Frederick Md Homes For Sale – The Historic District

Before enjoying the warmth of a cozy fire this winter, it’s a good idea to have a chimney inspection performed, especially if the chimney hasn’t been cleaned in a while. Creosote is a combustible deposit left behind as wood smoke condenses from a blazing fire. Over time, the creosote build-up can restrict airflow, creating even more deposits. This process can damage the fireplace chimney. Creosote build-up is also a major cause of chimney fires.

Upon requesting an inspection, the chimney inspector comes prepared to visually inspect the inside of the chimney using special lighting. In recent years, higher levels of inspections have included the use of chimney inspection cameras, called video scanners. They are designed to record imagery from inside the chimney, documenting the interior condition and highlighting defects or problem areas. The camera system can also be used after the chimney has been cleaned to ensure there is no residue left behind.

Once the inspector determines the scope of the work, they use rods, wire brushes, and high-powered vacuum systems to remove creosote and soot along walls, from corners, ledges and other hard-to-reach areas.

In cases in which creosote has hardened and can’t be swept away, a chemical may be applies to the glaze to break it down. After allowing several days for the chemicals to process, the inspector will return to vacuum out the deposits that remain. During the last visit, the inspector will apply a chemical neutralizer and perform a final sweep.

Categories of Chimney Inspections

According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), inspections can fall into one of three categories. A level-one chimney inspection includes a visual check of the fireplace and chimney using extra illumination, but not requiring a trip up to the roof. The inspector will be looking for creosote build-up, soot, chimney damage or obstructions from animal nests or other debris. I the chimney needs cleaning, an inspector can perform the action during the visit for a cost of $100 to $200.

A level-two chimney inspection might be considered in cases of earthquake or other dramatic weather conditions, or if the home has been recently purchased. In these cases, the inspector will include a visit to the roof, attic or crawl space to check conditions, and will utilize scanning equipment and other tools. If feasible, the chimney can be cleaned at the same time, or another visit can be scheduled for additional clean-up. A level-two inspection can range from $200 to $500.

A level-three inspection might be necessary when major damage has been done to a chimney — for example in cases of a chimney fire. It can involve tearing down and replacing parts of the chimney, and may cost from $1000 to $5000.

~ A Guest Post from Home Inspector David Goldberg

David Goldberg –   Home Inspector

phone:   301-913-9213
fax:   301-774-4554
Reliable Home Services, Inc.
PO Box 5159
Laytonsville, MD  20882
ASHI Member #101584
MD License #29322

*                   *                   *                   *                   *
If You have a remodeling project in mind, contact us for a list of professionals we™re proud to recommend

The Highland Group
8923 Fingerboard Road
Frederick Md   21704
301-831-9947 Direct
301-831-8232 Broker

Frederick Md Real Estate Market Reports provided by The Highland Group
Statistics for July 2011 have been published by MRIS*.
Here are the highlights for 21701 in the city of  Frederick:

There are currently 246 active listings in the zip code, representing roughly a 5-6 month inventory.      Sellers got  92% of list price on average, compared to 92% last year.   13% of sales last month were cash deals. A normal market is 7-9% cash deals.

______________________________________________________

*All statistics are gathered from the MRIS, Metropolitan Regional Information System, and while accurate, are not guaranteed.                                          

 See other Frederick Real Estate Market Reports for comparison.

_____________________________________________________________

The Highland  Group
Chris & Karen Highland *        301-831-9947
Turning Point Real Estate “ 301-831-8232
email us: karen@allthingsfrederick.com
Text Us: 301-401-5119

Whether you decide to have a home energy audit or not, there are many things you can do to curb your home’s energy consumption.

• A smart strip eliminates “vampire” energy, the energy devices use when they are switched off.   About $30, a smart strip plugs into the wall and works as a surge protector, but also cuts the power to devices when they are shut off.
  
• Insulation around doors and windows can become worn and have gaps.   Check them periodically and repare with caulk.
  
• Wrap pipes and water heaters with foam wrapping.   Water heaters and exposed  are usually in basements, where the air is cooler, so they have to work harder to maintain their high temperatures.   Insulation around them will help them work less.
  
• A programmable thermostat will regulate your use of air conditioning in summer and heatin in winter.
  
• You can save about 10% a year on energy bills by lowering your thermostat by 10% for a minimum of 8 hours a day.

Small Changes, Savings Add Up

• Replace incandescent light bulbs with flourescent or LED bulbs.
  
• Install low-flow fauces with an aerator.
  
• Dust off the coils under your refregerator regularly to keep it from working so hard to stay cool.
  
• Put thicker curtains around windows in summer to keep out the sun.

Helpful Sites:

Microsoft – Hohm     Also from Microsoft hohm:   How to Install a Programmable Thermostat

Alliance to Save Energy

___________________________________________________________

The Highland  Group “ Real Estate Teams
Chris & Karen Highland *        301-831-9947
                                                              Real Estate Teams, LLC
email us: isell4u2@msn.com
TEXT US:   301-401-5119

The average household will spend approximately $2,140 on energy consumption this year, according to the  Alliance to Save Energy.   A home energy audit will show you how you can save money on your energy bill by pointing out the areas in your home that are lacking efficiency and wasting energy.

The cost of a professional energy audit is somewhere between $200 and $400.   You can get a reference from the Alliance to Save Energy, or you can contact your electric company.   If you can save $100 to $200 a year in energy costs, its well worth the money to have an audit.

You can also do your own DIY Home Energy Audit.   For about $200 you can purchase a home power monitor and connect it to your circuit breaker.   The monitor records and calculates the cost of electricity.   The Energy Detective is one such device.  

Another alternative is a kilowatt meter, about $30,  which measures the energy use of any device plugged into it.

Whether or not you want to pay for an energy audit, there are several things you can do to save on your energy consumption.

Don’t forget, many energy-efficient upgrades and renovations to are good for tax credits.

Next post:   Curb Your Energy Consumption, and Save.

___________________________________________________________

The Highland  Group “ Real Estate Teams
Chris & Karen Highland *        301-831-9947
Real Estate Teams, LLC
email us: isell4u2@msn.com
TEXT US:   301-401-5119

Question:   Would it make sense to istall GFCI’s in a nursery or children’s room?

Answer:   Any extra safety that can be provided in a home is always a good idea.   A GFCI can protect infants and children the same way it protects the rest of the family, by interrupting the flow of electricity.

“GFCI” is short-hand for ground fault circuit interrupter, an inexpensive electrical device that protects people from severe or fatal electric shocks.   GFCI’s can also prevent some electrical fires and reduce the severity of others, because they are designed to interrupt the flow of electric current.

How does a GFCI work?   When an unintended electric path is created between a source of current and a grounded surface (think plugged-in toaster and knife in your hand), an unpleasant and dangerous situation can occur.   A mild or severe shock, burn or electrocution can occur if a human body provides a path for electric current to flow to the ground.

This unintentional path is called a “ground-fault”.   Ground faults occur when current is leaking somewhere — in effect electricity is escaping to the ground.

How can a GFCI prevent damage to people and possessions?   The GFCI constantly monitors electricity flowing in a circuit, to sense any loss of current.   If the current flowing through the circuit differs by a small amount from the amount of the current returning (denoting a leak), the GFCI quickly switches off power to that circuit.   The GFCI interrupts power faster than a blink of an eye to prevent a lethal dose of electricity.   It is possible someone might still receive a painful shock from the leak, but would probably not receive a serious shock injury.

Where is it most important to install a GFCI?   Rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms are important sites for the installation of GFCI.   Water containing ions and gases (the kind of water found in residential homes) provides good electrical conduction, putting families at higher risk for shock or electrocution in these rooms.   Other important locations for GFCI’s include the laundry room, garage and outside circuits.

There are several types of GFCI’s to choose from, including circuit-breaker types and even portables that can be plugged into a receptacle, then, and electrical product is plugged into the GFCI.

David Goldberg   –   Home Inspector  

                                                                                                                                       
phone:      301-913-9213                
fax:   301-774-4554                                                                              
Reliable Home Services, Inc.
           PO Box 5159
   Laytonsville, MD  20882
 ASHI Member #101584
    MD License #29322                                                        

                                          *                   *                   *                   *                   *
If You have a remodeling project in mind, contact us for a list of professionals we™re proud to recommend.

Q.   What Might Cause Standing Water in My Yard?

A.   If your yard, or some portion of it, remains wet and soggy for extended periods (24 hours)  after a rain shower, it probably means the natural drainage ways have been blocked and have settled, and there isn’t enough grade in your yard to allow water to drain properly.

Most yards were originally graded so that water was able to flow from the front of the home to the street and from the back of the home into a ditch or storm sewer.   Patios, walkways, mounds of mulch or planted beds, and even trees can add to the raising of the ground surface.

If this is the case, you may need to consider installing subsurface drainage around your yard.   In addition, you should take a good look at the landscaping around your home.   Many homeowners who like a manicured yard are often tempted to mound mulch in plant beds, around trees and against their home’s foundation, for aesthetic purposes, as well as keeping away weeds or undesirable ground cover.   How could this affect your yard’s drainage?

Unfortunately, this practice may produce the unintended result of encouraging water to pool in different areas of the yard.   If water pools around the foundation, it can cause considerable damage to the home.

The fill around your home should be compacted and graded to slope away from the home for a minimum of ten feet, making the ground six inches lower than the ground surface at the house wall.   This will drain surface water away from the wall and help prevent wter from standing against the wall.   Planting and mulching around outside walls should be done carefully to preserve drainage away from the wall.

Following these tips can lead to a dryer yard and a dryer home.

David Goldberg   –   Home Inspector  

                                                                                                                                       
phone:      301-913-9213                
fax:   301-774-4554                                                                              
Reliable Home Services, Inc.
           PO Box 5159
   Laytonsville, MD  20882
 ASHI Member #101584
    MD License #29322                                                        

                                          *                   *                   *                   *                   *
If You have a remodeling project in mind, contact us for a list of professionals we™re proud to recommend.