Ask The Houston Home Inspector

A short video about the problems high soil can have on you exterior walls.

This is a short video about maintaining vertical dryer vents. You can also buy a lint brush to help keep the dryer vent clean from http://www.linteater.com/

This is a short video about a missing range hood exhaust pipe on a new home.

A short video about the importance of weep holes on exterior walls.

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 6, 2006 Transcript)

But you know what, most people just won’t switch and we’ve wondered why. 11 News reporter Jeremy Diesel shows us what he’s uncovered.

You have the power to choose. Power that can literally save you hundreds of dollars a year on your bill.

But in the four years since electricity deregulation began in Texas only a little more than 25% of people in the Houston area have left Reliant Energy, even though the price it’s forced to charge is generally the highest.

Minnie Lee Coleman is like so many others. ” If it gets unbearable here I will cut it off and just sacrifice something else to pay my electric bill. Because paying half and part I don’t do that.” Last night she told us she’s willing to sacrifice. But not willing to leave Reliant for a cheaper price. “I don’t trust them. And that’s it.” But why?

Houston Mayor Bill White is hoping to educate. “They should not question reliability as far as keeping the lights on or what happens if there is a storm — who is going to turn back on the power.”

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Fiberboard Siding (often referred to as Hardboard Planking) was manufactured by several companies including Louisiana-Pacific®, Masonite®, Weyerhaeuser® and Georgia Pacific®.

While this type of siding was made by numerous manufacturers, each company’s fiberboard siding is made in roughly the same manner and tends to have the same issues.

After this siding has been installed for some length of time, it tends to expand slightly. This causes the area around the nail heads to become damaged.  This in turn allows moisture to penetrate into the siding and deteriorate it.

As the moisture level increases, the siding’s edges tend to expand. This expansion breaks the paint, which, in turn, allows rainwater to be absorbed by the siding causing a breakdown of the glue holding the wood fibers together. Deterioration of the siding increases as the moisture content of the siding rises.

Fiberboard siding also tends to expand and contract along its length, thus breaking the seal where the boards’ join together.  This contraction breaks down the caulk that was applied during installation, again leaving the siding vulnerable to water penetration.

It is critical that the caulking on this type siding be maintained in good condition. Also, regular repainting of the siding is an absolute must.  Hand painting of the bottom of each course of the siding with a brush is the only way to ensure that the exposed fibers of the siding get sealed. 

It may be possible to slow down the deterioration of fiberboard siding by regular painting and caulking; however, home owners should be aware that there will be problems with their siding in the future.

Green Landscaping Adds Green Value

(ARA) - Thinking of selling your home? Sprucing up your yard will help get buyers attention and can add up to 15 percent to its value. It may even be the difference between a potential buyer and a drive-away. Want to hear more? [Read more →]

Footwear Safety 101

(ARA) - According to recent industry reports, home accidents are one of the leading causes of injuries for adults in America. Seven million Americans suffer home injuries each year with home improvement injuries being one of the most common. When the weekday professional decides to become a DIY weekend warrior and home improvement projects are the to-do’s of the weekend, footwear safety is an important detail that should not be overlooked. [Read more →]

A Great Gift Idea for All You Last Minute Shoppers Out There

(ARA) – If you’re the kind of person who always waits till the last minute to shop for holiday presents, you are likely looking for some help. All the hot toys have been bought up, and that digital camera your spouse has been eyeing is gone. So what do you do now? [Read more →]