With Christmas coming up we would like to know what your favorite holiday dish is?
Answer:
All of the dishes are pretty good but I would have to say that my favorite is Broccoli Casserole. Here is a good recipe that I use.
Ingredients : 2 (10oz) packages frozen chopped broccoli, cooked and drained 1 cup mayonnaise 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated 1 (10 3/4 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup 2 eggs lightly beaten 2 cups crackers, crushed 2 tablespoons melted butter
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 Spray a 13×9 inch baking dish with cooking spray In a large bowl combine broccoli, mayonnaise, cheese, soup and eggs Mix well Place mixture in baking dish Top with crushed crackers and pour melted butter evenly over crackers Bake for 35 minutes or until set and browned [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Holiday Safety
The winter holidays are a time for celebration, and that means more cooking, home decorating, entertaining, and an increased risk of fire and accidents. InterNACHI recommends that you follow these guidelines to help make your holiday season safer and more enjoyable.
Holiday Lighting
Use caution with holiday decorations and, whenever possible, choose those made with flame-resistant, flame-retardant, and non-combustible materials.
Keep candles away from decorations and other combustible materials, and do not use candles to decorate Christmas trees.
Carefully inspect new and previously used light strings, and replace damaged items before plugging lights in. If you have any questions about electrical safety, ask an InterNACHI inspector during your next scheduled inspection. Do not overload extension cords.
Don’t mount lights in any way that can damage the cord’s wire insulation. To hold lights in place, string them through hooks or insulated staples–don’t use nails or tacks. Never pull or tug lights to remove them.
Keep children and pets away from light strings and electrical decorations.
Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.
Make sure all the bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets, or loose connections.
Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground-fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks.
Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.
Decorations
Use only non-combustible and flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel and artificial icicles of plastic and non-leaded metals.
Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down.
In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp and breakable, and keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children.
Avoid trimmings that resemble candy and food that may tempt a young child to put them in his mouth.
Holiday Entertaining
Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. When cooking for holiday visitors, remember to keep an eye on the range.
Provide plenty of large, deep ashtrays, and check them frequently. Cigarette butts can smolder in the trash and cause a fire, so completely douse cigarette butts with water before discarding.
Keep matches and lighters up high, out of sight and reach of children (preferably in a locked cabinet).
Test your smoke alarms, and let guests know what your fire escape plan is.
Trees
When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label “fire-resistant.”
When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches, and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break.
When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces, radiators, and portable heaters. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.
Cut a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood. This allows for better water absorption and will help to keep your tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.
Be sure to keep the stand filled with water, because heated rooms can dry live trees out rapidly.
Make sure the base is steady so the tree won’t tip over easily.
Fireplaces
Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers, and other decorations from the fireplace area. Check to see that the flue is open.
Use care with “fire salts,” which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten.
Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.
Toys and Ornaments
Purchase appropriate toys for the appropriate age. Some toys designed for older children might be dangerous for younger children.
Electric toys should be UL/FM approved.
Toys with sharp points, sharp edges, strings, cords, and parts small enough to be swallowed should not be given to small children.
Place older ornaments and decorations that might be painted with lead paint out of the reach of small children and pets.
Children and Pets
Poinsettias are known to be poisonous to humans and animals, so keep them well out of reach, or avoid having them.
Keep decorations at least 6 inches above the child’s reach.
Avoid using tinsel. It can fall on the floor and a curious child or pet may eat it. This can cause anything from mild distress to death.
Keep any ribbons on gifts and tree ornaments shorter than 7 inches. A child could wrap a longer strand of ribbon around their neck and choke.
Avoid mittens with strings for children. The string can get tangled around the child’s neck and cause them to choke. It is easier to replace a mitten than a child.
Watch children and pets around space heaters or the fireplace. Do not leave a child or pet unattended.
Store scissors and any sharp objects that you use to wrap presents out of your child’s reach.
Inspect wrapped gifts for small decorations, such as candy canes, gingerbread men, and mistletoe berries, all of which are choking hazards.
Security
Use your home burglar alarm system.
If you plan to travel for the holidays, don’t discuss your plans with strangers.
Have a trusted friend or neighbor to keep an eye on your home.
Client Speaks
I was very pleased with the inspection. I would recommend Thornton Home Inspection to anyone. Mr. Thornton took the time to go over everything with me and make recommendations. He is such a nice man. -Susan Swinney
Desmond was prompt for the appointment and quickly provided a detailed report. Our inspection was thorough and revealed some significant issues that saved us from overpaying for a property. -Jean Wen Luce
I am very pleased with the home inspection Desmond did for us. Desmond was very thorough with the inspection, finding problems that needed to be addressed before moving in. I strongly recommend Thornton Home Inspections to anyone that wants a complete home inspection. -Michael Mcgrew
Why get a home inspection when buying an “as is” home?
Answer:
Some sellers – often, those working without an agent – want to sell their home “as is” so they don’t have to invest money fixing it up or take on any potential liability for defects. There is nothing wrong with buying a home “as is,” particularly if you can buy it at a favorable price, but if you are considering buying an “as is” home, you should still hire a competent home inspector to perform an inspection. There are several reasons for this.
First, you don’t know what “as is” is. Sure, you can walk through the home and get an idea of its general condition. You may even spot some defects or items in obvious need of repair. But you won’t obtain the same detailed information you will receive if you hire a home inspector. Home inspectors are trained to look for things you are not likely to notice. InterNACHI inspectors, for example, must follow InterNACHI’s Residential Standards of Practice and check the roof, exterior, interior, foundation, basement, fireplace, attic, insulation, ventilation, doors, windows, heating system, cooling system, plumbing system, and electrical system for certain defects. Armed with a home inspector’s detailed report, you will have a better idea of what “as is” means regarding that home, which means you’ll be in a better position to know whether you want to buy it. You may also be able to use information from the home inspection to negotiate a lower price.
Second, many states require the seller to provide you with written disclosure about the condition of the property. Sellers often provide little information, and a few even lie. A home inspection can provide the missing information. If an inspector finds evidence that a seller concealed information or lied to you, that may be a sign that you don’t want to buy a home from that seller.
Finally, if you buy a home “as is” without hiring a home inspector and then later discover a defect, all is not lost. A home inspector may be able to review the seller’s disclosure and testify as to what the seller knew or should have known about. The inspector may find evidence that the seller made misrepresentations or concealed relevant information from you. Even the seller of an “as is” home may be held liable for misrepresentation or concealment.
But the better choice, obviously, is to hire a home inspector first. Remember: The cost of a home inspection is a pittance compared to the price of the home. Be an informed consumer, especially when buying an “as is” home, and hire an InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector®.
Double-paned window condensation can be a problem here is why.
Condensation is the accumulation of liquid water on relatively cold surfaces.
Almost all air contains water vapor, the gas phase of water composed of tiny water droplets. The molecules in warm air are far apart from one another and allow the containment of a relatively large quantity of water vapor. As the air cools, its molecules get closer together and squeeze the tiny vapor droplets closer together, as well. A critical temperature, known as the dew point, exists where these water droplets will be forced so close together that they merge into visible liquid in a process called condensation.
Double-pane windows have a layer of gas (usually argon or air) trapped between two panes of glass that acts as insulation to reduce heat loss through the window. Other types of gas used in this space have various effects on heat gain or loss through the window. Some windows also have a thin film installed between panes that separates the space between the panes into two spaces, further reducing heat loss and heat gain through the window. If multiple-pane windows appear misty or foggy, it means that the seal protecting the window assembly has failed.
Silica Desiccant
A desiccant is an absorbent material designed to maintain dryness in the space it protects. In a double-paned window, silica pellets inside the aluminum perimeter strip absorb moisture from any incoming air that enters the space between the panes. If not for the silica desiccant, any moisture in the space between the panes would condense on the glass as the glass cools below the dew point temperature.
Silica gel has an immense surface area, approximately 7,200 square feet per gram, which allows it to absorb large amounts of water vapor. As the sealant protecting this space fails over time, increasing amounts of moisture-containing air will enter the space between the panes, and the silica pellets will eventually become saturated and will no longer be able to prevent condensation from forming. A double-paned window that appears foggy or that has visible condensation has failed and needs to be repaired or replaced.
Why Double-Paned Windows Fail: Solar (Thermal) Pumping
Although double-paned windows appear to be stable, they actually experience a daily cycle of expansion and contraction caused by thermal pumping. Sunlight heats the airspace between the panes and causes the gas there to heat up and expand, pressurizing the space between the panes. At night, the window cools and the space between the panes contracts. This motion acts like the bellows of a forge and is called thermal pumping.
Over time, the constant pressure fluctuations caused by thermal pumping will stress the seal. Eventually, the seal will develop small fractures that will slowly grow in size, allowing increasing amounts of infiltration and exfiltration of air from the space between the panes.
Failure Factors
Windows on the sunny side of a home will experience larger temperature swings, resulting in greater amounts of thermal pumping, seal stress, and failure rates.
Vinyl window frames have a higher coefficient of expansion resulting in greater long-term stress on the double-pane assembly, and a higher failure rate. Windows also experience batch failure, which describes production runs of windows, especially vinyl windows, that are defective, meaning that the pane assemblies have been manufactured with seals that have small defects that will cause the window to fail prematurely.
The Nature of Damage
If it’s allowed to continue, window condensation will inevitably lead to irreversible physical window damage. This damage can appear in the following two ways:
river bedding. Condensed vapor between the glass panes will form droplets that run down the length of the window. Water that descends in this fashion has the tendency to follow narrow paths and carve grooves into the glass surface. These grooves are formed in a process similar to canyon formation.
silica haze. Once the silica gel has been saturated, it will be eroded by passing air currents and accumulate as white “snowflakes” on the window surface. It is believed that if this damage is present, the window must be replaced.
Detecting Failure
Condensation is not always visible. If the failure is recent, a failed window may not be obvious, since condensation doesn’t usually form until the window is heated by direct sunlight. Windows in the shade may show no evidence of failure, so inspectors should disclaim responsibility for discovering failed double-paned windows.
Thermal Imaging as a Detection Tool
Under the right conditions, it’s possible to use an infrared (IR) camera to detect failed windows. IR cameras are designed to record differences in temperature.
Recommendations for Failed Windows
According to industry experts, the glazing assembly can be replaced approximately 75% of the time. Occasionally, the sashes must be replaced, and only about 5% of those cases require that the entire window be replaced.
Inspectors should be aware that there are companies that claim to be able to repair misty windows through a process known as “defogging.”
This repair method proceeds in the following order:
A hole is drilled into the window, usually from the outside, and a cleaning solution is sprayed into the air chamber.
The solution and any other moisture are sucked out through a vacuum.
A defogger device is permanently inserted into the hole that will allow the release of moisture during thermal pumping.
Inspectors should know that there is currently a debate as to whether this process is a suitable repair for windows that have failed, or if it merely removes the symptom of this failure. Condensation appears between double-paned windows when the window is compromised, and removal of this water will not fix the seal itself. A window “repaired” in this manner, although absent of condensation, might not provide any additional insulation. This method is still fairly new and opinions about its effectiveness range widely. Regardless, “defogging” certainly allows for cosmetic improvement, which is of some value to homeowners. It may also reduce the potential for damage caused by condensation in the form of mold or rot. Some skepticism exists about the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of this method of repair.
In summary, condensation in double-paned windows indicates that the glazing assembly has failed and needs repair or replacement. Visible condensation can damage glazing and is the main indication of sealant failure.
Client Speaks:
I highly recommend Thornton Home Inspections! All inspections have been stellar; this is the third inspection that they completed for me. We scheduled it in less than two days. Desmond arrived on time, thoroughly inspected the home from top to bottom, provided helpful pictures with explanations, and followed up with a detailed report. He also linked me to helpful companies should I need repairs. I feel like I have a partner for future home purchases and upgrades to my present home. Great Job – excellent value for the price.
– Paula Jeffery Desmond Thornton and his team of professionals provided this first-time homeowner an ideal customer service experience. Inspection was for a home in Cleveland, Tennessee. I received the report on the same day as the inspection. Desmond was my inspector and he provided a detailed and thoughtful report with pictures and diagrams to help me understand the inspection. I was welcomed to join him during the inspection but was unable to, so his detailed report and a warm welcome to call him for further clarification, if needed, at a later time gave me reassurance and peace of mind. Thank you Desmond!
– Audra Highley
Thornton Home Inspections provides the most complete and responsive service we have ever encountered. We have had many inspections done on other homes and his patience, knowledge, and efficient methods are amazing. Hire this GREAT service provider!!!
– Barbara Martin
There can be nothing as exciting as buying your first home. However, buying a home is probably one of the biggest investments that you will make in your lifetime. Therefore, you want to make sure that you buy a home which has been well maintained, suits your needs, is within your budget, and doesn’t need a lot of repairs done to it.
To make sure that buying your first home doesn’t turn a dream into a nightmare, what are some of the most common pitfalls to avoid?
Not knowing your budget
The bank might tell you what they reckon you can afford, however, never stretch yourself financially too much when buying your first home. Avoid the pitfall of not having a budget when looking for your first home. So, work out what your monthly expenses are, minus rent, and then deduct that from income. You now know how much you can afford on purchasing your first home.
Being too choosey
Of course, you will have a list of things that you want from your first home. However, don’t be so inflexible that you can’t decide on anything. Very often, compromises have to be made to get the best home for your budget. Sometimes, it is worth waiting a bit longer to save up some more money.
Not seeing potential
You may not be able to afford your dream home yet, but that doesn’t mean that your first property can’t become your dream home. So, try to see beyond the old wallpaper and bad tiling to see how the property could be fixed up. This may also add value to your property.
Not arranging a home inspection
Home inspections are necessary to make sure that you know exactly what you are buying and what the cost of any future repairs may be. Remember, the roof may be sound just now, but will it need replacing in a year or so? Your home inspection will tell you. Don’t ignore serious flaws in the property that may cause you a major headache in the future.
So, even though buying your first home can be a stressful experience, you can make sure and avoid these pitfalls. In the end, you will have the home of your dreams.
Arranging for a home inspection is one of the biggest investments you can make in your property. As with all investments, there are good ones and bad ones. If you want to make sure that your home inspection pays off, here are 5 mistakes to avoid.
1. Not researching the home inspector
Let’s face it, if you were going to invest money on the stock exchange, you wouldn’t just go to any broker. You would do some research to make sure that your broker will invest your money wisely. The same is true with a home inspector. Make sure that he is highly qualified and comes with solid recommendations and is a member of a recognized home inspectors’ association.
2. Not being at the inspection
Even though you might not understand everything said during the inspection, it’s important to be at your home inspection. This will give the inspector a chance to explain certain things in the report. He may have to ask you some questions regarding certain features of your home.
3. Not reading the report
This may not be your fault because some home inspectors write up complicated reports full of industry jargon. However, you need to take the time to thoroughly read through the report. When looking to hire a home inspector, look for samples of previous reports to find one who writes in a clear and concise way.
4. Not arranging a pre-sale inspection
Before selling your home, it’s important to have a presale inspection carried out. This will give you enough time to fix up anything needing to be done in the home and in the end you will get top dollar for your property.
5. Not preparing the home
Home inspections can take a long time; therefore make it as easy as possible for the home inspector to gain access to all areas of the home. If there are repairs that need to be carried out, make sure and hire a professional. This will reduce the need for repeat inspections in the future.
1. Peace of mind. Thornton Home Inspections will provide you with a complete understanding of the condition of the house and help you in making an informed decision whether to buy or not.
2. Risk vs. Reward. A professional home inspection will usually cost a few hundred dollars, but it could end up saving you thousands. It is better to be safe than sorry. It’s far better to spend a few hundred dollars on the home inspection, rather than hoping for the best and ending up with a home you aren’t satisfied with.
3. Maintenance Tips. Your Home inspector has years of experience and a wealth of knowledge. Use this resource to its fullest, ask questions. Your Home Inspector will gladly offer tips, maintenance ideas, and advice on repairs.
4. Pests and insects. Pests such as termites and rats can cause terrible damage to a home. The house you are eyeing may look appealing from the street but underneath it all, these unwelcome guests could be doing thousands of dollars worth of damage.
5. Structural Issues. Structural issues can be very expensive to fix, and without the trained eyes of a Home Inspector, its very easy to overlook the problem that will end up costing you more than you planned.
6. Safety. Bypassing a home inspection is a financial gamble but its also a choice that could lead to more serious consequences. A faulty electrical system that is ignored could easily turn into a fire hazard. A leaking faucet could turn into a hidden mold, causing health problems.
7. Negotiating power. Thornton Home Inspections can provide you with a full detailed report outlining any issues with the home. With this report, you can negotiate with the seller to either fix any issues or adjust the price accordingly.
8. To buy or not to buy? Your home inspection may reveal more problems than you had initially expected. With the knowledge we will provide you, you can make an informed decision.
9. Future costs. Knowing the problems that the house has, before buying, will give you a good idea of any costs you may have to deal with in the future.
10. Knowledge is power. Many people are electing to own investment properties. If you are purchasing your first home, having all the information about your future home is important. The home inspection that we will conduct, will not only provide the necessary information, it will also help you with any future home purchases.
