Home Safety & Maintenance Checklist

The goal of our Home Checklist is to help you with annual maintenance and to help you know what to look for when maintenance is needed. We perform a complete inspection of the areas that are hard to reach or that you can't see from the ground.

Using this checklist can save you from dealing with possible very expensive problems like foundation repairs, wood rot and mold or roach infestations.

Our inspection will give you peace of mind that your roof, gutters, trim and siding are not failed or only partially functioning.

Gutters: 

• Should be clear of debris and not overflowing.
• Gutters should be cleaned regularly - in areas with trees in close proximity the gutters may need to be cleaned 1 time in the spring and two or three times with the fall leaves. If trees are over the roof or right next to the home the a guard system is essential.
• Gutters should be correctly sized
• Downspouts should be correctly sized

Gutterguards:

• Should function and be clear of debris.
• Dislodged, failed, squirrel chewed or bad designs make a guard useless or vey inefficient.
• High flow areas: Roof valleys or areas where downspouts from an upper roof dump water onto a lower roof may reaquire deflectors or a structure to slow down the water to avoid over shoot of the lower gutter. Direct pipes into the lower gutter will eliminate this issue.
• Gutter guards that are made of plastic or vynil are easily damaged by squirrels chewing on them, sun damage or the weight of either leaf debris or snow and ice.
• Some guards are designed so its surface is level with the top of the gutter and some are lower than the upper level of the gutter - systems like this will require extensive regular maintenance and this defeats the purpose of spending money on guards in the first place. 

Roofing:

• Valleys clear of debris build up.
• Vent stack boots
• Nail pops
• Cracked shingles
• Remove bullets from shingles
• Ridge vent nails sealed
• Flashing sealed and secured
• Shingles should not be worn down to fiberglass.
• Loose shingle tabs
• Hail and wind damage

Failed Vent Boot

Tree Limb Damage

Bullet Lodged in shingles 

Failed Flashing

Siding and Trim

• Failed siding and trim on chimneys - Masonite siding is prone to water penetration failure when caulking cracks and/or paint fails.
• Chimney flashing issues are often hidden behind a chimney and not visible except from on the roof.
• Flashing above doors and windows - either no flashing or no caulking/ failed caulking allow water entry that causes rot/ mold.
• Vinyl Channels around doors and windows that are incorrectly installed will channel water behind the siding and onto sheathing - often the rot goes un-detected for years until mold and bad smells set in. The repairs then involve re-framing parts of the wall after mold has been removed. The mold can have detrimental effects on the value of a home for sale once detected and even after repairs if owners are required to evacuate.
• Woodpeckers, squirrels, mice, racoons and possums find ways to enter homes and cause issues from bad smells to electrical fires.

What Damage Do Squirrels Cause? (Nationwide Insurance Stats)

Squirrels are one of the most prevalent pests in the United States, and they can cause damage to a house in multiple ways. One of the most common is by chewing on electrical wiring. This damage can lead to short circuits and even fires. Squirrels can also damage roofing and soffits by gnawing on them, and they can damage gutters by blocking them with nesting materials. In addition, squirrels can spread disease by contaminating food sources and saliva. As a result, it's important to take steps to protect your home from these furry pests.

Squirrels are often considered to be pesky creatures that invade gardens and steal bird food, but did you know that they can also cause house fires? It may seem unlikely, but it's true. Squirrels are attracted to the heat and sparks of electrical wires, and they have been known to chew through insulation in order to get to the metal core. This chewing can damage the wires and create a fire hazard. In addition, squirrels often build their nests in attics and chimneys, where they can easily come into contact with exposed wires. As a result, it's important to be diligent about squirrel-proofing your home if you want to avoid a potentially disastrous house fire.

How Many House Fires Are Caused By Squirrels?

According to the NFPA, house fires caused by squirrels are relatively rare. In fact, from 2013 to 2017, there were an average of only 500 house fires per year that squirrels started. This is a relatively small number when compared to the total number of house fires in the United States, which averaged around 350,000 per year during the same time period.

However, it's important to note that house fires caused by squirrels can be particularly devastating. This is because they often start in attics or chimneys, where they can spread quickly and cause significant damage. As a result, it's important to be aware of the potential risks posed by these furry critters and take steps to prevent them from entering your home.

Why Do Squirrels Eat House Wiring?

According to the National Fire Protection Association, house fires caused by squirrels chewing on electrical wiring are a real and present danger. In fact, these so-called " arsonists of the animal kingdom" are responsible for an estimated 25% of house fires each year. But why do squirrels (and other rodents) have such a destructive appetite for house wiring?

Additionally, the insulation on electrical wires contains a substance called polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. When chewed, this smells similar to fresh331 Cut Grass - an irresistible scent for most squirrels. Finally, chewing on wires gives squirrels a much-needed source of calcium - an essential nutrient for their health.