Charlotte home inspector Preston Sandlin found a car lift that wasn’t working properly on a Comercial inspection her performed last week on Monroe Rd in Charlotte NC.  The lift would not stay up on it’s own because underground water is coming in and intermingling with the hydralic fluid.  The problem is tha the garage is on the side of a hill and it doesn’t have sufficient drainage and wateris traveling under the building and causing damage to the lifts.

Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years.  Preston has a masters’ degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years.  He also is a certified infrared thermographer.  Home Inspection Carolina has  been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show .  So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Weddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

 

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector

 

Charlotte NC home inspector Preston Sandlin was recently inspecting a lakefront home in Denver NC when the owner had informed him of extremely high heat bills.  Preston used his infrared camera on the home to see where the heat was beiing lost.  There were multiple places in the house where there was loose or missing insulation but the most revealing was a hollow exterior door.  Exterior doors should be solid and only interior doors should hollow.  It was a rather cold day outside and you can see from this interior pictur of the exterior door that it is loosing quite a bit of energy.  You even see the honeycomb pattern of the hollow core of the door.  Replacing this exterior door with solid weathertight door would go a long way to reducing their utility bills.

Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years.  Preston has a masters’ degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years.  He also is a certified infrared thermographer.  Home Inspection Carolina has  been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show .  So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Weddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

 

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector

 

Charlotte Home Inspector Preston Sandlin recently found missing insulation in a Denver home he was inspecting.  This part of the attic was not accessible so it was impossible to tell there was missing insulation just from sight.  It is a good the Charlotte home inspector used an infrared camera that senses surface temperatures.  You can see from the picture where the missing insulation is. 

Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years.  Preston has a masters’ degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years.  He also is a certified infrared thermographer.  Home Inspection Carolina has  been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show .  So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Waddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

 

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector

 

Home Inspection Carolina in Charlotte NC is provided a modern hitech way for potential buyers to get the preinspection report on the house they are contmplating buying.  What Home Inspection Carolina does is do the prelisting inspection on the house and write a computer generated report complete with photos in a pdf format.  Home Inspection Carolina then loads this onto a website so the report is online and has a URL address.  The Charlotte home inspection company then converts that URL address to a QR code.  They then take the QR code and put in on  a sticker to the preinspection sign.  Now any potential buyer can get a copy of the report in seconds using their smart phone and a free QR code app.  This will help the buyer make a more informed decision and eliminate potential surprises.

Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years.  Preston has a masters’ degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years.  He also is a certified infrared thermographer.  Home Inspection Carolina has  been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show .  So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Waddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

 

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector

Here is a free home inspection checlist for those thinking of purcchasing a home.  If for some reason the one above does not load you can also download the home inspection checklist here.  https://acrobat.com/app.html#d=8VIi-iIJn4NgwILFrlNEPA

I hope this helps you in your decesion to purchase a home.

Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years.  Preston has a masters’ degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years.  He also is a certified infrared thermographer.  Home Inspection Carolina has  been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show .  So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Waddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

 

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector

 

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Charlotte home inspector Preston Sandlin recently inspected a home in the Myers Park section of Charlotte NC when he noticed an ingrown tree in a wall.  It is amazing that the wall held up over time as the growing force of the tree pushes against the wall.  You also don’t want trees near the foundation of your house as the tree roots push up against the foundation walls.  If you want to make sure you don’t have those types of problems in your house and you are buying a home in Charlotte NC call Home Inspection Carolina.

Preston Sandlin

http://www.homeinspectioncarolina.com

http://www.askthecharlotteinspector.com

http://www.charlottenchomeinspector.com

Charlotte home inspector Preston Sandlin is always asked what is the problem with polybutylene pipes and why will some insurance companies not insure houses with polybutylene pipes.  There are really two problems with polybutylenr pipes.  The first problem we notice while doing home inspection in Charlotte NC is that the first generation pipes with aluminum fittings and polybutylene elbows is that he elbows and the fittings just blow right out.  The second problem with polybutylene pipes that we notice whil performing home inspections in Charlotte NC is that the polybutylene gets brittle and cracks after being exposed to chlorinated water for a number of years.  City water is chlorinated.  If you have second generation polybutylene with copper connectors and copper fittings we recomment adding a water conditioning program to get the chlorine out.

 

Preston Sandlin

http://www.homeinspectioncarolina.com

http://www.askthecharlotteinspector.com

http://www.charlottenchomeinspector.com

 

We have a new Home Invader in East TN; The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. This insect has just recently shown up in Tennessee and there is a lot of concern about it.The brown marmorated stink bug is an invasive species of stink bug native to China, Korea and Japan. The first bugs identified were in Allentown, PA in 2001, they were thought to be brought in to the US in shipping containers.

The stink bugs are strong fliers and are being transported through the eastern US by hitching rides in cargo shipments. They are becoming an established species in TN. Adult bugs are about the same size as our native stink bugs but are dark mottled brown. The last 2 antennal segments have distinctive light and dark bands and the exposed edges of the abdomen have the dark to light banding.

In autumn, the adult stink bugs are gathering and coming into homes, sheds and other structures looking for a warm place to spend the winter. They are very much like the lady bug problems we have been having the past few years. Many people find this to be a nuisance because the bug gives off a characteristic odor when they’re crushed or disturbed; this odor can linger for days and some people say they can even smell it for weeks.

The adults begin moving to their overwintering locations in early-mid September and continue until the first frost. During the winter, they do not reproduce and are very inactive. They typically do not feed during the winter and if they do it will be minimal. They are plant feeders and will not bite people or pets.

To control Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, the best method is to prevent them from entering.Placement of screens over windows, doors and vents, removal of window airconditioners and caulking cracks in windows and doorframes will deter the adults from entering. Removal of window air conditioners is important, as numerous BMSB will enter this way. If small numbers occur indoors, they can be removed either by hand or by using a shop-vacuum.

If large numbers are observed or have been observed in previous years, you may wish to contact your local pest control company who can do a perimeter pesticide spray. This must be done at the appropriate time (when the insects first appear) or control may be difficult to achieve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs bite?
No. The brown marmorated stink bug does not have the capability to sting or bite. Their only means of defense is their characteristic “stink”.

Why does the brown marmorated stink bug gather in large quantities?
When a brown marmorated stink bug finds a site for overwintering it releases a chemical called an aggregation pheromone. The aggregation pheromone is a scent that attracts other brown marmorated stink bugs to the area. The aggregation pheromone is not the same chemical that causes them to stink.

Will killing the brown marmorated stink bugs cause more to come?
No. While this is true for some types of insects it does not occur with the brown marmorated stink bug.

If the brown marmorated stink bug doesn’t harm people or homes, why are they such a big problem?
Aside from being a nuisance to homeowners and tenants of apartments, townhouses, condominiums and office buildings the potential exists for the brown marmorated stink bug to become a significant agricultural pest.

Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years.  Preston has a masters’ degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years.  He also is a certified infrared thermographer.  Home Inspection Carolina has  been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show .  So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Waddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.

 

Preston Sandlin

Home Inspection Carolina

Ask the Charlotte Inspector

Is there a Mouse in Your House?

It is that time of year when the nights are cooling down and the outside food supply for mice is getting hard to find. Mice are looking for a place to stay warm, feed and live comfortable for the winter. Your home is a great place for mice to live as they can survive and prosper in close proximity to humans. House mice consume and contaminate food meant for humans, pets, livestock, or other animals. If you have pet food that is available inside your home or garage; this is an open invitation for mice.

Droppings, fresh gnawing and tracks are the sure indicators you have a mouse in your House. The house mouse is one of the most troublesome rodents in the United States. They are small and can enter the home in an opening as small as ½ inch in diameter. House mice thrive under a variety of conditions; they can be found in and around homes and commercial structures as well as in open fields. The House Mouse is the most common mouse found in our area but there are several different types of mice such as the deer mouse and white footed-mouse and they can spread several diseases and one that has gained a lot attention lately is the hantavirus; a respiratory disease that has flu- like symptoms and salmonellosis, a form of food poisoning.

Mice can cause considerable damage to structures and property. They shred materials for nest hiding in draws, cabinets, closets under blankets and clothes that are left on the floor, wall voids, and attics hiding in the insulation, appliances and even under furniture.

Mice are more active at night foraging for food, but they can be seen in the daylight. Seeing several in the daylight can indicate a high population of mice.

Exclusion and sanitation is the best practice for controlling mice problems. Sealing all openings in and around the house will help eliminate mice getting in. You can use caulk, steel wool or just about any building materials to “build out” the mice.

Keeping the trash away from the house, keeping lids on dog food containers and trimming shrubs back so there is not a reason for them to nest outside close to your home is helpful.

If you only have a few mice in your home a simple trap may be the best solution. They are safe, effective and inexpensive and can be baited with peanut butter, chocolate candy, bacon, cheese or dried fruit. There are several good reasons to use traps; you can confirm the rodent is dead, it easy to get rid of the carcass, no poisons is used inside your home,and you can eliminate the chance of a mouse crawling into an area and dying creating an odor you can’t find or access.

If you have a large population controlling mice can be a difficult task. Using poison is probably the best product up for the job but you must use caution and common sense with these products. Be careful and follow directions when using around pets. Handling the bait can contaminate it causing the mice to shy away from it. Be aware the rodents can crawl inside walls or furniture and leave you with a very foul odor to deal with. Always use caution and wear rubber gloves when handling the dead rodent and anything contaminated in the area and clean the area with a disinfecting cleaner.