Home Inspection

How to determine if a roof has impact resistant (Class 4) shingles

Can you tell if the roof has “impact resistant class 4 shingles”? Our homeowners insurance wants to know..

This is a question that we get almost daily as home inspectors and it’s a frustrating question because there is no way to visually determine if a shingle is impact resistant/class 4 rated. The only way to determine a shingles impact rating is by the manufacturer's spec sheet. Some shingles do have labeling on the back side of the shingle, but of course we can’t see that without ripping up a shingle.

Tip: If a roof is newer or if you have the contractor's information who installed the shingles, then we recommend contacting the contractor to see if product specifications are still available for that job. Sometimes there are extra shingles lying around the property, but that is rare and not reliable. Most often the answer is just not available and certainly something that the inspector cannot determine through the normal scope of an inspection.

Other non asphalt shingle roofing materials such as concrete tile or metal roofs are inherently impact resistant and don’t need a rating to determine impact resistance.

Next time you are advising your clients on a homeowners insurance application or looking for this info yourself, keep this information in mind and see if you can track down documentation from when the roof was installed.

How Much Does A Standard Garage Door Tuneup Cost And What Does It Include?

A garage door and opener servicing generally costs between $120-$150, but many companies will run door service specials periodically for less than $100.  

Routine garage door and opener service typically includes a comprehensive inspection of panels, hinges, bearing, cables, drums, track and opener for any irregularities. This also typically includes re-tensioning the springs for proper balance as well as making any adjustments to the door to make things run as smoothly as possible. A garage door technician should also check the opener limits and sensitivity to ensure safe operation.

How often should a garage door be maintained and why is routine maintenance important?

Garage door professional, Louis Wilson, of Ascent Garage Doors recommends that garage doors should be serviced annually or at least every other year in order to maintain proper spring balance and make sure there isn’t any progressive failure of components that could cause larger problems. 

Many people don’t realize it, but a garage door is the largest moving part of a home and can present safety issues if not properly serviced. Regular service greatly reduces the risk of large problems with your door coming off track, getting stuck, or even panels falling, which is a huge safety hazard.

Seller Tips for Prepping Your Home for an Inspection

Seller Tips for Prepping Your Home for an Inspection

Although we were in a sellers market and it may not seem that preparing for a smooth inspection process is that important, it’s worthwhile to take a little bit of time and effort to prepare your home so that the entire inspection process and negotiations are smoother for both parties all around.

What's Crackin'? Foundations and Expansive Soils in Colorado, Part 1: Slab-on-Grade

What's Crackin'? Foundations and Expansive Soils in Colorado, Part 1: Slab-on-Grade

One of the most common observations we come across inspecting homes in Colorado are cracked foundations, most commonly made of poured concrete, concrete masonry units or brick. This issue is also a higher priority item a potential buyer may consider when deciding to go forward with or walk away from the purchase of a home.

What is Radon Gas and Why you Should Test your Home for Radon?

What is Radon Gas and Why you Should Test your Home for Radon?

It’s especially important that Colorado homeowners and homebuyers test their home or prospective home for radon to monitor their level, and mitigate if necessary. If you encounter a home with elevated radon levels, then the good news is that it’s easily mitigated.

R-22 Refrigerant Phase Out

 R-22 Refrigerant Phase Out

A common issue that we as home inspectors are running into currently is the phase out of R-22 refrigerant also known as HCFC-22. If your system was installed before 2010, there is a high probability that it contains R-22 refrigerant which will be impacted by the change that is occurring January 1, 2020.

What to Expect from a Home Inspection - Setting Expectations Prior to Your Home Inspection

What to Expect from a Home Inspection - Setting Expectations Prior to Your Home Inspection

One question that we receive on a daily basis is “what does your home inspection include?”. What does a standard home inspection cover? That’s a great question, and an extremely reasonable one for anyone about to hire a home inspector. Well, the answer differs depending on whom you ask, but it shouldn’t differ greatly if you are asking a reputable home inspector or home inspection firm.