Daytona Beach Home Inspection: air leakage

Florida Home Inspector’s Home Maintenance List

Florida Home Maintenance Schedule First Choice Home Inspections (386) 624-3893

You should not fool yourself, home maintenance is work and must be completed to keep your home in top shape and prevent extensive and expensive repairs in the future. Whether you complete the task yourself or hire a professional to complete them; it is imperative the maintenance is completed in a timely manner.

Carrying out your monthly maintenance helps your home’s curb appeal and keeps your home safe and sanitary. Completing monthly, seasonal and annual tasks helps prevents damage to your home. It also helps to maintain or even increase your home’s real estate market value.

Completing your maintenance list will save you money on repair bills of your home’s systems and appliances. You can customize your home maintenance list to suit your home and accommodate your schedule. You can print the list and have it laminated, use an app on your phone, add the items to your calendar or have an annual home checkup inspection by a licensed home inspector.

Ensure the task is within your level of experience or comfort. Google or research the task for additional information and step by step instructions. Never attempt a task that makes you uncomfortable. Safety is the top priority when doing home maintenance. Use the appropriate safety equipment; like wearing gloves and a face mask when undertaking certain tasks.

If you need to hire a professional, try to plan the work when the season is slow;

Air conditioning / HVAC – late winter to early spring, avoid summer.
Roofing – winter to early spring, avoid summer or rainy season.
Chimney sweep – spring to summer, avoid fall and winter months.
Arborist / Tree service – winter months, avoid hurricane season.
Painters – winter to spring, avoid rainy season.

Monthly Home Maintenance Tasks

Check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms and ensure you meet the minimum local requirements for these devices.
Test all GFCI outlets.
Test AFCI, GFCI and combination breakers. Ensure sensitive electronic equipment is turn off before testing.
Remove the lint screen from the dryer lint trap and vacuum inside the trap. Clean the lint screen with hot water and dish soap then air dry. When clean, the screen should allow water to freely pass through the screen.
Clean oven hood filters.
Change your air conditioning filter(s).
Clean kitchen and bathroom drains and remove hair and debris. Clean drain traps with equal parts of vinegar and baking soda.
Clean the garbage disposal with frozen lemons or cut wedges of any citrus fruit to remove odors. Remove the baffle or splash guard and clean with soap and water.
Check the water softener and filtration systems; replace filters and replenish salt.

Quarterly Maintenance

Check your roof from the ground quarterly and after storms for damage. 1homeinspector.com

Detached and damaged tabs

Check your roof from the ground with binoculars for storm damage. You should have a professional roof inspection every two years for routine roof maintenance.
*Clean the gutters of leaves and other debris. Check loose or missing gutter spikes or straps. Downspouts should be secure and drain water away from your home. Check joints and downspouts for damage or leaking.
Check faucet aerators and showerheads for mineral buildup. Clean with CLR, Lime-Away or similar product.
Check doors, hinges, rollers, locks and knobs for deterioration or looseness. Door should open, close and latch smoothly.
Open and close all windows. Repair or replace any damaged balance springs and window hardware.
Carefully clean / vacuum refrigerator coils to remove dust to allow appropriate air flow. Clean the drip pan, if equipped.
Check supply and drain plumbing under your sinks for leaks or corrosion.

Spring Maintenance

Cracked caulking - First Choice Home Inspections Home Maintenance list 1homeinspector.com

Dried out, cracked caulking. Remove and replace.

*Clean your exterior siding with an appropriate outdoor siding cleaner. Avoid high pressure washing as it can damage stucco, wood and even mortar between bricks. For algae, mold and mildew select a cleaner with bleach or vinegar.
Check your siding for cracks or moisture damage. Stucco cracks under ¼” should be filled and sealed. Over ¼” consult a licensed contractor. Moisture damaged wood should be repaired or replaced.
Caulk around windows and doors to prevent air leakage. Remove and replace any dried and cracked caulking.
Touch up exterior paint on siding and trim.
Replace smoke detector batteries.
Check and replace hurricane supplies.
Clean and repair window screens.
Clean and inspect wood deck for loose boards and damage. Replace any damaged wood. Reseal or paint before summer rains.
Inspect your generator and lawn equipment for proper operation. Replace any worn hoses, belts, filters or plugs. Have all repairs completed before the summer rains or hurricane season.

Summer Maintenance

Fill and seal cracks in your concrete driveway and sidewalks. Patch damaged asphalt driveways.
Check washing machine, refrigerator, dishwasher and hoses, risers and tubing. A burst hose or riser could cause your home to flood. Look for signs of worn or damaged hoses, leaks or corroded risers and tubing.
Check the fireplace for damage and have the flues professionally cleaned and examined.
Check all bathroom and kitchen caulking and grout. Clean, repair and seal your tile grout.
Check and repair all leaking faucets and hose bibs.
Check and lubricate the garage door wheels and hinges. Check the garage door opener and hardware are in proper working order.

Autumn Maintenance

Check and replace damaged weather stripping around doors and windows. Check the insulation on the low pressure line on your outside air conditioning unit.
Check the smoke detector date on the back. Replace smoke detectors over 10 years of age and with no date. Replace smoke detector batteries.
Check and repair your home’s siding and trim for any damage or wood rot.

Winter Maintenance

Raccoons nest in attics. Inspect your attic yearly for damage 1homeinspector.com

Raccoons in attic are dangerous
and should be professionally removed.

*Check your soffits for any damage. Raccoons and squirrels will be looking for a nesting site and can damage attic insulation and electrical wiring. Squirrels nesting season is February and August. Nesting season for raccoons is usually in March. If you suspect or hear raccoons in the attic, call a professional wild life removal specialist, like Affordable Wildlife Removal to humanely remove and relocate the raccoon and kits.
*Check your trees for any dead or damaged branches. Trim tree branches within 5 feet of your home to prevent damage to your home or roof. Pay attention to the ground around the trees and look for any signs of root uplift. Hire an arborist to remove any high limbs, limbs near your home or to evaluate dark staining, holes or sap on the trunk of the trees.
Change the oil in your generator and lawn equipment. Drain any remaining fuel from the tank, clean equipment and store.
Clean bathroom exhaust fan and HVAC duct covers.

Yearly Home Maintenance Tasks

Have your roof professionally inspected by a Daytona Beach Home Inspector. A home

A home inspector will
perform an unbias roof inspection.

inspector will give you an honest, unbiased overview of the condition of your roof covering. A roofing company offers free roof inspections but they are there to sell you a new roof or make repairs.
Seal cracks. Sealing the cracks in your home’s foundation stops pests and water from intruding.
*Have your attic professionally inspected for signs of moisture intrusion or leaking, damaged or displaced insulation, leaking or damaged HVAC ductwork, damaged or displace exhaust and dryer vents, and proper ventilation.
*Check all electrical receptacles, light switches, light fixture sockets, extension cords and appliance cords for deterioration or damage. The electrical receptacle socket should hold the cord plug securely and should have no signs of overheating/blackening or melting. Light fixtures should not flicker or have a damaged or worn socket. Damaged or worn electrical receptacles and wiring may cause a fire and should be replaced by a licensed electrician.
Ensure all hand rails, balusters and banisters are secured in place and do not wobble. Baluster spacing should be 4 inches or less. Carpeting on stairs should be secure and not worn or frayed.

Dryers - a leading cause of home fires.
Dryer ducts should be cleaned yearly or semiannually. Wall vents are usually an easy homeowner project but goose-neck roof vents require professional cleaning.

Tasks that require the use of a ladder should be left to a professional

Ladder Safety

* - Tasks that require the use of a ladder or that involve electricity should be left to a professional. Avoid tasks that you are uncomfortable doing. Never use a ladder or pole saw within 10 feet of a power line.

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.

First Choice Home Inspections

Residential Home Inspections in Central Florida

(386) 624-3893

Website: http://1homeinspector.com

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Daytona Beach Insulation Ventilation Home Inspection

Why is my Electric Bill so HIGH?

The most cost-effective way to cut heating and cooling costs, increase stability, improve comfort levels, and create a healthier interior atmosphere is to reduce the amount of air that flows in and out of your home. A Daytona Beach home inspector can perform a home inspection and identify probable causes. Before considering improving insulation or installing a vapor barrier, you should take care of those drafty utility penetrations, windows and doors. Weather stripping and caulking around doors, windows and utility penetrations are two simple and effective techniques for air-sealing that offer quick returns on investment. Weather stripping is used to seal components that move, such as entry and garage doors and operable windows. Weather strips take a lot of abuse and wear out frequently over a home’s lifetime, check them quarterly and replace as needed. Caulking (interior and exterior) is generally used for cracks and openings between stationary house components like; doors, windows, masonry cracks and ledges, utility penetrations any trim or siding joints.

Air Leakage

Air leakage occurs when outside air enters and conditioned air leaves your house uncontrollably through cracks and openings. When it is cold or gusty, an excessive amount of air may enter the house. During summer or warmer weather, conditioned air exits the building envelope, which can result in poor indoor air quality. Air leakage also causes moisture problems that affect the structure’s durability and the occupants’ health. Condensation is a major contributing factor to wood rot in most homes. An added benefit is that sealing cracks and openings decrease drafts, cold spots, and improves comfort. It is important to seal the fire barrier between the home and garage to reduce the chances of carbon monoxide poisoning. Never rely on air leakage for ventilation.

Detecting Air Leaks

The best way to reduce air leakage and controlled ventilation is to have a home energy audit performed on your home. The test, when performed by a licensed professional, will identify air leaks, air quality and if additional ventilation is needed. Before sealing air leaks, assess your ventilation needs for indoor air quality.

If you are planning an extensive renovation of your home, review techniques used for air sealing in new home construction and consider a home energy audit to identify all the ways your home costs you money by wasting energy. To seal air leaks, apply air sealing techniques and materials, including caulk and weather stripping.

How to Seal Air Leaks

Common places air leaks are found:

Check the weather stripping on doors and windows.
Check caulking on doors and windows. Old, dried and cracked caulking should be removed and replaced. There are many types of caulking for many different applications. You should know what type of caulk you should use before sealing those leaking windows.
Check caulking where utility penetrations come thru exterior walls. Check plumbing, ducts, electrical wiring, cable TV and telephone cables comes through the floors, exterior walls, ceilings, and soffits.
Install foam gaskets on electrical outlets and switches on perimeter walls.
Dirty spots on insulation may be an indication of air leaks and mold. Look for leaks and seal with low-expansion spray foam. Large gaps may require the installation of flashing.
Dirty spots on your walls, often around electrical receptacles and switches, or ceilings by vents or light fixtures, may indicate air leaks. Use foam gaskets or spray foam to seal leaks.
Single-pane windows allow hot and cold air to transfer. Double-pane low-emissivity windows are more efficient and the cost to upgrade will be recouped in energy saving over a few years.
Use foam sealant on larger gaps around windows, baseboards, and other places where air may leak out.
Check your kitchen exhaust fan for air leaks. Stop air leaks by upgrading the exhaust fan or cover the vent to stop air leaks when not in use.
Check your dryer vent to be sure it is not blocked. Lint will keep the dryer vent door from closing allowing air to leak in and out of your home. This will save energy and may prevent a fire.
Check the bottom door sweep and threshold for pliability and damage. Replace damaged seals with energy efficient pliable sealing gaskets.

Fireplace Flues, Dampers and Chimneys

Fireplaces are a major source of air outflow. Keep the fireplace flue damper tightly closed when not in use.

Seal air leaks around fireplace chimneys, furnaces, and gas-fired water heater vents with fire-resistant materials such as sheet metal or Sheetrock and furnace cement caulk.
Check your makeup air vent damper to ensure it seals properly.

chimney leaking air, chimney ballon seals damper

Fireplace flue damper doors are made from metal, constant heating and cooling can cause the doors to warp, crack or break, creating a passage for air loss.

One way to seal your flue when not in operation is an inflatable chimney balloon. A chimney balloon is made of durable plastic and can be reused many times. It installs easily beneath your fireplace flue and can be removed easily. The balloon will automatically deflate within seconds if it becomes heated, if you forget to remove the balloon before making a fire. Balloons are available in various sizes online and in retail shops.

Sealing air leaks will not eliminate the need for proper insulation or radiant barriers that reduce heat flow through a home’s building envelope.