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Home Maintenance Tips Portland Home Inspection

Three Important Reasons To Strap Your Water Heater

water heater that is strapped in to comply with Oregon building codes as recommended by a home inspector

Oregon building code requires that water heaters be secured with “seismic strapping” so they don’t topple in an earthquake. Here are three reasons why this is important for you and your clients.

1. Banks require seismic strapping.

Banks will not approve a loan unless the water heaters are secured correctly. I always make sure agents know when straps are missing so they can be installed before a home appraisal. If straps are not in place when the appraiser comes, they may have to come back for a fee.

2. Falling water heaters are a dangerous hazard.

Almost all water heaters are powered by gas or high-voltage electricity. If an earthquake knocks over an electric tank, wires could snap, which would damage your electrical system or even start a fire. If a gas tank falls over, the gas line could break, and you would have a severe gas leak: another risk for fire, or worse, an explosion. In a crisis, you would have a hard time finding someone to repair these vital systems.

3. Water is your most important resource in a crisis.

Even if your water supply is cut off after an earthquake, your water heater will be holding 50 gallons (on average) of potable water. Experts say that each person will need a minimum of 1 gallon of water per day for drinking and washing. So a family of 3 would require 42 gallons for two weeks. If your water heater is damaged, then you lose this precious resource.

Seismic strapping on water heaters can save lives. You can count on me to not miss this essential safety item.

One-Stop Shopping for Home Inspection Services

At Check It Out Home Inspection Services, we offer all the home inspection services you would expect; Electrical, Plumbing, Roof, Structure, Interior, Exterior, HVAC, Garage, and Grounds (see our full list of home inspection Services). We also offer One-Stop Shopping where you can schedule sewer scoping, radon testing, and oil tank searches 24/7 with a single click or call.

Click button to call and schedule home inspection servicesClick button to schedule home inspection online

 

 

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Portland Home Inspection Reviews

Five Stars of Gratitude

 

5 Star reviews for Home Inspector Karen Krieger

My Past Success in Home Inspection

When I rebooted my home inspection business in Portland, Oregon, I had many 5-star reviews on Google and Yelp from the years I worked in south-central Washington. With so much competition here, I was not sure how I would be received in the Portland Metro area (including Vancouver, WA).

Check It Out Home Inspection Today

I have had the good fortune to work with so many capable, professional, well-respected realtors, and fantastic clients as well. I have been genuinely touched by the amazing positive feedback I have gotten in many ways, including (I feel proud to say) even more 5-star reviews.

Looking to the Future

I truly value the faith you have put in my work, and I will continue working hard to keep your trust, respect, and business! As always, I provide thorough, unbiased, home inspection reports that reflect my dedication to my job and the needs of my clients.

Your Kind Words and Reviews

I’ve copied a few of the home inspection reviews below:
“Karen is an excellent inspector with extensive knowledge of home building and condition standards. She has inspected several homes for multiple clients and has always been effective, efficient and qualified. I highly recommend working with Karen.”
–Matt Williams
Bison Properties

“As a Realtor, I recommend Karen to all my clients. She’s so knowledgeable–and good at educating. I’ve learned a ton from her about where problems can arise, and she explains the inspection reports at the knowledge level of where my folks are and takes as much time as needed to answer their questions. Inspections are one of the scariest times when purchasing a home, and after my clients have been through inspections with Karen, I see them confident that they have a firm idea of what level of project they could be taking on and know where more info is needed.”
–Annie Rose Shapero
Portlandia Properties, LLC

“I recommend Karen Krieger of Check It Out Home Inspection to my Real Estate Buyers regularly. She is thorough and knowledgeable in her home inspections. Clients often do not know much about structure and systems of houses, and Karen is very good at explaining and educating. Her reports are clear and informative, and she is readily available for follow up questions. Her information greatly helps in the process of negotiating a real estate transactions and Home Buyers are better equipped for homeownership after working with Karen.”
–Holly Burton
Urban Nest Realty

One-Stop Shopping for Home Inspection Services

At Check It Out Home Inspection Services, we offer all the home inspection services you would expect; Electrical, Plumbing, Roof, Structure, Interior, Exterior, HVAC, Garage, and Grounds (see our full list of home inspection Services). We also offer One-Stop Shopping where you can schedule sewer scoping, radon testing, and oil tank searches 24/7 with a single click or call.

Click button to call and schedule home inspection servicesClick button to schedule home inspection online

 

 

 

 

Categories
Home Maintenance Tips Portland Home Inspection

4 Reasons Why Portland Home Buyers Need Home Inspection Service

Portland, Oregon is unique in the amount and quality of its outdoor recreation opportunities available to everyone in the area. Native Oregonians love it and it is becoming one of the biggest destinations for those moving to the West Coast and buying a new home. Purchasing a new home is one of the biggest decisions a person, couple or family can make. With a decision this big, you will want a thorough home inspection and a detailed report on the condition of your potential new home.

A home inspection service is a visual, neutral, noninvasive process where all of the items typically used within a home are tested and/or operated to verify proper operation or installation. A home inspection gives the buyer details about a home’s roof, foundation, electrical system, plumbing, siding and more. Home inspectors are generalists who will recommend you contact specialists if there are issues. Below are the top 4 reasons a buyer will need a home inspection service.

Home Inspections for Safety Issues

Identifying safety issues can help prevent hazards. Safety issues are not limited to but can include; improper electrical wiring, inoperable windows/improper egress, malfunctioning overhead garage door openers, etc. For example, in an earlier post, we talked about replacing Zinsco and Federal Stab-lok electrical panels. Neither would receive a UL listing today and could potentially start a fire.

Home Inspections for Structural Issues

The structure of your home starts at the foundation and includes the floors, walls, roof structure and more. During the home inspection, there can be clues that indicate there may be some structural issues including cracks in basement walls or sloping floors.

Home Inspection for Future Expenses

Certain components of a house have life expectancies. The home inspection can help you plan ahead by knowing how much useful life your roof, heating, and cooling systems, and water heater have left. We can’t guarantee when these may or may not fail, but we can let you know what to reasonably expect.

Home Inspection for Peace of Mind

As we mentioned earlier, purchasing a home is a big decision. The largest most people make in their lifetime. This is why the biggest reason for a home inspection is the peace of mind. You will want to make sure it is safe for you and your family. You will want to know what you are investing in. Finally, you will want to know any potential future costs that may be needed in the future of your home.

One-Stop Shopping for Home Inspection Services

Check It Out Home Inspection Services is located in the heart of Portland, Oregon and we are also licensed in Washington too. We offer all the home inspection services you would expect; Electrical, Plumbing, Roof, Structure, Interior, Exterior, HVAC, Garage, and Grounds (see our full list of home inspection Services). We also offer One-Stop Shopping where you can schedule sewer scoping, radon testing, and oil tank searches 24/7 with a single click or call.

Click button to call and schedule home inspection servicesClick button to schedule home inspection online