Home Pro Home Inspections - Rochester MN

Mark J. Rochester, MN

rickerickson — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:00:15 +0000

I have bought many homes over the years, and this was the most thorough home inspection I have ever been involved with. Very Professional!

Protecting Your Home From Rodents This Winter

rickerickson — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:25:35 +0000

It’s winter and the critters living outside are looking for a warm place to spend the winter. Your home offers everything that mice, chipmunks, and squirrels are looking for, warmth, water and food. Last winter I had a chipmunk find a small opening at the base of my outdoor hot tub. Between the chipmunk and the mice, they had a great time staying warm… and destroying insulation and wiring.

Rodents can be cute in cartoons and movies, but it’s not so cute when they find their way into your home. Your house, especially your kitchen provides all that a mouse could possibly ask for.

These critters are a threat to you r home as they can carry disease, cause structural damage to your home, and contaminate food. Wiring that has been gnawed on by mice have been known to start fires in homes. They spread disease through their urine, feces and bites. Ticks and fleas can also be brought into your home and can carry infections to humans after feeding on rodents.

Rodent proofing your home can be fairly easy. Rats can fit through a hole roughly the size of a quarter, and a mouse can get through a hole smaller than a dime. Your first line of defense is to block all access and keep them from getting into your home in the first place.

* Replace any damaged or missing weather stripping and seal cracks at exterior doors.

* Place ¼ inch screen over all external openings and vents.

* Seal any gaps at your foundation.

* Trim back branches and shrubs that come into contact with or hang over your home.

* Keep all ground vegetation trimmed back at least 12 inches from your home.

* Keep the interior of your home and garage clean.

* All food and garbage should be stored in sealed containers

* Do not leave pet food or dirty dishes sitting around over night.

If you have done everything you can and still have rodents in your home, it is important to contact a professional. Mice can colonize under concrete and porches, in your attic and other hard to reach places. A professional exterminator will have the tools and techniques to rid you of these unwanted pests.

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector, HomePro Home Inspections, Serving Rochester and Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942

Why You Should Keep Your Water Heater Properly Maintained

rickerickson — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 13:53:50 +0000

: Dangerous Water Heater

: Dangerous Water Heater

During the course of a home inspection I remind clients that in order for appliances to operate safely and efficiently, they should be maintained on a regular schedule as recommended by the manufacturer. In the photos above you will see a water heater that I came across at a home inspection. Clearly there are some combustion issues. This is evident by the flame blow out at the main burner at the bottom of the unit, as well as the soot blow back at the upper vent stack. This home was vacant and the gas was shut off so I could not check to see if the flame was proper and if the unit was venting properly. Flames blowing out of the bottom of the water heater could result in ignition of combustible materials close to the water heater. The back draft at the vent stack would be releasing Carbon Monoxide into the room. I recommended service prior to operation to ensure that the unit operates properly.

Sarah A. Rochester, MN.

rickerickson — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:16:50 +0000

Rick was very helpful and professional! Very easy to talk to. He goes through the home inspection report honestly and thoroughly. Thank you very much! I will definately refer HomePro Home Inspections to others.

Pit Bulls… Good Boys… Do They Eat Home Inspectors?

rickerickson — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:10:06 +0000

Pit Bulls Attack Door Knob

This has got to be a first. I have seen where dogs will scratch the heck out of a door and trim, but never have I seen several, yes several door knobs chewed, at a home inspection. The owners of this home had two Pit Bulls. Fortunately for me, they had been removed from the property prior to my arrival for the home inspection. I suspect these fellows had a little separation anxiety during the day while the owners were at work.

Mackenzie F. Blooming Prairie, MN

rickerickson — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:51:45 +0000

Thank you so much for the home inspection. I appreciate your willingness to make a second trip back out to the house to look over the furnace, fireplace and water heater after the LP tank was filled.

Winifred P, Rochester, MN.

rickerickson — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:46:50 +0000

Dallas was very thorough on my home inspection. He was pleasant and answered all of my questions. We would be happy to refer your company to others if the opportunity arises.

Jennifer M. Kasson, MN

rickerickson — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:38:55 +0000

The home inspection went above and beyond my expectations. Rick was excellent!! He answered all of my questions and made sure I understood everything. I would highly recommend HomePro Home Inspections !! Thank You!!

Protecting Your Landscaping During The Snowy Season

rickerickson — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 13:06:28 +0000

We all put a lot of time and hard work into your yard during the summer. It’s late fall and you have taken the time to get things ready for winter. You know the drill: make sure your plans are all well watered before the ground freezes. Move house plans indoors. Clean up the flower beds, remove, cut back, mulch…etc.

Now, winter is on the way. What can you do keep your landscaping healthy when the winds are blowing, the snow is falling and your yard is a frozen tundra.

Wind blown or fallen snow seldom harms your plans, but you need to take precautions when dumping or plowing snow. Damage can occur to your plans when driveways, streets and sidewalks are plowed or shoveled.

When de-icing sidewalks and driveways make sure to use product that will not harm your plants. There are newer products out there that contain magnesium chloride. These products will work well in temperatures down to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit and remains effective longer that some of the old stand by ice melters.

In addition to being a great ice melter, magnesium chloride provides additional befits to plants. Magnesium is a necessary nutrient, and magnesium chloride is used in agriculture. So using magnesium chloride deicers to clear your walks in winter protects your plants and helps to fertilize them year round.

Magnesium chloride’s low melting temperature helps to minimize freeze/thaw cycles. This means it’s a little friendlier to concrete. By reducing freeze/thaw cycles, you reduce potential damage to concrete.

One final thought for those days when snow blankets your landscaping: Snow can be your friend. Snow on the ground helps protect roots by insulating them from extreme cold. And it’s a self-regulating source of water; plants need water in the winter, and snow on the ground automatically provides moisture when there’s a thaw, even if temperatures get barely above freezing.

Following a couple of rules can help you to protect your plants and stay safe during the winter months. Don’t throw heavy snow on delicate plants, and when you buy an ice melter, choose a product with magnesium chloride that can keep your walks clear while protecting your plants and landscaping.

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector, HomePro Home Inspections, Serving Rochester and Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942

Devin H. Rochester, MN.

rickerickson — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:38:46 +0000

Great job!. My home inspection was very thorough yet timely. Also Rick did a great job explaining everything to me as a “first time home buyer”.