Home Maintenance

Keep your home safe during the holidays

Many people are away from their homes this time of year for holiday gatherings, extended shopping trips, and out-of-town travel. At the same time, homes are filled with expensive items that are already boxed up and ready to haul out the door.

For these reasons, burglaries are common in December when homes are empty, so it’s important to know how to keep your home safe during the holidays.

Ways to Keep Your Home Safe During the Holidays

Home security is a year-round concern for everyone. Regardless of where you live, your home may be targeted at any time. The holiday season is a time when your home may be particularly vulnerable, and the reward to criminals is greater because of the holiday gifts inside.

By taking these steps to keep your home safe during the holidays, you can enjoy a carefree season with family and friends.

1. Avoid Making It Obvious

Many people place their tree in a front-facing window of the home to add a festive look to the home’s exterior. However, this also directly advertises that you likely have gifts inside. It also tells criminals exactly where the gifts are and that they’re easily accessible.

Move your holiday tree away from the front of the house and put valuable items, wrapped or unwrapped, out of sight from the windows.

2. Take Advantage of Lights

Most of us turn lights off when we’re not at home. You may also keep lights off in all rooms except the one you’re in to be more energy-efficient. Criminals look for darkened homes because the shadows hide their presence. It is less likely to be seen entering or leaving a dark home versus a well-lit home.

To save energy, use solar-powered exterior lights and motion-activated spotlights. You can also use a timer to turn lights on and off as needed so it looks like you are home.

3. Let a Trusted Neighbor Know

A trusted neighbor can easily observe anything unusual and collect your newspapers and mail while you are out of town. The next time they go out of town, you can return the favor by keeping an eye on their home. This is a great way to keep your home safe during the holidays when you are traveling.

4. Secure Your Home With Technology

If your home is not secured by a monitored home alarm system, now may be the time to set up this service. An alternative is to use smartphone technology. Cameras and motion sensors can be placed inside and outside that will send an alert to your smartphone if they are triggered.

Now that you understand why your home is vulnerable during this season and throughout the year, you can follow these tips to keep your home safe during the holidays.

Walton Inspection Services provides home inspection services to Murrells Inlet and the surrounding communities. Contact us to request an inspection.

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pre-listing home inspection

In order to avoid any surprises that a buyer’s home inspection may bring, sellers should have a pre-listing home inspection after looking at sites like https://landmark24.com/. The inspection report will give the homeowner more information about the house before it is listed for sale. Read on to understand the benefits of pre-listing home inspections.

Benefits of a Pre-Listing Home Inspection

Hiring a licensed home inspector before listing your home for sale is important so you will know of any issues prior to the buyer’s inspection. If there are problems that could potentially sour the deal, you will have the chance to make repairs before you even list the house.

If you know about an issue and you decide not to fix it, price the home accordingly and disclose the problem to the buyer up front. Sharing an inspection report with the purchaser builds trust because it shows you have nothing to hide.

1. Homeowners Can Value The House Accurately

Using the information from a pre-listing inspection, homeowners can consider flaws and damages when pricing the home. Along with considering the market value, homeowners must be aware of what certain and repairs will cost the buyer.

With this in mind, homeowners can reduce their selling price to allow for the projects that the buyer will have to invest in. Sellers can also make the updates and repairs themselves and include that cost in the final asking price.

2. Pre-Listing Home Inspections Give Sellers an Upper Hand during Negotiations

Once the pre-listing home inspection report is in hand, it helps sellers get the best value out of the transaction. If the buyer finds out the home needs extensive repairs, they will likely try to negotiate a lower price for the property.

When the seller discloses any concerns up front, the homebuyer’s offer may be closer to the asking price and there will be fewer negotiations to slow down the process.

3. Reduces Roadblocks

A major roadblock for homebuyers is the undiscovered problems that might be revealed during the buyer’s home inspection. Because of this, a pre-listing home inspection becomes more attractive from the outset.

When a potential buyer sees what he or she is purchasing from the beginning, he or she will feel more confident and comfortable in making an offer.

Walton Inspection Services offers pre-listing home inspections for sellers and other inspection services to Murrells Inlet and the surrounding areas. Contact us to schedule your appointment.

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prevent mold growth in your home

Mold growing in homes can cause health problems for those who live there. It has been known to cause or exacerbate conditions such as asthma, allergies, and other respiratory problems. It can also damage your home and require thousands of dollars in mitigation services. To reduce the risks, here are some ways to prevent mold growth in your home.

1. Keep Indoor Humidity Levels Low to Prevent Mold Growth in Your Home

Molds require high moisture levels in order to thrive. Aim for keeping moisture levels in your home under 50%. Air conditioners and dehumidifiers help to keep your humidity levels down. It is important to remember that the amount of moisture in the air varies throughout the day depending on your activities.

2. Improve Ventilation

According to experts like J&M Cooling & Heating, ventilation helps air circulate around an indoor area. This circulation of air allows fresh air to enter and leave the home which discourages excess moisture. Areas like kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms should have adequate ventilation since more moisture is generated in these places. Improve ventilation by opening windows periodically, using exhaust fans that vent outside of the home, and keeping ceiling fans on. You can also install HVAC systems via experts at sites like https://mullinsmechanical.com/ or https://otheating.com/. Torn between ac vs heat pump? Click the link if you want additional info on which one you should choose.

3. Fix Any Roof or Pipe Leaks

Other ways to prevent mold growth include fixing any leaks in the house. Leaks in the roof or plumbing system lead to water damage and subsequent mold growth in the house. Visit sites like https://stithplumbingandhvac.com/ or https://specialtypump.com/issaquah/ for additional guidance on plumbing.

Facing a water leak can be both alarming and damaging to your property. While it might be tempting to address the issue yourself, hiring a home plumbing repair service is the best choice here. A professional can identify and seal any leaks to keep water from collecting in the home to prevent mold growth in your home. Hire experts such as the ones at https://kmpcorp.com/fort-worth-plumbing-heating-air/ or https://superiorplumbing.net/plumbing-repair/ to prevent mold from growing in your home.

4. Clean Up and Dry Out After Flooding

Flooding is a coastal threat due to changing weather patterns and strong storms. When flooding occurs, moisture levels skyrocket. Mold can begin to grow in as little as 48 hours. The best way to prevent mold growth after flooding is by cleaning and drying out the area as soon as it is accessible. Installing a sump pump can aid in efficiently removing excess water and minimizing the risk of mold growth.

5. Use Mold-Resistant Paint and Mold-Killing Cleaning Products

Choosing mold-resistant paint can keep mold from growing whenever there are high levels of moisture. Another great way to prevent mold growth is to use mold killing products when cleaning the bathroom. A bathroom is a common place for mold to grow because of all the moisture there.

It’s important to remember that mold growth can be costly to remove and can cause health problems for you and your loved ones. Follow these suggested steps to help prevent mold growth in your home.

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signs of roof trouble

A secure roof is a fundamental element of any home. The roof protects the structure from leaks, the sun and harmful UV rays, and other dangers. Your home’s roof also protects your valuables and keeps the rain, snow, and other elements from entering the home. Although the roof should last many years, trouble can strike before you know what’s happened. Know the signs of roof trouble and call a professional if you notice them. In case your roofing system also needs some work, you may consider hiring a professional roofing contractor.

Curling Shingles

Cupping and clawing shingles are signs of weathering. Both are also known as ‘curling’ and are a sign of roof problems. Once you notice curling, the roof may last another one to five years depending on the severity of the problem and other factors. It is a good idea to call a roofer to replace the roof if you notice a lot of shingles curling. Don’t invest your money into costly repairs when you should just have your roof replaced.

The Age of the Roof

Asphalt shingles, the most popular roofing material used on homes today, last between 20 and 25 years. Some may last as long as 30-years if they’re well-maintained architectural shingles. If the roof on your home is nearing the 20th birthday or has passed the mark, replacing the structure will prevent leaks and other damages before they occur.

Cracked Shingles

Wind usually causes cracked shingles. If just a couple of shingles have small cracks, it is worth replacing the individual shingles. But if the cracking isn’t isolated to a single area and there are more damaged than non-damaged, it is best to replace your entire roof. Visit sites like https://carolinahomespecialists.com/areas-we-serve/kernersville-nc/ to know more about roof replacement.

Loose & Missing Shingles

Although you can replace missing shingles, it is almost impossible to match a new shingle to the older shingle. Over time, weather, water, and the sun will affect the color of the shingles on the roof. Patchwork jobs suffice for a while, but when the roof begins looking more like a puzzle, it’s time to replace. If you need help, get first-rate roof maintenance from Knipp Roofing. 

Don’t Ignore The Signs of Roof Trouble

According to experts like Americana Roofing, your roof is the most valuable component of your home. It provides shelter from the elements and keeps your structure sound and your family safe. If these signs of roof trouble are present at your home, call a roofing professional for an estimate. Delaying roof repairs or a new roof is only asking for trouble; don’t make that mistake. The sooner you call a professional, the sooner you’ll enjoy worry-free, comfortable living again.

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