Loading
  • Instagram
  • Google
  • Facebook
  • Schedule Your Inspection
Call or Text: 816.295.7360 josh@360-inspection.com
360 Inspection
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
    • Your Inspection
    • Your Report
    • Foundation Certifications
    • Free Moving Trailer
  • For Agents
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Instant quote
  • Menu Menu
Uncategorized

Central Air-Conditioning System Inspection

A building’s central air-conditioning system must be periodically inspected and maintained in order to function properly. While an annual inspection performed by a trained professional is recommended, homeowners can do a lot of the work themselves by following the tips offered in this guide.Exterior Condenser Unit
Clean the Exterior Condenser Unit and Components
The exterior condenser unit is the large box located on the side of the building that is designed to push heat from the inside of the building to the outdoors. Inside of the box are coils of pipe that are surrounded by thousands of thin metal “fins” that allow the coils more surface area to exchange heat. Follow these tips when cleaning the exterior condenser unit and its inner components — after turning off power to the unit!
  • Remove any leaves, spider webs and other debris from the unit’s exterior. Trim foliage back several feet from the unit to ensure proper air flow.
  • Remove the cover grille to clean any debris from the unit’s interior. A garden hose can be helpful for this task.
  • Straighten any bent fins with a tool called a fin comb.
  • Add lubricating oil to the motor. Check your owner’s manual for specific instructions.
  • Clean the evaporator coil and condenser coil at least once a year.  When they collect dirt, they may not function properly.
Inspect the Condensate Drain Line
Condensate drain lines collect condensed water and drain it away from the unit.  They are located on the side of the inside fan unit. Sometimes there are two drain lines—a primary drain line that’s built into the unit, and a secondary drain line that can drain if the first line becomes blocked. Homeowners can inspect the drain line by using the following tips, which take very little time and require no specialized tools:
  • Inspect the drain line for obstructions, such as algae and debris. If the line becomes blocked, water will back up into the drain pan and overflow, potentially causing a safety hazard or water damage to your home.
  • Make sure the hoses are secured and fit properly.
Clean the Air Filter
The air filter slides out for easy replacement
Air filters remove pollen, dust and other particles that would otherwise circulate indoors. Most filters are typically rectangular in shape and about 20 inches by 16 inches, and about 1 inch thick. They slide into the main ductwork near the inside fan unit. The filter should be periodically washed or replaced, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions. A dirty air filter will not only degrade indoor air quality, but it will also strain the motor to work harder to move air through it, increasing energy costs and reducing energy efficiency. The filter should be replaced monthly during heavy use during the cooling seasons. You may need to change the filter more often if the air conditioner is in constant use, if building occupants have respiratory problems,if  you have pets with fur, or if dusty conditions are present.
 
Cover the Exterior Unit

When the cooling season is over, you should cover the exterior condenser unit in preparation for winter. If it isn’t being used, why expose it to the elements? This measure will prevent ice, leaves and dirt from entering the unit, which can harm components and require additional maintenance in the spring. A cover can be purchased, or you can make one yourself by taping together plastic trash bags. Be sure to turn the unit off before covering it.

Close the Air-Distribution Registers
Air-distribution registers are duct openings in ceilings, walls and floors where cold air enters the room. They should be closed after the cooling season ends in order to keep warm air from back-flowing out of the room during the warming season. Pests and dust will also be unable to enter the ducts during the winter if the registers are closed. These vents typically can be opened or closed with an adjacent lever or wheel.  Remember to open the registers in the spring before the cooling season starts.  Also, make sure they are not blocked by drapes, carpeting or furniture.
In addition, homeowners should practice the following strategies in order to keep their central air conditioning systems running properly:
  • Have the air-conditioning system inspected by a professional each year before the start of the cooling season.
  • Reduce stress on the air conditioning system by enhancing your home’s energy efficiency. Switch from incandescent lights to compact fluorescents, for instance, which produce less heat.
In summary, any homeowner can perform periodic inspections and maintenance to their home’s central air-conditioning system.
April 27, 2018
https://d8d3upeh4c0jf.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/61/2018/04/07165057/download-1.jpg 183 275 360inspection https://d8d3upeh4c0jf.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/61/2020/07/07055202/859BBE60-85D8-4ECA-8BBE-9DCCACC60A49.jpeg 360inspection2018-04-27 01:02:482018-04-27 01:02:48Central Air-Conditioning System Inspection
Uncategorized

Attached garage safety

In this post I’ll talk about some of the safety considerations related to an attached garage. When coming home from the  store, with a car full of groceries after a long day at work, it’s pouring rain, there is noting better than having an empty garage bay sitting there ready to protect you from the elements so you can comfortably unload your haul from triple coupon day at the grocery store. Attached garages are often a “must have” when it comes to looking for a new home, but are often overlooked when it comes to its safety as it relates to the rest of the house. As with all of my post this is not meant to be an all encompassing article about attached garage conditions, and safety requirements.  Rather it is to outline the concerns related to keeping dangerous gasses and fire contained within the garage and limiting their spread to the rest of the home. The attached garage is just another example of the value a home inspection performed by a professional home inspector provides, and the peace of mind knowing the dangers and how to prevent them.

Keeping unwanted gasses and fumes out of the house

Have you ever noticed that, even in a home with the garage on the main level of there usually is a step going up into the house. This is for good reason, Gasoline fumes and other explosive gases are heavier than air, and they will accumulate at ground level. Their entry beneath a door will be slowed by an elevation increase.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is going to be present in an attached garage that is being used to park vehicles, there is no way around that.  Doors should have tight seals around their joints to prevent seepage of fumes into the living areas of the house. CO, with the same approximate density as air (and often warmer than surrounding air), will easily rise above the base of an elevated door and leak through unsealed joints.

Fire containment

Maintaining a fire separation between the garage and the living space of the home will provide your family with more time and a safer environment to safely exit the home in the event of a fire. It will also slow the spread of the fire to the living space, and decrease the damaged done to the rest of the home and its contents. Professional home inspectors will evaluate and report on the fire separation of the attached garage. Below are examples of what will be evaluated.  It is important to note that some of the following examples are referencing IRC code and may not be consistent in every regard with the adopted and amendments to the adopted code in your area.

  • Ducts in the garage and ducts penetrating the walls or ceilings separating the dwelling from the garage shall be constructed of a minimum No. 26-gauge (0.48 mm) steel sheet or other approved material, and shall have no openings in the garage (no return air or supply registers in the garage).
  • The garage shall be separated from the residence and its attic area by not less than 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) gypsum board applied to the garage side. Garages beneath habitable rooms shall be separated from all habitable rooms above by not less than 5/8-inch (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum board or equivalent. Where the separation is a floor-ceiling assembly, the structure supporting the separation shall also be protected by not less than 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) gypsum board or equivalent. Garages located less than 3 feet (914 mm) from a dwelling unit on the same lot shall be protected with not less than 1/2–inch (12.7 mm) gypsum board applied to the interior side of exterior walls that are within this area.
  • Openings from a private garage directly into a room used for sleeping purposes shall not be permitted. Other openings between the garage and the residence shall be equipped with solid wood doors not less than 1-3/8” (35 mm) in thickness, solid- or honeycomb-core steel doors not less than 1-3/8” (35 mm) thick, or 20-minute fire-rated doors.
  • Doors between the garage and the residence shall be equipped with a self closing device.

Conclusion

Outlined in this post are just a few of the numerous conditions that could be present in your garage. Often times an inspector may point out several issues that need addressing, and that can be overwhelming, it is important to remember, anything in, on, or around a house can be fixed. The intention of a quality home inspector is never to scare you or point out reasons you shouldn’t buy a particular house, rather it is to arm you with as much knowledge as possible for you to decide if this is the right house for you, and to keep you safe. For, often times less than the cost of one months mortgage payment, a qualified home inspector will perform a comprehensive home inspection and report to you all the information needed for you to make the best, and most informed decision on, likely the largest monetary investment of your life.

Below is a video of the benefit of having a proper fire separation between the attached garaged and the living area.

 

 

 

April 11, 2018
https://d8d3upeh4c0jf.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/61/2018/04/07164436/Attached-Garage-Milwaukee.png 334 500 360inspection https://d8d3upeh4c0jf.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/61/2020/07/07055202/859BBE60-85D8-4ECA-8BBE-9DCCACC60A49.jpeg 360inspection2018-04-11 20:49:232018-04-11 20:49:23Attached garage safety

Follow Us

360 Inspection

Home Inspection Service
Lees Summit, MO 64081
Business Hrs 8am-6pm (Mon-Fri)
816.295.7360

Serving Greater Kansas City and surounding areas

360 Inspection offers home inspection services to Kansas City, Liberty, Independence, Lees Summit, Blue Springs, Raytown, Raymore, Grain Valley, Overland Park, Lenexa, Olathe, Leawood, and surrounding area.

360 Inspection Logo

360 Inspection

Home Inspection Service
Lees Summit, MO 64081
Business Hrs 8am-6pm (Mon-Fri)
816.295.7360

Serving Greater Kansas City and surounding areas

360 Inspection offers home inspection services to Kansas City, Liberty, Independence, Lees Summit, Blue Springs, Raytown, Raymore, Grain Valley, Overland Park, Lenexa, Olathe, Leawood, and surrounding area.

360 Inspection Logo
© Copyright - 360 Inspection | Website By Spectora
Scroll to top