s (ground fault circuit interrupter) can be reset at the electrical outlet. Simply press TEST and then RESET.

Teaching these items to older children and your spouse only takes a few minutes and offers you peace of mind by protecting your most valuable assets: first- your loved ones, and second- your home.

TK Home Inspection is available for all your inspection needs. We offer general home inspections, radon testing, indoor air quality testing, water testing, water system evaluations, septic inspections, and more. Give us a call at 330.361.5505 or go online at www.tkhomeinspection.com/book-now to schedule your inspections today.

The Six Best Ways to Keep Your Basement Dry

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 15:27:06 GMT

Ohio weather causes moisture year-round, but there are some ways we can help reduce it.

Basements in Ohio will always hold moisture due to our weather, but the wall should not be saturated. Too much water in the walls can lead to mildew, mold, or even structural damage.

Regular maintenance will prevent serious and costly problems down the road. In the home inspection business, we see homes that are cared for, and we see homes that have been neglected. Neglected homes always have water issues and possibly mold and structural issues.

Take inventory of your property and perform the necessary maintenance to keep water out of your basement.

Clean your gutters as much as needed depending on the trees and leaves.
Extend your downspouts 6 feet away at every downspout.
Adjust the landscaping so there is a 1-inch slope for every foot, at least 4 feet out from the foundation.
Install window wells at all basement windows. If they are installed, keep them clean.
Seal all cracks and open seams around the house, driveway, and patio.
Periodically test your sump pump. Install a backup battery to be prepared in a power outage.

TK Home Inspection will inspect for areas of incoming water, moisture intrusion, and mold in the basement, crawlspaces, and attic. We will provide you with a referral for a mold mitigation professional upon request. Call us at 330.361.5505 or visit us online at www.tkhomeinspection.com/book-now to schedule your mold inspection.

My House Was Inspected in the Winter, Should I Be Concerned About the AC?

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 15:26:18 GMT

Cool weather isn't conducive to complete AC testing, an HVAC technician can check it out in the Spring.

AC units have oils that can only be run above 60 degrees so testing a unit in the winter is not possible without damaging the unit.

Without starting it up, home inspectors are limited as to what can be accomplished when temperatures are chilly or cold. If you are concerned about the operation of the AC unit, then you should have an HVAC technician inspect the system. They can take the unit apart and run diagnostic tests to indicate its operational level.

Once we provide you with the report, it is your responsibility to investigate the defects or limitations that are in the home inspection report during the inspection process. Waiting until you move into the house to investigate the top defects can be troublesome and end up costing you more money.

Two months ago, a client who just moved into his house called and said he had to buy a new furnace and he wondered why it wasn’t in the report. When we looked at the report, the furnace condition was in the report and listed as a top defect. He failed to have the furnace looked at further during the inspection process and it took a chunk out of his wallet.

If you are a client at TK Home Inspection, we always welcome your calls with concerns about your home. You can reach us at 330.361.5505. We have answers and we are here to help.

Five Areas to Check to Determine If There Is Mold In Your House

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 20:54:06 GMT

For the health and safety of our families, keeping mold out of our homes is vitally important!

Molds are a type of fungus and can grow on and in every surface and item of your home. Mold spores are spread through the air and have the potential to cause health problems, irritating the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of people allergic to mold and even to those not allergic. Allergic reactions include sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rashes. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma and can be life-threatening in severe instances.

For the health and safety of our families, keeping mold out of our homes is vitally important!

Where will I find mold?

Basement. Water comes into the foundation from the outside so look at the floor joists and exterior walls. Early signs of water intrusion include white staining on the cinderblock walls. Later signs of water intrusion include blistering paint, deterioration of masonry or a mold like substance on the walls.
Attic. Open the attic hatch and enter the attic. Walk the interior looking for areas of staining on the ceiling, walls and floor. Small areas of staining could indicate a nail pop. Larger areas of staining could indicate missing flashing.
Crawlspace . If you have a crawlspace, it will need inspected, so get in there and check all the floor joists above. In addition, check for any water leaks which would be dark staining areas or puddles of water in the crawlspace.
Bathroom ceiling. Before mold becomes mold it is moisture buildup. Allowing the moisture buildup to continue and an excessive moisture environment to continue will create mold and mold spores.
Under all sinks. Look at the interior and exterior walls of the cabinet, look at the interior ceiling and the floor of the cabinet. Staining of the wood, puddles of water, or soft spots are all signs of leakage that lead to mold growth.

What if I think I have mold?

Only a lab can determine if a mold like substance is mold. Mold comes in many forms. It can definitely be dark in color, it can be white, it could be fuzzy. It could also look like a fungus. The only real way to know if it’s mold is to test it.

You can call in the professionals and they can test the mold for less than a few hundred dollars.

More importantly is discovering the cause of the mold and correcting that defect immediately.

One last tip— never clean mold with bleach . Bleach releases the mold spores into the air and will make you sick. Instead, get a bucket of water and add soap. Use a rag or sponge to wipe the walls. Get the mold like substance on the sponge or rag. Rinse and repeat.

TK Home Inspection performs two types of mold testing, swab samples or air samples. Both tests will indicate what kind of spores are present. Our inspectors will inspect for areas of moisture and mold problems in the basement, crawlspaces, interior areas, and attic.

Some mold can easily be removed by the homeowner, other situations will require a specialist to perform the mitigation. We offer the best service at the best prices in NE Ohio so give TK Home Inspection a call at 330.361.5505 or visit us online at www.tkhomeinspection.com/book-now to schedule your inspection.

Nine Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector While at the Home Inspection

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 20:45:57 GMT

Nothing compares to asking your home inspector direct questions and having a conversation about each concern.

Your home inspector will provide you with a report detailing their professional and objective visual examination of the mechanical and structural systems of your home. This will be a great resource going forward; however, nothing compares to asking your home inspector direct questions and having a conversation about each concern.

Ask the following questions to your home inspector to learn the most you can about your home.

What is the age of my air conditioner and furnace?
What is the condition of my roof?
Did you see any structural issues?
Are the bath fans vented to the exterior?
If so, are they vented correctly?
Are there any signs of mold?
Are there any signs of previous or current water damage?
Tell me about the electrical box. What is the service size and are there any available breakers?
Did you see any current or past signs of termites?

Once you have the answers you need and the report in your hand, you can move forward with any repairs or replacements if deemed necessary.

TK Home Inspection has a list of professionals we can refer to our customers for most all personal and commercial building and system repairs. Call us at 330.361.5505 or visit us online at www.tkhomeinspection.com/book-now to schedule your inspection.

Government Loan Inspection Requirements Revealed

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 16:38:39 GMT

Additional water tests are required for all VA and FHA loans!

Government loans have requirements beyond what conventional loans require when it comes to the home inspections, wood destroying insect inspections and the water well inspections. The right company will help you navigate potential issues that may arise because of stricter loan requirements and appraisal issues. Using an inspection company with experience and who can provide all the services needed makes for a smooth lending process and no surprises!

If the buyer of your house is using a VA loan for the purchase, you - the seller - are required to pay for the wood destroying insect inspection. Pay the inspector on the day of the service.

If the home has a water well system, Government loans require that the water source be tested for three additional contaminants. They are lead, nitrates, and nitrites water tests.

Lead would leach into the water system if lead is present in the solder used to install the pipes. Nitrates and nitrites would come from over-fertilization of farm land or a leaching septic system. These three tests go to an out of state lab and can take up to 5 days to process the results. We always recommend asking your lender if they require these tests, or order them for the safety of you and your family.

As for issues with the home, government loan appraisers can require handrails, GFCI's by water sources, no broken window panes, a roof with 2+ years of life and more. All of our inspectors include any item in the report that would need to be addressed before the appraiser’s visit.

When deciding what inspections to choose, always choose as many inspections that are available and applicable to the house you are considering purchasing.

Houses can be dangerous, cause injury or even death if not maintained correctly.

The water well evaluation is not part of the general home inspection. TK Home Inspection inspectors are Ohio H2O System Contractors. We offer water testing, water system evaluations, septic inspections, home inspections, radon testing, indoor air quality testing, pest inspections, and more. Give us a call at 330.361.5505 or go online at www.tkhomeinspection.com/book-now to schedule all your inspections today.

Can I Look Up an Ohio Water Well Log?

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 14:53:46 GMT

Here's how you can find an Ohio water well log online.

Yes, you can. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has made all the well logs in Ohio available online through their website.

Searching is complicated if you do not know how to navigate the DNR's complex search engine. They updated the site in 2022 and it went from hard to use to impossible to get results. It was so difficult that I called the DNR water well office and had the "Well Geek" (he is, and he is proud of it!) explain to me how to do a search so I could share the information with the community.

Follow our simple instructions for immediate success.

Go to waterwells.ohiodnr.gov
Select ‘Classic Search’ and then ‘Custom Search’
Enter: 1) County 2) Street Number 3) Street Name
Scroll to the bottom and click ‘Submit Custom Search’

There can be multiple well logs for a property. This is typical when one has been replaced or the first drilled well did not produce water. If you cannot find records for a property of interest, try looking for an alternative spelling of the street name. Technicians are not always the best spellers.

TK Home Inspection offers water testing, water system evaluations, septic inspections, home inspections, radon testing, indoor air quality testing, pest inspections, and more. Give us a call at 330.361.5505 or go online at www.tkhomeinspection.com/book-now to schedule your inspections today.

Septic Inspections Stink!

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 14:46:38 GMT

Being proactive with a septic inspection prior to listing can make for an easier sale.

The last thing you want as a home seller is to have your sale cancel because your septic has issues. Septic problems and replacements are one of the top 5 reasons why buyers walk away from a home sale. Don't let this happen to you.

If your home has a septic system, have the septic inspected before putting the house on the market. This will run about $300 but it will save you headache, heartache, and future stress.

In Stark and Summit Counties, the Health Department requires that the septic be inspected before property transfer. They are also the authority that states what repairs need to be made and when. The majority of septic repairs are minor, such as installing or replacing risers, installing a baffle, or repairing an outlet T.

If a septic has been neglected, then replacement may be necessary. The only way to know is to have the system inspected. Many systems can last 60 plus years if they are properly serviced.

Showing a buyer your document that says the septic is approved for property transfer adds buyer’s confidence to the sale and shows that you are proactive in your efforts.

TK Home Inspection offers septic inspections, water testing, water system evaluations, home inspections, radon testing, indoor air quality testing, pest inspections, and more. Give us a call at 330.361.5505 or go online at www.tkhomeinspection.com/book-now to schedule your inspections today.

What To Do When the Bacteria Test Comes Back High

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 17:06:07 GMT

The only way to know if the water in your home is safe is by having it professionally tested.

Performing a water potability test is part of the water system evaluation. The potability reports on three bacteria. The first is Total Coliform and the second and third are E.coli and Fecal E.coli.

A few ways bacteria can make its way into your well include:

An unused well develops standing water
A loose well cap or cracks in the pipe
Recent well, pump, or plumbing system work
A septic system is leaching into the water

If a well is unused for any length of time, it is normal for the bacterial test to be elevated. Disinfecting the well can be performed by the homeowner or a service company. The process takes 6 days and is an involved process.

First, disinfectant is put in the well and water is run. This treated water is left in the pipes overnight. Then water must be run for 5 days to flush the well. The follow up water test can be performed on day 6.

Testing for lead, nitrates and nitrites are often required of some new homebuyers and are always good for the homeowner to know for their own family’s health.

TK Home Inspection inspectors are H2O licensed. We offer water testing, water system evaluations, septic inspections, home inspections, radon testing, indoor air quality testing, pest inspections, and more. Give us a call at 330.361.5505 or go online at www.tkhomeinspection.com/book-now to schedule your inspections today.

Help - We Can't Find the Septic Tank Lids!

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 16:57:57 GMT

It’s good to know where they are before you need them.

Don’t wait until the septic inspection to locate the lids. If the lids cannot be located, you cannot perform a septic inspection. Lids are that important.

The easiest way, of course, is to look at the original septic system plans but they are not as accurate or as detailed as you would think. Sometimes there is just an X on the map indicating the lid.

Each county has their own system for accessing septic logs, either online or requesting by email or phone. However, not all of them are available, as many systems were installed prior to the world wide web. Nor do inspection records exist if they are not required by the county.

If you cannot find the septic lids, you can try one of the following:

Ask a neighbor if they know the location.
Use a dousing rod to locate the lid and tank.
Call septic pumping companies to see if they have records.
Hire a service to locate the system components. This can involve digging up the yard and can cost $200 to $500.

Locating the septic system components and performing a septic inspection are completely different services and should not be mistaken.

Set Yourself Up For Septic Success

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 16:52:47 GMT

A little preparation can help you receive the best possible inspection experience.

Nothing is worse than dealing with septic issues when all you want to do is buy or sell a home! We recommend that sellers who have a house with a septic system should have the system inspected for property transfer BEFORE putting the house on the market.

Being proactive with a septic inspection benefits all parties. As a seller, you are showing that you have had your system evaluated and the results are readily available. Also, if there are any repairs that are needed, you can get these taken care of before listing the house. This makes the inspection process much smoother and less stress for all buyers, sellers and Realtors.

To perform their job properly, Septic Inspectors will need:

Septic lids located and marked
Access provided to the base
Electric turned on so the well pump is operative
Time for the inspector to obtain county records of the septic system

Not all counties in Ohio require a septic inspection for property transfer. Stark and Summit Counties require an inspection. If your septic system is in Summit or Stark Counties, your inspector will provide you with a “Certificate of Review” which is your approval for property transfer. Please allow one week for the health department to provide this information.

All TK Home Inspection inspectors are ASHI Certified Inspectors, fully accredited by the National Commission of Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and are recognized as having the highest standards in the profession. We offer the best service at the best prices in NE Ohio. Call us at 330.361.5505 or go online at www.tkhomeinspection.com/book-now to schedule your inspection today.

The 4 Most Common Septic Systems in NE Ohio

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 22:27:33 GMT

The type depends on when the home was built and what type of soil is in the yard.

Thousands of city-dwellers across the state of Ohio never consider where the dirty toilet water goes when they flush. Homeowners outside of the city limits and not within the vicinity of the city’s water and septic lines should be more aware of what is happening under their lawns.

Septic systems are individual wastewater treatment centers under the ground outside of the home. The most common types of septic systems in NE Ohio include:

Septic Tank and Filter Bed
Septic Tank and Leach Lines/Field
Septic Tank and Leach Well
Aeration System

The septic tank is the first stop in the home’s wastewater treatment process. This is where the breakdown of waste occurs. Where the wastewater goes from there depends on the outgoing system.

Filter beds built in the past 40 years consist of perforated pipe surrounded by gravel with sand around the gravel buried underground. Older systems were made with clay tile pipes on top of large gravel, with a tile pipeline below the gravel as well.

Leach lines, or a leach field , are a series of perforated pipes surrounded by gravel running underground and parallel to the surface.

A leach well is a concrete tank with holes throughout all sides buried underground and surrounded by gravel.

An aeration system typically includes 4 chambers, each with its own purpose in breaking down and dispersing the wastewater.

No matter the type, all septic systems require regular maintenance and occasional inspections to keep them performing properly. If you are selling a home with a septic system, or are looking to buy one, be sure to have a septic inspection performed to identify any possible issues.

We offer the best service at the best prices in NE Ohio so give TK Home Inspection a call at 330.361.5505 or go online at www.tkhomeinspection.com/book-now to schedule your inspection today.

6 Home Buying Points to Ponder

Fri, 27 May 2022 00:17:24 GMT

As a licensed home inspector, if I were buying a house today, this is how I would do it!

1– Use a strong and experienced Realtor.

Realtors have experience working through all the intricate details of inspections, loan types, title work and more. Their guidance, knowledge and talent is more than worth the investment in them.

2– Ask the seller to buy you a home warranty .

A house has complex systems and something is going to break. Sometimes the item is broken before you move in and other times it will break as soon as you use it. It’s a great feeling knowing you can make a phone call and a repair man will show up at you house to look at the issue. And as a new homeowner, you don’t want any surprise bills.

3– Get every inspection that you can afford.

They are called Home Inspections, but they could be called ‘Future Homeowner Bill Inspections’. The home inspection tells you the condition of your house and its systems, and it tell you the age of the system and the average life expectancy. Not every house is for everyone. Some houses are move-in condition, some just need cosmetic work, and others require the replacement of multiple systems. Know your home so you know the expectations of your outlay as a homeowner.

4– Consider sewer scoping .

It’s not an inspection many people talk about or order. However, if it fails, it is a major inconvenience to your home and lifestyle for months, as well as a big hit to your wallet.

5– Install your own radon reduction/mitigation system .

When we had our mitigation system installed, the radon result at the follow up test only dropped .5 pCi/L. It was under the action level of 4.0 pCi/L, but I knew the radon level could be lower. I asked the company to install a second port, which they did and because of the second port, my radon level dropped to under 1.0 pCi/L. When you’re in control of the mitigation system installation, you can control the final radon level in your new home.

6– Consider doing your own repairs .

Less than 1% of buyers will request us to inspect repairs that the seller has made. And when we do reinspect defect that have been corrected, this is what we have found.

85% of the times the repairs aren’t done at all or is done wrong.

5% of the time the problem/defect is made worse.

On average, only 10% of the repairs are completed to the inspector’s liking. In our opinion, it is definitely worth the reinspection fee to find out what’s been fixed and what hasn’t. NOTE: You shouldn’t wait until the final walk-through to do the reinspection.

You may also consider doing the repairs once you move in. That way you are in complete control of who does them and the outcome.

TK Home Inspection offers home inspections, radon testing, indoor air quality testing, water testing, water system evaluations, pest inspections, septic inspections, and more. Give us a call at 330.361.5505 or go online at www.tkhomeinspection.com/book-now to schedule your inspections today. Your bank account will thank you later.

What Services Should I Choose?

Mon, 23 May 2022 19:05:02 GMT

Congratulations on the decision to purchase a home! Now you have more decisions to make!

What inspections do you choose?

There are 6 standard inspections, some are required, others are optional, and we will share all those details with you here.

You never want to skip the home inspection ; it is well worth the investment. The home inspector will look at everything he can get to without tearing apart any wall, so that means getting into the attic and on the roof, perhaps there is a crawl space. TK inspectors will put defects they find into two categories. The first is the stuff you want to get fixed right away, like a drip under the sink, missing shingles, or a bad furnace.

The rest of the report is what we like to call your honey-do list, or general maintenance around the home once you move in. In our opinion these are not items to negotiate with the seller. These are the things anyone who owns a home would repair on a regular basis.

One of our clients once stated, “I’d rather pay $300 twice than $30,000 once.” What she meant is that she is willing to walk away from the first house and pay for a second home inspection to make sure she gets the right house.

Termite or pest inspections are formally known as a Wood Destroying Insect (WDI) Inspection and this report details any wood destroying insect activity at the home. Sometimes the lender requires a WDI inspection, and they are always required for government loans. FYI: if you are getting a VA loan, the seller must pay for the WDI, not the buyer.

Testing for radioactive radon gas is an option for home buyers. Radon gas is the #1 cause of lung cancer in non-smoker and Ohio has very high levels. Fifty four percent of all homes in Stark County have what the EPA consider to be a level needing action. In Summit County, it is a little lower at 34%, but that is still 1 of 3 homes with an unsafe level. Here is what our customers tell us: if they get the test and it comes back high, they are glad they did it. If it comes back low, they say they wished they would have saved their money. It’s a peace of mind thing.

There are 40,000 septic systems in Stark County and only 2,600 in Summit County. A septic system is your very own self-contained sewage treatment system. Over the years, many types of septic systems have come and gone, they are pricey to install and devastating if it backs up. At the septic inspection, the inspector will do a hydraulic load, dye test, visual inspection, and check the clean water, grey water and black water routing. In Stark and Summit Counties a septic inspection is required for property transfer.

House can also have their own water source, which means the water comes from a well, cistern or natural spring. With a water system evaluation , we will check the performance of the system and then test the water for bacteria and Ecoli. A water system evaluation is required in Summit County.

Another test you can get is an indoor air quality test which checks for mold spores in the air. We can do a swab test for mold if we see a mold like substance.

Be smart and don’t take short cuts. Know your home and the potential repairs that come with it. It’s a seller’s market and you must make decisions fast. Don’t risk your financial future by skipping on the inspections. You need to know the outlay your future home requires from your budget. And everyone agrees it’s worth several hundred dollars to find out if you will have to pay tens of thousands later.

We offer the best service at the best prices in NE Ohio so give TK Home Inspection a call at 330.361.5505 and schedule your inspections today.

Benefits of a Pre-Listing Home Inspection

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 18:01:03 GMT

Sellers can take control of the sale prior to listing their home for sale. Read on for several advantages to taking charge of this important piece of the sale process.

Our homes are a place of peace and solitude, a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of time spent at work and in other public places. We take pride in keeping them clean and comfortable, knowing its foundation is strong and all systems are working properly.

When it’s time to move on to another home, for whatever reason, we can help assure the buyer that this home is solid and will serve them as well as it has us. How can we do that, you ask? With a pre-listing home inspection.

What is a pre-listing home inspection?

A pre-listing home inspection is the same as a buyer’s home inspection – the inspector looks at the structural conditions of the exterior and interior components, and each system within. Defects, if found, are highlighted in a report so you will know what should be addressed.

During the typical home sale process, the buyer is most often the one who has a home inspection performed. However, by having a pre-listing inspection, you give yourself a choice of options.

You can fix what you want and disclose the rest or sell as is. With a pre-listing inspection, you show the buyer you have nothing to hide, and this offers confidence to the buyer that you have taken good care of the home and you want them to know how good and sound it is.

What does a seller’s market mean?

When the demand for homes is greater than the supply of homes available for sale, we have what is coined as a “seller’s market” in the real estate industry. This situation is ideal for homeowners who are ready to sell. A few of the advantages include:

Competition for homes is stiff because fewer homes are on the market.
You may receive multiple offers very quickly after listing.
More than the asking price may be offered.
You may not need to make concessions or negotiate.

Why is a pre-listing home inspection a benefit to the seller?

Sellers can take control of the sale by having a pre-listing inspection prior to listing their home for sale. There are many advantages to taking charge of this important piece of the sale process.

Repair what you want, disclose the rest.
Gain an advantage over other home sellers for having this step in the purchasing process complete.
Negotiations based on repairs of any defects will not be necessary.
Less time will be spent on the sales process as the buyer has the option of waiving a home inspection from their side.
More of the sale price will remain yours rather than negotiated for repairs.
Closing can happen much faster without having to hold another inspection or manage repairs.
You will have peace of mind knowing your home is in good condition and will serve the buyer well.

A pre-listing home inspection will cost the seller a small up-front expense, but it has the potential to add thousands more to the final sale, which could close much more quickly, shaving off time and stress for all parties involved throughout the entire sales process.

Take the first step toward selling your home by calling TK Home Inspection at 330.361.5505 and schedule your pre-listing home inspection today!

It's Crunch Time

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 16:12:12 GMT

Have you explored these tax deductions available for homeowners?

As a homeowner there are many tax deductions you can explore to keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket and less paid out to Uncle Sam. To claim the majority of them it is required to itemize your deductions. Of course, this option is best if the total amount of your itemized deductions is larger than the standard deduction. If not, it is better to take advantage of the standard deduction to keep your tax liability as low as possible.

One of our favorite credits is for the installation of renewable energy sources. The Energy-Saving Improvements Credits were put in place to encourage the use of renewable energy sources, which includes installing certain energy-efficient equipment in your home. Itemizing deductions is not required to claim this credit.

You will earn a credit of 26% on qualifying new systems that use solar, wind, geothermal, biomass or fuel cell power to produce electricity, heat water or regulate the temperature in your home. This credit continues through 2022, drops to 23% in 2023, and is set to expire thereafter.

For this year, homeowners can also earn up to $500 off their tax bill by installing energy-efficient insulation, doors, roofing, heating and air-conditioning systems, wood stoves, water heaters, or the like. And up to $200 for new energy-efficient windows. Additional credits include advanced main air circulating fans ($50), certain furnaces and boilers ($150), and energy-efficient building property ($300). The $500 general cap and $200 maximum for windows are lifetime credit limits, meaning credits claimed in the past accumulate up to these limits.

Another deduction related to improvements includes the installation of special equipment or modifications to your home for medical reasons. Qualified examples of Medically Necessary Home Improvements to a home include building ramps, widening doorways, installing handrails, lowering cabinets, moving electrical outlets, installing lifts or elevators, changing doorknobs, and grading the ground to provide access to the home.

Expenses for the operation and maintenance of these upgrades are also deductible as medical expenses if the upgrade itself is medically necessary. Unfortunately, improvements that are made to make your home elder-friendly aren't deductible if not deemed medically necessary to an occupant.

Additional deductions that can be claimed include:

Mortgage Points – Most often, the points you pay on a loan to buy, build, or substantially improve your primary residence are fully deductible in the year you pay them. Unfortunately points for a second home or refinance cannot be deducted all at once. Yet, if part of the refinanced mortgage proceeds are used to substantially improve your primary home, you can deduct that portion related to the improvement in the year you paid them.
Mortgage Insurance Premium – If you paid private mortgage insurance last year on loans originated after 2006, you can deduct their premiums if you itemize.
Mortgage Interest – You can deduct interest on up to $750,000 (married filing jointly) of debt used to buy, build or substantially improve your primary home or a single second home. Generally, additions and major renovations are considered substantial; basic repairs and maintenance are not.
Mortgage Interest Credit – This is a mortgage interest tax credit available to lower-income homeowners issued a qualified Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) from a state or local government to subsidize the purchase of a primary home. This credit amount can range from 10% to 50% of mortgage interest paid during the year. There are limitations, as well as a number of restrictions and special rules for this credit.
Property Tax – Homeowners’ state and local property taxes paid can be deducted on your federal income tax return if you itemize deductions. There is a $10,000 limit (married filing jointly} on the combined amount of state and local income, sales and property taxes you can deduct.
Home-Office Expense – This credit is for you if you are self-employed and work at home, employees who work remotely cannot deduct the costs of maintaining a home office. The caveat is that you use this part of your home regularly and exclusively for your business. If so, part of your utility bills, homeowner’s insurance, general repairs, and other home expenses can be deducted against your business income. You can also write off part of the depreciation of your home.

There are some things related to home-ownership that you won’t be able to deduct. Some of these nondeductible home expenses include:

Homeowner’s insurance premiums
Homeowner association fees
The principal amount of your mortgage payment
Domestic services
Depreciation
The cost of utilities
Down payment
Closing Costs
Homeowner association fees

As with all things relating to taxes, there are rules, restrictions and limitations that apply to every deduction. It is always best to consult with a tax professional to help maximize the value of this most important asset.

[Disclaimer: This article is not intended to be construed as certified tax advice. We are not a tax professional and make no claims to be one. Please seek the advice of a certified tax professional to determine which deductions you can legitimately claim for your own unique circumstances.]

Is This Silent Killer Lurking In Your Home?

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 18:01:12 GMT

What it is and how to find it

You can’t see it, smell it, hear it, taste it, or touch it. But it could be there, silently working to destroy you with every breath you take.

Radon gas comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil and rock; and it is found in buildings all over the United States: our homes, places of employment, and schools – everywhere we live, work, sleep, learn and play. Radon enters through cracks or gaps in the foundation, floors, walls, and construction joints of old AND new buildings alike, and whether the home or building has a basement or not. And it also finds its way in through our water supply.

The Surgeon General states that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer following the number one cause of smoking; and radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

The Environmental Protection Agency states that an estimated 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. has elevated levels of radon; with 50% of the homes tested in Ohio found to have elevated levels. Their allowable minimum is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), yet they recommend taking measures to reduce the level even if it is at or below 4 pCi/L because any amount can still pose a risk to our health.

How can you determine if this silent killer is present in your home? The Ohio Department of Health recommends hiring a licensed radon tester to perform a radon test. These licensees are following strict procedures for compliance with State of Ohio radon testing protocols and provide their clients with accurate, detailed results.

Following your test results, if the level is found to be above 4pCi/L, mitigation by an ODH licensed mitigation contractor is highly recommended. There are simple solutions to reduce radon levels within your home or workplace. The first step is finding out if you have a problem, and the licensed radon testing home inspectors at TK Home Inspection can help!

Yes, You Have Mice in Your House!

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 01:13:53 GMT

The four-legged live mice, not just the computer mouse

Did you know that mice can squeeze their way into an opening the size of a dime? Weighing only one-half of an ounce, they are excellent swimmers and stellar athletes! A little mouse can jump an entire foot into the air! That's higher than most humans!

At an average length of 5.5 to 7.5 inches, light grey with a 3-4 inch tail, females can give birth at only 2 months old! Even more astonishing is the ability to give birth to a dozen babies every 3 weeks! That’s a 19 Kids and Counting show we don’t want airing in our home!

In the summer, mice will live in underground burrows or trees; but when it gets cold, they want to bunk up with us in our nicely heated home. While a resident, they like to cause damage while looking for food – chewing on electrical wires, important papers, storage boxes and bags; and nesting in our clothing and linens. And let’s not forget the possibility of sickness and disease caused by their excrement.

A home inspector is in your house only 2 to 2.5 hours, while the mice far outnumber us and live just outside - and inside - your door 24 hours a day, every day. In certain regions, up to 85% of homes will have mice each fall or winter.

There are several methods to eliminate mice from our homes once they are in, such as adopting a cat, placing peppermint essential oil-soaked cotton balls or spraying a hot pepper solution in areas they frequent, and either kill-traps or live-traps.

Preventing them access in the first place is ideal, and there are several ways this can be accomplished. Here are a few tried and true:

Inspect the foundation, walls, and eaves of your home to be sure possible points of entry are blocked. Fill any holes, gaps or openings outside and inside your home with steel wool, copper mesh, or even good old duct tape. Be sure the weather seals at the bottom of your doors are in good condition.
Place your garbage cans and recycling bins as far from your home as possible. Secure lids by tying them shut, using bungee cords, or heavy rocks.
Hang your bird feeders further away from your windows, rather than up close where seeds on the ground invite the mice to move in.
Maintain a clear space right up against your foundation to eliminate hiding spaces as mice look for a way in.

While no method to deter mice from taking up residency in our homes is fail-proof, doing what we can to keep them out will help keep our homes healthier and happier throughout every season.

Property Transfer Without a Septic Inspection

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 21:43:36 GMT

Can we skip the septic inspection too?

Great question! The answer starts with asking in which county is the house located. In NE Ohio, the County Health Departments manage and control the inspection and installation process of Septic Systems and Water Well Systems. In our area, Summit County requires both a Water System Evaluation when you have a well and a Septic Inspection when the house is not on city sewer. Stark County only requires a Septic Inspection.

Carroll & Tuscarawas Counties have sanitarians that provide their own inspections. You hire the Health Department to perform the service you need for property transfer. Medina and Portage Counties have limited septic requirements and Wayne County has none.

If you purchase property with a septic or well in a required county, approximately one month after you move in you will receive a letter from the Health Department. In the letter it will state that you violated a code and will need to immediately get a septic inspection and perform any repairs needed, at your cost.

Septic repairs can start under $100 for a riser repair and skyrocket into tens of thousands for a new system depending on the residing county and soil type. Failing septic systems are one of the top 5 reasons buyers walk away from a perspective home; it’s too big of a repair or they just don’t want to deal with it. Failing septic systems with leaching sewage are an environmental hazard and are dangerous to humans and animals.

Home Inspector Licensing Law takes Effect in July

Thu, 27 May 2021 19:10:41 GMT

Moving into your new house could be the best day of your life, or it could be the worst depending how it goes. Does the furnace work? Is there a pool of water on the basement floor? Did a drain back up? These issues and more serious ones can arise if a home inspection is skipped or performed by an unqualified home inspector. When you hire a home inspector, you are trusting the inspector is well trained and has substantial knowledge of all home issues and mechanical systems.

The time has finally come and all individuals who intend to perform home inspections in Ohio will now be required to hold a license. The Ohio Department of Commerce has worked diligently over the last 2 years to set up a comprehensive program to meet Ohio’s needs.

Stalled by the pandemic, Home Inspector Licensing will become effective July 1st of this year.

STAR President, Rich Cosgrove said “he personally dislikes seeing more legislation, but this bill is necessary. Too many people have opened home inspection businesses who do not know what they are doing and have no education or experience in the trade.” He added “requiring home inspectors to stay up with education, like other industries will only add to the professionalism of the industry’.

In 2019, there was a grandfathering phase that allowed long time inspectors to get their license without performing the tasks required of new inspectors.

Completing the necessary requirements will cost money and take time. All Ohio Licensed Home Inspectors are required to pass the NHIE, which stands for the National Home Inspector Exam. The National Home Inspector Exam is a proctored test that gauges their knowledge of homes and home operations from all regions across the nation. Therefore, home inspectors in warmer states need to know about furnace operations while inspectors in northern states need to have knowledge of sprinklers and pool systems which are popular in the west and south.

New inspectors are also required to complete eighty hours of classroom or an online home inspector qualifying education, plus one of the following:

10 parallel inspections with an Ohio Licensed Home Inspector
Complete an approved interactive curriculum of experience and 1 Peer Review
40 hours of work in home inspection and a 1 Peer Review

A parallel inspection has a trainee inspector and a trainer inspector complete their own inspection of the same house. They each write their own report and then compare the two. For a peer review, an approved home inspector organization finds a suitable house which is first inspected by the organization’s inspectors and a report is written. Home Inspector applicants then inspect the house on their own, write the report and submit this report to the inspector organization for review. The report is then graded and offered a passing or failing score.

Ohio will become the 34th state to require home inspectors to be licensed. Wood destroying insect inspectors and radon tester programs have required licensing for many years. Home Inspectors pay $250 for a 3-year license and are required to complete 40 hours of CE credits every three years to maintain their license. The real estate industry and full-time home inspectors have been anticipating and awaiting this law for many years with the hopes of increasing the quality of home inspectors in Ohio.

When asked her thoughts on the new law, Gretchen Thomazin of Remax Edge Realty said, “I think it will weed out the crappy part-timers. It will be a good thing for the buyers and seller, since they will know the home inspection industry now requires licensing. They will have a better feeling about the process with the additional layer of licensing.”

Be the smartest buyer in the market!

Wed, 12 May 2021 15:13:23 GMT

Buying a house is risky. You reduce that risk by getting an appraisal and by performing a home inspection. But those two services are limited. The appraisal will tell you if the house is priced correctly and the home inspection will inform you of repairs needed, small and large.

What you do not know as a buyer is how much you are going to spend on energy costs throughout the year. It could be substantial! Energy costs are the #1 expense for home owners.

Another thing you do not know is how much of your money is actually being wasted due to energy efficiencies in the home. Window, doors, insulation, heating system and other factors determine the performance of a home. What if there was a list that would tell you the top energy saving upgrades and improvement you could make and the money you could save?

What if there was a report that could compare energy cost per house so you know before you purchase what the actual energy cost will be and the list of items for the best improvements? If this was available, would you want it?

We have this service and it is available as a package with a home inspection or a stand alone service.

Call today to schedule your Home Energy Score along with you home inspection.

What I learned from my Home Inspector Husband

Wed, 30 Dec 2020 20:26:58 GMT

When your spouse does the same thing over and over, year after year, season after season, you take notice. In our home, a great deal of attention is centered on five maintenance tasks. The urgency Terry projects is that “If this does not get completed, we could be in BIG trouble with an even bigger mess to clean up later”. Want to know what they are?

Be a Filter Freak!

The first obsession I noticed early on was with the dryer filter. I cleaned it regularly but that was not good enough. Even if there is a thin, almost non-removable amount of lint, Terry would still clean it.

Why the filter obsession? The filter is the lungs of the system, and when the lungs, or air flow is restricted, so is the efficiency and performance of the mechanics. Changing filters or cleaning the filters keeps the system running efficiently and optimally. Clogged filters make the motor work harder and produce less result with more energy.

Be a filter freak about your dryer, your furnace filter, your AC condensing unit, your humidifier, your water filter and any other system that has a filter.

Clean your Gutters Again & Again!

Gutters and downspouts are tasked with a grandiose job to remove all water that falls onto the roof and to keep it from soaking into the foundation and eventually into your basement. Gutters collect water plus any debris that got on the roof or into the gutters. Ensuring that the roof drainage system is not clogged takes top priority more so if there is an approaching storm. The recommendation to clean your gutters twice a year is not even a consideration at our homestead. Many times, Terry has gotten soaked cleaning the gutters during the storm since he felt that the drainage was blocked. As I watched him go out in the storm to clean the gutter, often I have thought to myself, the gutters are clean and that he’s not going to find anything, only to see later on that he pulls out handfuls of leaves and pine needles.

Where does your Water Flow?!

Nothing is worse that a damp, smelly, unusable basement. Just because a house was built many years ago doesn’t mean it needs to smell and have efflorescence on the wall. Keeping water from entering a property is a job that never ends with the seasonal changes in Ohio.

On the first years of living in our home, we would use a shop vac to clean up the water that leaked into the basement after a storm or rain fall. We improved the landscaping by adding topsoil around the base of the house to create the right drainage for our yard. The first year we purchased 1 ton of top soil and added it to the yard but we still got water in the basement. The next year we purchased another ton of top soil and added it to the landscaping yet we still got some water in the basement. Frustrated, the next year, we ordered 2 tons of top soil and added it to our landscaping and it finally worked! We haven’t had to clean up water in our basement since.

Each home is unique and requires its own maintenance program which may take a few years to perfect.

Service the furnace and Ac annually

Every winter, I see a post on social media, “Help, my furnace is broken, Do you know anyone who can repair it on the cheap?”

We expect a lot from our furnaces, but how much attention do we give them? Are we setting the system up for a long successful heating season or for failure? If you are not servicing your furnace every year for Geothermal, Water Boiler, Steam Boiler, Propane Heat, Oil Heat, Wood burning heat or every two years for Forced Air Gas, you are not providing adequate care and you should expect problems to arise.

You are a homeowner now, spend the $150 to make sure your furnace works throughout the winter.

Have a Healthy Relationship with your Thermostat

People seem to set their thermostat once a season and forget about it. One and done seems to be the thought of some homeowners. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Energy efficiency and personal comfort are jeopardized when you use this method.

My friend Roberta lives in a 2500 sq. ft, 1935 home. Half of the windows are double pane, the rest are original single pane with storms. When I was visiting her recently, I mentioned that it was a little hot in her house and her reply was, “my house always runs hot.”

Her house runs hot because they set the thermostat once, when they got cold, and then forgot about it! Her house has plenty of natural ventilation due to the age of the house, windows and doors. The only reason this house is hot is because the furnace made it that way. At this point, I wanted to ask what her heating bill is every month.

The math is simple, turn the furnace down 5 degrees when you leave. If it is summer, turn your AC up 5 degrees when you leave. This is enough variance that it will save energy costs, but not strains the system when you call for a temperature change.

There are three types of thermostats. The old dial with mercury, programmable and smart thermostats. If you own a programmable or smart thermostat, you can easily set your system to make these changes automatically. Saving 10% or more on your heating bill can be obtained when you have a healthy relationship with your thermostat.

The Ultimate Cheat Sheet for Choosing Your Home Inspector.

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 16:50:45 GMT

Ask if they have E & O Insurance. In the 12 years of answering the phone for my home inspection business, less than 10 clients total have ever asked if we have this insurance that protects YOU as a home buyer. Liability insurance covers an inspector breaking a lamp in the house. Errors and Omission Insurance protects the home buyer if the inspector misses a big item such as a roof, structural issue or major leak. Do you want to be protected or do you want to take a risk and save a few bucks on the inspection price?

What services do they offer? A well established inspection firm will offer more than the basic home inspection. Visit their website to get a feel for their level of professionalism and the services provided. Is the website a basic startup template with not much information or is it well developed with a plethora of information about services offered and the folks who run the business? Is the information current?

What Licenses and Certifications do they hold?

There are two major national home Inspection organizations in the US. The first is the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and the second is InterNachi (NACHI). Both organizations provide start-up training and Standards of Practice for inspectors to follow. ASHI requires all ASHI inspectors take 20 hours of continuing education credits every year to maintain membership in the organization. An “ASHI Certified Inspector” has met many additional requirements beyond the yearly 20 CE credits needed each year.

NACHI is very different as they only require the start-up training and once the training is completed, they are considered “Certified” by NACHI. NACHI is an excellent training organization but they do not require or encourage additional ongoing training for their inspectors.

Ohio is in the process of implementing a home inspector law. Before COVID, approximately 5000 home inspector licenses were issued in Ohio. COVID halted the Inspector Law process and the government is working to get the project completed with no license date projected. Inspectors who have their license have passed the National Home Inspector Exam plus other standards required by the State of Ohio. To look up an Ohio Home Inspector License, go to www.com.ohio.gov and look for license lookup.

Do they have 5 Star Reviews?

Visit at least 3 of the many review sites to get a feel of how their customers feel about the experience. Are there written reviews, not just stars? Are the reviews current? Do they use the Inspectors name in the reviews?

#5--The Most Important Question

Do they answer the phone? Customer service is the core of the home inspection process and quite frankly, if they don’t answer the phone when you are calling to schedule, do not expect them to answer the phone when you have a question or a need. Many home inspectors do not have office staff to answer the phone, to answer questions or to send out reports. In the world of Real Estate, there is no time to wait when there are deadlines to meet.

The Story I've Heard Too Many Times

Tue, 28 Nov 2017 00:00:00 GMT

It was October 2017 and I was scheduled to pick up a radon test in the Portage Lakes area. The neighborhood was built in the late 1990's with a brick exterior, large spacious rooms and an open floor plan inside. The family room offered a scenic view with windows on three walls which looked over the nicely landscaped backyard. The home inspection was completed earlier in the week and picking up the radon was the last of the services we needed to complete.

The home owner was a pleasant and friendly older lady who told me a story about how she had to sell her beautiful dream home because her husband died of cancer earlier in the year. She went on to say he died of lung cancer and then asked, "What is the radon level in my home? I understand radon can cause lung cancer."

The first home I ever tested was my parents' home. A continuous radon test was conducted on two floors, the basement and the first floor. The radon level in my parents' basement was 19p/CiL and the level on the first floor was 20p/CiL! On a personal level, it is alarming to know that you and your family have been exposed to this deadly gas day and night for years and years. Holiday after holiday, birthday after birthday, me and my family lived in a house that is equivalent to smoking 2 packs of cigarettes a day.

As a Radon Activist, I will do what I can to educate and provide testing for this horrible radio-active gas that kills an estimated 21,000 people per year. Not all states have elevated radon level, however Ohio has high radon levels due to the uranium rich soil under houses and buildings.

Amy & Terry Kleptach

P.S. Her radon level was 30p/CiL

January is Radon Awareness Month

Tue, 17 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT

As more and more homes across Ohio are tested for radioactive radon gas, it is evident that it is widely spread across Ohio and present in all counties. During the first quarter of the year, indoor radon levels are at their highest levels in all Ohio counties when compared to the third quarter readings.

Encourage yourself, your family and your friends to get tested. If they live in Stark County, one out of every two tests are elevated. In Summit County, one out of every three tests are elevated.

GET TESTED...SAVE A LIFE!

Ohio Department of Health Radon Hotline: 1-800-523-4439

Northeast Ohio Radon Statistics

These statistics were obtained from www.eng.utoledo.edu on 12/28/2016

Ask the Inspector...

Question: I have a mitigation system in my house. How do I know if it is working?

The only way to know if a mitigation system is reducing the radon level is to get your home tested again. The EPA recommends that everyone test their home every two years, especially if you have a mitigation system. If you have renovated your home or have installed a new HVAC system, then you need to test your home ASAP.

The "U" tube (as shown below) tells you if the mitigation system fan is working, not if the radon levels are being reduced. If the "U" tube levels are even, that is a sign that the system is NOT working!
If the power goes out, check to make sure the system's fan also turned back on. Check the fan monthly to ensure operation.
In past years, sump pump pits were an acceptable means of mitigation system installation. However, they are no longer allowed. All mitigation systems will have their own port in the floor. If your sump pump requires service or if the sump pump/radon reduction cover is removed, call your radon service provider immediately.

Inoperative Radon Mitigation System Example

Air Conditioning: General Maintenance Tips

Tue, 14 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Here are 4 things you should do prior to starting

up your

AC to ensure proper operation and efficiency.

Remove Obstructions

Failing to trim back plants regularly could cost you more than just the beauty of your home. One of the easiest ways we have to keep our energy bills low is to keep the plants away from the air conditioner. Trim bushes, cut the grass and pull any weeds because the ones we leave behind restrict air flow to your unit causing higher energy bills and a shorter equipment life.The recommended distance between landscaping and your air conditioner is 24 inches.

Clean Outdoor Coil

Cleaning your air conditioner's condenser coils regularly will let your air conditioner run cooler with less energy and make you feel more comfortable. The easiest way to do this is to turn your garden hose handle to flood and spray down the outside coils. Do not use high pressure!

Change Air Filter Regularly

Changing furnace and return air filters is critical to the proper performance of your HVAC system, not to mention your home's air quality. Studies show that indoor air pollution is one of the top five environmental health risks! How often you change the filter has several different factors but a great rule of thumb is to change them bi-monthly. Consult you AC manufacture manual for filter type and recommendations.

Change Thermostat Batteries

You should change the batteries in your thermostat at least once a year or if you get a low battery indication. The thermostat will not operate your AC or control temperature with dead batteries.

Wood Destroying Insects

Tue, 14 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMT

There are four types of wood destroying insects (WDI) found in Ohio.

These pictures are just some of the damage we have found in houses we inspected.

If you have any of these signs around your home, get a WDI Inspection today.

Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees do not eat wood but do bore into the wood to lay their eggs. They prefer pine, fir, Cyprus, oak and redwood. Wood is especially vernable if the wood is unpainted or unfinished.

Construction of these holes and tunnels are a labor-intensive process that take much time and energy. As a result, females often use existing tunnels instead of making new ones. Old tunnels can increase several feet over several years. The hole is slightly less than 1/2-inch wide, which is about the size of her body. The bore hole goes into the wood perpendicular to the wood’s grain for about 1-2 inches and then takes a right angle turn continuing as a tunnel that runs another 4-8 inches. The female carpenter bee then partitions off brood cells into linear rows. When finished, she places a food ball inside a brood cell, lays an egg, and blocks the chamber off with chewed wood. After laying eggs, the female dies. The egg hatches and become larvae that feed on the food ball until they pupate. Click on the pictures below to learn more.

Termites

Termites are often called the “silent destroyer” because they may be secretly hiding and surviving in your home or yard without any immediate signs of damage. All termites consume cellulose-based plant materials. All homes, regardless of how they were constructed, can provide this cellulose food for termite infestation. A termite’s mouth is capable of tearing pieces of woody material. This ability is what causes concern in your home. While they are very small insects, they can cause serious damage to your home. You will rarely see termites because they are small and stay within the "tunnels" or "tubes" they create. They need moisture to survive and these tunnels have high mosture.

House foundations, furniture, shelves and even books are all possible feeding sites for termites.
Click on the pictures below to learn more.

Powderpost Beetles

Powderpost beetles will infest both hardwoods and softwoods. The adults do not feed on wood, it is the larval stage that does the damage. They prefer seasoned wood located in cooler areas of the home with high moisture content. Powderpost beetles most frequently infest structural components of the home that are softwoods such as pine, fir and spruce. Upon hatching, the larvae bore into the wood, begin to feed and finally become adult beetles that bore round holes about 1/8 inch in diameter. The complete life cycle from egg to adult normally takes one to three years.

Qualified vs Certified

Wed, 25 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT

4 questions to gauge your inspector’s knowledge

By Amy Kleptach of TK Home Inspection

New home inspectors are flooding the market and want to be your next home inspector. Well trained and qualified home inspectors are not easily separated from the wave of new, lower priced inspectors competing in the market today.

In Ohio, a person can call themself a home inspector even if he or she has never had any formal training.

In an effort to protect buyers from hiring a not so qualified home inspector, we have developed 4 questions to ask your potential home inspector. You may not know the answers to the following questions, but a qualified inspector is able to answer these questions quickly and without hesitation.

Ask these questions with confidence.

1. What are the three types of forced air furnaces? Answer—Conventional, Mid-Efficiency, High Efficiency Extra credit—What unit requires a plastic vent pipe? Answer—High Efficiency

2. What are the three types of hot and cold water lines found in Ohio homes today? Answer—Plastic (PEX or PVC), copper and galvanized steel. Lead is NOT a correct answer.

3. Why would a home inspector perform a temperature drop on a AC unit? Answer—to make sure the unit is working correctly.

4. What happens when you mix copper and galvanized water lines? Answer— the metals create a chemical reaction that will eventually cause a leak. Bonus—A ‘Dielectric Union’ can be installed to stop the chemical reaction.

Not all home inspectors have the same knowledge or experience. There is no licensing of home inspectors in Ohio. Inspectors who belong to associations like ASHI commit to attending 20 hours of additional education each and every year.

2015 Stark County Annual Septic Report

Wed, 11 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT

On the first of Jan. 2015, the State of Ohio updated their original septic rules for the first time since 1977. The new rules provide greater consistency across Ohio and much more protection for our water ways.

A total of 857 septic inspections were conducted in Stark County in 2015. Only 12% of the septic systems in Stark County were causing a public health nuisance or failing. An additional 9% had improperly discharging gray water and approximately 1/3 of the septic systems had minor issues that were given recommendations on how to improve the function or extend the longevity.

Lake township had the most inspections with a total of 161. Plain, Lawrence and Jackson townships followed at 86, 77 and 74 inspections.

Sugarcreek and Pike townships both had a failure rate of 28%. This is most likely due to the age of the septic systems in the township.

Bethlehem township had a failure rate of 0%. Marlboro was at a 2% failure rate and Plain township was at a 5% failure rate.

5 Fast & Easy Ways to Cause Termite Damage to Your Home

Wed, 11 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Termites can cause major structural damage to your home if you create the right environment for them to flourish.

The following are 5 guaranteed ways to invite termites into your home.

Termites love dead wood so stack it right next to your house and pile it high and as close as possible to the house. Dead trees and landscaping ties are sure to invite termites into your yard and give them plenty to eat for years.
Mulch is wood and termites love wood so pile it high around the foundation of your home. The deeper the pile of mulch, the better chance you will have at getting these little wood eaters to feast on your home.
Create super highways for the wood destroying insects to get on the roof of your home by letting your trees hang over the roof. Also, let shrubs and weeds grow up against the side of the house creating direct access to the tasty wood in your home.
Do not perform maintenance and clean the gutters or fix broken or disconnected downspouts. Clogged gutters leads to the roof wood getting wet which creates the perfect environment for termites. Damaged downspouts allow large amounts of water to pool at the base of the house. Combine this with large amounts of mulch and you will be on the fast track to termite damage.
Fixing leaking pipes or traps under the sink will only slow down the process of termite infestation. For best results, allow all the wood in the area to become moist and rotted. The bigger the leak the better!

For fastest results, combine all 5 strategies listed above.

Is there tax on a home inspection?

Thu, 28 Apr 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Sometimes people will ask for the total price of the home inspection including the tax. Fortunately, no tax is required on a home inspection, radon testing, or well and septic testing as if this date. If you are purchasing a Wood Destroying insect inspection, you will be charged tax.

Terrible Septic Tales

Thu, 28 Apr 2016 00:00:00 GMT

There was a Loud Suction Noise…

Recently I dropped off a radon test a few days before the inspections and verified the location of the septic lids with the seller. She stated that it is an aeration system and the lids are in the back yard. During our discussion we spoke of the required service contract needed on all aerator systems. At this point, she looked at me and said, “Why do I have to pay $300 a year just because I have an Aerator?”
Fast forward two days later….The septic inspector used his electric drill to unscrew the main lid and then stepped back to put the screwdriver down. At this point, there was a loud suction noise and the inspector noticed that the lid was starting to rise. He immediately jumped on the lid and screwed it back down to avoid a massive leach into the yard. The system was so backed up, it was leaching into the ditch in the front yard.
For 9 years this home owner neglected her septic system creating a nuisance and a danger to her community.

Turning the Aerator Pump OFF does not save Money

“If it has a motor, it costs you money to run it” thought an Aeration septic system

home owner. In fact, he was so intent on saving money, he would only run his aeration motor when he felt it was necessary. He even had it turned off when the septic inspector arrived for his inspection.
The septic inspector turned in his report into the county and a sanitarian from the SCHD then conducted his own tested. It failed.
Full replacement needed for this homeowner who tried to save a few bucks.