Seattle Home Inspection Experts (206) 295-4330

Often heating and cooling contractors will install equipment in attics that have drains for condensate.  It is a normal part of their operation to have water that must be drained.  If there is a problem with this system (mildew and dirt can clog them) it could leak and make a mess.  Most have a tray under them to protect ceilings in case of a leak but it won't do you any good if it overflows.  Some trays have a drain and the best installs have alarms.


I cant tell you how many times I have found an alarm in an attic and the clients had no idea.  We recommend a tray and an alarm under all water heaters and washing machines in any location in your home where a  leak will cause damage.  They are cheap and may save you a ton of money and headache when your equipment leaks.

One more tip:
Toss the rubber hoses out that connect your washing machine, get the metal braided hoses.  Washing machine hoses bursting are the number one homeowners claim.  Super cheap insurance to change them early.

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A few years ago I had a problem with carpenter ants that originated in some firewood. I knew that I needed professional help and I contacted a reputable pest control company, thats where I met Juan with Willard Pest Control. I really learned a lot that day, and I have had a great working relationship with Willard's ever since. Fast forward a year later, and Juan was looking at a home to buy himself, and he hired us to inspect it. He did what almost no other clients do, he went into the crawlspace with me. While I was looking for structural pests, Juan taught me some great tips for detecting other types of pest problems.

In a crawlspace that is dusty, and most of them are, you can see evidence like this when there is a rat infestation. Here is another example.

This is where a sewer pipe passes through the foundation. The rodents have been coming in around this sewer pipe as the hole through the concrete is a lot bigger then the pipe itself. In this case, there was not a lot of droppings or any other evidence, but the footprints left behind are clear evidence that they have been there. We are not experts at rodents or their control, but know people that are and we see evidence like this every day. If you have issues with any kind of pests, give us a call. We will give you advice and recommend tips to get them under control.

Read more about rodents and control from WSU extension service.

Home Inspections of Puget Sound

Seattle, Tacoma Olympia and Everett and all of King, Snohomish Peirce and Thurston Counties

With winter on its way a few routine steps will help keep you safe, comfortable and save you money.

Take care of safety Items first
Check your smoke detectors. If you have an attached garage, live in multi-family, or have gas, oil or wood burning appliances, you must have a carbon monoxide detector!! All homes should have them, since there is no way to tell if you have a problem with CO. Most people never know they have a problem until someone is make sick or they are killed.

Take any warning from a carbon monoxide detector very seriously, and call the fire department.

Check your Heat
If you have an oil furnace, have it checked annually. A very small adjustment can make a huge difference in your heating bill, not to mention reducing the pollution from poorly adjusted burners.

Gas furnaces should be checked regularly too. Our recommendations is to have the 1st service at 5 years, again at 10, then every year thereafter for a mid efficiency furnace. (80% with metal exhaust flues) Some high efficiency models have shorter live spans (closer to 10 years) so they need annual checks by 7 years (90% plastic exhaust condensing furnaces) Be sure to keep up on changing your furnace filters. If you have a electric fan forced wall unit (like a Cadet or a King) be sure to properly clean them. We have a copy of the instructions here.

Chimneys, If you heat with wood, have your flue swept and checked every year. Examine wood stoves for cracked or missing fire bricks, poor door seals, and loose or damaged flue pipes.

Prepare the exterior
Clean gutters and check the downspouts assuring that they discharge away from the building, the further the better.

All non frost free hose bibs should be insulated to protect them from freezing. Be sure to disconnect hoses! A hose will cause a frost free hose bib to freeze when the water in the hose freezes.

Look at all trees, and other plants. They should be trimmed back so they cant touch the home. Any contact is a natural path for insects, rodents, and can contribute to structural pests.

Walk around your home and look at the bottom row of siding. Ideally there should be 6 inches of concrete below the bottom row of siding. If soil or bark is piled too high there is a much greater chance of problems with termites ants or beetles damaging the home.

Look at every window and door. Check weather stripping, repair as necessary. Look at every threshold and door sweep, if there are gaps, you will be loosing heat. Caulk all gaps in siding, trim, utility holes, etc.

If it is safe to do so, remove any leaves and other debris from the roof. Use great care to not remove the granules on a asphalt roof. (DO NOT PRESSURE WASH) Ideally on a dry day, carefully use a leaf blower, debris in valleys and behind chimney's can cause water to back up and cause leaks.