Information Archives - South Sound Inspections

Jan 11 2023

9 Tips for Keeping Your Home Warm this Winter

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You want your home to be warm and comfortable during the winter, but sometimes the cold finds its way indoors. There are some steps you can take before winter and during the colder months to keep your home warm. Read on for 9 tips that may help keep your home warm without increasing energy costs.

1) Make sure doors and windows are properly sealed

Window caulking is a good way to seal your windows for winter, and it can be done in a few easy steps. Heat shrink film is another good idea for windows, while door draft stoppers can combat cold air coming in through the bottom of a door.

2) Use dampers effectively

A damper is a plate that controls the flow of air through a home’s ductwork, and knowing how to adjust them to regulate temperatures can keep your home comfortable. Because hot air rises, you can close the dampers on ducts going to the top floors of your home, and open the dampers for the lower floors so those areas stay warm.

3) Clean the vents

Clean out your HVAC system at least once per year to help ensure proper airflow and decrease the amount of indoor allergens. When the coils in your HVAC system become dirty, it can take up to 30% more energy to heat your home in the winter, so keeping them clean means your HVAC works more efficiently.

4) Check your insulation

Insulation slows down the movement of heat so it doesn’t escape your home. During the summer or fall, examine your insulation for signs and damage and replace if necessary.

5) Change furnace filter

Your furnace is the starting point to heating your home during the winter, and similar to cleaning your ducts, your furnace filter should also be maintained. A dirty or clogged furnace filter can lead to cold spots where airflow is blocked by particles and dirt settling on the system’s components, so switching it out for a clean one is key to keeping your home warm and energy costs down.

6) Install a programmable thermostat

A programmable thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on the settings you put into the system. This kind of thermostat also allows rooms to be heated independently, so you don’t have to heat the guest room if no one is staying over. You can also adjust temperatures according to your schedule. For example, if you leave the house in the morning and don’t return until the evening, you can lower the temperature for when you’re away and program it to increase when you arrive.

7) Use ceiling fan in reverse

Did you know fans can complement your home’s heating system? When you reverse the motor and turn the fan down to low speed as it spins in counterclockwise direction, it creates an updraft that forces warm air down.

8) Close your fireplace flue

During the winter, your home’s heat can escape through the fireplace. You can permanently close off your chimney, or if you still want to use it, you can close the chimney flue or damper.

9) Prevent rapid cycling

Also known as “short cycling,” this is when an HVAC system turns on and off every few minutes because it fails to reach the set temperature before turning off. Some causes of rapid cycling include dirty air filters, improperly sized units, refrigerant leaks, electrical issues, or frozen evaporator coils. You may be able to solve some of these issues by replacing the air filter or defrosting the coils.

If you think your home could use an inspection, call South Sound Inspections today to schedule an appointment with an expert.

Dec 28 2022

Tacoma Side Sewer Inspections

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What Local Homeowners Need to Know

If you live in Tacoma, WA, and you’re planning to schedule a home inspection, you should know about a recommendation from the city of Tacoma regarding your side sewer, or lateral sewer: the part of the sewer system that connects your private property to the public, city-maintained sanitary sewer main. In order for the city to better maintain its public sewers, it’s important for individual homeowners to do their part in ensuring that their property’s plumbing systems are in good condition. Read on to learn more about what this kind of inspection requires and how it can benefit homeowners.

What is a side sewer inspection?

A side sewer inspection is a detailed examination of a privately owned sewer pipe that sends wastewater away from a home’s toilets, laundry room, drains and sinks and into the city’s main sewer line that’s usually located in the street. This kind of inspection looks at a home’s drainage and plumbing system up to the point where it joins the public sewer. Some cities, like Tacoma, recommend that homeowners get a side sewer inspection to ensure that their private line doesn’t have any issues that will impact the home or the city’s main sewer line.

Why do I need a side sewer inspection?

If you want to make sure that your plumbing and sewer system is free of clogs, leaks, major debris, or other problems, you will need a side sewer inspection. Just like your HVAC, electric, or foundation, a sewage system is a major component of your home, so it needs a professional inspection. Side sewer repairs or replacements can cost $5,000 to $15,000, and the problems you may face before those repairs, like sewage backing up into your kitchen sink or shower, are equally difficult to stomach. As a property owner, you’re responsible for maintaining the side sewer from your home to the main sewer line and performing due diligence to prevent costly future repairs.

What is involved in a side sewer inspection?

During a side sewer inspection, an inspector extends a video camera on a flexible line into the sewer’s pipe’s interior. The real-time footage shows if there are clogs, cracks, debris or even roots growing into your side sewer. The inspector’s final sewer scope report includes video documentation and notes about any damages found.

How do I benefit from a side sewer inspection?

The ultimate benefit of a side sewer inspection is gaining important information about how your side sewer is functioning and whether it may cause problems down the road. The results of the inspection will prepare you for any repairs or replacements that need to be done before major issues occur.

How much does a side sewer inspection cost?

Side sewer inspection costs may vary across the Seattle area, and across inspection services, but the city of Tacoma offers loans for them side sewer inspections. Check if you are eligible for a low-interest loan before scheduling a side sewer inspection.

If you’re looking to get your side sewer inspected, or if you need a full home inspection before buying or selling a property, contact South Sound Inspections today.

Dec 13 2022

SOUTH SOUND INSPECTIONS ANNOUNCES NEW SEWER SCOPE SERVICE

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(Tacoma, WA) Beginning January 1, 2023, South Sound Inspections will offer sewer scoping services. South Sound Inspections serves Seattle-area homeowners with thorough, expert inspections that provide critical information about the condition of their home.

South Sound Inspections’ sewer scoping services give homeowners a glimpse into their sewer lines to identify blockages, leaks, or damaged pipes. These inspections are done with a high-quality camera affixed to a flexible line that is drawn through sewer pipes to provide real-time footage of the pipe’s interior. Sewer scope inspections can help to spot damage otherwise invisible to the naked eye and may prevent expensive plumbing repairs.

South Sound Inspections founder Robert Jones believes that launching this new service will benefit local homeowners. “Our goal at South Sound Inspections is to give homeowners the most accurate information about the condition of their property. By expanding our services into sewer scoping, we can help people become more knowledgeable about the plumbing and sewer components on their property.”

South Sound Inspections was founded in 2002 to serve Seattle area homeowners with expert, unbiased property inspections. For more information, contact 253-820-9650

Nov 21 2022

Seller Inspections

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What Is a Pre-Listing Inspection and Why You May Want One

You may already be familiar with the need for scheduling a home inspection if you’re buying a home as a way to get more information about the property. But if you are planning on selling your home, it may also be a good idea to get your home inspected before putting it on the market. Although pre-listing seller inspections are not currently as popular as buyer inspections, there are certain benefits for sellers who get their homes inspected. Keep reading for more information about why you may want your home inspected before you sell.

What is a pre-listing inspection?

A pre-listing inspection is a home inspection that a seller schedules before listing their home. This kind of inspection is similar to a standard inspection that a buyer requests before purchasing a home; but, the major difference between the two is that the seller pays for the inspection. A pre-listing inspection includes detailed observations of a seller’s home’s major systems: electrical, plumbing, HVAC, foundation and structure, floors and windows, roof and siding. The inspection can reveal what repairs the seller can make before listing.

When a seller wants to better understand their home’s condition before a potential buyer arranges an inspection, a pre-listing inspection can be a good strategy to avoid surprises and handle major repairs before selling. A home in good condition is usually more attractive to buyers than a home that needs many expensive repairs, and a pre-listing inspection will reveal what fixes should happen before showing the home to potential buyers.

What are the advantages of a pre-listing inspection?

The primary benefit of a pre-listing inspection is it may help to determine a price to sell or when to accept an offer. A pre-listing inspection can offer a seller the peace of mind that comes with a more complete knowledge of their home’s condition. And, more importantly, it can arm seller’s with the facts they need to counter a buyer’s requests before making an offer or signing a purchase agreement. Once a seller is aware of major issues or repairs that need to be made, a seller has more time to prepare to address possible fixes, or to prepare for negotiations with buyers about those issues.

What happens during and after a pre-listing inspection?

During a pre-listing inspection, a seller hires a home inspector to examine every component of a home – from foundation and structure, to roofing and systems like plumbing, HVAC, and electrical. The inspector provides detailed descriptions of the condition of these components and identifies possible problems that may need repairs. The cost of the inspection varies based on the size of the home, but in the Seattle area prices start at around $500.

After the inspection, the inspector gives the seller a detailed, unbiased report about the home’s condition. The information in that report can equip a seller to better negotiate a purchase price or to plan for necessary repairs that can make the home more competitive on the market.

If you’re planning on selling your home and would like the peace of mind that comes with a pre-listing inspection, call South Sound Inspections today.

Oct 24 2022

Backup Power Generator Safety

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A portable generator can be a lifesaver for homeowners during extreme weather conditions that knock out power grids. But generators can come with safety hazards like carbon monoxide emissions and electrical shock, so it’s important to understand how to use one correctly. Read on for more information about how to choose a generator and run it safely.

FIND THE RIGHT WATTAGE

The first step is finding the right wattage generator to power your home based on what you need to keep running, such as a refrigerator, HVAC system, sump pump or lights. For example, a refrigerator typically needs 600-800 watts to function; a sump pump needs 1,500 watts; and a central air conditioning unit uses about 2,000 to 4,000 watts.

To find the right generator for your home, add up the wattage for the appliances and systems that you need to keep running during an emergency.

Then, follow this formula to determine the wattage generator you need:

Running Wattage (R) + Starting Wattage (Rx3) = TOTAL wattage.

If your running wattage is 500, add that to 1,500 (or 500 x 3) to get your starting wattage, which results in a total wattage of 2,000.

HOOK UP YOUR GENERATOR SAFELY

For a simple, low wattage generator that is useful for powering only the essentials, like a refrigerator, microwave or stove for cooking, the basic steps below may be helpful. Always consult the Owner’s Manual for directions for your specific model:

Locate your generator outside the home, far enough away to prevent exposure to fumes produced when the generator is running.
Fill the generator with gas (the same kind of fuel you’d use for a car), close the cap on the tank, and get a 12 gauge extension cord that will connect the generator to appliances in your home.
After filling the tank and getting the cord, check the oil.
Turn the fuel line on.
Make sure that the generator is in “Choke” mode.
Turn ON the generator.
Start the engine by pulling cord like you would start a lawn mower.
When engine is on change the choke button to “Run”
Plug the extension cord into one of the multiple outlets on the generator.
Plug the other end of the extension cord into the appliance you need to power.

When installing a larger wattage generator to power your entire home, you can use an InterLock kit or have a professional electrician install it for you to help ensure safety. Townships and municipalities have rules regarding these kinds of installations, so check your local electrical regulations before starting.

MORE GENERATOR SAFETY TIPS

Here are a few tips to keep in mind, but always follow safety guidelines in your generator’s Owner’s Manual.

Place the generator outside of your home. Running a generator can produce carbon monoxide, so it cannot be run in a basement or garage. Put the generator in a place where residents won’t be exposed to the fumes.

Do NOT operate a generator under rainy or wet conditions. Wait until rain has passed to avoid risk of electrocution, and always operate the generator with dry hands.

Do NOT plug the generator directly into a wall outlet. This is known as “backfeeding” and can put utility workers, your home’s residents and neighbors at risk of electrocution.

Fuel storage. Keep your generator fueled if you need to run it during power outage emergencies. Be sure to store fuel in a cool, dry place and you may also choose to use StaBil, a fuel stabilizer, when the generator is not in use to prevent fuel from thickening and gumming up the machinery.

If you have questions or concerns about using a generator to power your home in emergencies, contact South Sound Inspections today.

Oct 10 2022

Fire Safety Tips For Your Home

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Certain hazards and disasters like floods, winds and snow are out of your control as a homeowner, but there are certain steps you can take to prevent fires from starting inside your home. Although fires are a hazard that you would rather not think about, it’s still important to consider fire prevention measures. From smoke alarm maintenance to evaluating your home’s electrical components, you can take proactive steps to ensure your home is safe from potential fire hazards. Read on for fire safety tips for your home and signs home inspectors look for when assessing a home’s fire safety readiness.

Check Your Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms are probably the first fire prevention measure that most homeowners consider when ensuring a home is safe from fire hazards. Keeping your smoke alarms in good working condition is a key step in fire prevention. Follow these three tips for maintaining smoke alarms in your home:

Ensure there are smoke alarms on every floor of your home.
Develop a fire safety plan and escape route.
Keep exit paths on the escape route clear. Ideally you should be able to escape your home in two minutes or less.
Test the smoke alarms each month.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

In addition to smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors not only save lives, they are required by Washington state law. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by incomplete combustion from vehicles or common appliances around your home such as gas powered lawn equipment, ovens, stoves, and furnaces. Carbon monoxide can be lethal within minutes. Installing a CO detector on each floor of your home, especially closest to sleeping areas, can allow you to act quickly and escape to fresh air.

Fire Extinguishers

According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), fire extinguishers should be both accessible and visible, and should be checked each month for functionality. During these checks make sure that the extinguisher is free of any physical damage. Remember that fire extinguishers are meant to put out smaller, more contained fires, like those that start on a stovetop or in a wastebasket. Most homes require an “A” type fire extinguisher designed for ordinary combustibles.

Potential Fire Hazards in the Home

After checking that smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are present and functioning, there are a few other areas that need attention. Check these spots to ensure they don’t pose a potential hazard:

Electrical outlets, wiring and panels. Make sure your home is free of overloaded power strips and that they’re not hot to the touch. They should also have proper air circulation. Also examine the electrical panel, and if there are any indications of a burnt plastic smell, burn marks or if you hear buzzing or crackling sounds, that could be a sign of a potential fire hazard. Extension cords and loose outlets should also be checked.
Fireplace and chimney. Creosote buildup in a chimney could cause a fire, so be sure to check your chimney to ensure it’s free of buildup and debris. It’s a good practice to call a professional chimney sweep to get a thorough clean and evaluation.
Dryer in laundry room. The laundry room is a commonly neglected area to check for fire hazards, but lint buildup in dryer vents can become a fire hazard. Clear lint and buildup from dryer vents to ensure optimal air circulation and that errant sparks won’t ignite lint buildup.
Space heaters. These portable appliances can help keep you warm in the winter, but if they’re not used properly, can become potential fire hazards. Be sure that space heaters are placed at least 3 feet away from drapes, blankets or any other flammable materials, and turn them off when you leave the room.

South Sound Inspections can help ensure your home is free of fire hazards. Call today for an objective assessment that can keep your family safe.

Sep 19 2022

What are Warning Signs of a Damaged Foundation?

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7 Common Foundation Issues

A foundation upholds the structure of a home, so it must be in good condition to ensure that your home is safe for you and your family. However, over time, foundations may develop issues that need to be addressed. It’s best to identify problems as soon as possible to help avoid costly repairs in the long run. Here are seven common foundation problems that you may be able to observe on your own before you call in a professional.

Doors or Windows Not Fitting

Homeowners often blame sticking windows and doors on humidity or temperature changes; but, it could also be a sign of foundation issues. If you notice that your windows or doors are sticking or misaligned, your home’s foundation may be shifting or settling. When cracks develop around doors or windows, or if they’re starting to separate from the walls and don’t work properly, you should call a professional.

Exterior or Interior Cracks

Cracks that form outside your home along the foundation can signal serious issues. If the soil around the foundation is too wet from improper drainage, it can cause the foundation to crack. You may also notice cracks in kitchen or bathroom tiles if there’s foundation damage. A professional inspector will be able to assess the severity of a crack based on its size, water absorption, location, and whether or not it’s active.

Leaks and Water Damage

If you notice any kind of dampness in your basement or crawlspace (whether by smell or by touch), or see leaks or any kind of water intrusion in the lower levels of your home, you should get your foundation checked out. Another worrisome sign is when water seeps into a basement due to a vertical crack. This could mean that there’s poor drainage around the foundation, which can weaken it over time.

Sagging or Sloping Floors

Older homes may be more prone to sagging or sloping floors, but a new home in which the foundation was not properly constructed could also experience this problem. This issue may also appear on the exterior as shifting soil. A professional can evaluate the severity of this issue by examining how large of an area is sloped, determining whether or not the problem has worsened over time, and measuring the grade of the slope.

Walls Pull Away from House

When you notice the walls separating from the ceiling, zig-zag cracks in drywall, or wall paper pulling away from the wall, this could be a sign that your home’s foundation is settling unevenly. When gaps appear suddenly, your home’s foundation may be experiencing rot or there may be an issue with the soil around your home.

Nails Stick out of Drywall

Sometimes nail pops in drywall can be caused by short drywall nails that are no longer attached to 2×4 studs; however, nails sticking out of drywall may also be a sign of foundation damage. When soil shifts due to poor drainage or grading related to foundation damage, a home’s drywall will also shift, causing nails to protrude.

Expansion Joint Separation

Expansion joints are designed to compromise for any movement or settling that a home and its foundation may do after construction. These joints are built to adapt to forces like temperature changes, humidity and shifting soil. So, if you see that these joints are separating or causing widespread cracks, it may be time to get a professional examination of your foundation.

If you notice one or more of these above issues, it may be a sign for a professional evaluation. Call South Sound Inspections today to identify foundation problems before they worsen.

Sep 08 2022

Different Roofing Shingle Types

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What’s the Best Shingle Type for Your Home?

Whether you’re looking to add new shingles to an existing roof, or if you’re building new construction and want to create the best possible roof, your choice of shingles can impact the lifespan of your roof and its ability to withstand the elements. Homes in the Pacific Northwest, with its particularly wet and damp weather, need to take extra care to make the right choice with shingles to best avoid issues like leaky roofs and water damage. Follow the guide below to learn which shingle type is best for your home.

Asphalt

Asphalt shingles, also known as composition shingles, are one of the most popular roof shingles types and are used on roofs of 4 out of every 5 homes in the U.S. Made from a base of organic felt or fiberglass topped with a spray of hot asphalt, these shingles boast many benefits: they’re affordable, fire resistant, easy to maintain and durable. They’re also aesthetically flexible because they come in a wide range of styles and colors, and can be manufactured to look like wood, cedar or slate. Asphalt shingles are known to last approximately 100 years. While their resistance to wind, rain, hail and snow makes them a great bet for the Pacific Northwest region, they are porous and may still be susceptible to mold and mildew growth, so be sure to check the shingles each year for maintenance purposes.

Metal

Among other materials, metal shingles can be made from aluminum, copper or stone-coated steel and they’re most commonly used in industrial or commercial buildings, though they are becoming more popular in the residential sector. Designed to withstand winds, hail, fire and heavy rain, metal shingles are also low maintenance: they require the occasional removal of leaves and debris after a heavy storm. Depending on the style of your home, metal shingles can be manufactured to look like other materials, like cedar shake or slate. Metal shingles can last from 40-70 years, but a few disadvantages are their high cost and difficulty in finding an exact color match if replacements are needed in the future. And in case you’re worried about noise, metal shingles are installed over wood, so you won’t hear rain drops during a storm.

Rubber

A lightweight, inexpensive option, rubber roofs come in three main types of single-ply membranes that are glued into place and laid in one single piece (rather than individual shingles like asphalt or metal), resulting in very few seams and thus a tighter, more secure protection from water leaks. This is an eco-friendly roof option because it’s made from recycled materials. Rubber roofs can last up to 50 years or longer and maintenance is simple: if a crack or leak does develop, it can be repaired with a tube of liquid rubber. This option is great for low-slope or flat roofs with few penetrations like skylights and chimneys; but, because of the exact measurements involved, this can drive up the cost for installation.

If you’re curious about the best roofing options for your home, or if you need your roof inspected for maintenance purposes, call South Sound Inspections today for an evaluation.

Aug 22 2022

Dryer Vent Safety

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The Importance of Keeping Your Dryer Vents Clean

You depend on your dryer to tackle loads of clean clothes and to keep laundry day moving, which is why it’s important to care for your dryer’s vent system. If a dryer vent or duct is not properly maintained, it may lead to a fire hazard. Follow this guide to learn more about how a dryer vent works, what can cause a dryer vent fire, and tips for keeping your dryer safe for use.

How A Dryer Vent Works

A dryer works by using either electric or gas power to create a system of heat, tumbling and air flow. First, the dryer draws in room temperature air and heats it using a heating element or burner. At the same time, a motor turns the drum of the dryer, allowing the damp clothing to tumble around while air circulates around the clothes. When hot air moves around the damp clothes, it creates steam that evaporates and is pushed out of the dryer by passing through a vent or an exhaust duct that opens to the outside of your home.

What Can Cause a Fire

As the steam and evaporated air is transferred out of the dryer through its vent, it also carries with it tiny particles of clothing material that fall off during the tumbling process, commonly known as lint. Usually your dryer’s filter collects the majority of lint before it passes through the vent, but it is possible that some lint gets stuck in the vent or exhaust duct. If enough lint becomes trapped in the vent leading outside, this creates a barrier and means evaporated air gets stuck within the dryer system and cannot escape outside. When hot air cannot fully escape, it causes the dryer to overheat, which may result in mechanical failures triggering sparks, leading to trapped lint bursting into flames.

Tips for Preventing a Dryer Vent Fire

There are some general dryer vent tips that may help to prevent a dryer fire. The first is to routinely clean out the dryer filter after each drying cycle, and to check that your dryer vent is working properly. Also make sure that your dryer vent meets the following three requirements:

The dryer vent usually has a metal or plastic duct tube that leads outside, so make sure that this tube is fully connected to the back of your dryer and that there are no gaps between it and the dryer unit.
Check that there are no restrictions to the airflow going through the duct tube to the outside. If there are kinks in the flexible metal or plastic tubing, this can prevent air from being fully pushed out of the dryer. There are vent elbows that allow the duct to bend 90 degrees in small laundry room spaces.
Ensure that there is no lint blockage or accumulation anywhere in the vent duct. When the duct is blocked with lint, it prevents the dryer from expelling heat. This can lead to heat build-up in the unit and possibly result in a fire.

The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors estimates that in the year 2005 alone, fires caused by dryer malfunctions resulted in approximately $196 million worth of fire damage; but, these incidents can be prevented if you follow some basic maintenance tips. Call South Sound Inspections if you would like your dryer vent system evaluated to ensure your home’s safety.

Aug 08 2022

What is a Home Warranty?

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Decide If a Home Warranty Is Right for You

If you’re in the market for a new home, you may have heard about home warranties or been asked if you’d like to purchase one. Among all the home-buying jargon you’ll be faced with on your real estate journey, “home warranty” is certainly a term you’ll want to research and learn more about before making a decision. Read on for more information about what a home warranty is, what it’s designed to do and how it may (or may not) be helpful for you in the future as a homeowner.

What is a home warranty?

A home warranty is a contract between a homeowner and a warranty company that provides discounted repair or replacement services on home components like plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC and furnaces. A home warranty can also cover home appliances and add-ons like swimming pools, dishwashers, refrigerators, stoves, garbage disposals and washers/dryers. A home warranty does not cover windows, flooring, walls or sprinkler systems.

It’s possible that the seller of a home may offer to purchase a home warranty on your behalf to provide assurance that if any home component breaks down, it can be fixed at an affordable price.

A home warranty can cost several hundred dollars per year, and its purpose is to cover items that aren’t usually covered by homeowner’s insurance. Pay close attention to the language in your home warranty contract: most home warranty plans will not cover repairs or replacements for components that have not been properly maintained.

How is a home warranty different from homeowner’s insurance?

Homeowner’s insurance provides financial protection for you, your home and your belongings in the case of extreme events, like fire, wind or snow, as well as property crimes like vandalism or theft. This kind of insurance provides coverage if you must repair your home’s structure, or sometimes other structures on your property, like a shed or guest house. It can also help repair or replace personal belongings.

What are the benefits of a home warranty?

The primary benefits of a home warranty are peace of mind and cost savings. You know that broken appliances or home components can be repaired at a reasonable price.

A home buyer may also feel reassured by a home warranty if they’re not familiar with how a home’s appliances or components have been maintained. A home warranty can be a good idea if you’re trying to keep costs low and if you’re not too handy with repairs.

What are the drawbacks of a home warranty?

One of the main drawbacks of a home warranty is the issue of improperly maintained appliances or components. When a home warranty company sends a repair technician to fix an appliance or system, it’s up to the technician to decide if that appliance or system has been properly maintained. If the technician determines that the item was not properly maintained, no repairs will be done. This can sometimes be an excuse to deny valid claims.

No matter which route you choose with your home warranty decision, you can be sure that South Sound Inspections will be there to provide transparent, unbiased assessments of your home’s structure and components.

Jul 25 2022

Dealing With Termites in Your Home

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How to Prevent, Identify and Eliminate Termites

There’s about 40 different species of termites that can be found in the U.S. and they cause approximately $5 billion in damage each year. Unfortunately, homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover termite damage. If you suspect that your home has termites, or if your home inspector has identified some termite red flags, read on for more info about how to deal with and prevent termite damage.

What are termites?

Termites are insects with wings of equal length that live in underground colonies. They feast on decomposing plant materials and live in societies structured around a queen, soldiers and workers. Termites may look similar to ants, but they have straight antennae and thicker abdomens than ants.

Termites cannot chew through concrete, but they can crawl through tiny cracks within concrete to get to wooden beams and structures within your home.

Where do they come from and what causes infestations?

Certain species of subterranean termites are native to the Western and Eastern United States. Formosan termites were brought over to North America a few centuries ago and can destroy wood structures faster than other native subterranean species.

Subterranean termites come up through the ground and into your home by way of mud tubes or tunnels that wind around concrete or metal. The nesting structures for one termite colony can be found within a 300 ft. diameter around your home.

Common signs of termites

Termites can be elusive creatures, so you’ll notice signs of their damage before you see the insects themselves. When you observe holes in wood with a honeycomb appearance, you can be sure there’s a termite infestation.

If you find a swarm indoors, that’s a sign that termites have already destroyed your home’s wood structural elements.

Prevention and treatment

Use these four termite prevention tips to help identify an infestation.

Inspect the quality of wood around your home’s basement, attic, or deck areas and tap on it to hear if it sounds hollow. If it does, that could be a sign of termite infestation.
Observe moisture buildup and try to keep indoor areas as dry as possible.
Discard any unnecessary wood debris around your home, and make sure your firewood pile is not too close to your home.
Ensure that mulch is not piled up too close to your home’s foundation.

If there is a termite infestation, get help from a pest professional because termites are very difficult to treat on your own.

A pest professional uses several different methods to treat termite infestation. One method is applying a liquid treatment around the home’s foundation by digging a trench filled with termiticide.

Another method is inserting termite bait stations around the property. A bait station is a hollow plastic cylinder filled with plant material and a slow-acting insecticide that shortens the termite growth process and kills them while they molt. Within weeks of eating the bait, termites spread the insecticide amongst the colony and die in waves.

A third method is tenting, a process where the entire home is covered in a tarp and termiticide is sprayed into it. This method will kill drywood termites, but isn’t effective for subterranean termites whose colonies spread underground beneath your home.

If you suspect your home has a termite problem, call South Sound Inspections to get an expert opinion today.

Jul 11 2022

How to Adjust HVAC Dampers

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Using HVAC Dampers to Improve Air Flow in Your Home

Unless you live in a perfect Mediterranean environment where the temperature remains at a comfortable level all year long, you most likely have to adjust your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system with seasonal changes. In the winter, you want hot air to circulate throughout your home, and in the summer, cool air should fill all your rooms. Aside from switching your thermostat from “heat” to “cool,” a great way to regulate temperature and air flow is by adjusting your HVAC dampers. Similar to how a dam controls water flow, dampers control air flow. By opening or closing them, you can promote or prevent airflow to certain parts of your home. Read on for more info about how and when to use HVAC dampers.

DAMPER LOCATION AND HOW IT WORKS

Not every home has HVAC dampers, but if yours does, they are found inside the ducts of your HVAC system. They look and function like flaps or shutters. If you have a two or three story home, the main air duct that runs from the mechanical room likely branches off into two or three different ducts to move air into each floor. On the sides of each of these ducts, you can see a screw and a wingnut that can be turned perpendicular or parallel to the direction of the duct. These wingnuts control the direction of the dampers, or flaps, inside. Some homes have automatic dampers that can be adjusted via a digital display within the thermostat.

In order to adjust the damper, you can use a pair of pliers to turn the wingnut up or down. If your air duct runs parallel to the floor, keeping the wingnut parallel to the bottom of the duct keeps the damper open. If you switch the wingnut’s position to point down, perpendicular to the bottom of the duct, you close the damper.

USING DAMPERS DURING THE SUMMER

During the hot summer months, you want cool air to circulate into each area of your home. As hot air rises, your top level floor will need increased airflow to feel cool. In this case, adjust the dampers to be fully open in the ducts that push air to the top floors. This will help force more cool air in places that naturally become warmer due to convection.

USING DAMPERS DURING THE WINTER

During the cooler months, bottom floors should get more heat. Because hot air rises, your home’s top floors will naturally already be warmer. In this case, you’ll want to limit hot air flow to the top floors by closing the dampers to those areas and opening the dampers for the bottom floors.

ADJUSTING AIR REGISTERS

In addition to adjusting your HVAC damper, you can also adjust the air registers in each room to regulate the flow of hot or cold air. Air registers are usually in the ceiling or on the floor. You can either close them entirely or narrow the air flow to maintain ideal room temperatures.

If you’re finding that your rooms are still too hot in the summer, or too cold in the winter, contact South Sound Inspections to get a full assessment of your HVAC system and dampers to ensure the best possible climate for your home.

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