December 28, 2011

Michael Petruccelli asks; Roofs are always a big question mark, what are some of the roof basics?(4)


Michael Petruccelli says;   Look at the edge of the shingles at the fascia or gutter area. Do you
see multiple layers? Two layers is the maximum desired. Do you know the age of this roof covering? Most asphalt shingles are designed to last about 20 years.


Michael Petruccelli asks; Roofs are always a big question mark, what are some of the roof basics?(3)

Michael Petruccelli says;  Here is a roofing maintenance checklist homeowners 
can use to assess the health of their roof. As for repairs, it is always  
recommended that a licensed, professional roofer is used. You may find a 
problem using these methods, but it is essential that repairs are preformed 
correctly and thoroughly by a a licensed professional; otherwise, the 
problem could continue to exist - or even get worse.  I will follow up with 
some things to consider when examining your roof.

Michael Petruccelli asks; Roofs are always a big question mark, what are some of the roof basics?(2)

Michael Petruccelli says;  When attempting to do roof work or inspect your roof, 
don't forget to check for over head electrical lines when carrying your ladder to 
the access point and again when walking on the roof. Check the roof sheathing 
from the attic for deterioration BEFORE walking on the roof. And do not walk on 
tile, slate, or a wet and/or mossy wood shingle/shake roofs.

December 18, 2011

Michael Petruccelli asks; Roofs are always a big question mark, what are some of the roof basics?(1)

Michael Petruccelli asks;  Roof Safety Precautions- An all too common 
injury for men over the age of 45 is falling off a ladder. Thus, it is very 
important to be cautious and know your ladder when ascending or 
descending from roof surfaces. If you are not comfortable on a roof, 
you can use binoculars. With that said, no matter how comfortable 
you are, it is never recommendedto walk on a roof greater than 
6/12 (6 feet rise for each 12 feet of lateral travel; that's 45 degrees).  

Michael Petruccelli asks; How do you prevent your pets from taking a bite out of your sale? (13)

Michael Petruccelli says; Get well soon. Maintain your animal's health. 
Not only will your pet thank you, but so will your home. A sick animal 
can be extremely damaging (long term) to your carpeting and/or furniture. 
Inspections will note stains on your flooring materials as areas of concern. 

Michael Petruccelli asks; How do you prevent your pets from taking a bite out of your sale? (12)


Michael Petruccelli says; Ocean views. Check your fish tanks 
frequently for leaking. It doesn't take much to ruin a wood 
floor, or sub flooring under a carpet. Inspections will look 
for water damage under the tank area and again at the next 
level below.

December 14, 2011

Michael Petruccelli asks; How do you prevent your pets from taking a bite out of your sale? (11)

Michael Petruccelli says; Itching to sell? Does your pet have fleas? You’ll want 
to take care of the issue immediately, especially for your pet’s sake, but you’ll 
also be happy to know that with the help of a specialist, a flea problem can be 
fixed without replacing your carpet.  

Michael Petruccelli asks; How do you prevent your pets from taking a bite out of your sale? (10)

Michael Petruccelli says;  Urine? You're out! When speaking of pet odors, urine 
probably has to be the number one cause for wrinkled noses. But don’t be fooled 
by claims that painting over the damage is enough to fix and seal the issue. Urine 
stains in carpet can seep down into the carpet pad and even into the sub-floor 
leaving lingering odors that could deter potential buyers. Floors, wood trim, or 
drywall that has been damaged by urine ultimately needs to be replaced. That 
is the only way to truly remove the damage/stains and the resulting odor. 

Michael Petruccelli asks; How do you prevent your pets from taking a bite out of your sale? (9)

Michael Petruccelli says;  Also, don't forget your air conditioning and 
heating supply registers. Hair/fur absolutely can—and will—affect the 
functioning and efficiency of these systems. But if you've kept a fairly 
consistent cleaning schedule, pet hair in your AC unit can be fixed by 
a professional HVAC company. 

December 12, 2011

Michael Petruccelli asks; How do you prevent your pets from taking a bite out of your sale? (8)

Michael Petruccelli says;  SHED no tears. Cats and dogs shed. But a, perhaps, surprising fact? Much of that hair/fur debris commonly ends up under the refrigerator. This is an insurance company documented fire safety issue and shouldn't be ignored. Vacuum under your refrigerator at least twice a year. Also, don't forget your air conditioning and heating supply registers. Hair/fur absolutely can—and will—affect the functioning and efficiency of these systems.

Michael Petruccelli asks; How do you prevent your pets from taking a bite out of your sale? (7)

Michael Petruccelli says;  Nothing to sneeze at. Pets, for some, mean allergies and unpleasant smells. Some buyers’ allergies are so strong that dander in carpets and furniture can cause an attack within minutes and make a walk-through miserable or even impossible. So keep carpets and furniture vacuumed regularly—and let’s not forget about general pet odors. Without going overboard, carpet deodorizing treatments, air fresheners or some strategically-placed potpourri dishes (not where Fido can reach them) should do the trick.

Michael Petruccelli asks; How do you prevent your pets from taking a bite out of your sale? (6)

Michael Petruccelli says; How do you avoid this kind of damage in the first place? Keep your pet’s nails groomed and avoid locking your pet behind a door or in another room while you entertain guests,or leave the house for long periods of time. Give your dog chews and reward him for good behavior. Give cats carpet pieces or scratching poles.

December 11, 2011

Michael Petruccelli asks; How do you prevent your pets from taking a bite out of your sale? (5)

Michael Petruccelli says;  Another common condition is scratched window screens. They can be repaired as well, but replacement is probably the best way to go if you’re looking to impress buyers with your home. 

Michael Petruccelli asks; How do you prevent your pets from taking a bite out of your sale? (4)

Michael Petruccelli says;  A home inspector will note any damage 
to components (doors, floors, weather stripping, screens) if it 
affects the overall function of any system within the home.  
Luckily, scratches on hardwood floors (or the cabinet 
door where you keep Fido’s treats) can easily be fixed with 
a good sanding and finish, but the damage, if left 
untreated, can completely draw attention away from the 
beautiful wood features in your home.

Michael Petruccelli asks; How do you prevent your pets from taking a bite out of your sale? (3)

Michael Petruccelli says;  Here are some things to keep in mind to make sure your furry little friends don't get in the way of a sale! Is Fido taking a bite out of your sale? Dogs and cats in particular like to scratch and chew. Nervous dogs will scratch doors, floors, door frames, walls, carpet and even chew furniture.

December 3, 2011

Michael Petruccelli asks; How do you prevent your pets from taking a bite out of your sale? (2)

Michael Petruccelli says;  Keep cat boxes, bird and rodent cages, and the surrounding areas clean. Keep a towel or blanket under cages. Excess cat litter, bird seed and wood shavings should be vacuumed frequently. Keeping a clean pet living area shows that you care about maintaining your home.

Michael Petruccelli asks; How do you prevent your pets from taking a bite out of your sale? (1)

Michael Petruccelli says;  Do you own pets? Do they share your living space? Buyers are more discerning than ever these days when deciding if the home they’ve selected is the right one. So the last thing you want are pet odors or related conditions to deter traffic or a potential sale.

Michael Petruccelli asks; What can you do to prepare your family in the event of a home fire? (part 12)

Michael Petruccelli says; Have Practice Drills. Schedule a daylight drill, then a nighttime drill. Then do a drill with your eyes closed. Designate in advance a chain of command of household members.