What do you know about mold?  Do you want to learn more about mold?

http://www.nachi.org/mold.htm

If you have any questions or would like to set up a mold inspection for your home, visit the Carnes Home Inspection website http://carneshomeinspections.com

What do you know about lead?  Here is an article with some lead information

http://www.nachi.org/lead-consumer.htm

If you have any questions or would like to set up a home inspection, visit the Carnes Home Inspection website http://carneshomeinspections.com

Home Inspection Reports

Having your home inspected soon?  Here is what to expect when you get your home inspection report back

http://www.nachi.org/home-inspection-reports.htm

If you have any questions or would like to set up a home inspection, visit the Carnes Home Inspection website http://carneshomeinspections.com

Mistakes Home Buyers Make

Buying a home soon?  Know someone who is?  Here is an article with some common home buyer mistakes to avoid

http://www.nachi.org/3.htm

If you have any questions or would like to set up a home inspection, visit the Carnes Home Inspection website http://carneshomeinspections.com

Downtown Westfield Mural

Here is a Fox 59 video clip of the downtown mural in Westfield

Building Process

Building a home or know someone who is?  Here is a link to an article about the home building process.

http://www.nachi.org/building.htm      

If you have questions about what is being built or just want to verify that everything is being built correctly, I would be more than happy to go through the house with you.  My website has more information about our New Construction Inspections as well as Home Inspections

City of Westfield

Here is an animated flyover clip of the new Grand Park coming soon to Westfield

Spring Home Maintenance Reminders

Since we are just starting this new section in the blog, we thought we would start with a quick reminder from spring time.  Next year it will be sent out on the first day of spring (3/20/13) but for now here you go with the first edition of Home Maintenance Reminders:

• Turn OFF gas furnace/fireplace pilot lights 
• Test sump pump and water alarm
• Remember to check GFI outlets, turn on and off circuit breakers, check smoke and carbon manoxide detectors next time we change clocks with daylight savings time
• Clean windows as you replace screens.  Make any necessary repairs to screens
• Flush out hot water tank to remove any sediment -  owner's manual will have how to information
• Test temperature and relief valve on hot water tank - owner's manual will have how to information
• Vacuum under fridge, clean condenser coils & Defrost freezer when ice is 1/4" thick
• Clean out basement and under decks
• Tune up lawnmower
• Rake & aerate lawn
• Clear gutters and downspouts, be sure water flows away from the house
• Turn toilet water supply off and then back on to prevent buildup and or rust that can cause the valve to get "stuck" over too many years of not being used

We will have more reminders in the weeks to come that include information about:

• When to change furnace filters
• When to change fridge water filters
• When to pour water down drains that are not used
• Etc.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Kim Carnes.  

His information is available on the Carnes Home Inspection Website

Why Home Inspections Have Become More Important

The Washington Post published an article that talks about the importance of having a home inspection and why it is even more important now than it has been in the past. You can click here to see the full article on the Washington Post website.  The article talks about a few clauses you can write into your contract:

There are several ways of contracting for an inspection. You can insert a clause that permits you to void the contract if you don’t like anything in the inspection report in your sole and absolute discretion. You can insert a clause that permits you to void the contract only if your inspection report reveals a defective condition or building code violation. A third situation is that you may conduct an inspection for informational purposes only. In the last situation, you are required to go to settlement even if your inspection reveals problems.

The most important part is knowing what you are getting with your new home.  You don't want any surprises coming along later on down the road.

Looking for a Carmel Home Inspection?  Give us a call or check out the website to see what we can offer.  

Carnes Home Inspections, Proudly serving Westfield, Carmel, Indianapolis, and beyond. 

What's in Your House?

Here is a link to an article about biological pollutants in a household

http://www.nachi.org/pollutants.htm

Asbestos

Questions about Asbestos?  Here is a link to an article with more information

http://www.nachi.org/asbestos.htm

Sign Up For House Maintenance Reminders

Whether you are a first time home buyer moving in next week, building a new house in the next couple months, or you have been living in the same house for forty years, no matter your situation…your house needs maintained.

How many times have you forgotten to change your furnace filter, only to find out seven months later that your furnace has been working overtime to try and get air moving? Have you ever turned your toilet water supply valve on and off just to make sure there is no buildup that could cause the knob to stick?

Maybe you have a sink in a bathroom that the kids moved out of or is never used…have you ever poured water down the drain to make sure the water in the drain trap isn’t all evaporated and allowing sewage gas in your house?

The Carnes Home Inspection Blog is going to help you remember those things. We will post weekly, monthly, semi annually, annually, and seasonal reminders to help you stay on top of home maintenance. You have a few choices if you are interested in following these updates:

1. Just visit the blog every so often and see what has been posted recently

2. Follow the blog via email – there is a link to sign up for the blog on the right side

3. Friend us on Facebook – All of our blog posts automatically get posted to our wall

4. Follow us on Twitter – All of our blog posts automatically get tweeted

The yearly schedule is being compiled as we speak, we will post it when it’s finished. The schedule will get added into our calendar and the blog will automatically post reminders. I hope this is helpful to you and if you have any suggestions for things we leave out or could add, we would love to hear from you so feel free to leave comments.

Kim

Home Inspection Homepage

Building A Home?

I had a young couple ask me what inspections you can do when you are building a new home and if you even needed an inspection?

The inspection steps that I recommend for new home inspections or construction inspections include:

• Pre-Slab Inspection (With or without a basement): To ensure that all elements under your home (that will soon be covered with cement) are problem free 

• Pre-Drywall Inspection: It is important to inspect your home before drywall is hung so that you can identify any potential problems before it becomes messy and expensive to fix them. A pre-drywall inspection will make sure any potential plumbing, electrical, structural, heating & cooling, and framing issues are addressed before they are covered up. 

• Final Inspection: We offer final inspections to walk you through your new home and make sure there are no problems and your new home is ready for you to move in and enjoy. Peace of mind that everything was built safely and correctly is our goal. 

Do you have to get them? No...not if you know what to look for and trust that your builder and all the subcontractors they hire won't make any mistakes. Or if they do make mistakes they will get them fixed and fixed the right way.  Ultimately what you are trying to prevent is something being done wrong and either not fixed, or fixed wrong...that holds up just long enough until you are no longer under warranty and then it ends up coming out of your pocket down the road.  Usually something that could have been fixed (often for cheaper) from the get go.

If you don't have someone who knows what to look for and you don't want to get multiple inspections, I would encourage you to at least get a Pre-drywall inspection so you can make sure everything is in order before it gets covered up with a wall and be sure you pay careful attention at your final walk through.


 The price of an inspection is quite small compared to the 30 year investment you are getting ready to make. Be sure you know exactly what you are getting when you close!  I would be more than happy to go through your entire house with you and make sure everything is in order no matter where you are along the way.

-Kim

http://carneshomeinspecitons.com

Saving Energy

Here is a link to an article about saving energy in your own home.

http://www.nachi.org/increasing-home-energy-efficiency-client.htm

North Side of Indy Schools

Moving to the north side of Indianapolis?  Here are a few links to some of the school districts:

Carmel Clay Schools: http://www1.ccs.k12.in.us/district/prospective-families-students

Westfield Washington Schools: http://www.wws.k12.in.us/

Hamilton Southeastern Schools: http://www.hse.k12.in.us/ADM/

Zionsville Community Schools: http://cms.zcs.k12.in.us/

Noblesville Schools: http://www.noblesvilleschools.org/

Need a home inspection?  

Carnes Home Inspections http://carneshomeinspections.com  

"Put 30 Years of Construction Experience To Work For You!"

Proudly Serving Westfield, Carmel, Indianapolis, Central Indiana, and Beyond!

Radon Gas

What do you know about Radon Gas?

http://www.nachi.org/radon.htm

If you want to set up a Radon inspection in your home, visit the Carnes Home Inspection website http://carneshomeinspections.com

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Carmel, Westfield, HSE, Fisher, and Noblesville for all placing in the U.S. News top 10 schools in Indiana!  Here is a link to their rankings usnews.com/top10indianaSchools

Looking for our website?  Here is the address: http://carneshomeinspections.com

Radon

Here are a few helpful links with information about Radon.

A Citizen's Guide To Radon - Contains information about protecting your family against Radon.

EPA Map For Radon Zone - Check out where you live

Consumer's Guide To Radon Reduction - How to fix your home

Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide To Radon - Basic information

If you would like to set up a Radon test feel free to contact Kim Carnes with Carnes Home Inspections.  

Visit the website at carneshomeinspections.com 

Termites

Texas A&M University Termite Information - Includes pictures and information about termites

Call Kim Carnes to get your Home Inspection scheduled.  

Checkout the Carnes Home Inspection Website at http://carneshomeinspections.com 

Mold

Brief Guide To Mold, Moisture, and Your Home - This Guide provides information and guidance for homeowners and renters on how to clean up residential mold problems and how to prevent mold growth.

Mold Resources - Links and Information about mold

Mold Clean Up Guidelines - Tips and Tricks

Call Kim Carnes to set up your Home Inspection.  

Visit the website at www.carneshomeinspections.com for more information!

Welcome

Welcome to the Carnes Home Inspection Blog.  I hope that this blog can be used as a valuable resource to help you locate information useful to whatever stage you may be at in life.  Whether you are looking for a Carmel, Noblesville, Westfield, Fishers, or Zionsville home inspector...look no further.  

Carnes Home Inspections is based out of Westfield, IN but services the entire greater Indianapolis Metro Area.  If you are looking for my website you may find it here at CarnesHomeInspections.com 

If you have any questions please never hesitate to call me at: (317) 753-7098!