Queens Home Inspection

Long Island Home inspection by Solid City Home Inspection. 

Solid City Home Inspection is offering discounts this holiday season on every home inspection performed. All home inspections come with two home inspectors, Free thermal imaging, and a free termite report. We are licensed and insured with the state of New York and members of the International Home Inspection Association. Call us today to schedule your appointment. 

516-350-9200 or Visit http://www.MyLongIslandHomeInspection.com

Queens Roof Inspection

Solid City ROOF INSPECTION

Several situations precipitate the need for a roof inspection by a professionally licensed New York State Home Inspection Company. All too often, performance of the roof is taken for granted and forgotten about until it starts to fail. But if you are not evaluating your roof at least once a year, you risk prematurely devaluing one of your biggest assets. Ask us to perform a roof evaluation if you:

• Suspect or confirm leaks
• Need hard numbers to plan for future roof repairs or replacement
• Want a third party opinion of roof condition
• Need to keep in compliance with an existing warranty
• Want to start a preventative maintenance program

Roof inspections should only be carried out by a licensed professional equipped with a thermal imaging camera . A leak is usually a sign of multiple problems that have existed for a long time time so early detection can save a significant  amount of time and money.

 95-POINT ROOF INSPECTION

The 95- Point Roof Inspection takes industry standards to a new level. We incorporate all facets of every recommended program and take special consideration for the climate and geographical challenges particular to our customers here in New York. Extreme heat and cold present unique challenges that our roofs need to withstand.

Here is the outline of our comprehensive roof inspection:

SUPPORTING STRUCTURE

1. Exterior Walls

2. Interior Walls

3. Expansion/Contraction

4. Settlement Cracks

5. Deterioration

6. Moisture Stains

7. Physical Damage

8. interior Roof Deck

9. Exterior Roof Deck

10. Securement to Supports

11. Expansion/Contraction

12. Structural Deterioration

13. Water Stains

14. Physical Damage

15. Attachment of Felts/Ins.

ROOF CONDITION

1. General Appearance
2. Debris
3. Drainage
4. Physical Damage
5. General Condition
6. New Equipment/Alter.
7. Surface Condition
8. Bare Spots in Gravel
9. Coating Degradation
10. Cracking of Asphalt
11. Slippage
12. Membrane Condition
13. Blistering
14. Splitting
15. Ridging
16. Fish mouthing
17. Loose Laps
18. Punctures
19. Securement of Substrate
20. Fasteners

FLASHING CONDITION

1. Base Flashing
2. Punctures
3. Deterioration
4. Blistering
5. Open Laps
6. Attachment
7. Ridging or Wrinkling
8. Counter flashing
9. Open Laps
10. Punctures
11. Attachment
12. Rusting
13. Fasteners
14. Caulking
15. Coping
16. Open Laps
17. Punctures
18. Attachment
19. Rusting
20. Drainage
21. Fasteners
22. Caulking
23. Wall Separation
24. Mortar Joints
25. Spalling
26. Movement Cracks

ROOF EDGING/FACIA

1. General Appearance
2. Splitting
3. Securement
4. Rusting
5. Felt Deterioration
6. Fasteners
7. Punctures

ROOF PENETRATIONS

1. Equipment Base Flashing
2. Open Laps
3. Punctures
4. Attachment
5. Equipment & Housing
6. Counter flashing
7. Open Seams
8. Physical Damage
9. Caulking
10. Drainage
11. Equipment Operation
12. Discharge of Oil
13. Excessive Traffic Wear
14. Roof Jackets/Vents
15. Attachment
16. Physical Damage
17. Vents Operable

EXPANSION JOINT COVERS

1. General Appearance
2. Open Joints
3. Punctures/Splits
4. Securement
5. Rusting
6. Fasteners

PITCH PANS

1. General Appearance
2. Fill Material
3. Attachment

For More Information Visit http://www.MyLongIslandHomeInspection.com or call 516-350-9200

Hurricane Sandy Home Inspection

Hopefully you and your house made it through Hurricane Sandy unscathed and without much more inconvenience than losing power for a couple of days. But before you try to get back to your normal lives you should take a careful look at your house and hopefully  catch some subtle damage such as a few missing shingles or some missing siding. 

The first thing you should do is perform a visual inspection of the roof and work your way down. If the roof is steep or to high use binoculars to perform your inspection. If it’s shallow and you’re comfortable with heights try and get up there for a closer look. Look carefully at the valleys and where roof planes intersect. Check anything that penetrates through the roof, such as vent pipes and skylights. Look at the chimney cap as well as all the flashings. Look for anything loose or missing. If you do see that some material has blown away roofing cement and other materials can provide a temporary repair to prevent leaks but you’ll need to hire a professional roofer to repair loose or missing shingles before winter comes.

Have a look at the dryer vent. If its plugged with debris that flew in during the storm you must clean it out or this could cause a fire hazard. If it is necessary get on a ladder and look inside the vent with a bright flashlight to see if there's anything that needs to be removed. The louvers on the vent plate should open easily and freely. When the dryer is running there should be a steady stream of warm moist air coming out. 

The same goes for your home’s furnace or boiler vents if they run directly through the wall make sure they are not clogged. Check the vents opening for damage and look inside to make sure it's not plugged by debris, especially leaves that have been blown  into it by hurricane force winds. 

Look at your home’s electrical service entrance. It should look like it did before the hurricane. If it’s sagging or leaning it could be a serious safety hazard. Contact LIPA immediately! 

Check  the gutters and downspouts they may have come loose in the wind. If you can, have a look from a ladder. A gutter that has been loosened by high wind will eventually swing loose. It can do some real damage when it finally breaks free, such as breaking a window or flying off the house and onto a car parked in your driveway. If you think you have loose gutters call a roofing and gutter company immediately. 

Fences commonly get damaged from storm force winds. Take a walk down your fence and push against it to check for weakened areas. Also  check house-mounted flag pole brackets, which could be hanging by a thread after the storm. 

Finally, if you’ve got large trees on your property this may be the time to reconsider them. The bigger they are the harder they fall. Think twice about whether you even want those big trees anymore. In the post-Sandy world, big trees are as likely to devalue your property as they were to contribute to it. 

For more information visit http://www.MyLongIslandHomeInspection.com 

Queens Home Inspection

Solid City Home Inspection has inspected thousands of homes and condos in Long Island,  Nassau County, Suffolk County, and in New York City, Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. We are a member of the American Chamber of Commerce.  Our team of experienced Internachi Certified home inspectors perform high quality, in-depth home inspections and condo inspections at very competitive prices. We provide a free termite report on every home inspection, We also provide free thermal imaging on every home inspection. Our full time, knowledgeable office staff can answer your questions and schedule a convenient time for your  Home inspection.  Call us at 516-350-9200 or Visit us at http://www.MyLongIslandHomeInspection.com  

Discounts on all Queens home inspection

It’s the end of the season and Solid City Home Inspection is offering discounts on all home inspection services. Including thermal imaging, termite inspections, EMF surveys, and final walk-through inspections contact us today to find out more information

516-350-9200 or Visit http://www.MyLongIslandHomeInspection.com 

Common Reasons for a Fallout with the Buyer and How to Avoid It!

It has happened many times before and may continue to happen, but why should you be the one who suffers? Even on closing day, a buyer may suddenly pull out from the deal. From the moment a buyer puts in an offer, the seller has to handle the whole situation tactfully lest he loses the buyer. More importantly the seller should not have to suffer the consequences of a buyer who withdraws last minute. There can be several reasons why a buyer and seller may fallout. But some of the most common ones are explained along with the remedies for them.
Rushing through a process may not be a good idea. If either the buyer or seller pushes the other person, you may put someone under pressure. Home buying and selling are major decisions; just because you are in a hurry it does not mean that the other person has to feel the same. Rushing through and skipping over details may come back to bite you later. Pay attention to the necessary details and move at a decent pace.
Some owners do not detach themselves emotionally from their homes. This can lead to problems if the buyer makes a critical remark about some aspect of the home. If the seller loses his cool, it may result in drama and jeopardize a good deal. So remember to keep your emotions in check.
Some buyers may be waiting for their home to sell before closing in on this offer. If the home does not sell on time, you may be required to wait unnecessarily. You should not wait for this to happen unless the other home is already in escrow. But you will have to put in a contingency clause in your agreement regarding this.
During negotiation, a lot of issues may be brought up. One is related to the contents of a home to be sold. When debating the purchase price, the buyer may bargain for some extra items or insist on a lower price. Make sure that if you do not want to sell some items, you either take these items out before showing a home or you make it very clear in the beginning about the items which are for sale. Having your dearest items on display will just give the buyer a chance to pick on them during negotiation.
Financing can be a major reason for the failure of a deal. The reasons could be many: the buyer cannot actually afford the home, or the lender may not approve the loan, or even if he does the buyer may not stick to the conditions of the approval letter which may result in the lender pulling out etc. For your protection, ask to see a pre-approval letter from a lender early in the process. Your sales agreement should also include a clause stating that financing should be obtained within a certain date or you are allowed to pull out from the deal. 
If an inspection does not get an all clear, the buyer or seller may choose a course of action decided in their agreement. But sometimes it may not be all black and white, and both parties may disagree on some point. For instance if there is a major defect which was not anticipated, the buyer may choose to back out of the deal. Again a clause regarding inspections should be clearly stated in the agreement. The survey of land may indicate some defects or encroachment on the property. This may also be a reason for the buyer to pull out if the flaw cannot be easily fixed.
There are probably several other reasons why a buyer and seller may fallout. It is recommended that the whole process is handled carefully and ethically. You should move with caution when accepting an offer and make sure that you see potential in it. Ensure that your home is in good condition and all defects are fixed or at least disclosed early. This may prevent the buyer from pulling out last minute. Most importantly, make sure the agreement includes clauses about inspection, financing, moving out (may be you need a few extra days), etc. Once you accept an offer, you have to move cautiously to avoid a fallout which may damage the deal.
http://www.mylongislandhomeinspection.com/
http://www.longislandhomeinspection.net/

Sellers Should Inspect their Homes like Professionals Before Putting it up for Sale

Generally the buyer has a right to get an inspection on a property before purchasing it. The sales contract may specify details of the condition of the various aspects of the property. If the results of a home inspection report are unfavorable, the necessary repairs may need to be taken care of by the seller. Or the buyer may agree to do the same but offer a lower price. The solution may vary and depend on the contract.
The seller should make the necessary repairs ahead of time so problems which may delay a transaction can be avoided. The seller can either get a home inspection done or choose to closely scrutinize his own property. But make sure to be brutal and objective while examining your property.
A home inspector will examine the foundation and structure, electrical, plumbing, cooling and heating systems, roofs, chimneys etc. So go through each of these and check to see what repairs are required. Examine your home for mildew and mold, look at damp walls or ceilings and get them fixed. The electrical panel and circuit breaker configuration will be examined to check if it is sufficient for the home’s requirements. Make sure all your lights and air conditioning/ heating system are working properly and filters are in decent shape.
Your oven, disposal, dishwasher, burners should all work properly. All taps, faucets and showers should be in good condition. Open all simultaneously to check the pressure in each. Your septic system should work properly and there should be no drainage problems. Fireplace and chimney should be clean and functioning well.
Your roof is going to be carefully examined so make sure that it does not leak, there are no damaged shingles, etc. Clean gutters; ensure that downspouts have diverters under them, drainage downspouts should point away from the house; trim trees or branches which may touch the roof.
Pay attention to your garage and attic. Clean them out as the inspector is going to visit these places and poke around. See if the lights and garage door are working. Check for damage by water, rodents, insects, etc. In some states, specific checks regarding radon gas, termite infestation etc. need to be conducted and the results revealed to the buyer.
Ask a friend to come home and point out flaws that you may not be able to objectively see. If you detect any problems get them fixed unless you are prepared to settle for a lower purchase price. If your home is in very poor condition, then you may consider selling your home “as is” but settle for a comparatively low price.
Before the home inspection, carefully check your home and keep it clean. The home inspector is going to look for problems and may even find some. You probably missed a few things or he just picked on minor details. The point is to not get flustered; prepare yourself ahead by making the necessary repairs. All other minor details can be dealt with later and may not even affect the sale.

Disclosing Defects is Every Seller’s Responsibility

Sellers have the responsibility of disclosing any defects in the property to the buyer. The seller should disclose defects which could affect the value of the property as well as the living conditions. The defects may relate to insulation, structure, plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems, fixtures, etc. No defect is too small to be kept away from the buyer.
It is understandable that most sellers feel that disclosing defects may result in a lower price, so why should they subject themselves to this? Firstly, because it is unethical and unfair to those buying your home. If this is not a good enough reason, consider the damage you will suffer if the buyer decides to sue you later.
Some states require sellers to fill in a disclosure form which has to be handed over to the buyer. If the seller does not present this form, the buyer can easily withdraw his offer and get a complete refund of his earnest money deposit. Laws have becomes stringent over the years to protect consumers, in this case the buyers. Some items have to be specifically disclosed and vary from state to state.  Federal law requires disclosure related to lead content.
Even if there are no strict laws applicable, one is not allowed to mislead the buyer. You may choose to hide a minor defect but leading the buyer to believe something which is false will surely get you into trouble. If you lie about a particular defect and the seller finds out later, you will be required to reimburse for repairs and perhaps suffer litigation.
Get an inspection done if you must but reveal the condition of the property truthfully. If it is possible you should consider fixing some of the major defects. Even if you are selling your home ‘as is’, it only means that you are not required to renovate or repair defects. You will still have to disclose the defects to the buyer.
Find out the legal obligations of the seller in your state to fulfill your duties completely. Although it is up to the seller to reveal all defects, it is suggested that one should do it. It will provide the buyer a clearer picture and save you from getting slapped with a lawsuit.
http://www.mylongislandhomeinspection.com/
http://www.longislandhomeinspection.net/

We Now Offer Thermal Inspections

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Solid City Home Inspection

The purchase or sale of a home is one of the largest single investments / transactions you may ever make That’s why you need a home inspection. Solid City Inspections can help you make sound decisions based on our professional residential inspections. Solid City Inspections professional report will provide you with an independent, objective analysis of the conditions. Our Infrared imaging provides important information relating to otherwise inaccessible areas of a residential building. Infrared detects extremely small but crucial differences in temperature from one area of a house to another. These temperature variations show up on the camera’s view screen as “cold” or “hot” spots, which reveal hidden problems that often cannot be detected in the course of a traditional visual inspection.

These problems may include:

·         Faulty wiring, breakers and fuses

·         Hidden moisture intrusion

·         The moisture sources of mold

·         Pipe and duct work leaks

·         Roof and ceiling leaks

·         Foundation cracks

·         Heat/energy loss

·         Structural concerns

·         Missing insulation

·         Ventilation problems

·         Moisture associated with termite nests

·         Rats, mice and other pests

Why Perform Infrared Home Inspections?

Combined with traditional home inspection techniques, the infrared inspection method reveals substantially more of the house than can be perceived by the naked eye and conventional inspection tools. Many things can't be seen with only a flashlight.
Remember no home (even a new build) is perfect.
Contact us today to schedule an inspection!
Serving Nassau, Suffolk and all of New York City

Licensed and Insured                   
516-350-9200

http://www.mylongislandhomeinspection.com