Large hail storms hit areas of Northern Colorado hard this summer and homeowners and buyers should be aware of what this type of damage could mean to your home. Hail damage can result in fractured roof covering materials, like asphalt shingles, which will significantly reduce its life expectancy and invite vulnerability to leaks. This year’s storms appeared to be in most cases severe enough that many roofs need replacement.

A roof replacement due to hail damage will depend on several factors. Damage will largely vary from home to home based on the direction of the storm as it aligns with your roof orientation, size and shape of hail in your area, thickness and underlying material of your roof covering, and if your roof previously had any deterioration.

Selling your home can be stressful, and especially during the inspection process. Plan on leaving your house for at least three hours for the inspector and buyers to be at the property and use the following list to help ease the process of having your home inspected.

• Remove all pets from the property
• Unlock exterior gates
• Make sure access to attic and crawlspace is available
• Have all utilities (Gas, Electric, Water) turned on
• Remove any locks or clutter restricting access to electric panels
• Install any window screens or doors you make have removed and placed into storage
• Remove clutter from under sinks

If a radon test is to be conducted, close all windows and doors and plan to leave them closed for 48 hours or the entirety of the test.

It's still your home so feel free to make sure the inspector in your house is certified and insured. Have whoever schedules the inspection to instruct the inspector and buyers to either remove shoes or wear indoor shoe covers. Upon arrival back to your home make sure the inspector returned the following to how you left it:

• Exterior Gates Closed
• Door and Window Locks
• Lights
• Alarm Codes
• Thermostat Settings
• GFCI Outlets Reset
• Range/Oven Turned Off
• Faucets Closed

If you would like a quality PDF version of this checklist click here. For real estate agents who wish to have a version of this PDF with their marketing info, email Janderson@SiteLogicInspections.com with your info and we will send you your own unique electronic file. 

Many times during my home inspections a defect hasn’t yet taken place but items that can lead to major defects are identified and should be taken serious for the future homeowner’s maintenance of their property. Spring is coming and with that our most wet season in Northern Colorado. I regularly tell buyers that the number one thing they can do for their home is route water away from it.

Negative or neutral lot grading is a common concern and even though in itself it’s not a defect it may bring unwanted moisture in your basement/crawlspace or even worse, structural failure by causing excessive weight in the soil that surrounds your foundation. Your home should ideally be built up where compacted soil sheds water away from your home and its foundation. Older neighborhoods (1960s and earlier), were commonly built on flat sites without any slope at all. Hillside built homes of course will have negative grading towards one side of the house. Even newly constructed properties are found to have vulnerable areas.

In general, the ground should slope away from the home a minimum of 1/4-inch per foot for a distance of at least six feet from the foundation. Proper downspout extensions should also be provided to divert roof drainage as far from the home as possible.

This spring, walk around your home to identify any areas that might have vulnerable lot grading. Compact soil in these areas to improve drainage. You should monitor where water drains during rain storms and make adjustments as necessary.

Like giving thanks, fire safety should be practiced every day of the year. And although we see a peak day in giving thanks on Thanksgiving we also see a peak in home fires. Please be careful this holiday season and don’t leave anything cooking unattended. Be sure to test your homes smoke alarms prior to hosting your thanksgiving meal and have a fire extinguisher on hand.

See these Thanksgiving Safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association.

SiteLogic Home Inspections thanks all our customers and business partners who put us in a position to help homeowners be knowledgeable and safe within their homes. Your support allows us to provide the best and most professional service. Thank you! 

The fall season in Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor and all of Northern Colorado can be the most enjoyable time of the year. Fall hikes and outdoor activities are still available with cooler temperatures and very scenic with the color changes in the trees. Autumn seems to ease on us as we transition out of summer but winter will unpredictably begin soon and can make home maintenance projects difficult, so start now.

Enjoy your fall and don’t let housework stress you out by getting prepared and follow these maintenance projects and tips this fall.