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SPRING HOME GARDEN Friday March 22 1991 Page Inspection checklist for maintenance and repair Some handy hints for homeowners and homebuyers on giving a house a quick checkup Diagnosing House Problems A house is the most expensive in vestment most Canadians will make To keep it from becoming even more expensive means giving it a regular checkup Its a lot easier to spend 50 cents now on a new washer to fix that leaky shower head before water soaks into the framework and turns into a torrent of repair bills This little guide will help yqu discover the symptoms and causes of common house problems Although you may need a professional to help you uncover some of the hidden problems anyone can make a thorough and quick examination So roll up you sleeves grab a flashlight and head for the basement Start in thebasemenLYoucan usually more about the condition of a house from the basement A lot of pro blems start here and ripple their way up Foundation Walls Cracks in the wall are serious only if they are large and leak water Small cracks are okay they appear because concrete shrinks as it cures Water stains are one of the tell tale signs that water is seeping through the foundation Damp spots crumbling mortar and white powdery deposits also betray the presence of water Structural Framework Twisted or sagging beams along the basement ceiling change the houses structure and that means cracks in the walls warped floors and even windows that stick The most important part of your framework is the beam that runs down the centre of the basement ceiling Use a builders level to see if it is straight and tevel Mold fungus or rotted timbers weaken the houses foundation If you suspect problems poke the wood with a knife or screwdriver to see if there are any soft spots Rotting wood is usually the resutt of leaking water or poor ventilation Electrical Wiring Exposed or bare wire in the basement will give you an idea of how good the wiring is in the rest of the house If the insulation around the wiring is crumbling the wires are exposed or bare or wires have been connected by simply twisting them together its time to call an electrician Blown fuses or circuit breaker shutoff require an electrician The house is using too much electricity for the wiring to handle If a fuse blows as soon as you replace it theres a short somewhere Unplug all the appliances and put in a new fuse If the fuse blows call an electrician If it doesnt try plugging in one appliance at a time to see which causes the problem Plumbing Leaks require immediate repair Water can rot cupboards and floor boards Rust stains around pipe joints or low water pressure probably mean that a ptumber should have a look Floors Sagging or warped floors are usually signs that the supports under the floor arent good enough In some houses a load bearing wall may have been removed from the floor below In newer houses it may simply be that the house is settling Squeaking floors arent a structural or safely problem Theyre just annoying The squeaks are usually the result of poor nailing Walls Cracks on the interior side of outside walls can lead to serious damage Rotted wood siding stained metal or vinyl surfaces and crumbling mortar may be caused by moisture from the inside of the house creeping through cracks in the wall or around windows Ceilings Bulgingwarped or sloped ceilings may mean that the floors above are bulging warped or sloped Stains usually mean that water is seeping onto the ceiling Leaking pipes and poor sealing around sinks and bathtubs are the common causes Kitchen and bathroom Damaged ceilings floors or walls are the typical problems because these rooms generate so much moisture The damage can be severe if moisture penetrates the framework Frosted windows or sweating toilets mean that you have enough ventilation Opening a window or using a dehumidifier will help for the short term but youll have to install an exhaust fan Attic Water stains tell you that the roof leaks Water soaks the insulation making it less effective and can stain ceilings below Other Things to Check Condensation is becoming a common problem Because of heating costs many people mistakenly believe that houses should be sealed tightly so fresh air cant get in to dry up moisture Misty windows and damp spots on walls and ceilings mean too much moisture and can lead to serious and expensive structural damage Insects and rodents are a nuisance and a potential health hazard but they can also damage a house Sawdust around structural beams may indicate termites If you think wood is infested Designed for comfort style carefree ACADIAN POOLS GUELPH STREET 8733320 GEORGETOWN 8779562 poke around with a knife or screw driver Infested wood is spongy or almost hollow If you discover infestation call an exterminator Holes frayed insulation on electrical wire and leaking pipes may also mean that you are sharing your home with rats mice or squirrels Plug up any holes where you think rodents might enter and destroy nests that you find If you use poison follow the directions on the package exactly Prescribing Solutions If you discover that the house has a few problems dont panic The problems are common and their repairs are standard If you want to diagnose small house problems before they become big problems you can get CMHCs Homeowners Inspection Checklist for The booklet shows you how to make a quick and thorough check pointing out symptoms causes and cures a dollars worth of prevention can save you thousands of dollars for the cure I iiiiibcJ 99 Spred Satin Ceiling White 99 22 25 Speed Satfn Primer Sealer 99 Satin lain HOURS Soturday FLOORING SPECIALIST Main St ACTON 8531190 J QUALITY WORKMANSHIP IS OUR GUARANTEE EXPERTS in Siding Eavestrough Soffit Fascia Windows Doors SPRING SPECIAL J Soffit Fascia I WIzPAYTHEOSr i April ESTIMATES n Boucher Sons Aluminum Ltd RR 2 Cone 8 GEORGETOWN