Home Inspection Finds That Will Really Screw Up Your Holiday
Share News:
You made it through Thanksgiving and now it’s the home stretch to Christmas, Hanukkah, and the New Year. Is your home ready for it? Are you? Little mishaps at home (or big ones) can really put a damper on the holidays, especially if they involve expensive, unexpected repairs. I remember one year not too long after Thanksgiving coming downstairs to find that our water heater had gone on to a better place, the “Final Off,” as it were, and there was about an inch of water covering most of the downstairs. Not a great holiday surprise.
This week, we have a few home inspection finds that would definitely throw a wrench in your holiday plans. If you have anything like this at your home, hopefully you can catch it before you end up with an unexpected expense.
It’s Not Burned, It’s ‘Caramelized’
There’s nothing worse than lovingly roasting and basting your turkey to perfection, timing that thing out perfectly, only to have your OVEN ruin it by not cooking at the temperature it’s supposed to. Over time, ovens can start to under or over-heat. If you have a older-aged oven, it’s a good idea to keep a thermometer inside the oven to ensure the temperature is where you want it.
Is This Christmas Vacation?
As you’re heading up to the attic to bring down the decorations, make sure that ladder is safe before you climb it or put extra weight on it. I can’t tell you how many pictures and videos I get from the inspectors with attic ladder problems. In the holiday movie classic Christmas Vacation, Clark Griswold gets trapped in his attic when the attic hatch closes and locks behind him. Don’t let this happen to you!
No, Seriously, Is This Christmas Vacation?
Please use your head when setting up your Christmas lights and all 47 inflatables, lawn ornaments, and electric lawn displays this year. Don’t put all of them on one indoor surge protector connected to one breaker on your panel box. (You know who you are)! And don’t decide to become an electrician and start wiring stuff. (You know who YOU are, too) Use multiple outdoor extension cords connected to multiple outlets.
Santa Makes an OSHA Complaint
Sometimes we have to just scratch our heads and wonder why people want to come in and mess with a perfectly good roof support system like they want it to fall in on their heads. If you have missing or cut trusses in your attic, or perhaps your roof is aging and the support system has had damage from water, fire, or wood destroying insects — don’t let Santa or anyone else come crashing through the roof. It may be time to have a roof inspection to see if your roof needs replacement or repair. Find your warranty so you can see what company to use and whether it will be covered.
Here’s hoping you have a holiday season free from unpleasant surprises, both large and small. If a new home is on your holiday wish list, make sure you keep it surprise-free by getting a thorough home inspection.
