Thoughts From the Crawlspace

Spring Inspection Tips, What Every Homeowner Should Check

Spring in the Midwest brings melting snow, shifting soil, and a laundry list of small problems that can turn into expensive repairs if left alone. In this episode of Thoughts from the Crawl Space, we walk through a practical seasonal checklist covering roofs, gutters, grading, foundations, crawl spaces, decks, plumbing, and pest prevention so you can catch issues early and protect your biggest investment. Key Takeaways ● Winter leaves clues. Start your inspection outside, looking for missing or curling shingles, granule loss in gutters, and interior staining that points to ice damming. ● Gutters and downspouts do heavy lifting. Keep them clean, sealed at the joints, sloped correctly, and extended four to six feet away from the foundation. ● Grading is the number one exterior defect on home inspections. Soil should slope away from the house roughly one inch per foot for the first six feet. ● Roughly 95 percent of basement water problems come from roof and yard runoff, so controlling water at the surface prevents most foundation headaches. ● Check foundation cracks annually. Hairline cracks are normal curing cracks, but horizontal or widening cracks deserve a professional evaluation. ● Reopen crawl space vents that were closed for winter, look for standing water, mold growth, torn vapor barriers, and wet insulation. ● Walk the exterior for failed caulk, peeling paint, wood rot, and air leaks around windows that drive up heating and cooling costs. ● Inspect decks for loose railings, rotting boards, and lifted fasteners. Most deck collapses trace back to poor ledger attachment. ● Test your sump pump by pouring a bucket or two of water into the pit, service the HVAC, change the furnace filter, and seal any gaps where pipes or vents enter the home. Resources ● Gold Key Inspection Services: https://www.goldkeyinspection.com ● NIPSCO (Northern Indiana Public Service Company): https://www.nipsco.com Connect ● Podcast, Thoughts from the Crawl Space: https://www.goldkeyinspection.com/podcast ● Gold Key Inspection Services: https://www.goldkeyinspection.com #ThoughtsFromTheCrawlSpace #HomeInspection #PestPrevention #HomeOwnership #HomeMaintenance #RealEstate #HomeBuyers #HomeInspector #PestControl #HomeTips #SpringMaintenance #CrawlSpace #Gutters #FoundationRepair #SumpPump #MidwestHomes #Indiana #HomeownerTips

Pest Prevention: How Your Home Accidentally Welcomes Unwanted Guests

From carpenter ants hitching a ride on tree branches to raccoons clawing through ridge vents, most pest problems start with small gaps and easy access points homeowners never think to check. This episode breaks down the top entry points pests use, the role moisture and landscaping play in attracting them, and practical steps you can take to keep your home from rolling out the welcome mat. Key Takeaways ● Most pest problems aren't caused by a dirty home. They happen because the house unintentionally provides easy entry points. ● If you can fit a pencil into a gap, insects can get through it. Mice can squeeze through openings the size of a dime. ● An estimated 95% of homes with vinyl siding show signs of mice in the attic, because hollow corner pieces create hidden pathways straight to the roofline. ● Pests are attracted to three basic things: food, moisture, and shelter. Controlling those three factors is the foundation of prevention. ● Mulch piled above the base of your siding creates a hidden highway for termites and traps moisture against your wood structure. Maintain a six to eight inch clearance. ● Tree branches touching the roof act as a superhighway for squirrels, chipmunks, and carpenter ants. ● Crawl spaces are one of the most common pest hotspots because they're dark, quiet, moist, and rarely visited. ● Subterranean termites build mud tubes to maintain humidity and protect themselves. Scratching the tubes down is a temporary fix, not a solution. ● Pests that chew through electrical wiring can knock out circuits throughout your home, creating both a fire hazard and costly repairs. ● Signs that require immediate professional attention include sawdust-like material near wood, mud tubes on foundation walls, scratching sounds in walls or attic, and droppings in cabinets or basements. Resources ● Gold Key Inspection Services: www.goldkeyinspect.com Connect ● Website: www.goldkeyinspect.com ● Podcast: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube #ThoughtsFromTheCrawlSpace #HomeInspection #PestPrevention #HomeOwnership #HomeMaintenance #RealEstate #HomeBuyers #HomeInspector #PestControl #HomeTips #CrawlSpace #Termites #CarpenterAnts #WoodDestroyingInsects #MoistureDamage #HomeRepair

Are Home Warranties Worth It?

This week, Jamie takes a closer look at one of the most talked-about topics in homeownership: home warranties. From the perspective of experienced home inspection professionals, we break down the pros, cons, and real-world value of home warranties. Homeownership comes with ongoing costs, and most homeowners spend anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000 each year on maintenance and repairs. So where does a home warranty fit in? With plans typically costing $400 to $800 per year, could it be a smart way to protect your budget from unexpected breakdowns? Listen for practical insights to help you decide whether a home warranty is a helpful safety net, or an expense you may not need. Episode Highlights 1. Home maintenance adds up each year. 2. Warranties may help cover surprise repairs. 3. Older systems may benefit more. 4. Always compare cost vs. risk.

Why Energy Efficiency Matters

Heating and cooling alone can account for up to 55% of a home's total energy consumption. That means the biggest opportunity to lower energy costs often isn’t flashy upgrades, it’s improving the fundamentals of how a home manages air, insulation, and HVAC performance. This week, Jamie explores practical, cost-effective ways homeowners can dramatically improve energy efficiency. From tightening up air leaks and improving insulation to maintaining HVAC systems and ensuring ductwork is properly sealed, small improvements can add up to major savings. Episode Highlights 1. Why heating and cooling can make up to 55% of a home’s energy use. 2. How addressing hidden air leaks and insulation gaps can dramatically improve efficiency and comfort. 3. Why proper system maintenance and sealed ducts are critical to preventing wasted energy. 4. The truth about LED bulbs, new windows, and which improvements actually deliver the biggest savings.

Historic Homes: Beautiful or a Pain?

What’s the real story behind buying a historic home? Are you investing in timeless charm or taking on hidden complexity? Jamie breaks down what makes these properties so special, from distinctive architectural details to the craftsmanship you simply don’t find in modern builds. At the same time, we tackle the practical realities: aging plumbing and electrical systems, structural considerations, and the upgrades often needed to meet today’s standards. Episode Highlights 1. Discover what makes historic homes special and the challenges they bring. 2. Check important systems like plumbing and electrical before buying. 3. Learn the rules and restrictions for renovating historic homes. 4. Get tips to make smart decisions as a historic home owner.