Details,Details,Details

Details, Details, Details 
 

Realtors often say that the three most important things to consider when looking for a home are “Location, Location, Location”.  As a Home Inspector my message is “Details, Details, Details”.  Most people want a house that has been well maintained and shows pride of ownership.  Often when we live in a home there are details we have overlooked or forgotten.
Although they may not seem important, details can be indicators of potentially significant issues.  A little attention now could save you from big headaches later.  So, take a little time and check out some of these details before they become bigger problems.  
A dirty furnace filter indicates a lack of maintenance. Ironically, a dirty filter lets less dust through than a clean filter, but it reduces air flow and can damage the system.  Another less obvious but more important detail is the filter holder.  If the filter is not properly secured, dust laden air can flow around the filter as though it wasn’t there.  The result is dirty ducts that need cleaning.  When you shop for a filter, be sure to get the right size!  Buy a spare to keep right by the furnace.  They should be replaced periodically during the heating season. 
Water heaters have a way of leaking at the most inconvenient times.  Two of the most often missed details of a water heater installation are the drain line for the drip pan and the discharge pipe for the Temperature and Pressure safety relief valve.  To avoid water damage, they each need a separate drain to the exterior.   If you haven’t strapped the water heater yet, now is a good time. Hardware stores have kits with instructions for about $20.  
The kitchen stove has a safety detail that is often overlooked.  It’s the anti-tip bracket. You can’t even see it when it’s installed because it goes behind the stove at the bottom. They are installed to keep the stove from tipping forward if a curious child steps on the open oven door and usually come with the stove.  
If the bedroom door sticks, it may be time to clean the gutters!  When a house foundation settles in wet earth, the doors and window openings can distort.   Improper drainage is the biggest cause of failure of an otherwise adequate foundation. Gutters and downspouts serve to direct water away from the house foundation. Add splash blocks or extensions to keep the water from puddling.  Remember irrigation sprinklers are for the plants and need to be directed away from the foundation.  
Here’s a really hidden detail.  High water pressure can stress the plumbing system and cause leaks. You may see a pressure regulator on the system but only a pressure gauge can tell you if it is working.  As water demand in a neighborhood grows with increased population density, the municipal water supply pressure at the street is increased to assure adequate flow.  I have measured well over 150 psi in some areas.  The recommended adjusted pressure in a house is 45 to 60 psi.  
Do you have a circuit breaker that frequently trips and needs to be reset?  This is caused by one of two things.  The breaker is bad and needs to be replaced, or the breaker is overloaded and is just doing its job.  Either way, it’s time to call the electrician!  If you know what a circuit breaker controls, label it.  Besides being a safety requirement, it’s reassuring to see labels on an electrical panel.  
Details don’t have to be expensive to fix but they can make a difference.   Sometimes it’s the details that reveal the true condition of the home.