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Check back often to find helpful information for Arizona homeowners, buyers, sellers, real estate professionals and anyone else interested in Arizona houses or home maintenance!
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Call (480) 503-2611
Because an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!!
Most of us living in Arizona don't run our heat very often. However, it's still important to do regular maintenance on your heat pump… especially since your heat pump also cools your home in the summer months! Although heat pumps and air conditioners function differently, they both produce condensation as they cool. This condensation collects in a drain pan, and is then drained out through the condensate lines. These condensate lines can become clogged, leading to a significant risk of water leakage, water damage and mold. Having your home's heat pump or air conditioner serviced regularly can help to avoid much more expensive repairs in the future.
The picture below shows a heat pump's primary drain pan, which is full of rust and other crud indicating improper drainage. And yes, "crud" is a technical term!
This is an electric tankless water heater. It looks a little different than the gas tankless water heater picture I posted earlier.
This is a tankless gas water heater in a 2 year old house. With this type of water heater, water is heated on demand rather than storing hot water in a tank. This type of water heater typically costs less to operate and lasts longer than a traditional storage water heater. Some Arizona builders are now installing tankless water heaters in the new homes they build.
Even a small water leak can result in a significant mold problem if left unrepaired.
GET IT INSPECTED!!
This is a Donald Duck orange juice container modified to catch the drip from a leaking water pipe and drain it into a container. Plumbing leaks that are not properly fixed in a timely manner can lead to other problems such as mold. Always call a licensed contractor to make your home repairs!
There are some things ‘I’m sorry’ just can’t fix. This happened a few months back… imagine coming home to an empty lot like this poor Russian woman. They demolished her home ‘by mistake’ instead of a nearby building that was supposed to be torn down. How do you make a ‘mistake’ like that? Before you start demolishing a building, don’t you check, double check and even triple check that you have the right place first? Just a thought.
If you are a resident of Mesa and are looking for ways to reduce your household expenses (I think we’d all like to do that) you should check out the "Grass-To-Xeriscape" Landscape Rebate Program.
We all know that we live in a desert and that water is one of our most important resources. In an effort to promote water conservation, Mesa is offering a $500 rebate to qualifying single family residences if you replace 500 square feet or more of existing lawn with Sonoran Desert appropriate plants.
If you would like more information or to see if you qualify, visit the City of Mesa’s website.
What is a HomeXraySM?
A HomeXraySM is a scan of your home using a special infrared thermal imaging camera. This infrared (IR) camera detects very small temperature variations in your home’s components, even in hidden areas such as behind the walls, above the ceiling and beneath the floors. These very minor temperature differences often reveal ‘invisible’ problems which cannot be seen with the naked eye, and would not be found with just a traditional home inspection. Some people refer to this technology as "seeing through walls" or "X-ray Vision". While neither of these analogies are technically correct, in many cases a HomeXraySM can help the Inspector "see" problems that would otherwise not be visible.
Why do I need a HomeXraySM?
A HomeXraySM takes your home inspection to the next level! While a good home inspector can detect a wide variety of problems without "seeing inside the walls", a standard home inspection has limitations because it’s a visual inspection. A HomeXraySM is an inexpensive, non-invasive and non-destructive method of finding hidden problems that would otherwise go undetected. Often times, a HomeXraySM can find a problem in its early stages before there are visible symptoms, making it easier and less expensive to repair. Much like a medical x-ray can help a doctor to diagnose a problem inside your body without doing exploratory surgery, a HomeXraySM is a quick and painless way to find certain types of problems that can be hidden within your home’s walls, floors and ceilings. But even a HomeXraySM has limitations, and it takes much more than a special IR camera to "see through walls". Just like it takes a trained Radiologist to properly interpret your medical x-ray, it takes a trained Thermographer to properly interpret your HomeXraySM. Rest assured that when you order a HomeXraySM from Homewerx, your Inspector is also a trained, experienced and Certified Thermographer.
The U.S. Dept. of Energy recommends having an infrared scan done before purchasing a home because even new houses can have defects in their thermal envelopes.
What types of problems can a HomeXraySM reveal?
A HomeXraySM can find several different types of hidden problems, including:
Is a HomeXraySM part of a Home Inspection?
A HomeXraySM is not included with your home inspection – it’s an additional service. You can order a HomeXraySM by itself, or with a home inspection. You may also choose to have a HomeXraySM of your entire house, or we can do a HomeXraySM of one specific area where you suspect a problem. It’s up to you! Of course, you can save money when you order both a home inspection and a HomeXraySM at the same time!
Do I get a report with my HomeXraySM?
Yes! The Inspector also prepares a comprehensive, typewritten report which explains the results of your HomeXraySM and includes several color photos. The report is EASY-TO-READ and understand and contains maintenance advice plus other helpful homeowner information. Reports are usually emailed the next day, but can also be delivered by fax or regular mail.
How much does a HomeXraySM cost?
The price of a HomeXraySM depends on several factors: the size of your home, whether you want a HomeXraySM of the entire house or just a certain area, and whether you order your HomeXraySM with a home inspection or by itself. But for a limited time, when you order a home inspection from Homewerx, you can get a HomeXraySM for an additional fee of:
Order your HomeXraySM today!
(480) 503-2611
TOLL FREE: 1-888-THE-WERX
Because an ounce of inspection is worth a pound of repair!
*IMPORTANT NOTE: $149 HomeXraySM offer is good only on homes that are 3000 square feet or smaller, and requires the purchase of a Home Inspection at regular price. The HomeXraySM must be performed at the same time as the Home Inspection or additional trip charges may apply. No other discounts or offers may be used in conjunction with this offer. This price is offered for a limited time only and may end without notice.
Last Thursday we had the pleasure of attending the West USA Real Estate Expo held at the new University of Phoenix Stadium. That was the first time I had been to the stadium and I have to say that I was impressed and I look forward to attending other events there.
We had a great turn out and really enjoyed chating with all of the people that visited our booth. We even had a surprise visit by Congressmen JD Hayworth and really enjoyed talking with him.
One gentleman stopped by and had a question about safety glass in shower and bath tub windows. Well here is your answer. Safety glass is required in a shower or bath tub window if the bottom of the window or window sill is within 60 inches from the shower or tub floor.
If anyone has any other questions, feel free to comment to this post or shoot me an email.