Dirk's Blog

  Despite experiencing health issues during my youth, I could not serve in any branch of the military and become a veteran. However, I often visualize myself as a General, imagining the bravery and sacrifice required to serve our country. It's important to note that President Lyndon Johnson officially declared Memorial Day in 1966 to have originated in Waterloo, NY. Congress later passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1971, officially designating the last day of May as Memorial Day. Initially created to honour those who lost their lives in the Civil War, we now observe this occasion by indulging in BBQs or weekend getaways. However, it's essential that we never forget the sacrifices made by those who put their lives on the line so that we may enjoy these freedoms. We should express our gratitude to all our veterans with a sincere promotion that truly reflects how grateful we are for their service to this great nation. Let us always remember those who have made this possible ...

  Maintaining a sprinkler system can be a bit complicated. The duration of each zone's watering time should vary between 10-40 minutes, depending on the type of nozzle and the plantations in the area. Watering should occur twice a week, with at least 3 days between each watering session. The ideal time to water is early morning between 2-6 am. To ensure nutrient flow and prevent mold or fungus growth, it is recommended to keep the grass around 3 inches long. Overwatering and underwatering should be avoided. Instead, opt for deep watering, which involves longer watering sessions with less frequency. This method aids in producing healthy roots that can withstand droughts. With so much information to consider, determining the right watering schedule for your lawn can be challenging. It may be helpful to consult with local home improvement stores, or nurseries, or hire an irrigation expert. The swale of the land and the grass and soil types also play a role in determining the ideal wa...

Around 7 to 10 times per day this device is a time saver. Ok, we may not think much of this old porcelain toilet as much, but r eality says other. This device gets flushed an average of 3,000 per person per year. The toilet has made such headways since dating back to around 3000 BC and around 1700 BC the Greeks made a kind of flushing toilet. Not until 1775 a Scottish inventor Alexander Cumming put the first patent for a flush toilet. This great innovation was the first of its kind with a trap in below the bowl so sewer gases wouldn't escape. The first modern flushable toilet was described in 1596 by Sir John Harington, and of course, others have come up with other types of designs and ways for the waste to be well jetted away. In many parts of Asia and Europe, there is a squat toilet that is used both as a more (energy water saver) way to wash the undercarriage with water and not worry about toilet paper. The standards of toilets have changed because of water consumption and ...

As a home inspector, it's important for me to remain unbiased and fair to all parties involved. While I won't hesitate to report serious safety hazards like gas leaks, water leaks, or smouldering electrical wires, I won't blatantly disclose any issues unless asked by the homeowner. My ultimate goal is to look out for the buyer, seller, and ourselves. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask - honesty is always the best policy.

  Wires that burn up like this one is caused by several different reasons. The main reason is that too much current and not a big enough or gauge wire. This short could be from arching, or overheating. According to the NFPA "National Fire Prevention Association" faulty wiring is the most common cause of house and apartment fires in the US. This is the entire reason codes have been established in the NEC to help a safer living environment. There is still a possibility even when following the code to have issues because we are human. The signs to look and smell for are As you walk by an outlet you smell smoke There is a burned smell in a particular room that gets heavier with time Lights, TV, and other devices plugged into an outlet will flicker You see small amounts of smoke coming from the outlet You might have several outlets in one room that are not working at all. Many times, outlets are wired together and if the wire in one outlet is burned it will cause all the other ...

  The heat from the sun can do damage to a roof, especially to asphalt shingles. The way to combat the ever impact of UV rays from damaging a roof is by putting granules on top of the shingles. These little pebbles of rock reflect the sun's UV rays back into the sky, but some of the heat is absorbed into the roof causing the tar to melt and then heat up the attic space below. When this happens after years of heat the minerals in the shingle break down and can no longer hold together. This then makes the shingle less likely to shed water properly. There is a company called Roof Maxx that actually adds these minerals back into the roof giving extra life back into the shingle. Either way, the roof can become superheated, upwards and surpass the temperature of 170 Degrees F. So be careful friends, and give Roof Maxx a call if you need them to help give your roof a well-needed splash of minerals Don't forget to sign up for our blog updates at https://dphomeinspectionfl.com