Barbecue Safety
During barbeque season, homeowners should heed the following safety precautions in order to keep their families and properties safe.
- Propane grills present an enormous fire hazard, as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is aware of more than 500 fires that result annually from their misuse or malfunction. The following precautions are recommended specifically when using propane grills:
- Store propane tanks outdoors and never near the grill or any other heat source. In addtion, never store or transport them in your car’s trunk.
- Make sure to completely turn off the gas after you have finished, or when you are changing that tank. Even a small gas leak can cause a deadly explosion.
- Check for damage to the tank before refilling it, and only buy propane from reputable suppliers.
- Check for damage to the tank before refilling it, and only buy propane from reputable suppliers.
- Never use a propane barbecue grill on a terrace, balcony or roof, as this is dangerous and illegal.
- No more than two 20-pound propane tanks are allowed on the propety of a one- or two-family home.
- To check for a leak, spray a soapy solution over the connections and watch for bubbles. If you see evidence of a leak, reconnect the components and try again. If bubbles persist, replace the leaking parts before using the grill
- Make sure connections are secure before turning on the gas, especially if the grill hasn’t been used in months. The most dangerous time to use a propane grill is at the beginning of the barbecue season.
- Ignite a propane grill with the lid open, not closed. Propane can accumulate beneath a closed lid and explode
- When finished, turn off the gas first, and then the controls. This way, residual gas in the pipe will be used up
Bump Keys
What Is a Bump Key?
Most people think a locked door affords them security, but to anyone who knows how to use a bump key, a door lock is just a minor inconvenience.
Bump keys are keys cut to a special design that will allow them to be used for picking pin-tumbler locks. Pin-tumbler locks are the world’s most popular lock and these include exterior door entry locks for homes. The process of gaining entry using a bump key is called “bumping’, and it can be very effective.
All the cuts on a bump key are made to the maximum depth, so any key blank can be made into a bump key. Bump keys are manufacturer-specific. So, a full set of bump keys would include one for each of the major lockset manufacturers.
Home Security- Exterior
Burglar-Resistant Homes
There are a number of measures that homeowners can take to ensure that their homes are not attractive to burglars.
According to a survey, burglars tend to enter home through the following locations:
- 81% enter through the first floor
- 34% enter through the front door
- 23% enter through a first-floor window
- 22% enter through the back door
- 9% enter through the garage
- 4% enter through the basement
- 4% enter through an unlocked entrance
- 2% enter through a storage area
- 2% enter from somewhere on the second floor
How Much Snow Can a Roof Hold?
Unusual amounts of snow lead to many things—stalled cars, snowball fights, and airport closings. They also lead to many homeowner concerns over the roof’s ability to hold the weight. Find out what you can do to identify or prevent problems.
By Steven Fox
When weather stations predict frigid temperatures and record snowfall, concerns rise that roofs may not make it the full season but instead collapse under the strain of a surprising snow load. If it’s your first winter with your current roof (new or old), you may be trying to assess the situation for the season. How much snow can a roof hold, anyway? And are there steps you can take to avoid a worst-case scenario?
Holiday Electrical Safety Tips
As the holidays draw near, many people will begin bringing out their Christmas lights and icicles hidden in storage units to hang them up in celebration of the holidays. Perhaps you are this year’s host of the annual dinner or having a Christmas sleepover with the entire family. Remember, no matter what celebrations you will be hosting this year, safety is always the number priority. You do not want an electrical shortage, fire, or worse—a serious injury. (more…)
Fireplace Maintenance and Safety
Harmony Weihs
Enjoying a warm, cozy fire requires a clean, safe fireplace. Here are some tips for keeping it that way:
A Fall Checklist of 10 Things You Gotta Do Before Winter Sets In
By John Riha
When the last of summer’s heat is a faint memory, and you’re pulling out your hoodies more than your shorts, it’s time to tackle a few simple chores that’ll make winter more pleasant and prevent some nasty surprises next spring.
This fall checklist helps:
Is A Home Inspection And Appraisal The Same Thing?
Home Inspection vs Home Appraisals—The Difference Between Both
Are you buying a new home and coming across different processes and terms that are mind-boggling for you? Don’t worry; you aren’t the only one. Thousands of homeowners go through a similar process each year. The home buying process is very taxing; it is believed to cause stress to elevate to the level experienced during a heart attack; shocking but true!
So if you are buying your first home, you may not be familiar with the tremendous amount of processes you will go through. Along with these, you will see a lot of professionals from different walks of life. The good news is that these professionals, if chosen wisely, will make the home buying process a breeze for you.
This article will focus on two of the most common things homeowners mistake for the other and get confused about.; the process of appraisal and a home inspection. Let’s first learn the difference between an appraisal and a home inspection. There are similarities in both; the fact that both are done by professionals who assess your home is one. What they evaluate your home for is a different ball game altogether.
What Is A Home Inspection?
A home inspection in Wilmington, DE, is a way for homebuyers to ensure that they are getting the most value for their money and buying a safe and structurally sound home. Inspection is designed to evaluate the structural and functional components of a home. It is essential to have a home inspection performed before you buy or sell a new home.
A home inspection is done by professional checks for 1600 items in a home, including all the major components of the house, including walls, floors, ceilings, plumbing, and electrical systems, heating and cooling systems, attic spaces, and more. Inspectors look for problems with functionality, such as whether there is enough power for your appliances, in addition to checking for structural issues, such as cracks in walls or leaks in the plumbing system. Sometimes, they may also check for signs of pest infestations like termites or rodents.
Buyers, lenders, and homeowners use home inspections to assess the condition of a property. A licensed Home Inspector can do a home inspection in Wilmington, DE. It takes 1-2 hours to conduct a home inspection.
Cost OF An Inspection
An inspection is a cost-effective way to determine if your home requires repair. It’s not only a good investment for the future but also for your peace of mind. To find out how much a general inspection will cost, you should look into factors like the size of the home, the age of the house, and other related factors. However, it’s important to note that some inspections are more thorough than others. If you’re looking to hire an inspector who will thoroughly check your home for structural issues or water leaks, you’ll likely have to pay more than $300-$500.
What Is An Appraisal?
An appraisal is a valuation of a property. An appraisal focuses on the home’s value, determined by analyzing its sales history and comparable properties, as well as its condition and location. You need appraisals to determine the property’s fair market value. Mortgage lenders require an appraisal before they approve a loan for an individual or family.
Another reason mortgage lenders require home appraisals is to ensure their investments are safe. Real estate agents, mortgage lenders, banks, and other professionals in the real estate industry require appraisals to process the necessary documentation. If you have a home that needs an appraisal, it is best to get one done as soon as possible.
The appraisal process can be lengthy and time-consuming, so it’s always better to plan ahead.
How Much Does A Home Appraisal Cost?
We looked at some national averages to get an idea of the price range for a single-family home appraisal. A single-family home appraisal can range from $300 to $450. This number will usually be around $500 to $800 or more for large homes or properties. It’s important to note that these numbers are just estimates and that the cost for an appraisal can vary based on location, property size, and other factors.
FHA and VA Appraisal Inspections
The FHA is a US Federal Housing Administration that provides mortgage insurance on loans made in the United States. It is a government-sponsored enterprise whose purpose is to help people who cannot afford to buy or rent a home by providing them with low-interest loans or mortgage insurance.
This program allows a down payment as low as 3.5% while ensuring that the home will be safe for the borrower and their family. The goal of an FHA appraisal is not only to determine the value of the house a borrower wishes to purchase but also to provide support for people who have less-than-stellar credit and are trying to buy their first home. The FHA has set forth guidelines for appraisers and lenders to ensure these goals are met. They both have their requirements, but a home inspection in Wilmington, along with an appraisal, is a combined requirement to obtain these loans.
An appraisal determines the value and suitability of a property for sale or rent. An inspection can evaluate the quality and usefulness of materials, fixtures, appliances, etc., concerning how you expect them to perform when installed or built into a structure. In summary, An appraisal is not an inspection service and cannot provide a detailed report on the property’s condition.
Dryer Vent Safety
Reasons You Should Have A 4-Point Inspection
Home inspections in Wilmington DE are a crucial part of the real estate process. Inspections are used to find current problems in your home and to maintain them. Home inspections are carried out to uncover various issues that your current or prospective home may have. Home inspections are most popular among people looking to buy new homes. New homeowners want to ensure that the property they are about to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in is free from any significant issues. Sellers may also have their properties inspected before selling a home. They have pre-listing inspections to determine if there are any minor repairs they can do to present the house in its best state. This ensures they receive the best deal for their sale.
Inspections have been categorized, and one of the most common inspections requested by homeowner insurance companies is the four-point inspection. A home inspection in Wilmington is crucial before someone can ask for an insurance coverage plan. The four significant systems are inspected in a 4-point inspection. The first point is checking for roofing and walls. The second point is studying electrical wiring and appliances. The third point is inspecting the plumbing system, which includes pipes, fittings, and valves. And finally, the fourth point of inspection is checking the HVAC system, including ducts and registers.
Companies are hesitant to provide insurance for older homes. Homes older than 20 years may have issues with the house, which will result in the homeowners seeking reimbursement from the insurers. This costs the insurers a lot more in the long run. Insurers use the result from a four-point inspection in older homes to assess the risk they are in for. A house that is 25 years old is more prone to come up with electrical and plumbing issues for which homeowners seek reimbursement. This money goes out of the insurance companies pockets, and they want to avoid this.
