Glass front with black soot. 

Let me explain the property is supplied with propane gas and I new this fireplace should be using that fuel to burn. When I opened up the lower portion of the fire place I found no indications that the gas valve was converted from Natural Gas to Propane Gas. Let me explain all manufactures make and ship there products set up for Natural gas and when the builder, contractor or even end user purchase and install the products in the home they have to purchase a conversion kit to change the gas valve so it can burn the right fuel. Well way in the back of the fireplace under 15yrs of dirt I found a tag which said the unit was for natural gas.            

                                                                                                  Tag Under fireplace

This troubled me for two reasons, First the other Inspection company missed this item for the previous buyer, but more importantly was that the current home owner was living this way for the past 15yrs.  The home owner was very lucky because this is a very dangerous situation not only from the soot but the gas valve could have cracked and caused gas to leak out into the home and if the conditions were right it could have exploded. I did notify all of the parties involved that I   was turning off the fireplace and gas valve and that this should fixed right away.

When you find your dream home, make sure that you get a thorough home inspection from the Most trusted Delaware Home Inspector, Ted Hinderer of Quality Home Inspections, he serves New Castle, Kent and Sussex Counties. Schedule online or give us a Call today at 302-893-1364 for a thorough home inspection.           We won’t let you buy the money pit.

We create Peace of Mind ONE Home Inspection at a time!

Services Provided:

General Home Inspection
Radon
Termite
Well Water Testing
Spa

Hundreds of cars on the general show field will reflect the variety of makes and models that are a part of automotive history. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission was $12 for a family, $5 for adults, $3 for children 6 to 14, free for children under 6. This year they are reduced but they aren’t publishing them. Parking for the show is at the DuPont Company’s Barley Mill Plaza at the intersection of Routes 141 and 48 with shuttle bus service to Hagley.

For more information Vist: http://www.hagley.lib.de.us/events.html

Watch local artists carve huge pumpkins (5-9PM). See candle-lit carved pumpkins Fri.-Sat (5-9PM). All Three nights of family fun, food, live music and hayrides! General Admission: $5 adults 18 & older, $3 for attendees 7-17, free for children 6 and under. Parking in the meadow just past the Chadds Ford Historical Society barn. The Carve is on the Historical Society grounds.

Shannon S

Dover DE

Staining your deck is one of the best ways to protect your investment from the elements, keep it looking nice and make it easier to maintain. However, professional results don’t rely simply on laying down a coat or two of stain – any deck project should start with proper cleaning and preparation. And, while you may want a perfectly sunny weekend to stain your deck, prepping can be done at any time. Below are simple steps to help achieve great-looking results that last:

Gather your tools and materials. Plan to have the following within reach as you prep your deck:
* Broom or leaf blower
* Ladder (for decks off ground)
* Rags
* Tarps
* Buckets for mixing
* Synthetic brushes (2 to 4 inches)
* Rollers
* Long handles for rollers
* Roller frames and roller grids
* Cleaning product. Flood wood care offers wood cleaning and stripping products to help clean and brighten surfaces dulled and grayed by the sun, dirt and rain.

Check your surfaces. To ensure your deck is both safe and beautiful, be sure to inspect the area for bad wood, dry rot, loose nails, loose spindles and broken boards. Replace boards as needed and secure any loose nails and spindles.

Prepare yourself, the deck and the surrounding area. Make sure you take all safety precautions before embarking on your deck cleaning project. Wear gloves, safety glasses and old clothing – shorts are not recommended. Before starting, cover any areas you want to protect, wet down plants and shrubs, and wet your deck surface with water.

Clean, scrub and renew. Work the cleaner into the wood, working from the bottom up to reduce streaking. Be sure to keep the surface wet with water and let the wood cleaner stand for 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing. Once cleaned, wood should dry for at least 48 hours before applying stain.

The cleaning process for an average-sized (300 to 500 square feet) deck should take approximately five to six hours. And, since Mother Nature won’t harm your work, cleaning can be done on a gloomy day. A properly cleaned deck should be stained within 30 days. After 30 days, a light cleaning with bleach and water before staining will do the trick. 

When you find your dream home, make sure that you get a thorough home inspection from the Most trusted Delaware Home Inspector, Ted Hinderer of Quality Home Inspections, he serves New Castle, Kent and Sussex Counties.

 Schedule online or give us a Call today at
302-893-1364 for a thorough home inspection. We won’t let you buy the money pit.

We create Peace of Mind ONE Home Inspection at a time!

Services Provided:

General Home Inspection
Radon
Termite
Well Water Testing
Spa

Termites, which are found in every state except Alaska, live in colonies that eat continuously. These wood-destroying pests eat homes from the inside out, making their presence difficult to detect. Termites annually cause more than $5 billion in damage, and the destruction termites cause is not normally covered by homeowners insurance, leaving owners to pay an average of $3,000 in out-of-pocket costs for repairs, according to Terminix.

“In most cases, it’s easy to tell when a house is in need of repair. Either the paint is chipping or the roof is leaking. But that’s not usually the case with termite activity,” says Paul Curtis, a Terminix entomologist. “Because termites are often active in the least visible areas of a home, it can be difficult for the homeowner to tell whether they have a termite problem or not.”

Usually, homeowners will only be able to tell they have a termite infestation during swarm season. That’s when winged, reproductive termites leave their colonies and establish new ones.

A swarm can be identified by the large number of flying termites and by the discarded wings they often leave near doors and windows.

“Termites do not discriminate. They eat wooden framing, support beams and the wood flooring inside your home the same way they would a tree in the forest,” Curtis says.

While swarming only takes place during certain times of the year, termite colonies never stop eating, even to rest or sleep. Unless evidence of a swarm is discovered, or damage is severe enough to be noticed, a trained professional will most likely be required to identify the presence of termites within a home.

Although eliminating termites requires the help of a trained professional, homeowners can take the following proactive steps to make their homes less inviting to these wood-destroying pests:

1. Fix the roof or plumbing leaks. The moisture from these allows termites to survive above ground.

2. Clean and repair gutters. Gutters that do not drain properly can allow water to accumulate near the foundation.

3. Eliminate wood-to-soil contact. Any wood that simultaneously touches the soil and the home can provide termites with direct access to the structure.

4. Keep mulch or soil from being piled against the home’s siding. Soil or mulch allowed to pile up against the home can hide termite activity.

5. Avoid storing items in the crawlspace. Pieces of scrap lumber, boxes or even books can serve as a food source for termites.

6. Maintain adequate ventilation in crawlspaces. Termites prefer moist conditions. Eliminating moisture can help make the environment less suitable to them.

7. Use a mesh screen on all windows, doors and ventilation openings. Screening will help prevent winged termites from entering the home.

8. Schedule an annual inspection with a trained professional. Prompt treatment and regular inspections can save thousands of dollars in damage repair.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

When you find your dream home, make sure that you get a thorough home inspection from the Most trusted Delaware Home Inspector, Ted Hinderer of Quality Home Inspections, he serves New Castle, Kent and Sussex Counties. Schedule online or give us a Call today at 302-893-1364 for a thorough home inspection. We won’t let you buy the money pit.

We create Peace of Mind ONE Home Inspection at a time!

Services Provided:

General Home Inspection
Radon
Termite
Well Water Testing
Spa

Get ready for an evening of oohs and ahhs, as Longwood presents spectacular fireworks and fountains shows guaranteed to make your summer memorable.
This year, relive the British Invasion and celebrate one of the most popular groups of all time in Ladies & Gentlemen . . . The Beatles .

Favorite American classics come to life in Gershwin Gala , featuring the unforgettable works of George Gershwin, including selections from An American in Paris, Porgy & Bess and Rhapsody in Blue.

Finally, salute America and Longwood founder Pierre S. du Pont with Founder’s Favorites, a dazzling program featuring an eclectic mix of patriotic, organ and classical music.

For information about the event, schedule, tickets, etc., click the Link

For information about the event, artists, schedule, tickets, etc., click to the Festival Web site.