Archive for the 'Maintenance Tips' Category
Twenty One Things Your Burglar Won’t Tell You…
Wow, I stumbled across this online this morning and just had to share it with you. It comes from a fellow Keller Williams agent in Oklahoma City. Thanks, Simon Shingleton…great stuff. View the full post at: http://405houseandhome.wordpress.com/
Twenty One Things Your Burglar Won’t Tell You:
1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste … and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
5. If it snows while you’re out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set. That makes it too easy.
7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewelry. It’s not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
8. It’s raining, you’re fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don’t take a day off because of bad weather.
9. I always knock first. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don’t take me up on it.)
10. Do you really think I won’t look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
11. Helpful hint: I almost never go into kids’ rooms.
12. You’re right: I won’t have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it’s not bolted down, I’ll take it with me.
13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you’re reluctant to leave your TV on while you’re out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at faketv.com.)
14. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.
15. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
16. I’ll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he’ll stop what he’s doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn’t hear it again, he’ll just go back to what he was doing. It’s human nature.
17. I’m not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
18. I love looking in your windows. I’m looking for signs that you’re home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I’d like. I’ll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.
19. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It’s easier than you think to look up your address.
20. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it’s an invitation.
21. If you don’t answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.
Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina, Oregon, California, Kentucky, security consultant Chris McGoey, who runs crimedoctor.com; and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book Burglars on the Job.
Protection for you and your home:
If you don’t have a gun, here’s a more humane way to wreck someone’s evil plans for you.
Wasp Spray
When asked by a concerned person about using pepper spray, the local police department recommended that she get a can of wasp spray instead.
The wasp spray, they told her, can shoot up to twenty feet away and is more accurate, while with the pepper spray, they have to get too close and could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote.
Wasp And Hornet Spray
On the heels of a break in and beating in Toledo, self defense experts have a tip that could save your life.
A teacher in the art of self-defense has told his students for decades to keep a can of wasp and hornet spray near their door or bed. “This is better than anything I can teach them.” It is inexpensive, easy to find, and more effective than mace or pepper spray. The cans typically shoot 20 to 30 feet; so if someone tries to break into your home, “spray the culprit in the eyes”.
“That’s going to give you a chance to call the police; maybe get out.” Maybe even save your life. Please share this with all the people in your life.
PS – Know anyone that has been transferred and needs to sell their home NOW? Please share our 120 Day Guarantee with them or simply send them to: www.SoldOrItsFree.com
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Spring Home Maintenance Tips In Greenwood
Although today is a little bit on the chilly side again, wasn’t it wonderful to have a glimpse of 70+ degree weather earlier this week? That means that spring is right around the corner! Here are some helpful tips from Jim Schwarz at Center Grove Real Estate Inspections to get your home ready for the change of season.
- Clean gutters and ensure downspouts and yard drains can drain runoff freely. This can be done by running a hose into the gutter and watching how the water flows. Runoff should terminate at least five feet from the foundation of the home.
- Remove sticks and debris from the roof. Walk the roof to review it for any damage or potential repairs. Pay particular attention to cracks in masonry chimneys and around any roof jack penetrations. If you are unsure of these efforts, consider the use of a home inspector to perform the work.
- Review the exterior of the home to find gaps or cracks related to age or winter activity. Seal any gaps to prevent moisture intrusion into the home. It is important to understand that moisture intrusion is the greatest enemy of a home.
- Look at any tree branches or shrubbery that will potentially touch the roof or siding of the home. Trim any branches that will cause harm to the home. It is important to recognize that too much shade on a roof will harbor dampness within the shingles and cause premature failure. A roof should have adequate air movement and as much sunlight as possible.
- Check the functionality of the air conditioner after the outside temperature reaches 65F. It is a good idea to have the unit serviced early in the season if it does not produce cold air of about 58F. Change the furnace filters routinely. The evaporator coil within the furnace unit can become dirty and reduce the efficiency of the unit. This area is typically serviced by an HVAC professional.
- Consider rinsing the outside condenser unit to remove dirt and increase efficiency of the unit. This should be done by safely removing the disconnect spade near the unit and rinsing the unit from the inside-out. Once clean, reinstall the disconnect spade for operation. Ensure that the large refrigerant line is completely insulated to prevent cooling loss from the line. This line stays cold during air conditioner use.
- Caulk all driveway and sidewalk cracks with a self-leveling driveway caulk. Clean the expansion joints and caulk these, as well. This will prevent moisture intrusion under the slab which eventually causes the slab to crack. If you see settlement of the slab, look at any downspouts that may be nearby that could potentially allow water to get under the slab.
- Consider this time of year to add insulation to the attic. Current tax incentives are available to help offset the cost of this effort.
- Summertime sunshine brings a lot of heat into our homes through the windows. Consider the installation of UV blocking window films to reduce this heat development. These films have greatly improved in recent years and are very easy to install yourself. Certain products also qualify for current tax incentives.
These tips should help your home to become worry-free so you can enjoy other things this summer.
Thanks Jim – This was great advice! 
Did you find this information helpful? You might also enjoy:
http://ishopgreenwood.com/2008/12/04/stopping-energy-loss/ and
http://ishopgreenwood.com/2008/11/07/what-are-the-dark-streaks-on-my-roof/
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Jim’s Frozen Pipe Follow Up
Here are some additional conditions that should be reviewed around ANY home when the weather gets very cold, as was the case recently.
Ensure all gaps and openings in the basement or crawlspace walls are filled. The smallest amount of wind on very cold days (anything below 15F) will penetrate these gaps. If pipes are nearby these gaps, it takes very little to freeze them. In this case, close the crawlspace vents to prevent cross ventilation. Be sure to open them after the weather moderates.
Gaps in siding walls create the same problem. Extremely cold temperatures and high winds do some unbelievable things related to freezing. I have seen pipes on interior walls actually freeze if there was an opening of the smallest type to the outside that would allow cold air to reach the pipes, especially if it was on the windward side of the home. Seal even the smallest gaps to prevent this. I grew up in lots of -20F winters. As I look back, since it has been a while since we have seen these temperatures, it still amazes me how some pipes could freeze where they were located.
Best Regards,
Jim Schwarz
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Frozen Pipes at 66 Degrees?
If you’ve been around for a little while, you know we’ve been on our soapbox the last couple of weeks about the importance of winterizing vacant properties. We had always been told that pipes can freeze any time the thermostat is set below 55 degrees.
Well…all of that changed this week. No one is exactly sure what happened, but a seller of ours just called us and said while they were out of town, they had left their thermostat on 66 degrees and came home to frozen pipes!
Fortunately for them, the pipes didn’t burst and they were able to have a plumber come out and thaw the pipes before any damage was done. But who knows what could have happened if they hadn’t caught it in time. I guess to be safe…considering all of these lovely below freezing days we’ve been having…perhaps the heat needs to be set above 66 degrees.
What was really surprising was that this happened to a well built older home. Although I’m certainly not an expert on the subject, my guess would be that some of the newer homes with a poorer quality of insulation might be more at risk.
Something else to consider…wait a minute…I’m about to talk out both sides of my mouth (perhaps I should have gone into politics)…but if you have your home listed for sale and you are offering a Home Warranty on the property, you will want to call the Home Warranty company first before calling a plumber. The Home Warranty companies often have a preferred group of vendors they use.
Now here’s where I talk out the other side of my mouth…I’m not sure whether Home Warranty companies are going to offer any coverage for frozen pipes. To double check, this might be a good place to start.
Need more tips on winterizing and protecting your vacant home? Click Here! For Maintenance Tips in general, Check These Out.
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The Joy of Transferring Utilities
Well, I just had to experience something the hard way and thought I might be able to save someone else from having to experience the same thing.
If you’re purchasing a new home, you know that part of the process is calling all of the utility companies to make sure that service is transferred into your name the day that you and the seller have previously agreed upon.
Well…here’s a little tip for you…if the property you’re moving to has both electric and gas service, you’re going to want to make sure that you call and establish the electric service first. Here’s why…the electric has to be on first, before the gas can be turned on.
(By the way, in Johnson County, your electric company will more than likely be either Johnson County REMC or Duke Energy. The gas company is probably to be Vectren).
So…we already know that waiting on hold forever and a day to talk to the utility companies is a pain in the neck in the first place…don’t make it worse by having to call the gas company twice (once to set it up and once again because you didn’t call the electric company first).
Hope that helps and please, be sure to enjoy the lovely elevator music while you’re holding… Para Espanol o primo “dos”…
For more tips on the Home Buying Process, click here. For a complete list of all Greenwoood and Johnson County utility phone numbers, click here.
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Simple Energy Saving Tips
Here’s some great advice that our good friend, Jim Schwarz sent to us from Center Grove Real Estate Inspections. On cold, wintery nights like this one, these sure are some timely tips!
- Ensure all windows are tightly closed and latched.
- Seal all gaps at doorways.
- Caulk any exterior gaps in siding and trim.
- Ensure all doors completely close easily and effectively.
- Reduce home temperature. Most of us can handle 65F nighttime and 68F daytime temperatures. The lower energy usage will surprise you.
- Ensure the fireplace damper is completely closed if not in use.
- Seal all switch and receptacles in walls to prevent air intrusion.
- Ensure the damper in all bathroom exhaust fans effectively closes.
- Clean the coils and radiator fins under your refrigerator and freezer for more effective cooling.
Thanks again Jim. For more helpful tips, please call Jim directly 317.313.5362
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Stopping Energy Loss!
Well, the cold weather is definitely upon us and that makes it a great time to start thinking about how we can better protect our homes…and therefore the amount of money we allow to fly out of them!
For instance, did you know that energy loss through gaps and poor connections in ductwork can be as high as 30%? This can be increased by un-insulated ducting in the attic or crawlspace. Many times crawlspace and attic inspections reveal ducting that has become separated or has been poorly sealed at connections.
It is recommended to use a permanent type sealant such as duct sealant caulk to repair these areas. Duct tape will deteriorate over time and will recreate the problem.
It should be understood that if a home has the ducting within the envelope of the home…meaning not in the crawlspace or attic…the energy loss will be far less.
The best procedure for determining leaking ducts is to turn on the furnace fan and enter the attic or crawlspace. It is easy to hear or feel air movement within the ducting where gaps exist.
The use of smoke is an effective way to test this because as the smoke is drawn into the ducting it can actually be seen as it escapes through the gaps. If, however, you are uncomfortable with this type of system review, it is suggested that you contact a reputable home inspector or HVAC company to evaluate your system.
This helpful information has been provided to us by our good friend Jim Schwarz at Center Grove Real Estate Inspections. For more helpful advice, please call Jim directly at 317.313.5362 and be sure to tell him you found him at iShopGreenwood.com !
Discussion: 2 Comments »
What Are The Dark Streaks On My Roof?
Is this a question you’ve wondered about from time to time? Whether it was happening on your roof or 
someone else’s? Well, ask no more. Here’s what our friendly neighborhood home inspector, Jim Schwarz of Center Grove Real Estate Inspections had to say:
Dark streaks on your roof are algae growth. This typically shows on the North or East exposures of the roof surface that stay cooler and more damp than the sun exposed surfaces.
These streaks are also an indication that the roof is beginning to approach its latter stages of useful life. As the algae grows, it begins to harden the shingle, making it brittle and more susceptible to damage.
This damage will show up as granule loss, which will then expose the mat of the shingle to more heat and weather. Over time, the degradation of the roof will accelerate.
Roofs like this should be monitored bi-annually to find necessary repairs and to best determine the point of eventual replacement.
Great insight…thanks Jim!
Discussion: 2 Comments »
Vacant Homes Need To Be Winterized
Although today is a gorgeous, sunny fall day here in Greenwood, we can’t forget that colder days are just around the corner. And for many of our sellers, they are looking at how to best take care of their vacant properties through the winter.
We cannot emphasize enough the importance of Winterization if your home is vacant. Water can do a lot of damage to the home if pipes burst and vacant homes are at the most risk during Winter.
A lot of people think that keeping the furnace and the water on will be enough to avoid any problems. While in theory that is true, the problem strikes when the power goes out, the furnace does not get re-lit and no one knows about it since the home is vacant.
If you are responsible for a vacant home, please take a look at the attached flyer. Feel free to contact any company you choose, but we just wanted to bring this to your attention before freezing temperatures set in. Pipes can freeze if the temperature in the home is 55 degrees or lower.
Now please keep in mind that if your home is for sale, the buyer will more than likely want to have a home inspection performed prior to closing. At that time, the home would need to be “De-Winterized” for the inspection and then depending on how far out the closing date is set, it will need to be Winterized again prior to closing. There would be a charge for this however, the cost would be minimal compared to any water damage that bursting pipes might cause.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call at 317.893.1636
Click to enlarge
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Getting Your Home Ready For Fall
Can you believe the 80 degree weather we were enjoying just last week has so quickly left us? Wow! I even had to turn on my furnace for the first time.
Well, as summer changes to fall it means it’s time for us to start getting our homes ready so they’re properly protected for the change of seasons.
Here is a great list of Fall Maintenance Tips For Your Home:
- Have a qualified professional service your heating system every year
- Have a certifed chimney sweep inspect for any damage, clean the flues, and check your fireplace damper
- Close any shutoffs to exterior hose connections to prevent possible freezing and or pipe breaks
- Replace batteries and inspect all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
- Check the caulking around windows and doors to help prevent heat loss
- Check the attic for proper insulation
- Make sure the sump pump is working properly
- Check around the home for any water leaks
- Keep gutters free from debris
- Trim back any trees and shrubs that are too close to the home
These helpful reminders have been provided for us by Cornerstone Inspection Services…thanks guys!
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