We specialize in mudjacking and concrete leveling in Missouri, but as homeowners we know that a lot more goes into a home than concrete. So with that in mind, we love to share our knowledge of the rest of the home with you. So please enjoy our home maintenance articles.
Why should I hire a home inspector?
A home inspection is an easy way to avoid the costly mistake of purchasing a home that is in need of major repairs. A home inspector can help the buyer make an informed decision on the purchase of a home.
What should I expect when I hire a home inspector?
An inspector’s goal is to inspect the overall state of the home and its systems. An inspector should remain impartial, pointing out areas that cause concern, take notes and provide you with a detailed report.
What problems would raise red flags?
Any structural problems, such as with the foundation, roof or ceiling, as well as floors and walls are red flags. Faulty plumbing or HVAC systems can also be expensive to fix. Outdoor drainage, grading and retaining walls that are improper or incorrect can lead to other problems. One of the most common issues in Missouri is unlevel concrete, which can be fixed with mudjacking Kansas City. However left unfixed unlevel concrete can lead to expensive water related repairs in your home.
What makes a good home inspector?
A good home inspector should be thorough, inspect all indoor and outdoor components, remain impartial, provide you with detailed inspection notes, and address any specific areas of concern, such as a fireplace.
What is a home inspector able to tell you (or not tell you) about the home?
A home inspector will be able to tell you if a system has failed or is failing and will need to be replaced, and a general life expectancy of the major systems of a home. They will be able to tell you the general safety of the home, if it is up-to-code, and previous repairs to the home.
Since a home inspection is visual, the will not be able to tell you if any present mold is dangerous (or if there is mold in the walls), if there is radon, lead or asbestos in the home, or if there is a pest problem. They also will not give estimates for repairs needed or appraisal value, or if you should or should not buy a home. Similarly they are not able to tell you if an appliance is near failure or if you will need appliance repairs in Kansas City soon or not.
FAQs INVOLVING WATER HEATER
This post brought to us by Mudjacking St. Louis.
WHAT IS WATER HEATER “EFFICIENCY”?
ANSWER:
Efficiency is simply the amount of the output of energy when compared to the energy’s input. 80.00% efficiency rating for instance; shows that 80.00% of heat goes into the water directly, while the 20% remaining escapes.
DO TANK TYPE HEATERS RUN CONSTANTLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY TO KEEP WATER HOT AND THUS WASTE ENERGY?
ANSWER:
Tank heaters, contrary to what you might have been told do heat water or run throughout the day. The burner will come up to give extra heat just when the tank’s temperature goes below the set point of thermostat. Tank style heaters, in a typical household, will bring about all the hot water needs with the burner firing daily for less than 2 hours. In the event that no hot water is being utilized, the burner will most likely fire for maybe a couple short burn periods in 24-hour duration so as to maintain the temperature of the tank.
ARE THE TANKLESS WATER HEATERS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN TANK TYPE HEATERS?
ANSWERS:
Yes, the tankless water heater are more efficient than the tank type heaters, but the difference is too drastic– Tankless heaters are very effective and have a higher EF (Higher Energy Factor) since there are no standby loss of heat (the heat loss when hot water is stored is not utilized).
DOES THE TANKLESS HEATER TRULY DELIVER ENDLESS HOT WATER?
ANSWER:
It depends truly upon the demand of the hot water. But basically, as long as the heating capacity is not exceeded by the rate of flow, unlimited water will be provided. Be that as it may, there are circumstances where it cannot react as fast as desired or the demand surpasses the capability of the unit, bringing about the flow rate of hot water below the expected level.
WHY IS THE TANKLESS UNIT THAT SMALL?
ANSWER:
The unit doesn’t make use of the storage capacity since water goes through the exchanger of heat based on the flow of demand. The storage tank’s absence makes use of the required physical space. A typical tankless unit is 13 by 24 by 9 inches and its hangs on the wall. Some user’s manuals for the tankless heaters however, recommend drip pan installation beneath the heater on the flow, which limits the space’s utilization. Numerous tankless units can be installed outside, which can be a great advantage for saving of space, however, it ought to be noted that additional energy in cooler atmospheres will be utilized to keep the tank from freezing.
The gas necessities for tankless water heaters and the heat element as a result of little size and on-request water heating; are generally larger than those of tank type heaters. By and large, tank heaters have 40,000Btu/h as the gas input; while the tankless heaters can go as high as 200,000 Btu/h. So also, electric tank type heaters draw about 6,000 watts, and the electric tankless water heater can draw as high as 28,000 watts. While the tankless unit might spare you space; it will much of the time require bigger vents and gas lines or a higher supply of power capacity.
HOW TRUE IS IT THAT THE TANKLESS WATER HEATER HARDLY LEAKS?
ANSWER:
It is normal to guess that the storage tanker’s absence decreases the possibility of leaking, but the internal water flow tubing of the tankless unit can deteriorate or damage, bringing about significant damage of water and water leak. Some manufacturers of the tankless unit suggest drip pan’s installation beneath the unit.
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF COLD WATER SANDWICH?
ANSWER:
It is common relatively to tankless heaters than the tank type; the cold water sandwich occurs as a result of various “On” and “Off” of the operations of water (like washing dishes or showers that are back-to back) which creates vast slugs of water that is cold between water that is hot in a home piping. Normally, piping that are behind walls tend to loss heats when compared to piping in a basement or crawl space; slower. On the off chance that there is warm water drawn and thereafter, the flow is halted for a short time period, the water located in the piping that are exposed mostly tends to cool faster than those located in other areas. In the event that a fixture is opened by someone at the ideal time, the water that comes out of the tank tends to be hot, and thereafter it becomes cooler as water from the piping that are exposed gets to the fixture. And as soon as the water arrives from the heater, the water that comes from the fixture will once again heat back up. And as such, the sandwich water is created.
A tankless heater in most homes can misrepresent this impact. This is how whole process works:
At the point when the demand flow is halted the tankless heater ceases firing and the fan of the draft keeps running as the “post purge” to be certain that ever exhaust are taken away from the venting system; it keeps running for about a minute and cools off the exchanger of the heat at this point. The exchanger more often than not holds somewhat less than a quart. At the point when the tankless heater detects stream demand once more, it boosts back to give warm water to the preceding draw. However, the water that is in the piping might in any case, be hot, however, the first water flow to go out of the exchanger is not. It takes around a second or 2 for the tankless water warmer to continuo. At the point when the initial quart of water goes into the pipe alongside the water that is still warm from the last draw; the various temperatures of water converge as it streams down the line. In the long run, the lower temperature water arrives their destination (to the user) and they observe the temperature variance.
WHO ARE THOSE THE TANKLESS HEATER IS FOR?
ANSWER:
There are a few choice factors with respect to what is best for your home. For limited stream demand or usage the tankless heater is the ideal choice. Consideration ground water temperature, product price, use pattern, various hot water needs, costs of installation and several other elements will determine the best water heater that is ideal for your home.
Since due to the heat exchanger’s heating and the ignition’s sequence; the period it takes for the tankless heater to create hot water is delayed; the time it takes for each drop of water is delayed by about 15seconds. A normal household has over 40 – 60 draws daily; hence, the delay could mean a loss of water in significant amount. In this way, while the tankless heater may utilize lesser energy than most tank type heaters, as a result of this; they may waste a significant amount of water. By and large; the energy savings due to the cost of water are cancelled out.
The average homeowners in the majority of the U.S. will save below $75 yearly if they go for the tankless water heater rather than the tank type heater; once cost of installations, unit costs, water cost and energy usage have all been ascertained.
WHAT DOES THE HEAVY PEAK USAGE MEANS, AND WHAT IS THE BEST UNIT FOR THIS?
ANSWER:
Most of the houses in American take after the heavy demand usage pattern for multiple baths or showers during 60minutes to 90minutes in the morning, preceded in the evening by yet another high period of demand with clothes, night showers and washing dishes. A hybrid or tank type unit is most appropriate for this kind of usage pattern as a result of their capacity to convey a significant volume of water.
HOW CAN A TANK TYPE HEATER BE MAINTAINED PROPERLY?
ANSWER:
Experts suggests the tank type heater be drained every year so as to reduce the development of silt in the base of the tank, and also have a general tune-up or inspection by a certified person. The tank should also be kept level at all time. If you need concrete leveling in Carmel they can fix and stabilize your water heater concrete pad.
The inlet filter by correlation in tankless heater ought to be cleaned monthly and the unit ought to be regularly flushed with a glycol solution. Finally, you should consider employing the services of trained personnel that would help service your tankless water heater(s) on a yearly basis.
DISHWATER HACKS
Did you ever realize that your dishwasher can do much more than simply wash your dirty dishes? Check out these 14 cool dishwasher hacks.
WASH YOUR BASEBALL HATS.
Get your vacuum attachments and dustpans cleaned finally. We know; gross. Yet, there’s no other approach to get them spotless, isn’t that so? Shake into the dustbin any loose dust, then place attachments and brushes in the dustpans and silverware caddy on the top rack.he ball cap washer (Buddy Cap) is intended to let baseball caps maintain their shape inside the dishwasher or washing machine. Be that as it may, the dishwasher even without one can keep our hats in shape.
KEEP BRUSHES MEANT FOR MAKEUPS DIRT-FREE.
Cosmetics brushes gather oil and microorganisms that—astound!—clog pores and bring about to skin inflammation. Put them through the dishwasher for clear skin and clean brushes. At that point, air dries them, if essential.
PREP POTATOES FOR COOKING IN HOLIDAY.
No, it won’t cook them for you, however, you can without much of a stretch wash a huge amount of veggies or potatoes for a major meal – we have heard Alton Brown cherishes the D.W for cleaning greens; by running them through a cycle that is rise-only without detergent.
COOK WHOLE MEALS.
When the washer clicks off the potatoes won’t be done, however, there are shocking numbers of meals that can be prepared in the convection of the dishwasher. These are recipes for Dishwasher Salmon together with Cilantro Sauce and Dishwasher Lasagna.
WIPE THE GERMS OFF FROM THE HANDS OF THE CABINET.
The metal and ceramic cabinet pulls and knobs in the custom cabinets can be canvassed in microscopic organisms. Run them through the dish in the silverware caddy. Be that as it may, anything painted, plated, or enameled ought to remain out.
WASH SWITCH PLATES, VENT COVERS, AND FAN GRILLES.
They’re generally messy. In any case, in the event that they’re steel, aluminum or plastic —however once more, not plated, enameled, or painted —they’re anything but difficult to clean. Send them for spin through the dishwasher.
MAKE USE OF IT TO AIR-DRY.
On the off chance that your dishwasher is empty amidst a cleaning binge, leave it open with the plate hauled out to air-dry and strain your pots, pans, and hand-washed dishes.
REFRESH YOUR KITCHEN WIPE.
Put one in with your dishes so as to get rid of odors and get the kitchen wipe clean.
CLEAN THE KEYBOAD OF YOUR COMPUTER.
With the face of your keyboard facing downwards on your top rack; send it without detergent through a rinse cycle and jump the drying cycle. At that point pop the keys off and allow it air dry face downwards for a couple of days.
GET GLOSSY HUBCAPS.
In case you’re excessively occupied (or excessively boushy), making it impossible to scour that tire grime by yourself, run your wheel covers and hubcaps in the washer on the pans-and-pots cycle for glossy edges.
STERILIZE PET’S AND CHILDREN’S TOYS.
In action figures, a mesh bag and other little toys (like a puppy Kong filled with peanut butter) can get a brisk, careful cleaning with a cycle through the washer. Simply try to be on the look for those items that may like; anything with doll hair for instance.
HAIRBRUSHES THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO CLEAN CAN TAKE A SPIN.
Simply ensure you adhere to a couple of guidelines – Combs that are made of plastic and brushes are ready, however not something made of normal boar-bristle or wood brushes. What’s more, first ensure to take off all hairs from them so as to protect your drain.
MAKE USE OF IT FOR STORAGE.
In the event that the dishwasher is destroyed (or you’re just a hand-wash household), make use of it like an additional cabinet. It is the home of an extraordinary Tupperware! This article sponsored by our friends Mudjacking Omaha and Concrete Leveling Houston.