Congratulations on your new home! Whether it’s the first home you’ve owned or one of a series of homes, a new home is always exciting. Now is the perfect time to make a maintenance plan. Your first step: accept that nothing in your home was made to last forever. Every single component has a useful life. As the coming months and years go by, your home will experience wear and deterioration, and some things may even stop working. It’s all part of homeownership. Following these seasonal tips will help you stay on top of home maintenance and hopefully avoid unexpected, expensive surprises.

Prologue: The Home Inspection

Before jumping to the tips, it’s worth taking a moment to consider your home inspection. Hopefully you included a whole house inspection as part of the closing process. The inspector reviewed all the major systems in your home and provided you with a report on their condition. Their report is your map. As you consider your plan for ongoing home maintenance, start with the inspection report. You’ll find issues listed there that require immediate attention, as well as others that require attention in the years to come. For example, the inspection report may state that the water heater has an expected remaining life of approximately two years; start saving now to replace that water heater and plan to be proactive to avoid flooding or other emergencies.

With the initial inspection report as your guide, it’s now time to incorporate the following seasonal tips into your home maintenance plan.

Spring

Your house takes a beating during the winter. Cold temperatures, winter storms, ice, and snow all take a heavy toll on your home. Now’s a good time to do the following:

Check your roof for damage. Look for missing or loose shingles as well as deteriorating fascia or trim. Schedule a professional roof inspection if you suspect damage.
Clean your gutters.
Repair cracked outdoor concrete on driveways and walkways.
Maintain fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. We like doing this when daylight savings time begins, so we always remember this important safety task.
Spruce up and repair decks and patios and get them ready for summer.

Summer

Warm, dry weather is an ideal time to take care of these essential tasks:

Check your exterior siding and paint. Make repairs as needed.
Recaulk windows and doors.
Schedule a plumbing inspection if it’s been more than five years since your last one.

Fall

It’s time to prepare for winter.

Schedule an HVAC service.
Winterize pipes to prevent freezing.
Test your generator.
Hire a chimney sweep to clean and inspect flues.
Clean your gutters again.

Winter

Cold weather brings your attention indoors.

Schedule a residential electrical inspection in Philadelphia, PA. If it’s been more than five years since your last inspection, have a professional come and assess your electrical system to make sure it’s operating safely.
Replace brittle or damaged electrical cords.
Inspect your appliances. Test connections, look for leaks, and schedule maintenance as needed.

Ongoing Inspections

Don’t forget your most important home maintenance tool: the home inspection. Accurate home inspections in Philadelphia, PA, done regularly, will help you stay on top of everything your home needs. Contact Eagle Inspections to schedule a whole home inspection today.

Buying a home is exciting! If you’ve found the right home at the right price, that’s a big deal, and it’s worth celebrating. It’s also worth taking some time to prepare before sitting down at the negotiating table. Houses are complicated; there’s a lot of important stuff going on beneath the surface. One 30-minute walk-through with your realtor is not sufficient to educate you on the home’s actual condition. That’s where the best home inspectors in Philadelphia come in.

Let’s take a brief look at the key areas inspectors focus on and how you can use what you learn when finalizing the sale.

Focus Areas

Home inspectors are focused on the big stuff, issues that affect the home’s safety and integrity. Key areas of attention include the following:

The Structure

Your inspector will examine the foundation’s fundamental components and look for any signs of decay or damage. They use visual inspection and several other tools to determine if the structure is sound.

The Roof

The home’s roof carries the lion’s share of the burden of protecting the home from rain, snow, wind, and heat. Your home inspector will take a careful look to see any evidence of stress or impairment. They look at gutters to make sure they are working properly to direct water away from your home and check flashings, eaves, and other related elements.

Electrical System

Electrical fires remain the number one cause of house fires in the United States, so inspectors look carefully at all system components. Circuit breakers, grounding, GFCIs, wiring, outlets, and fixtures are all subjected to the scrutiny of an inspector.

Water and Plumbing

Water can come from a variety of sources and cause expensive injury to homes. Inspectors will look for obvious signs of plumbing problems such as leaking pipes, slow drains, malfunctioning water heaters, or running toilets. But they will also look for less obvious indications of water issues, including the following:

stained walls, ceilings, or concrete
buckling or squeaking floors
low water pressure
inexplicable puddling in the yard or around the foundation
musty odors
cracks in the walls or foundation

What Can You Do?

Your house probably won’t score 100% on the inspection, but that’s okay. Read the inspector’s report carefully, ask many questions, and then take the big stuff to the negotiating table. You can ask the seller to make costly repairs, but keep in mind that they are not obligated to make them to your standards.

Sometimes a better solution is to ask for a price concession so you can make the repairs yourself. And, in extreme cases, it might be necessary to walk away and keep searching. Whatever you choose, a home inspection makes it possible to make that choice with confidence.

Call Eagle Inspections today! With the help of the best home inspectors in Philadelphia, you can make a safe and smart home purchase.

Ok. First of all, before we get too far, it’s essential to know that top quality home inspections in Philadelphia aren’t pass or fail. If you’re selling your home, your house probably isn’t at risk for “failing” a potential buyer’s inspection. The inspector’s job isn’t to give your home a grade; it provides the buyer with a comprehensive report detailing the house’s condition and alerting them to any potential red flags. The truth is, if you’ve lived in your home for a while, there’s going to be some stuff that needs attention. Homes are complicated and require a lot of maintenance. Your goal when going into a home inspection is not to present the inspector and the buyer with a perfect home, it’s to present a home that, even though it has some flaws, will not cause the deal to unravel.

Since it’s the big stuff that might pose a safety problem or that costs big money to repair that can cause a hiccup in the transaction, let’s look at 5 of the most common issues found during quality residential inspections and what you can do about them. Paying attention to these areas will go a long way to keeping negotiations in your favor:

The Roof

Roof repairs are expensive, and they can’t really be put off. No buyer wants to deal with the financial burden of a roof repair or replacement soon after buying a home, so if your roof shows wear, many buyers will walk away. Before the inspection, replace broken shingles, recaulk where needed, and repair worn flashing. Also, clean your gutters and make sure they are working to direct water away from your home.

Drainage

Inspectors look closely for any signs that water might be draining towards the foundation of your home. The landscaping around the home needs to slope away from the house, and gutters and downspouts need to direct water away as well.

Foundation

If your home has significant foundation issues, selling is going to be a challenge. You’re going to need to make the repairs yourself; even price concessions won’t help as new homebuyers don’t want the hassle of foundation repairs. Filling cracks and repairing sticky doors will help with any minor foundation problems.

Plumbing

If you have old polybutylene pipes, the inspector will note this on the report and recommend replacements. Making this upgrade ahead of time is a good idea. Beyond this, take the time to make sure your drains move smoothly, that your fixtures are free from drips, and your toilets don’t run. If you have an old water heater, be prepared to offer a concession.

Pests

Homebuyers run from pests. Have your home treated by a professional pest control company before the sale.

The Bottom Line

Whole-home inspections in Philadelphia are stressful for sellers, but with a bit of preparation, you really can’t fail. Help your home put its best foot forward with fresh caulk, thorough pressure washing, and excellent cleaning. Tackle the cosmetic issues and anticipate the concerns buyers might have about significant systems in the home. Disclose freely and be prepared to negotiate. Then trust the process. Everything will work out fine.

Selling your home is a big project. Discerning home buyers look at everything closely and make notes of any and all repairs and accurate home inspections in Philadelphia, PA, can uncover issues with your home that can put a wrench in the deal. Home inspectors see all kinds of houses in pretty much every condition imaginable. Follow these top resale tips from home inspectors to make your selling experience smooth and hiccup-free:

Watch for Water

Water causes innumerable problems for homes and any sign of water damage is enough to completely derail a sale. Prior to listing your home, do the following:

Clean gutters and downspouts
Have your roof sealed
Caulk around doors and windows
Slope landscaping away from the foundation
Check under sinks for signs of leaks
Remove any evidence of past water issues

None of these issues are particularly difficult to tackle in terms of time or money, but they’ll make all the difference when selling.

Keep Good Records

Keep receipts and service records for all major appliances and systems. Providing inspectors and potential buyers with careful records communicates that you’ve taken care of your home. Boilers, septic systems, HVAC systems, and cesspools are particularly important to service regularly.

Do Some Cleaning

While clean and tidy homes show well, there are a handful of especially important details.

Grout and caulk. Dirty, cracked grout and caulking make an instant bad impression. Addressing these issues takes little time and money and avoids drawing attention to problem areas.
Mold. Some bleach and a scrub brush are all it takes to remove any signs of mold and mildew.
Power washing. Take a power washer to the exterior of your home as well as walkways and driveways.

Paying attention to these small details makes a solid impression.

Have a Pre-Inspection

The best way to avoid surprises down the road is to have your home inspected before listing. Big-ticket items like roofs, plumbing systems, and HVAC systems are the most likely to cause a deal to fall through. Finding and resolving these issues ahead of time gives you the chance to decide how you want to handle them. You can choose to make the repairs yourself or disclose the issues and adjust the sales price. Either way, you get the opportunity to call the shots.

Prepare to Succeed

Following these tips will prepare you to succeed in selling your home. Anything you can do to help potential buyers feel confident contributes to a smooth and successful sale. Eagle Inspections provides quality home inspections in Philadelphia, PA. Our home experts will conduct a thorough pre-sale inspection to help you identify potential issues and help you prepare to sell your home.

Home inspections are a good idea anytime. Your home is your biggest investment; take care of that investment with regular system inspections from Eagle Inspections.

The value of residential home inspections is clear:

They give home buyers peace of mind about their home purchases
They provide important information about health and safety hazards within a home
They help homeowners maintain the major systems in their homes
They help homeowners plan and budget for home repairs

That said, the value of a home inspection is limited by what the inspector can actually see; if the inspector cannot access a steep roof, see wiring within the walls, or explore the crawl space, they cannot make any assessments or recommendations.

High-tech innovations like drones and robots are expanding the reach of home inspectors, allowing them to access previously out of reach areas and provide more insight into the health and safety of homes. Let’s take a closer look at how these high-tech devices are impacting home inspections.

Drones

A drone is a remote-controlled flying device also sometimes known as an unmanned aircraft system (UAS). Drones are equipped with cameras that can give operators a bird’s eye view from above, something that’s difficult to achieve otherwise. Drones provide the following advantages for home inspectors:

Safety. It’s much, much safer for an inspector to examine a roof remotely using a drone than it is to do it in person. Climbing ladders and navigating steep rooflines is one of the most dangerous aspects of a home inspector’s job.
Thoroughness. Sometimes a roof is impossible or impassable for a home inspector; wet conditions, clay tiles, and tall chimneys are just a few of the things that can prevent an inspector from getting a good look at the roof. Because a roof inspection is often essential, being able to complete a challenging inspection using a drone prevents homeowners from needing to arrange and pay for an additional roof inspection.
Time savings. Setting up a ladder and physically climbing around a rooftop takes time. Drones can potentially get a better look at the condition of the roof in significantly less time.

Drones do, however, have a few drawbacks as well, including the following:

Cost. High-quality drones aren’t inexpensive.
Compliance. Many municipalities require drone flyers to be licensed
Weather. Drones can’t be flown in windy or inclement conditions (but in-person roof inspections can’t be done safely in these conditions either)

Robots

What’s next on home inspectors’ list of places they don’t really want to go? The crawlspace. And can you blame them? Crawlspaces are dark, dirty, and cramped, sometimes too cramped to actually access. Plus, there’s also the risk of encountering something unexpected; while inspectors don’t relish crawlspaces, spiders, snakes, mice, and other critters do.

The solution? A home inspection robot. These devices resemble remote control cars and are equipped with cameras that feed images to smartphones or other controllers. Operators can view live feeds, record videos, and take still shots safely above ground. Their low profile allows them to fit in very tight spaces, giving home inspectors full view of everything going on beneath your home.

Robots are also useful for residential electrical inspections in Philadelphia, PA, as well as for inspecting other tight spaces such as vents, attics, HVAC equipment, and others. More and more home inspectors are taking advantage of these devices to improve their home inspections.

Eagle Inspections

Call Eagle Inspections today to schedule a residential inspection in Philadelphia, PA. Ask about how our inspectors use the latest technology to provide high-quality, reliable, thorough home inspections.

Home building inspections in Philadelphia, PA, are a critical component of any home sale, but they aren’t without their limitations. Home inspections typically take about 2-3 hours, which is not enough time to examine everything. Inspectors focus on mechanical defects, structural problems, and health and safety issues. If you are a home buyer, it’s important to know what things the inspection doesn’t cover so you won’t miss any essential detail about your new home.

Sewer Line

Home inspectors inspect and test interior plumbing fixtures and lines, but they do not inspect the sewer line, the pipe that connects the home to the city sewer line. Cracks, roots, clogs, and other issues can cause serious issues with this line, which, if damaged, can cause significant problems. You can schedule a separate inspection from a plumbing company to check things out. Since repairs to this line are often costly, the extra money is well worth the effort.

Finishes

Home inspectors are not required to inspect cosmetic finishes, but these details are important to the home’s overall quality. That said, if an inspector notices a problem with peeling paint, wallpaper, cracked tiles, or other items, they will look for underlying causes such as water damage. In addition, home inspectors won’t check for lead-based paint. If the home was built before 1978 and you’re concerned about this issue, you’ll need to have this specially tested.

Mold

The most your home inspector will do is indicate on the report, “potentially mold.” A certified mold inspector will need to be called in to evaluate the issue further.

Pests

Again, the inspector may note the potential presence of plants, insects, or animals that might be harmful or hazardous, but you’ll need more information before making any decisions. And the fact that the final inspection report doesn’t list any pest problems does not mean they don’t exist. An exterminator’s report is the only way to know for certain.

Inner Electrical Workings

Inspectors do a lot of work during a residential electrical inspection in Philadelphia, PA, but they stop short of opening up the walls to take a look.

Septic System

Your home inspector will run all the faucets, test all the drains, and flush all the toilets, listening and watching for signs of problems. However, if the home has a septic system, that will need its own inspection. The inspector will note the tank’s location and size and the date of the last pump, but that’s the limit.

Stuff That’s Not in Plain View

If the inspector can’t easily view it with the naked eye, it won’t be addressed in the inspection. Chimneys, insulation, and foundations are essential but are not included in a typical pre-sale inspection. The roof is also worth considering. Eagle inspections’ professionals, while not required, will attempt to access roofs to check for missing tiles, leaks etc. However, occurrences such as bad weather conditions can prevent inspectors from climbing up to the roof.

The Bottom Line

The home inspection is a crucial step in every home sale. Knowing the basics of what will and will not be covered in the inspection protects both buyers and sellers. Call the team at Eagle Inspections today to discuss how a home inspection can help you. We use the latest technology to provide the best, most thorough inspections possible. Knowing that the most experienced inspectors have inspected your home will give you peace of mind.

Looking for strategies to help you get the highest price for your home when it’s time to sell? Follow these tips from the best home inspectors in Philadelphia:

Keep it Dry

Water is the number one enemy of homes. Anywhere water gets in, it causes trouble. Common areas of trouble include the following:

Roofs. Regular roof inspections will ensure that they’re watertight.
Caulking around windows and doors. Keep things sealed.
Landscaping. Landscaping should slope away from your home to prevent water from running in.
Sump pumps. Broken sump pumps lead to flooding.
Clogged gutters. Gutters and downspouts filled with debris are a clear water hazard.
Sinks. Check under your kitchen and bathroom sinks regularly to make sure everything is staying dry.

Keep it Maintained

Homes are a complicated collection of systems that require regular maintenance. Have your boiler serviced annually (every two to three years for gas units) and post the service record. Cesspools and septic systems also require consistent inspections and service. Careful records of all services will give potential buyers confidence that your home has been well cared for.

Keep it Clean

Potential buyers consistently respond favorably to clean homes. Things like pristine grout lines, stain-free carpets, power-washed concrete driveways and vinyl siding, tidy flower beds, shiny windows, sparkling fixtures, and clean baseboards are the small details that will make a big difference.

Keep it Safe

Potential buyers value working smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and radon detectors.

Keep it Inspected

Home inspectors agree: regular home inspections are important. Showing potential buyers a pattern of consistent inspections protects you from unpleasant surprises while trying to close the deal and provides buyers with an assurance that your home is in good condition. Houses just sell faster and for more money with a pre-sale inspection.

Want even more?

In addition to the above tips, home inspectors say that at least one of the following issues show up on the vast majority of home inspections:

HVAC issues. Underperforming HVAC units or systems that aren’t up to code make an appearance on nearly every inspection report. Do yourself a favor and have your system serviced before listing your home.
Sketchy caulking. A tube of caulk costs almost nothing and is easy to apply. Freshen up the caulk around windows, doors, tubs, and showers.
Wood rot. Use an eagle eye to spot wood rot around your home and make repairs before the inspection.
Electrical concerns. Nothing spooks a home buyer quite as much as the words “electrical issues” on a home inspection. An electrical inspection will identify any trouble spots so you can fix them proactively.
Water heater code violations. While bringing everything in your home up to current codes isn’t required, a water heater that isn’t up to code is a safety concern that gets a lot of unwanted attention.

Call Eagle Inspections

Call Eagle Inspections today and our team will help you get your home ready to sell. We offer a full range of existing and new home inspections in Philadelphia, PA. Don’t leave anything to chance; a small investment now is certain to add dollars to your home sale later. Call and schedule your visit from Eagle today!

Homes are a complex collection of interconnected parts. When home inspectors look closely at the essential elements of the home, they also do the following:

Reveal Unexpected Costs
The last thing you need is to discover the roof needs to be replaced. A home inspection reveals these issues ahead of time, so you can decide whether to proceed or walk away.
After closing on your home, theover Serious Safety Issues
Inspectors look carefully at the home’s safety, including things like smoke detectors, venting, appliances, and GFCI electrical outlets. Uncovering these issues now gives you a chance to fix them before jeopardizing your family.
Budget Future Repairs
The home inspection report gives you a helpful list of upcoming repairs that you can use to budget and plan for the future.
Increase Negotiating Power with Seller
Focus on the significant issues and use those to bargain for a better price.
Enjoy Peace of Mind
Understanding the true condition of your new house relieves stress and makes it easier to sleep at night.

Don’t take a risk on the biggest purchase you’ll ever make. Educate yourself with a reliable, affordable, and fast home inspection from Eagle Inspections.

A healthy roof is critical to home maintenance. Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against wind, rain, snow, and sleet. It keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Plus, it’s a significant element in the overall style and curb appeal of your home. When your roof is working as it should, life is good, but serious problems are the result when it’s leaking.

One important way to keep your roof in great shape is to schedule an annual residential roofing inspection in Philadelphia, PA, with Eagle Inspections. Our experts will examine every aspect of your roof to ensure that it’s in tip-top shape for the coming year. But a professional inspection isn’t the only thing you can do to keep your roof from leaking this new year. The following is a list of 5 steps you can take to maintain your roof and prevent leaks:

Take a look.
One of the easiest things you can do to care for your roof is to regularly look at it. Professional inspectors aren’t the only people who can inspect your roof; you can give your roof a visual once over every month to watch for trouble like missing or defective shingles, damaged flashing around chimneys and vents, or cracked or worn caulk. The more often you look, the more apt you’ll be to spot potential problems.
Keep it clean.
Keep an eye on your roof and make sure it stays clear of debris. Leaves, sticks, moss, and other organic material that’s allowed to sit on the roof for long periods can lead to leaks and mold growth, both of which undermine the roof’s overall well-being. If it’s safely possible, brush or soft wash debris off the roof regularly.
Maintain your gutters.
Properly functioning gutters are critical; their job is to direct water away from your roof and prevent damage. To do this, they need to be securely attached, have the proper slope, and remain free of debris and clogs. When gutters don’t work right, water stays on your roof. Heavy, water-logged gutters can compromise the integrity of the shingles along the edge. To guard against this kind of damage, keep your gutters clear and the water flowing.
Visit the attic.
Making regular visits to the attic is a great way to keep an eye on your roof. Look for dark, wet spots or other obvious signs of leaks. Check for the musty smell that is a telltale sign of mold growth. And look up; if you see light peeking through, your roof has a hole.
Keep the perimeter clear.
Trees are a big problem for roofs. Branches can scratch and gouge roofing materials when blown across the roof’s surface by the wind. Falling branches can damage, puncture, or even remove shingles and other roofing components. Falling leaves and branches will clog gutters and cause water to backup into the attic or behind the fascia. And excessive shade can lead to mold growth. Trim your trees regularly to protect your roof.

Call Eagle Inspections

Eagle Inspections is here to help you care for and maintain your home. We provide a host of home inspection services, including new home inspections, roof inspections, and residential radon inspections in Philadelphia, PA. Your home is your most important investment. Call us today at 267-538-2292 to ask about how our inspection services can help you protect that investment.