J. Gregory Home Inspections
  • Home
  • Services
    • General Home Inspections
    • Pre-Listing Inspections
    • Condo & Town Home Inspections
    • Wind Mitigation
    • 4-Point Inspections
    • New Construction Inspections
  • The Inspector
  • Pricing
  • Contact
  • Sample Report
  • Articles
  • Our Response to COVID-19
  • Home
  • Services
    • General Home Inspections
    • Pre-Listing Inspections
    • Condo & Town Home Inspections
    • Wind Mitigation
    • 4-Point Inspections
    • New Construction Inspections
  • The Inspector
  • Pricing
  • Contact
  • Sample Report
  • Articles
  • Our Response to COVID-19
Search

articles

Picture

benefits of thermal imaging

1/22/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
J. Gregory Home Inspections uses the latest technology the home inspection industry has to offer, thermal imaging. Our thermal imaging service comes free with every General Home Inspection which is not offered by many of our competitors. 

Thermal imaging is a non-invasive, non-destructive way of evaluating conditions below the surface. Because everything from faulty wiring to the presence of termites to microbial growth to wet insulation affects the surrounding temperature, heat-sensitive photography can reveal these and other issues that just cannot be seen by the naked eye or with conventional or digital photography. In providing thermal imaging reports we can document a hidden fault for corrective action or to prioritize repairs. For an energy audit we can show exactly where cold air is entering the home or heat is being lost, along with energy dollars. We are also able to document the safety of a property by revealing dangerous electrical hot spots or the presence of harmful microbial growths. Thermal photography lets us deliver a more thorough and in-depth report to our clients when we can show them what lies beneath the surface.


​
Picture
J. Gregory Home Inspections is Infrared Imaging certified through the international Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI). ​
0 Comments

When Aluminum Wiring Is Found During A Home Inspection

12/9/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
As a licensed home inspector, I've found single strand aluminum wiring in older homes located in Pensacola, FL. Single strand aluminum wiring was typically used in homes built between 1965 to 1973. Copper wiring was replaced with aluminum during this time mainly because it was cheaper. Years after it was introduced as a new, less expensive product, electricians began to notice the aluminum metal, when exposed to the elements, became brittle, causing the homes electrical system to overheat and in some cases, cause fires. Many insurance companies will not cover homes with single strand aluminum wiring. This can be problematic for both sellers and buyers. As a home inspector, I instruct my clients to consult with their insurance company first to determine if they will cover the home, if in fact aluminum wiring is found during the inspection. The client should also consult with a licensed electrical contractor who is an expert on this matter to further evaluate and correct problem. 
0 Comments

Electrical Home Inspection Navarre, FL

12/1/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Home Inspection; Electrical 
Having a home inspection preformed on your new home purchase in Navarre, FL can make anyone feel nervous about potentially killing the deal over costly repairs or worse, safety issues that could be found during the inspection. This is ok, it's not the last home left on earth and you certainly don't want to live in a home with issues that could put you and your family in danger right?

As an inspector, when I think about safety issues in a home, electricity comes to mind, especially when talking about older homes 20 years or older. Over a period of time, homeowners sometimes take it upon themselves to add or repair electrical components in their home in hopes of saving money rather than hiring a licensed electrical contractor to preform the work. Doing this kind of work yourself could put you or any future homeowner in danger. 

Amateur electrical work could have the potential of causing fires from short circuits or electrical overloading and better yet, electrocution.


What's Inspected?
A home inspection is limited and non-evasive. We can't see through walls, concrete foundations or attic insulation. Much of the electrical wiring/components during the inspection will be unseen by the inspector. Here's what we are able to inspect;
  • Electrical service panels and sub panels
  • Breakers
  • GFCI's
  • Service entrance lines
  • Electrical outlets
  • Lighting
  • Fuses
  • Knob and tube wiring
  • aluminum wiring
  • etc...

​For more information about home inspections visit us at our homepage or call us today at 850-396-6054.
0 Comments

Buying a home in navarre, FL? what you need to know about the home inspection process

11/27/2017

0 Comments

 
Home Inspection in Navarre, FL
Home Inspection Process
The home inspection process can feel confusing right? If someone asked me about anything related to the medical field, I wouldn't have a clue where to start. You've found your dream home and you tell the realtor you want to put in an offer. The offer then gets accepted. Now your realtor says you should get a home inspection preformed on the property. Wait, what? A home inspection? Many first time home buyers don't have a clue what this is but it's OK! Many home buyers don't. After they've come accustomed to the fact they should have one, it's even more difficult to interpret what was found during the inspection and how severe the issues are. This is where J. Gregory Home Inspections stands out from many other companies. We like to hear questions from our clients about what's in the report. We always tell them "if you have any questions just ask". 

Many homes in the Navarre, FL area, that we inspect, are around 20 years old or newer. This is good because you may not see as many problems as you would in homes that are 25 years and older which would require a 4-point inspection from most lenders or insurance companies. This is probably a good reason why homes in Navarre are more expensive than the surrounding areas.
Inspection Timeline Process
  • You're told you need a home inspection.
  • You're given a 7-10 day inspection window.
  • You call J. Gregory Home Inspections or visit our website to schedule an inspection.
  • We inspect the home and, in most cases, deliver your report by email the same day.
  • We go over the report together over the phone or at the inspection.
  • You take the information within the report to make a sound decision about your new home purchase.

For more information about home inspections, visit us at our homepage or call us today at 850-396-6054.
0 Comments

4 major defects found during home inspections

11/14/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Often times while preforming a home inspections in Pensacola, FL and surrounding areas, we find minor defects ranging from an interior door not opening and shutting properly to ceiling fans that don't work. Sometimes we find major defects. These defects can be safety issues with electrical components or material defects in the structure that can be costly. I would like to go over 4 of these major defects and explain why it's important to our clients when these issues are found.
  1. Foundation; foundation issues such as large cracks due to separation are by far one of the most expensive repairs especially when it comes to concrete foundations. Crawlspace foundations consist of wood/concrete piers, wood girders,and floor joist which is mostly found in older homes. Sometimes I will find over stressed wood components or poor workmanship.
  2. Electrical; this is one of the major safety issues I find in many older homes. When most of these homes were built, building codes were not enforced like they are today. I would find amateur wiring done by past homeowners (which is very unsafe). Sometimes I would find electrical components that were recalled many years ago still being used. 
  3. Roof; a home's roof protects the interior from outside weather elements. It's one of the most important component of a home. A simple roof leak can create unseen costly damage to the interior
  4. Plumbing; I notice sometimes homeowners would temporarily "fix" leaks thinking it's permanent. Plumbing leaks can also cause damage resulting in expensive repairs.

0 Comments

Child-Proofing Windows and Stairs

11/8/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture

The number one hazard for children is falls, which are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries in the U.S. for this age group.  About 8,000 youngsters wind up in emergency rooms every day for injuries related to falling, adding up to almost 2.8 million per year.  With those statistics in mind, it is worth looking at what can be done to prevent such injuries in the home. If you're looking to buy a home in Pensacola and the surrounding areas, We at J. Gregory Home Inspections can help look for items that could pose as a safety risk to you and your family during our home inspections.

In trying to fathom how so many children can be injured on a daily basis from something as simple as slipping and falling, we need to consider an important factor, which is height.  Oftentimes, when observing small children at play, we are amazed at their dexterity and ability to take what looks like a fairly serious tumble and hop right back up, unfazed.  Likewise, a slip or fall for most adults, more often than not, leads to little more than a poorly chosen expletive being uttered.  However, imagine a small child falling a distance equivalent to the average height of an adult, and we begin to see where the danger lies.  With this to consider, let’s closer look at two of the most important areas to childproof in a home: windows and staircases.

 STAIRCASES
​

The first thing that probably comes to mind when examining child safety in relation to stairways and staircases is a safety gate, and with good reason: falling down stairs can be a serious hazard for an infant or toddler who is just learning to navigate his or her surroundings. When properly installed, high-quality safety gates can help eliminate this possibility. 


​
Picture

​Safety Gates ​
​
A safety gate is a gate that is temporarily installed in a door or stairway.  It allows adults to unlock and pass, but small children will be unable to open it.  There are two basic types of gates which differ in the way they are installed.  The first type is a pressure-mounted gate.  These safety gates are fixed in place by pressure against walls or a doorway.  They can be used in doorways between rooms, such as for keeping crawling babies out of a kitchen during cooking, but they are not suitable for keeping kids out of other areas, such as the top of a stairway, where falling could be a risk. 
The other type of safety gate, which is recommended specifically for stairways, is hardware-mounted.  These gates will mount solidly in place with screws but are still easily removable for times when they are unnecessary.  A hardware-mounted safety gate will prevent small children from entering stairways where accidents could occur.
When choosing a safety gate, you can refer to established ASTM standards for these products, and some manufacturers also participate in a certification program administered by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association.  Any gate you choose should meet the ASTM standards, which will ensure that the gate itself poses no hazard to the child.  Products that comply with these standards will have a sticker on the packaging or on the unit itself. 

Railings 

For parents of children who have outgrown the need for safety gates but are still small and curious, especially those prone to climbing on things, baluster spacing on the handrail becomes a concern.  An InterNACHI inspector knows that a stairway with four or more risers should have a continuous handrail not lower than 34 inches or taller than 38 inches on at least one side, with balustrades not more than 4 inches apart from each other.  If you have spaces between vertical rails or risers that will allow an object larger than 4 inches to pass between them, they should be reported during an inspection as in need of repair because they pose a risk to a child who tries to climb on the rail or gets stuck between them.
Picture
Picture
​WINDOWS
 
If the dangers associated with falling are compounded by the height of the fall, then windows can present an even greater concern than stairways.  It is estimated that more than 4,000 children are treated every year in emergency rooms for injuries sustained by falling from windows.  There have been at least 120 such deaths reported since 1990.  Risk of injury from window-related accidents in the home can be minimized by addressing
several common issues.
Picture
The first thing and simplest thing to do is to ensure that there is no furniture situated in areas that would make it easy for a child to reach and open or close a window.  Any furniture a child could potentially climb on should be moved away from windows. 

​Latches, Stops and Guards
 
As children begin to grow to heights where they may be able to access windows from a standing position, it is important to install secure, child-proof latches.  There are many types of window latches that, similar to safety gates, will allow an adult to easily open and close windows, but will prevent kids from doing the same. Also available are window stops, which will not allow the window to be opened wider than a pre-determined width.  The recommended opening, similar to balustrade spacing, should not exceed 4 inches.  This eliminates the possibility of a child or one of his limbs to pass through.  These stops are easily removable by an adult whenever necessary. 
​
An additional option to consider is a window guard.  A window guard can be vertical or horizontal.  It attaches to a frame and can be removed by an adult, but will deter a child.  Guards have some form of bars or beams across them, which should be no more than 4 inches apart.  Window guards maintain the functionality of the window while ensuring a child’s safety while the window is open.  However, even with a guard installed, kids should not be allowed to play around windows, whether they are open or closed.  Try to open windows only from the top, if possible.  And never rely on window screens to keep a child from falling, as that is not the function they are designed for.
 
With some foresight, a few clever and fairly inexpensive products, and proper adherence to building codes, the risk of injury from falling can be successfully minimized.  Your InterNACHI inspector can assess the safety issues in your home, and advise you on the most effective childproofing measures to keep your family safe.
0 Comments

How to Negotiate Repairs After a Home Inspection: Haggling Tips for Buyers

10/31/2017

0 Comments

 
HOW TO NEGOTIATE REPAIRS AFTER A HOME INSPECTION
When buying a home in Pensacola, FL you will most likely be told by your realtor agent to get a home inspection. After the inspection, you'll get the report with issues or problems found by the inspector. Some of these problems could cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars but, this is the home you really want, no matter what. There's only one thing left to do. Negotiate! Some sales may have a repair cost allowance and some home may be an "AS-IS" sale because the seller doesn't have the extra money to do the repairs. In this case you could negotiate the sale price to help cover the cost of repairs. Some sellers are willing to do this because the house may have been on the market for a long period of time or they need to rush the sale because of unforeseen circumstances.
Here are several ways you can negotiate repairs:
  1. Ask the seller to drop the asking price
  2. Ask the seller to pay for some repairs and drop the asking price
  3. Ask the seller to pay for all the repairs
  4. Ask the seller to pay for major repairs
  5. Ask the seller to pay for minor repairs
The seller may not agree to any of these listed above but, you will need to decide what is in your best interests. 
0 Comments

How To prepare for a home inpsection

10/24/2017

0 Comments

 
Preparing for a home inspection for a home you bought in Navarre, FL or surrounding community is essential. Home inspections are limited and non-evasive which means our SOP (standard of practice) requires us to NOT to move anything. It's a liability in the inspection industry. So, I've compiled a few tips for you to prepare for a home inspection before the inspector arrives.
  1. If the home is occupied, move furniture and/or items like boxes away from walls so any defects or electrical outlets can be accessible.
  2. Clear out any items under kitchen and bathroom sinks so the plumbing can be visible.
  3. Move any items that could block the water heater from being accessible.
  4. Clear away items that could block any electrical panels.
  5. Move furniture blocking windows from being accessible.
  6. Items along the walls in a garage should be moved.
  7. Items that could block the attic access.
  8. Vehicles in the driveway should be moved.
  9. Items that could prevent access into a room.
  10. Make sure all utilities are turned on before the inspection.
Any of these listed above are important. This helps the inspection process go smoothly.
0 Comments

Why choose J. Gregory Home Inspections?

10/20/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Choosing a Home Inspector
Choosing the right home inspector in Gulf Breeze, FL and surrounding areas can be difficult. There seems to be so many out there but finding the right one can mean the difference between finding issues associated with the home you're trying to purchase. Many inspection companies describe themselves in similar ways which makes it hard for people to pick which one they want to hire. Some inspectors are thought to be in "cahoots" with the realtor agent because the realtor referred them to the client and then the client finds issues that could've easily been seen by the inspector after moving in. 

J. Gregory Home Inspections is unbiased and honest. We do not work for realtor agents. We work for our clients. This is what sets us out from the others. Buying a home is one of the most important investments in life and our clients deserve to know what's wrong with the home they're buying. 

We like for our clients to be present for the inspection (unlike most inspectors) so they can ask questions or the inspector can explain to the client what he has found. Many issues found during an inspection can be hard for the client to figure out the severity of the problem and this is what we're for.

​
0 Comments

Home maintenance: 6 reasons why it's a priority

10/19/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
​While performing home inspections and 4 Point Inspections in and around Pensacola, FL the biggest problem I find with home inspection issues are, the total lack of past home maintenance. This is a problem, a BIG problem especially if you plan on the resale of your home in the future.  I think the reason for the lack of home maintenance is simply because the homeowner doesn't realize how important it really is. People believe a home will maintain it's itself but in reality it will not. Iv'e made a list of items found within a home that should be prioritized annually. Here they are:

  1. Roof; the roof is one of the most important components of a home to keep maintained. It helps keep water out of the home. If water gets inside of the home, you'll be paying for a lot more than just a roof. But, a new roof is expensive right? Even if you notice a leak, this doesn't mean you need a new roof. Maybe a simple repair is all that's needed. Always hire a roofing contractor to do repairs. NEVER do roof repairs yourself. You don't want to risk getting hurt.                                                  
  2. Exterior Siding; This is just as important as the roof. It keeps out water, wind, dirt, insects, etc...Most brick homes maintain themselves but wood, vinyl, cement board, and paint need some TLC from time to time. Wood can rot from excessive moister or from wood destroying organisms. Vinyl can dry rot from excessive years in the sun. Paint chips or peels, exposing unprotected siding material.                                           
  3. Windows; Just like siding and the roof, it helps protect from outside elements. Seals around windows can dry rot after many years causing moisture to enter between double pane window panels, making it look fogged. This is a good way to loose energy efficiency.
  4. Plumbing; look periodically for leaks under bathroom and kitchen sinks and in the laundry room behind the washer or around visible plumbing around the water heater. If leaks are not repaired you could be looking at expensive repairs in the future.
  5. Electrical; listen for a weird buzzing or popping noises coming from the electrical panel or noises coming from light fixtures when turning them on or off.
  6. Tree Limbs; branches overhanging the roof could eventually damage the roofing material or siding.

Always have a licensed contractor preform any maintenance on your home. Never do this on your own to prevent injuring yourself of others.
0 Comments

    Author

    J.Gregory Home Inspections

    Archives

    January 2019
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All

SITE MENU
Home >
General Home Inspections >
Condo Inspections >
Wind Mitigation >
4-Point Inspections >
Pre-Listing Inspections >
​New Construction Inspections >
The Inspector >
Pricing >
Contact >
Sample Report >
Articles >

Picture

​JOSH GREGORY,
FLORIDA LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR
License # HI10393

​Phone:  (850) 396-6054
Email: jgregoryinspections@gmail.com
Mailing address: 6473 Arbor Ln. Gulf Breeze, FL 32563
  • Home
  • Services
    • General Home Inspections
    • Pre-Listing Inspections
    • Condo & Town Home Inspections
    • Wind Mitigation
    • 4-Point Inspections
    • New Construction Inspections
  • The Inspector
  • Pricing
  • Contact
  • Sample Report
  • Articles
  • Our Response to COVID-19