A CT home inspector's weblog

Selling your home

2008-06-05T10:15:00.000-07:00

Have you thought about getting a home inspection ?

It could alert you of any potential issues with home that will scare buyers away such as:

Utilities problems with the electrical, heating and cooling unit, plumbing, etc
Potential roof and flashing issues
Potential structural issues
Deficiencies with exterior and interior items
Safety issues such as GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupters) smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, etc.
Wood destroying insect infestations (termites, carpenter ants, etc.)
Radon and water testing is also available…And more

…And in turn:

Gives you time to make any needed repairs with the contractors of your choice and at the price of your choice
You help explain issues or problems so as to eliminate any misstatements or problem areas that a buyer will question
Show your home better and attract more buyers
Give your real estate agent a competitive edge over other houses
Helps sell your home faster
Price your home at the right price

Call Before You Dig

2008-03-27T17:10:00.000-07:00

Ok, you have decided to do some improvements to your property. These improvements will require digging using mechanized equipment. The first question you should ask yourself – are there utilities located in the place I am going to dig. If so, how do I find out about them and their location?

In Connecticut, the answer is to contact the non-profit organization called “Call Before You Dig”. This organization provides a free service to homeowners and professional contractors. It is comprised of public utility companies and municipalities within the state. It is also require by law to notify this organization prior to the commencing of a construction project.

Their telephone number is 1-800-922-4455.

Their web address is www.cbyd.com

This organization will send out a representative from each affected utility company to mark the location of their underground utilities with paint and/or flags. Privately installed lines will not be marked. The color paint or flag they usually use is the following:

Yellow for gas, oil or petroleum
Red for electric
Blue for water
Orange for communication, telephone and/or cable
Green for sewer
Purple for reclaimed water
White for proposed excavation
Pink for temporary survey

For further information contact Call Before You Dig and the contractors involved.

2008-02-27T13:10:00.000-08:00

Double tapping

Double tapping (also called double lugging) is one of the most common electrical deficiencies found within the main or sub electrical panels. This is a term referring when two wires are attached to a single fuse or breaker. Most fuses or breakers are not designed to accommodate this condition. This condition may overload a fuse or breaker causing a fire.

However, there are some breakers are designed to accommodate double taps.

Most homeowners are not aware that they might have this condition inside their electrical panel. You may be tempted to go down to the basement and pry off the electrical panel, but don’t! Just touching an electrical panel can be dangerous!

To be on the safe side and for safety, call a licensed electrician to evaluate further and repair as needed. He/she is more trained and experience in these matter.