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

Queens Home Inspection Generator Safety

Using a generator for hurricane Sandy? Here are some safety tips before you start. 

1) Never use a generator indoors or inside a attached garage.

A portable generator is a gasoline engine that exhausts a deadly gas called carbon monoxide it is odorless and colorless. You can be overcome by these fumes if the generator is indoors and it will kill you.

Make sure you place the generator outside where exhaust fumes will not enter into the house. There has to be a minimum of ten feet between the generator and any windows or doors. Only operate a generator outdoors in a well-ventilated, dry area, away from air intakes to the home. The generator should be protected from direct exposure to rain and snow.

2) Don’t connect your generator directly to your home’s wiring.

Connecting a portable electric generator directly to your household wiring can be deadly. A generator that is directly connected to your home’s wiring can ‘back feed’ into the power lines connected to your home.

Utility transformers can then increase this lower electrical voltage to thousands of volts. That’s more than enough to kill a utility lineman making outage repairs many miles away. You could also cause expensive damage to utility equipment and your generator.

If you wish to hard-wire a generator to your home, it should be installed by a licensed electrician with an approved transfer switch that will disconnect the home from the power grid when the generator is being used.

3) Don’t overload the generator.

All generators have a power rating. they should be used only when necessary and only to power a limited number of appliances or equipment.

The total wattage used by the appliances should be less than the output rating of the generator. If you put too many appliances on the generator, it could seriously damage the appliances and electronics. Overloading the generator could also cause fires in the power cord

4) Do not store gasoline for the generator indoors. Keep Away

Gasoline should be stored in approved safety containers.

Don’t store gasoline in a garage if there’s a water heater or other fuel-burning appliance in the garage. Vapor from gasoline is heavier than air and can travel along the floor. It could be ignited by a pilot light or other source of flame, such as an electric spark.

Shut off the generator before refueling and turn off all equipment powered by the generator before shutting it down.

Always have a fully charged, approved fire extinguisher located near the generator.

5) Keep Away

Many generator parts are hot enough to burn you during operation. Stay away from the muffler and other hot areas.

Keep children away from portable electric generators at all times.

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

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 

Prepare for Hurricane Sandy

Long Island should cast a cautious eye towards Hurricane Sandy and we can’t say it enough do not wait till the last-minute to prepare your family and your house for a Hurricane. If you do wait until the last-minute you will find yourself with all the other people who waited to prepare themselves for the storm as well. Frightened and disorganized people are not nice to be around. Do you really want to get into a fight over the last pack of batteries or sheet of plywood?

Here are some suggestions on how to better prepare yourself for the hurricane.

1) Have cash on hand If the power goes out so will the ATM machines

2) Board up windows and doors with 5/8 inch plywood

3)  Secure outside lawn furniture and children’s toys if they can be picked up by the wind

4) Clean the gutters of leaves and debris to prevent leaks inside your home

5) Turn your refrigerator to the coldest setting possible in case the power goes off this will keep the food fresher longer.

6) Fill large pots and your bathtub with water in case city water is affected from the storm

7) Put a full tank of gas in your car

8) Plan an evacuation route with your family and learn alternate routes to safety

9) The location of the nearest shelter if you have pets make sure the shelter you are going to is pet friendly

10) If you’re ordered to evacuate please leave immediately stick to marked evacuation routes if possible.

11) Store your important documents like passports, social security card, birth certificates, and deeds in a watertight container

Here is a list of supplies you should have on hand before the  storm

1) At least a three day water supply one gallon per person per day

2) Three days worth of food. Some items include canned meats, canned or dried fruits, canned vegetables, canned juice, peanut butter, jelly, salt free crackers, energy or protein bars, trail mix, and dry cereal

3) A manual can opener

4) Flashlights

5) A battery-powered radio preferably a weather radio

6) Extra batteries

7) A first aid kit including latex gloves, sterile dressings, a cleaning agent, antibiotic ointment, burn ointment, Band-Aids in small medium and large sizes, eye wash, a thermometer, aspirin pain reliever, antacids, and any other prescribed medication.

8) Cell phones and chargers

9) Contact information for your family and friends

10) Baby supplies

11) Pet supplies

It’s important not to panic during the preparation of a hurricane but keep in mind that a hurricane should not be taken lightly either.

http://www.MyLongIslandHomeInspection.com

Queens Home Inspection

It's not just a good idea to be present at your home inspection it should be your first priority on the day of the home inspection. While there are some situations when you cannot attend it is simply the best way to get the most comprehensive information about the home you are about to purchase and see first-hand any issues that might be a concern to you or your home inspector.

We recommend that all clients of Solid City Home Inspection attend their home inspection and accompany their home inspector throughout the  duration of the home inspection. The only areas we ask that you do not accompany the home inspector is on the roof and in the attic. Obviously, these are areas of high potential for injury and only the home inspector should inspect.

Here are some more ways to get the most out of your home inspection:

Make sure you are there. The number one way to get the most out of your home inspection, is to make sure you are there and ask a bunch of questions. In addition to inspecting the home your home inspector will teach you about the house you are about to buy so we encourage your questions. We will show you the locations of major systems and components (i.e. important shut off valves like the gas and water,etc.) It is  important for you to know all the major systems of the home to cover any questions you might have. 

Make Sure You Have The Time. Expect your  home inspection to take some time, usually between 2 and 3 hours depending on the size of the house. Don’t schedule your home inspection when you have to rush to another appointment or when you are otherwise distracted.

Make Sure The Home Is Accessible. If the property is vacant or a foreclosure this will usually not be a problem. If the house is occupied make sure to meet with your real estate agent and the home owners to make sure all areas of the home will be accessible to your home inspector on the day of the inspection and ALL utilities will be on.

Limit Family and Friends. There are many reasons why you may want to bring others along for your home inspection—for an extra set of eyes, or to help you ask questions or understand the home inspection information. But limit any guests that might distract you or the home inspector from the home inspection process or tempt you to discuss aesthetic topics that are better left for later.

Get all the inspections or testing done at once. Getting the most out of your home inspection may mean getting some additional inspections or tests done at the same time. Consider mold testing, thermal imaging or a termite inspections, and get everything needed to go to closing. 

http://www.MyLongIslandHomeInspection.com

Queens Home Inspection with thermal imaging

A Certified home inspection company that is equipped with thermal imaging cameras and properly trained and certified home inspectors can find problems with a home that a normal home inspection company can not .  Some of these problems are

- Moisture penetration through the homes exterior covering, whether the home has brick, stucco or vinyl siding this can be a major issue.

- Improperly installed or deteriorated insulation.

- Water leaks and air leaks around windows and doors that could lead to mold or high utility bills.

- Plumbing leaks inside the home, including leaking pipes, improperly installed toilets, leaking shower pans, and bathtubs

-  Uninsulated HVAC ducting that may have not been properly sealed. This can cause condensation dripping in attics and crawlspaces.

- Improperly installed or insufficient insulation in ceilings and walls.

- Leaking roofs, skylights, roof vent piping and roof vents.

With Thermal Imaging Technology Solid City Home Inspection will help protect you against hidden problems or damage. Solid City Home Inspections is able to provide our clients with a more thorough home inspection when buying a home or selling your home. We are also able to save you money by identifying the source of any underlying issues and eliminating any destructive work to find the source. We are also able to determine any areas that could be more energy efficient within your home.

No matter if you’re the seller or the buyer contact Solid City Home Inspections to schedule your home inspection today. http://www.MyLongIslandHomeInspection.com

Here is some examples of thermal imaging in use.

A Plumbing leak in garage ceiling- not visible during typical inspection process.	Plumbing leak indicated by infrared scan (dark blue area).
Interior hallway in a newly constructed home appears to be insulated.	Infrared Scan Indicates Missing Insulation.
Air conditioning duct work during regular visual inspection.	Infrared scan indicates that cold air is leaking from duct work into attic (dark blue area).
Electrical panel during normal inspection process appears to be functioning properly.	Infrared scan of the panel indicates overheated electrical breaker & wire. This is a fire hazard that would have been overlooked during a typical visual inspection.
Plumbing leak at shower liner is not noted during typical visual inspection.	Infrared scan indicates that water is leaking from shower under vinyl flooring.
Insulated windows appear to be functioning properly.	Infrared scan indicates that heat is escaping through failed thermal seal (noted at lower right side window).

Queens Home Inspection Fall Maintenance Checklist 

Long Island Home Inspection - Queens Home Inspection Provided By Solid City Home Inspection 

Fall maintenance checklist for Long Island home owners and Home Buyers.

Fall is officially here on Long Island and Queens. It’s time to get to work on your maintenance chores. It’s much better working on these maintenance issues while it’s still nice outside so don’t put these projects off until the winter.

This fall maintenance checklist was completed by Solid City Home inspection providing Home Inspections throughout Long Island and New York City.

Water 

1. Disconnect any garden hoses to prevent damage to them from the water freezing inside.
2. If your exterior faucets are not frost free turn the water supply off to them and drain the water out
3. If you have a lawn sprinkler system it needs to be drained and blown out with a compressor. The water supply also needs to be turned off to the lawn sprinklers to prevent damage from freezing.

Air

1) Clean the central air unit. Remove leaves and debris and cover for the wintertime. Solid City Home Inspection recommends a HVAC technician come and service the central air unit at least once a year.

2) Clean the clothes dryer duct. The damper on the outside of the home should move freely and close easily. Excessive amounts of dryer lint have been known to cause house fires. 

3) Check the bathroom and kitchen exhaust vents for wasp nest or other debris that might be clogging them. 

Roof

1) Clean the soffit vents. They can get clogged with lint, leaves, paint, and other debris. The soffit vents are located under the roof overhang. 

2) Check the roof and the vents for any birds nest.

3) Check and clean all the gutters after all the leaves have fallen off the trees. 

General Exterior

1. Seal any holes around the house. Also check for loose or dried calking around vent pipes, exterior faucets, Central air lines etc. 
2. Replace or repair any damage caulking or weather stripping around windows and doors. 

Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

1) Smoke Detectors should be installed in every bedroom and in every common area on every level of the house. 

2) CO Detectors should be located 10 feet from every bedroom 

1. Check the ages of your detectors. Smoke detectors are good for up to 7 years and CO detectors up to 5 years. Make sure the batteries are fresh and do not need replacing. 

Furnace

1. Have a professional inspect and tune up your furnace.
2. Replace the batteries in your thermostats. If your thermostats fail while you are away you may come home to burst pipes and massive property damage. 
3. Replace your furnace filter this should be done every two to three months depending on the filter you use. The arrow on the filter should be pointed toward the furnace. 

Fireplaces and Wood burning Stoves

1) Have the flues and chimneys professionally cleaned every year to prevent any chimney fires. 

2) Do not burn any woods that are not hard woods (Oak, Maple, etc.) Burning woods such as pine can cause a chimney fire. 

3) Clean the dust and debris out of the bottom of any gas or wood fireplace inserts. 

Call 516-350-9200 or Visit http://www.MyLongIslandHomeInspection to schedule your Long Island Home Inspection or Queens Home Inspection