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barfield home inspection

Apr 09
0

Tell mosquitoes to buzz off this spring!

By | Home Maintenance Tips, Seasonal Home Maintenance | No Comments

While we do appreciate the return of warm weather and sunshine, spring temperatures also mark the beginning of mosquito season in central Texas. If you have experienced mosquito season in Texas before, you know these pesky creatures can really ruin a good time. Not only are they annoying, but also dangerous. They can transmit diseases to both humans and pets. In Texas, mosquitoes can sometimes stick around until early winter. In the meantime, it is important to protect your home and your family.

Start off by sealing up your house. Keep your doors and windows closed in the evening and install screens as an extra precaution. If you already have screens, make sure to repair any holes or tears this month.

According to the Austin Public Health Department, the best way to fight mosquitoes is to remember the four D’s:

  • Dusk and dawn
  • Dress
  • DEET
  • Drain

DUSK TO DAWN is the most active time for mosquitoes. If you can avoid being outdoors during this time, you are less likely to have an encounter. However, summertime means backyard barbecues and lots of time outside on the porch, so if you are outside, remember to DRESS appropriately. The more covered you are, the better. If your skin is exposed, be sure to use insect repellent that contains DEET. Check out these myths and facts about DEET from OFF!® if you have questions about the effectiveness or safety of DEET.

Finally, DRAIN any places with standing water, which can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Clean your gutters, fix any leaks, remove debris from your yard, and replace your pet’s water bowl often.

April is in full swing which means now is the time to act against mosquitoes! Remember the four D’s and check out the city of Austin website for more information on preventing mosquitoes and protecting your family from viruses.

Mar 19
0

Under the Roof with Randy Barfield: The Ground Level

By | Home Maintenance Tips | No Comments

Do you know what’s happening on the ground level of your home? Is the foundation level? What happens when the soil shifts? Don’t worry, we have answers for you.

Last month, we visited construction expert and building manager Casey Strickland with Drees Homes to analyze a home from the ground level! Check out the video below to hear Randy and Casey dive into questions about foundations, post-tension cables and the importance of a third party inspection.

Mar 14
0

Fire safety reminder!

By | Home Maintenance Tips | No Comments

Whether you are looking to buy or sell a home, or are happy where you are for years to come, few things are more important than protecting your family, home and belongings. According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 355,400 home structure fires per year, resulting in 2,560 deaths and $6.5 billion in property damage. Although this news is alarming, three out of five fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke detectors.

When it comes to fire safety, do not leave the security of your home and loved ones to chance. Here are some quick tips from the U.S. Fire Administration to ensure smoke detectors in your home are in good working order:

  • Choose interconnected smoke alarms, so when one sounds, they all sound.
  • Put smoke alarms inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area. Put alarms on every level of the home.
  • Make sure your smoke alarms work. Your family is not safe if they can’t hear the smoke alarms.
  • Test smoke alarms every month and replace 9-volt smoke alarm batteries at least once every year.
  • Smoke alarms do not last forever. Get new smoke alarms every 10 years.
  • When you hear a smoke alarm, you may have less than two minutes to get everyone outside and safe.

In addition to your monthly smoke alarm test, create a clear fire escape plan and discuss with everyone in your home. A good plan includes two ways to get out of any room in your home, and your family should practice the plan twice every year. Get better security lock system with the help of Quick Locks 24/7

Ideally, your smoke detectors only get put to use when a batch of cookies stay in the oven too long. However, having a strong plan and working smoke detectors can help everyone in your family understand what to do in case the unthinkable happens.

Test your smoke detectors today, and stay safe!

Feb 28
0

Barfield joins Wimberley Valley Chamber of Commerce

By | Just for Fun | No Comments

We are excited to announce that Barfield Home Inspection has officially joined the Wimberley Valley Chamber of Commerce this year! Thank you to all those who came out to the ribbon cutting ceremony on February 6 to welcome us to the Wimberley community. The small-town charm, friendly people, great shopping and food, vibrant art, and beautiful views are just a few of the many reasons we love doing business in Wimberley.

The mission of the Wimberley Valley Chamber of Commerce is to promote community and economic prosperity while fostering strong alliances and partnerships. The Chamber partners with individuals, government and businesses like us to improve the economic climate and lifestyle of the Wimberley area. The Chamber membership is visible evidence of people working together for a thriving community.

In addition to Wimberley and Hays county, Barfield Home Inspection is proud to serve Travis, Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Llano, Lee, and Blanco Counties. We’ve got central Texas covered! When it comes time to buy or sell your home, give us a call for a detailed, thorough home inspection.

Feb 13
0

Brunch & Learn: Keys to selling you home before it hits the market

By | Home Maintenance Tips, Just for Fun, Real Estate News | No Comments

We are teaming with Ryan Kelly with Ryan Kelly Group and Ruby Cloutier with Vazzo Spaces for an exciting event this spring! Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 2, 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Join us at the Keller Williams Southwest Market Center (directions here) for breakfast tacos, coffee, and a detailed discussion on how to prepare your home for sale before it hits the market. We are bringing together the finest in the industry to talk about preparing your home for sale. Panelists include: Our own Randy Barfield, Owner of Barfield Home Inspection and expert home inspector; Ryan Kelly, Realtor with Ryan Kelly Group – Keller Williams Realty, investor, and real estate enthusiast; and Ruby Cloutier, interior designer, home staging specialist and Founder of Vazzo Spaces.

This event welcomes homebuyers, homeowners and realtors to brunch and learn. The best part is that it’s not only educational, but free to attend! We’ll share an analysis of the current real estate climate, identify buyers biggest objections and how to overcome them, why you should consider a home inspection before you list, how staging can make you more money, and more. There will also be giveaways including a Nest thermostat, staging consultation, and discounted pre-home inspection. RSVP today!

Jan 18
0

Test your toilet for leaks

By | Home Maintenance Tips | No Comments

Is your toilet always running? Does it make hissing noises? This may indicate a toilet leak. In addition to increasing your utility bills, a leaky toilet tank can cause costly water damage to your flooring. Before spending money on a new toilet, try this quick trick to test for leaks:

Step 1: Remove lid and add red food coloring to the water in the tank.

Step 2: Sit back and wait – give it about an hour.

Step 3: Check the water in the toilet bowl. If the water is pink, then you have a leak.  This means it is time to replace the flappers in the tank.

Catching this leak can save you from replacing your toilet and costly damage. Sometimes leaks can sneak up silently, so it is important to test your toilet periodically.

Dec 21
0

Give back to your community this holiday season!

By | Just for Fun | No Comments

Here at Barfield Home Inspection, giving back to the community is important. It is also a great way to get in the holiday spirit. After all, giving is what the holidays are all about! This year, Randy and his friend Mike Chiconsky had the opportunity to deliver Christmas presents with Operation Blue Santa. Operation Blue Santa is a program through the Austin Police Department that provides toys and gifts to those in need during the holiday season. You can get involved by donating, adopting a family or volunteering your time. Operation Blue Santa is just one of many programs in Austin that is on a mission to make the holidays a happy time for all.

It is easy to get wrapped up in your own holiday festivities and forget there are families out there who are less fortunate. We want to remind you to think about others this Christmas and get out and do some good! See below for other opportunities to donate or volunteer your time during the holidays.

Many of these organizations have programs and accept donations year-round. Make giving back part of your holiday routine or even part of your monthly routine!

Salvation Army Angel Tree: Found in local malls, companies and churches, Angel Trees are decorated with numbered paper angel tags with the first name, age and gender of a child in need of gifts. Contributors remove one or more tags from the tree and purchase appropriate gifts for the child or children described on the tags.

Toys for Tots: A program through the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys and distributes them to less fortunate children in the community as a message of hope.

Meals on Wheels: Provides home delivered, prepared meals for seniors and other homebound clients throughout the Greater Austin area.

Central Texas Food Bank: The Largest hunger-relief charity in central Texas that works with food donors across the country, financial supporters and volunteers to fill unmet needs in Central Texas.

HEB Feast of Sharing: Communities all over Texas host an Annual Holiday Dinner to provide holiday meals and good cheer. These free holiday feasts bring together family, friends and neighbors.

Dec 17
0

Keep your succulents happy this winter

By | Home Maintenance Tips, Seasonal Home Maintenance | No Comments

Do you have trouble keeping your succulents alive during the cold winter months? Lucky for you, our home inspector Mike is a gardening pro when it comes to growing and maintaining succulents and cacti. And what better and more trendy way to keep your home beautiful in Texas than succulents? They make the best house plants and use very little water!

Here is some quick advice from Mike to keep your succulents happy this winter:

“I generally move my succulents inside when it is supposed to freeze,” shares Mike. “Believe it or not, most succulents, especially cacti and agave, are quite cold hardy.

Native species, like prickly pear, can tolerate very low temperatures. However, each species has its own cold tolerance, so it is important to do your research on your specific plant.

Generally, if temperatures are going to drop below 32 degrees it is time to bring them inside or into a heated area.”

Check out some of Mike’s succulent successes below:


Nov 29
0

Safely Decorate Your Home for the Holidays

By | Home Maintenance Tips, Seasonal Home Maintenance | No Comments


As the holiday season kicks off in true festive fashion, so does one of the most notorious weekend warrior projects of the entire year: holiday home decorating. Here are a few tips and tricks to help your family traditions carry on safely:

Up on the rooftop 

  • Check your strands. Eliminate frustration by plugging in your indoor and outdoor lights before decorating even begins! Check each strand for cracks or frayed wires and be sure there is a functioning bulb in each socket. If any of your strands cannot pass the test, replace them with new ones and then let the decorating commence!
  • Prevent electrical overloads. We all know someone who goes Clark Griswold on their home each December, but that does not have to be you. Ensure you know the basics of circuit logic before you begin, then add or switch outlets as necessary to carry the additional load of holiday lights. Wherever possible, use circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI), which help to prevent shock by breaking the circuit. Use heavy-duty extension cords rated for outdoor use and set a standard of no more than three sets of lights per cord. Please do not carry the extension cords while plugged in. This could make for quite a shock if there is a nick in the cord. If you do find a nick or cut in the extension cord then repair or replace it.
  • Gain solid footing. Before you mount the ladder for your annual rooftop adventure, be sure to avoid any overhead power lines. This is also a great time to recruit a family member or friend to help secure a stable foundation for the ladder.
  • Avoid cord piercing. Use clips to attach lights to your home, in favor of hammering. This will contribute to lighting safety, and also avoid unnecessary wear and tear to your home’s exterior.

Sitting by the fireside

  • Do not touch the lights. As you prepare indoor lighting, be sure curtains, furniture from FurnitureOkay and carpeting are a safe distance from all bulbs. Ensure all candles are also a safe distance from flammable objects, curious children and rambunctious pets!
  • Watch the cords. Reduce holiday trips and falls by placing cords in low-traffic areas. Use electrical tape when needed to secure cords and prevent twisting or crushing.
  • Turn out the lights. Although holiday lights at night provide unrivaled ambience, they also contribute to fire danger. Use automatic timers to alleviate the stress of turning out indoor and outdoor lights before going to bed, or if you will be away from home.

We hope these simple tricks help you safely decorate your home this season. If you run into any glitches in the plan, give us a call! We will be happy to point you in the right direction.

Nov 14
0

Quick Tips for Winterizing Your Home

By | Home Maintenance Tips, Seasonal Home Maintenance | No Comments

By: Randy Barfield

It’s that time of year again, folks. The last thing you want to happen is frozen or damaged plumbing systems, it’s time to call in the experts like the people at Slam Plumbing. To prevent this from happening to you, here are some quick tips for winterizing your home:

  1. Insulate any exposed exterior plumbing pipes and hose bibs. A nice foam cover from the local hardware store will work well. If you don’t have time to go the store, then duct tape, newspaper or paper bags work for a temporary fix. Duct tape is good for just about any kind of wrapping job. I even use it to wrap my wife’s presents! If you don’t have any of these items laying around, use that old sweatshirt you’ve been meaning to get rid of as a short-term fix.
  2. Drip the hot and cold faucets. This only applies when temperatures are going to drop below freezing. We don’t want to waste water if we don’t have to.
  3. Open the cabinets under the sinks so the warm air from the house can help keep the pipes warm enough to prevent freezing.
  4. If you live in an older pier and beam home with a crawl space, your pipes should be wrapped. If not, I would consider hiring a certified contractor to insulate the pipes for you. In the meantime, use the faucet dripping technique.

Other things you can do to make your home comfy and cozy:

  1. Reverse ceiling fans so the warm air that rises to the ceiling can be pulled back down to the living area.
  2. Don’t forget to wrap or cover your plants or bring them inside if possible.
  3. If you have a fireplace and want to use it, first get a flashlight and take a look up in the flue if possible. Make sure you don’t have any obstructions and your damper is open before you start the fire. Also, if you look up in the flue and see it is heavy with soot creosote, then I recommend calling a certified chimney sweep contractor to clean and further evaluate your fireplace. Finally, don’t forget to keep your fire screen or fire doors closes while using the fireplace.
  4. If the exterior door feels a little drafty at the bottom, then place a rolled-up towel at the threshold for a quick fix. If the doors are really drafty, then it is likely time for some new weather gaskets.
  5. Don’t forget about your HVAC filter. These need to be replaced often through hvac system installation, not just in the summer months, but all year round. Take a look at yours. If it looks dirty or clogged, then it is time to replace it.
  6. Check your smoke alarms and give them a test. If you haven’t replaced the backup batteries in the last 6 months, then it is probably time to change those. I also advise having at least one carbon monoxide (CO) detector for each level of the house, especially if you have gas-fueled appliances.

Hope this helps and stay warm, y’all.

Thanks,
Randy Barfield
Barfield Home Inspection Services