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 

Queens Home Inspection By Solid City Home Inspection

Solid City Home Inspection is licensed and insured by the state of New York. We follow the strict guidelines and regulations set forth by the State of New York. 

We are proud members and in good standing with InterNachi ( The International Association of Home Inspectors) as well as the United States Chamber of Commerce.

Solid City Home Inspections encourages all of our clients to accompany the home inspector during the home inspection process. You should always feel free to ask any of our home inspectors any questions that may arise during the home inspection process. A good home inspector will point out and explain any problems to you that you may be concerned about. Our goal is to explain what problems need to be addressed before you purchase the house as well as routine maintenance that is necessary to keep the house in proper operating condition. When you hire a Solid City Home Inspector it helps you to get the most benefit from the home inspection process and gain the most understanding of the numerous systems that make up the home that you are about to buy and how to maintain the home most efficiently.

Solid City Home Inspections Provides a complimentary termite inspection as well as thermal imaging on every home inspection. We also send two home inspectors to every home inspection to minimize the chance of something getting missed during the home inspection.

Customers will get a comprehensive report, including photographs,that is easy to read and understand. Everything identified during the inspection will be included in the report. Your home inspection report will usually be on its way to you within 24 to 48 hours of the home inspection.

Here at Solid City home inspections we specialize in Long Island Home Inspection.  We also work hard to prove ourselves to be the very best Long Island Home Inspection experts in the market.  Our Long Island Home Inspectors will be sure to give you the most accurate inspection at the best possible price.  Trust nobody but our Long Island Home Inspectors with your investment.  We welcome you to browse our pages to view the services we perform.  

 http://www.MyLongIslandHomeInspection.com

516-350-9200

We service the following locations in New York:

Nassau County:

Albertson - 11507

Alden Manor - 11003

Atlantic Beach - 11509

Baldwin - 11510

Bayville - 11709

Bellmore - 11710

Bethpage - 11714

Carle Place - 11514

Cedarhurst - 11516

East Meadow - 11554

East Norwich - 11732

East Rockaway - 11518

Elmont - 11003

Farmingdale - 11735, 11736, 11737, 11774

Floral Park - 11001, 11002

Franklin Square - 11010

Freeport - 11520

Garden City - 11530, 11531, 11535, 11536, 11599

Glen Cove - 11542

Glen Head - 11545

Glenwood Landing - 11547

Great Neck - 11020, 11021, 11022, 11023, 11024, 11025, 11026, 11027

Greenvale - 11548

Hempstead - 11549, 11550, 11551

Hewlett - 11557

Hicksville - 11801, 11802, 11815, 11819, 11854, 11855

Inwood - 11096, 11696

Island Park - 11558

Jericho - 11753, 11853

Lawrence - 11559

Levittown - 11756

Locust Valley - 11560

Long Beach - 11561

Lynbrook - 11563, 11564

Malverne - 11565

Manhasset - 11030

Massapequa - 11758

Massapequa Park - 11762

Merrick - 11566

Mill Neck - 11765

Mineola - 11501

New Hyde Park - 11040, 11041, 11042, 11043, 11044, 11099

Oceanside - 11572

Old Bethpage - 11804

Old Westbury - 11568

Oyster Bay - 11771

Plainview - 11803

Point Lookout - 11569

Port Washington - 11050, 11051, 11052, 11053, 11054, 11055

Rockville Centre - 11570, 11571, 11592

Roosevelt - 11575

Roslyn - 11576

Roslyn Heights - 11577

Sea Cliff - 11579

Seaford - 11783

Syosset - 11773, 11791

Uniondale - 11553, 11555, 11556, 11588

Valley Stream - 11580, 11581, 11582, 11583

Wantagh - 11793

West Hempstead - 11552

Westbury - 11590, 11593, 11594, 11595, 11597

Williston Park - 11596

Woodbury - 11797

Woodmere - 11598

Suffolk County: 

Amagansett - 11930

Amityville - 11701, 11708

Aquebogue - 11931

Babylon - 11702

Baiting Hollow - 11933

Bay Shore - 11706

Bayport - 11705

Bellport - 11713

Blue Point - 11715

Bohemia - 11716

Brentwood - 11717

Bridgehampton - 11932

Brightwaters - 11718

Brookhaven - 11719

Calverton - 11933

Center Moriches - 11934

Centereach - 11720

Centerport - 11721

Central Islip - 11722

Cold Spring Harbor - 11724

Commack - 11725

Copiague - 11726

Coram - 11727

Cutchogue - 11935

Deer Park - 11729

East Hampton - 11937

East Islip - 11730

East Marion - 11939

East Moriches - 11940

East Northport - 11731

East Quogue - 11942

East Setauket - 11733

Eastport - 11941

Farmingville - 11738

Fishers Island - 06390

Great River - 11739

Greenlawn - 11740

Greenport - 11944

Hampton Bays - 11946

Hauppauge - 11760, 11788

Holbrook - 11741

Holtsville - 00501, 00544, 11742

Huntington - 11743

Huntington Station - 11746, 11750

Islandia - 11749

Islip - 11751

Islip Terrace - 11752

Jamesport - 11947

Kings Park - 11754

Lake Grove - 11755

Laurel - 11948

Lindenhurst - 11757

Manorville - 11949

Mastic - 11950

Mastic Beach - 11951

Mattituck - 11952

Medford - 11763

Melville - 11747, 11775

Mid Island - 11805

Middle Island - 11953

Miller Place - 11764

Montauk - 11954

Moriches - 11955

Mount Sinai - 11766

Nesconset - 11767

New Suffolk - 11956

North Babylon - 11703

Northport - 11768

Oakdale - 11769

Ocean Beach - 11770

Orient - 11957

Patchogue - 11772

Peconic - 11958

Port Jefferson - 11777

Port Jefferson Station - 11776

Quogue - 11959

Remsenburg - 11960

Ridge - 11961

Riverhead - 11901

Rocky Point - 11778

Ronkonkoma - 11779

Sag Harbor - 11963

Sagaponack - 11962

Saint James - 11780

Sayville - 11782

Selden - 11784

Shelter Island - 11964

Shelter Island Heights - 11965

Shirley - 11967

Shoreham - 11786

Smithtown - 11745, 11787

Sound Beach - 11789

South Jamesport - 11970

Southampton - 11968, 11969

Southold - 11971

Speonk - 11972

Stony Brook - 11790, 11794

Upton - 11973

Wading River - 11792

Wainscott - 11975

Water Mill - 11976

West Babylon - 11704, 11707

West Islip - 11795

West Sayville - 11796

Westhampton - 11977

Westhampton Beach - 11978

Wyandanch - 11798

Yaphank - 11980

Queens:

Arverne zip code: 11692
Astoria Heights zip code: 11370 *
Astoria zip code: 11102, 11103, 11105
Auburndale zip code: 11358 *
Bay Terrace zip code: 11360 *
Bayside zip code: 11359, 11360, 11361

Bayswater zip code: 11691 *
Beechhurst zip code: 11357
Bellaire zip code: 11427, 11428, 11429 *
Belle Harbor zip code: 11694
Bellerose zip code: 11426
Blissville zip code: 11101 

Breezy Point zip code: 11697
Briarwood zip code: 11435
Broad Channel zip code: 11693
Cambria Heights zip code: 11411
College Point zip code: 11356
Corona zip code: 11368

Ditmars zip code: 11005, 11370 *
Douglaston zip code: 11362, 11363
Dutch Kills zip code: 11101 *
East Elmhurst zip code: 11369, 11370, 11371
Edgemere zip code: 11690 *
Elmhurst zip code: 11373

Far Rockaway zip code: 11096, 11690, 11691, 11692, 11693, 11694, 11695, 11697
Floral Park zip code: 11001, 11002, 11003, 11004, 11005
Flushing zip code: 11351, 11352, 11354, 11355, 11356, 11357, 11358, 11359, 11360, 11361, 11362, 11363, 11364, 11365, 11366, 11367, 11368, 11369, 11370, 11371, 11372, 11373, 11374, 11375, 11377, 11378, 11379, 11380, 11381, 11385, 11386, 11390
Forest Hills Gardens zip code: 11375 *
Forest Hills zip code: 11375
Fresh Meadows zip code: 11365, 11366

Fresh Pond zip code: 11385 *
Glen Oaks zip code: 11004
Glendale zip code: 11385
Hammels zip code: 11693 *
Hillcrest zip code: 11365, 11366 *
Hollis Hills zip code: 11427

Hollis zip code: 11423
Holliswood zip code: 11423 *
Howard Beach zip code: 11414

Hunters Point zip code: 11101 *
Jackson Heights zip code: 11372, 11370
Jamaica zip code: 11405, 11411, 11412, 11413, 11414, 11415, 11416, 11417, 11418, 11419, 11420, 11421, 11422, 11423, 11424, 11425, 11426, 11427, 11428, 11429, 11430, 11431, 11432, 11433, 11434, 11435, 11436, 11439, 11451, 11499

Jamaica Estates zip code: 11423, 11432 *
Jamaica Hills zip code: 11432 *
Kew Gardens Hills zip code: 11367
Kew Gardens zip code: 11415, 11418, 11424
Laurelton zip code: 11413
LeFrak City zip code: 11368 *

Linden Hill zip code: 11354
Lindenwood zip code: 11414 *
Long Island City zip code: 11101, 11102, 11103, 11104, 11105, 11106, 11109
Little Neck zip code: 11362, 11363
Malba zip code: 11357
Maspeth zip code: 11378

Meadowmere zip code: 11422 *
Middle Village zip code: 11379
Murray Hill zip code: 11358
Neponsit zip code: 11694
New Hyde Park zip code: 11040, 11042
North Shore Towers zip code: 11005 *

Oakland Gardens zip code: 11364
Ozone Park zip code: 11416, 11417
Pomonok zip code: 11365
Queens Village zip code: 11427, 11428, 11429
Queensboro Hill · zip code: 11355
Queensbridge zip code: 11101 *

Ravenswood zip code: 11106 *
Rego Park zip code: 11374
Richmond Hill zip code: 11418
Ridgewood zip code: 11385, 11386
Rochdale Village zip code: 11434
Rockaway Beach zip code: 11693
Rockaway Park zip code: 11694

Rosedale zip code: 11422
Roxbury zip code: 11697 *
Saint Albans zip code: 11412
South Jamaica zip code: 11435, 11433, 11436, 11434 *
South Ozone Park zip code: 11420, 11436
Springfield Gardens zip code: 11413

Sunnyside Gardens zip code: 11104 *
Sunnyside zip code: 11104
Tudor Village zip code: 11417 *
Whitestone zip code: 11357
Willets Point zip code: 11368 *
Woodhaven zip code: 11421
Woodside zip code: 11377

Queens Home Inspection

When you hire a licensed home inspector to perform your home inspection it can provide you with big savings at the closing table. The first thing you need to be sure of is that you hire a qualified Licensed home inspector who can identify subtle defects as well as larger defects that are not readily visible to the common home buyer. Buyers who perform there own home inspection are not usually qualified to perform a home inspection and even if they have a good knowledge of home construction they are too emotionally involved in the purchase and are usually blinded by the cosmetic issues of the home.

Purchasing the home of your dreams usually exhausts all of your available funds as well as everything you can borrow. We are sure you don’t want to wake up to a surprise $3,000 repair bill for a new heating system three months after you move into the house you just purchased.

Being able to Identify these defects before you sign the contract to purchase the home can help you obtain a reduced selling price, or repair of the defects uncovered during the course of the home inspection at the sellers expense. You can not be under the impression that the seller is offering the house “as is”, there’s always room for negotiation when you are purchasing a home. 

There may be times when the home inspector recommends further investigation on particular components of the home such as the electrical or plumbing. This usually happens when the home inspector has a major concern with the current conditions of what he is inspecting.  

It is important to follow the home inspector during the home inspection process because there’s a first hand opportunity to learn about the home you are buying. The home inspector will make sure that you are not blinded buy the high emotions that take over during the home buying process and show you the important issues of the home you are buying. 

At Solid City Home Inspections we have our clients needs in mind one hundred percent of the time to make sure they are making the right decision when it comes to purchasing the home of there dreams. 

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a home inspection please call us at 516-350-9200 or visit us at 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