Nice house!

 

Now it is time to keep it that way.

 

Just like the engine of an automobile, your house works as a system of interdependent parts. The operation of one part affects many others.  And a typical home has over 10,000 parts.  What happens when all the parts work together in the most desirable, optimal way?  You are rewarded with a house that is durable, comfortable, healthy and energy-efficient. 

 

You can make it happen in just a few steps.

 

Step #1: Monitor the house

Step #2: Recognize potential problems

Step #3: Correct problems properly

This book will help you do all three steps. 

If you hired a certified home inspector - that was a good decision and money well spent.  As you know, the home inspector is not an expert but a generalist.  Your home inspector inspected the home and reported the home’s condition as it was at the time of the inspection.  That is the main responsibility of the home inspector.  A home inspection does not include predictions of future events.  Future events (such as roof leaks, water intrusion, plumbing drips and heating failures) are not within the scope of a home inspection and are not the responsibility of the home inspector. 

Who’s responsible?  You are.  The new homeowner.  Welcome to home ownership.  The most important thing to understand as a new homeowner is that things break.  As time moves on, parts of your house will wear out, break down, deteriorate, leak or simply stop working. 

But relax.  Don’t get overwhelmed.  You’re not alone.  This book is for you and every homeowner experiencing the responsibility of home ownership.  Every homeowner has similar concerns and questions.  And they are all related to home maintenance. 

The following questions are those that all homeowners ask themselves:

#1 “What should I look for?”

#2 “What does a real problem look like?”

#3 “How should it be corrected?”

The answers to these questions are written in this book.  This book will guide you through the systems of a typical house, how they work and how to maintain them.  The systems include the following: the exterior, interior, roof, structure, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, attic, insulation, bathroom and kitchen.

You will learn what to monitor (what to look for) as the house ages.  Most of the conditions and events that you will see and experience will likely be cosmetic and minor.  Most homes do not have major material defects.

Throughout the book, there will be references to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (www.InterNACHI.org). InterNACHI is the world’s largest trade association of residential and commercial building inspectors. The InterNACHI Residential Standards of Practice (SOP) defines what a home inspection is and lists the responsibilities of a home inspector.  The SOP is located at http://www.nachi.org/sop.htm.

This book comments upon the responsibilities of a home inspector, because we are assuming that a home inspector has given you this book to read. Sometimes when a new homeowner is performing maintenance, apparent problems are discovered or revealed. Or as time goes by, things in the house leak or fail. A new homeowner experiencing a problem should refer to the Standards of Practice, which outlines the responsibilities and limitations of the home inspector.

Home ownership is a great experience, and home maintenance is a great responsibility. This book will help you enjoy both.

Enjoy your house!