Insulate your ducts

Are your air ducts insulated properly? If not, your energy bills could be going though the roof, literally. It is wise to have your attic inspected. Not just for efficiency, but safety as well.

Chimney spark arrestors

Here in San Diego, we have been through 2 major fires within the last decade and I still run into this all the time...a chimney with no spark arrestor. This particular house was inspected in a rural community and it gets bone dry in the summer. Stay safe and keep your community safe. Be sure a spark arrestor is in place.

Attic ladders

Pull Down Ladders.

So you're going to put a pull down ladder in your garage attic...Is the garage connected to your house? Does the ceiling/ladder need to be fire rated? Be sure to ask yourself these questions before you start. There are fire codes in place to keep your home safe if a fire should start in your garage (which is where most fires start). Be sure your home is safe!

Monitor your eaves.

Your eaves are very prone to moisture and termite damage. This is the last place water runs off your roof, and if the water is not running off correctly, it may be collecting water and damaging your home, like in this picture.

Also, have you ever noticed when it starts to heat up, termites grow their wings and start flying around? Guess where they go? The eave is usually the easiest access and they love pine, which is typically the wood that your eave boards are made of. So the next time it heats up, pay close attention to those things flying around that look like ants with wings. If they are searching around under your eaves, chances are, they're not flying ants!

What's your water pressure?

Do you know what the water pressure to your home is? Too much and you can cause damage to your fixtures in your home. Too little and your standing under the shower waiting. The latter is obvious. The former can be damaging. According to the literature I have read, you need to keep it under 85 psi. 70 psi should be a comfortable pressure.

Monitor Wood Structures

Fortunately, this wood band was the only part rotten. Should it have traveled into the post, this person would have a structural problem, not just an aesthetic one

Reseal your deck

Throw a bucket of water on your decking to see if you need to reseal. If the water beads up, then your sealant is still working. If the water is absorbed by the decking, then it's time to get some sealant. A deck that isn't sealed properly is vulnerable to the elements and may experience rotting, warping and splitting. Performing routine maintenance is far cheaper than replacing the deck so make sure you keep your decking in tip-top shape.

--LIterature by Kudzu
--Photo by My San Diego Home Inspector