Comments on: Home Maintenance Tips

By: Michael @ The Stage Coach

Michael @ The Stage Coach — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 01:27:02 +0000

Quick note on bulbs:
Compact Fluorescent light bulbs are all the rage due to Eco-Friendly energy consumption. But you can't throw them in the garbage due to hazardous materials. Many of them are also so poorly made (China) that they are a potential fire hazard as they do not 'burn out' like a regular, old incandescent bulb.

Flashlights have been using LED's for years, and are available in light bulbs form . They are brighter, more efficient, and last longer that both of these. Of course, I do not believe they are knocking them of in Bejing's factories for sale here just yet. Some one's patent must still be in effect... They are on my wish list, as prices are still pretty high.

By: William Bay

William Bay — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:17:54 +0000

Regarding grass: It is better for your grass to get deep, infrequent waterings. Use enough to get 2-3″ of soil wet. Frequent light waterings lead to poor root development. Don’t use Weed n’ Feed (It contains toxins which run off your property, and S.O.S. will resurrect and come hurt you), use worm poo, rabbit pellets or dillo dirt to feed your grass.

The tankless water heaters can be bought for less than $600. Gas is cheaper and needs to be vented. If you’re going to live in your house for a while 3-6 years or more it’d be worth it. You save space and energy.

If you have an older home like I do, check your insulation level in the attic. If the insulation is cellulose (grey broken down newspaper) it will settle after some time and you should blow in some additional. 10″ deep minimum. My house, built in the 50′s doesn’t even have insulation in the walls, which I know is going to be a “honey do” soon. And I am not looking forward to that…

As we move into the wetter season keep an eye out on your foundation. The soil will be expanding and it will thrust upwards. The best thing you can do is have gutters, and slightly berm up to your foundation. This will direct water away and make it less prone to getting under your house.

And there are a ton more…

By: ARZ

ARZ — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 22:32:17 +0000

Steve,

1- I’ve noticed some otherwise fine roofs get replaced in my neighborhood as well, I asked the owners and they all said that their insurance company accepted the claim and paid for most of it (they usually pay another $1000-$2000 to get some “upgrades” that may or may not save them money in the long run). I think some insurance companies are relatively less restrictive than some other insurance companies. But if you get them to pay for me, why not?

2- About water heaters. Have you ever heard of the rebate programs by Austin Energy for roof mount solar water heaters? Are they worth the money?

Thanks

By: Steve Crossland

Steve Crossland — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:48:14 +0000

Hi Bob,

Like other Bob, I’ve seen a lot of homes with 15+ year old shingles that are still performing. We have also however had insurance companies force the buyer to replace the roof in order to insure the property. So, the insurance companies would tend to agree with you that 15 is the end of the road.

But to inspector Bob’s point, if I owned a house with a 17 year old roof, and it’s not leaking and I’m not selling the house, I’m leaving it alone.

Steve

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:21:58 +0000

Bob,
My experience, from selling hundreds of homes, is that 20-year roofs last around 15 years in Texas. 30 years roofs last maybe 22 years. I know that may sound strange, but I’d pay money to see a 20-yr roof that is still functioning after 20 years of hot Texas summers, and I’d love to know what 20 square feet of Texas has not sustained some hail damage over a 15-20 year period…