Be Prepared for Winter Weather and Power Outages

 

Winter Storms are increasing in number and intensity in Bergen County NJ and surrounding locations. One unfortunate result of severe winter weather is power outages. These outages are often caused by trees falling on power lines or on homes and can last for hours or even days. This can leave your home without heat and in turn frozen pipes and flooding or worse.  Loss of power during winter storms in NJ is a distinct possibility.  

Aurora Home Inspections, LLC cannot prevent winter storms, but we can advise you on preparing for them. When a major cold weather storm does occur and you suffer damage or loss of power, Aurora Home Inspections is ready to inspect the property and advise you on how to proceed to get back to normal. We serve the Bergen County NJ area and surrounding locations in Northern NJ and parts of NY State.

 

A Few Bits of Advice For Winter Storm Preparation

 

 

Be Prepared!

We do get lots of warning about storms in NJ, so there is always time to prepare. Stock up on food and grocery store items that you need to keep your family fed and comfortable. Remember to have food for pets as well. Necessary medications should be available. Flashlight batteries will be needed when the lights go out, and a supply of blankets for times when the heat goes off. If you have a fireplace, stock up on wood at winter’s onset to keep everyone warm during a power loss.

Emergency Power

The average length of time without power is growing longer and many families in NJ have invested in generators. There are two options – portable generators and automatic standby generators. Automatic generators are permanently installed outside the house like an air-conditioning unit. They are attached to a house’s gas line and go on automatically when the power goes out. Investing in an automatic generator is probably the best option. Portable generators are less expensive but must be operated outside and away from the house and are fueled by gasoline.

Remember To Be Careful After The Storm

When a severe winter storm is over there is a tremendous feeling of relief. This doesn’t mean all is safe – be sure to find reliable weather and traffic reports before leaving the house and getting into the car. There could be wires and trees down and you may run into trouble. Those flashlight batteries will be crucial. Always remember to check on elderly friends and neighbors.

 

Home Inspections Post-Storm

 

Aurora Home Inspections, LLC offers homeowners in the Northern NJ area the most qualified and experienced home inspections. You will probably want a speedy inspection after suffering storm damage and we are always prepared to be of assistance. Winter storms not withstanding, we are available to perform certified home inspections for homeowners all year round. We can be reached at (201) 476-9200 for appointments to discuss your particular inspection requirements.

 

Why Consider Particle ID Air Quality Testing In Your NJ Property?

Simply put, the quality of a home or a building’s air will impact its occupants’ comfort and/or health. Floating particles can certainly affect that air quality.

Particle ID Air Quality testing is an in-depth, specific form of air quality test that can identify over 40 potential floating particles in each test sample. Aurora Home Inspections, based in the Township Of Washington in Bergen County, NJ, offers Particle ID testing. Our clients can count on pinpoint accuracy in the results of our tests. Once a sample is run through our lab partner, we provide our client with a comprehensive report, including easy-to-understand, actionable data analysis of the inspected property’s air quality.

A few things to know on the subject include that the time of year can influence whether it is likely to have more, or less, particles in a property’s air. For instance, in winter when HVAC systems are off or on low-duty cycle, the particle counts will be higher; whereas, in summer when the HVAC is running near capacity, those particle counts are likely to be much lower. Also a building or home with a lot of rugs is more likely to have a high particle count; whereas, a property with tighter doors, windows, and/or less airflow is going to have a low count.

PriorityLab Particle ID ‘Question And Answer’

‘PriorityLab‘, the leading sample test laboratory, receives a lot of questions on the subject of Particle ID Air Quality Testing, so they decided to run them by Dr. John Shane, their on-staff PhD mycologist. Dr. Shane brings a great deal of knowledge, having taught a Particle ID course at the renowned ‘McCrone Research Institute.’ We thought we’d share his Particle ID ‘Q and A’ below for those New Jersey folks who might be wondering themselves. Here goes: 

Question I: What are the benefits of getting a Particle ID report?

Dr. Shane’s Answer: The first thing to consider is if there are elevated particles found in a Particle ID sample from your home or business. This could indicate the filtration system is not operating correctly. Elevated numbers of particles in the air many times are associated with elevated numbers of mold spores and bacteria that can lead to negative health outcomes such as Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP) and other airway inflammation types of allergic reactions. If you have allergies, asthma, or HP you want to manage your exposure to high numbers of particles as this can trigger a reaction. The Particle ID report will detail the kinds of particles in your air that have the potential to affect health.

Question II: Can a Particle ID report help me understand the impact of wildfires on my home’s air quality?

Dr. Shane’s Answer: YES! A Particle ID report includes evaluation for wood fragments, charred plant debris, and fire-related soot and particles. This is a very popular service in western states that have wildfire issues such as California.

Question III: How would you solve a high Particle ID report and/or a specific particle that is causing issues?

Dr. Shane’s Answer: PriorityLab’s Particle ID report Comments section can help pinpoint the root of the problem. The first thing to look at is whether the filtration system is functioning properly. Other causes can be industrial activity outside the home or HVAC system maintenance issues, like dirty return and supply ducts. An effective way to improve air quality in a home or business is simply by having better cleaning habits. Ineffective or absent cleaning can lead to high particulate counts in the air. It’s also worth mentioning that a quick and easy way to improve poor air quality is by increasing the frequency with which you are changing filters and upgrading new filters to a MERV 10 or higher. You may also want to consider purchasing a HEPA filtration system to mitigate high particulate counts.

Question IV: Would it be suitable to take a Particle ID report to my doctor’s office?

Dr. Shane’s Answer: Absolutely! The Particle ID report is specifically designed to assist allergist decisions by giving them valuable insights into the air quality of spaces you spend the most time in, such as your home or business. Remember, PriorityLab not only can help identify the source of the particle problem in the comments section of the report, but also provides a full Particle Glossary for you to better understand what those particles are and how they can impact your health.

Question V: How often should I get a Particle ID test?

Dr. Shane’s Answer: A Particle ID test should be performed, at a minimum, annually. If you are experiencing particle-related symptoms or are noticing a sudden increase in visible particles in the home despite cleaning, we recommend getting a Particle ID test immediately.

Question VI: Should I get a Particle ID test during a Real Estate Transaction?

Dr. Shane’s Answer: YES! Not knowing what is actually in your living space air can result in zero mitigation actions taking place. This may make you more prone to particle-related health issues and can be even more concerning if you are an individual with a history of respiratory issues already. Beyond the obvious health benefits, a Particle ID test during a real estate transaction is also a great way to evaluate the functionality of your potential home’s air filtration system.

Question VII: Would the time of year affect the Particle ID test?

Dr. Shane’s Answer: The short answer is no. In states that experience long winters with consistent snowfall, this will impact the outdoor baseline sample, but not the indoor samples.

Question VIII: How many particulates is PriorityLab able to identify?

Dr. Shane’s Answer: PriorityLab’s advanced analysis process is able to identify over 40 different kinds of particulates in your home or business.

Question IX: I’m a home inspector considering offering this service. How many Particle ID samples should I take?

Dr. Shane’s Answer: You are required to take one baseline sample outside (similar to mold tests) and at least two indoor samples. PriorityLab recommends taking a sample per 1,000 SF. (Note: If a property is 1,000 SF total but has two stories, you would take one sample per level of the home along with your baseline outdoor sample as well as a sample in every HVAC zone of the house or business).

Question X: Is there any reason to do a Particle ID test in a commercial setting or a school?

Dr. Shane’s Answer: YES! Air quality issues are found in all building types. The same health issues and risks described in the previous questions are applicable in every building type.

Question XI: How long after I submit a mold sample could I get a Particle ID test done?

Dr. Shane’s Answer: PriorityLab actually keeps your samples for a minimum of 2 weeks. Anytime within 2 weeks after submitting your mold samples you can choose to upgrade to a Particle ID panel.

Question XII: Is the Particle ID panel only for air samples?

Dr. Shane’s Answer: Not at all! PriorityLab also has the capability to run a Particle ID for surface samples. Keep in mind this is best done on tape lifts. A Particle ID analysis is much more difficult from a swab or wipe. The Breeze E Tape is the preferred testing media to collect surface samples effectively for a Surface Particle ID panel.

Always Choose The Most Qualified Inspector

Aurora Home Inspections LLC has long been considered the most qualified home and commercial property inspector in Bergen County NJ. We are licensed in all aspects of home, building, and/or property inspection and continuously seek education in the latest and best procedures for performing inspections.

Call Aurora today and ask about our certified property inspection services for your home, property, building or office space. We are based in Bergen County NJ and will travel (Hudson, Essex, Morris, Passaic, Middlesex counties in NJ and Rockland, Orange, and Westchester counties in NY. We can be reached at (201) 476-9200 for a consultation.

 

 

Define Multi-Family Property

 

A multi-family property is one that provides space for more than one dwelling unit. A multi-family property can be residential (two to four units) or commercial (five or more units). A number of different authorities may determine what is considered a commercial or residential multi-family property. This is often a state issue with some states that have any regulation requiring some form of license to perform inspections. Multi-family inspection requires different standards than those used in single-family properties. Having NJ multi-family property inspected is state regulated.

Aurora Home Inspections LLC is a certified and licensed inspector of homes and commercial spaces in NJ. We are a member of the CCPIA “Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association”. We serve homeowners and commercial property owners in Bergen County NJ and surrounding area locations.

 

A Good Deal Of Property In The U.S. is Multi-Family

 

The American Housing Survey and the United States Census Bureau conducted a survey and found that 31.4% of all residential units in the U.S. are multi-family. These include apartment buildings, condominiums, townhouses and mixed-use developments. Most of these have five or more units and are considered commercial properties. Aurora Home Inspections LLC offers professional, certified commercial property inspections to owners of multi-family commercial properties in Bergen County NJ and surrounding nearby locations.

 

Always Choose The Most Qualified Inspector

 

Aurora Home Inspections LLC has long been considered the most qualified home and commercial property inspector in Bergen County NJ. We are licensed in all aspects of home and property inspection and continuously seek education in the latest and best procedures for performing inspections.

Call Aurora today and ask about our certified property inspection services for your building or office space. We are based in Bergen County NJ and will travel (Hudson, Essex, Morris, Passaic, Middlesex counties in NJ and Rockland, Orange and Westchester counties in NY. We can be reached at (201) 476-9200 for consultation.

 

 

Checklist For Hiring A Home Inspector

When buying or selling a home you will need a Home Inspection. Make a checklist with ideas about what to look for in a Home Inspector. This checklist could start with recommendations. A family member or close friend that you trust may have the name of a Home Inspector they had a good experience with. Recommendations can go a long way and Aurora Home Inspections is recommended regularly. We are the most qualified Home Inspector in Bergen County NJ with a long list of credentials.

Another thing on that checklist should be a home inspector with memberships in respected industry organizations and trade groups. A home inspector should be licensed and certified with experience in the various aspects of home inspection. Continuing education in Home Inspection is the sign of a committed inspector who wants to keep learning. Aurora Home Inspections LLC offers a lengthy list of qualifications and memberships.

A thorough home inspection is essential and proximity to your location is something to consider. A local inspector will be familiar with local regulations and standards in construction codes for your area. Also, although cost should not be the primary consideration, travel time does enter into the cost of an inspection.

Your Inspector Should Also Have A Checklist

While you want to be diligent in seeking a qualified Home Inspector, when you find a good one he will probably include the following in his checklist.

House Construction – Foundation

Exterior and Interior

Roof

Plumbing

Electrical

Heating and Air Conditioning

Indoor Air Quality

Also in the interest of being completely thorough, ask if there are any added options. It’s a good idea to know what is and isn’t included in a standard home inspection.

Qualified Home Inspection In All Of NJ

Aurora Home Inspections is based in Bergen County NJ and we serve our community on a daily basis. We also cover Hudson, Essex, Morris, Passaic and Middlesex Counties in NJ and nearby areas of New York State such as Rockland County. We offer Mold, IAQ, Radon, Tank Sweep and Termite/Wood Destroying Insect inspections. Aurora Home Inspections is also licensed to inspect commercial property.

When you need a Home Inspection call Aurora Home Inspections LLC, one of the most qualified home inspectors in NJ. We can be reached at (201) 476-9200.

Have your checklist ready, we have ours

 

 

Certified Commercial Building and Property Inspections

As a Certified Commercial Building and Commercial Property Inspector, Aurora Home Inspections LLC offers our services to commercial building owners, as well as office, school or municipal building managers. We are a licensed member of the Certified Commercial Property Inspection Association. When you are contemplating selling, buying or leasing a commercial building, an objective view on the condition of the property from a licensed inspector is a good investment. Our certified commercial property inspection service provides commercial building owners with the benefits of commercial building inspections in NJ. We offer our services to building owners in Bergen County NJ, where we are based, as well as surrounding NJ Counties and some nearby areas in New York State.

Customized Reports

Commercial Building Inspection Reports by Aurora Home Inspections LLC are customized to meet an owner’s needs. Content is dictated by how the report is to be used and its intended audience. Our reports are worded in clear, concise language that outlines issues or trouble areas. Photos are included for reference. We use the latest technology to investigate the condition of your property, including the use of Thermal Imaging Cameras or if necessary Underground Tank Sweep equipment. These commercial property inspection reports are designed to be in accordance with ASTM E 2018 professional standards. ASTM E 2018 Standard was designed by an international non-profit testing organization to provide basic property information for commercial structures.

Professional Services to Protect Your Interests

Aurora Home Inspections LLC offers Commercial Property Building Inspections of varied descriptions. These inspections are provided for different situations such as before purchasing or leasing a building, or for re-financing a building. A client’s needs dictate the degree of inspection and the specific areas to be addressed in an inspection. Age of the building, occupancy, and type of construction are some of the criteria used in the inspection of a property. Our inspections can vary from partial exterior examination to all aspects of the building, exterior and interior. Aurora Home Inspections LLC stands out from other inspection companies because we deliver a wide range of services along with experience and the pursuit of continuing education.

If you are the owner of a commercial building and seek a professional and objective inspection of said property, call on Aurora Home Inspections LLC. We can be reached at (201) 476-9200 for an appointment.

 

 

Termites Can Be Destructive

 

When you are buying a home or commercial property in NJ a Termite Inspection is essential. Generally, Termite and Wood Destroying Insect Inspections are not expensive, but can save you money in heavy repair costs that are the result of termite damage. Your home is usually your most valuable asset and the cost of a Termite Inspection is certainly worth it.  Aurora Home Inspections LLC offers certified Termite Inspections in NJ.

If there is a mortgage involved in a home buying or selling transaction, the bank will most likely require a Termite Inspection. Aurora Home Inspections LLC is a certified and highly qualified Termite Inspection Service located in Bergen County NJ and serving all of Bergen County as well as surrounding areas of NJ and some in NY State.

 

You Can’t Always See Termite Damage

 

Although Termite or Wood Destroying Insect damage is not always visible, it can be damaging your home for a long time before it is noticeable. Termites destroy wood by eating it from the inside out and avoid light, so you won’t know that they are present until they have caused a lot of damage. The answer is to have a Termite and Wood Destroying Insect Inspection. Having this inspection can also become a negotiating point when buying or selling a property.

 

Count On A Certified Inspection By A Highly Qualified Inspector

 

If your home or potential home is in the Bergen County NJ area, call on Aurora Home Inspections LLC for a Termite and Wood Destroying Insect Inspection. We are experienced and well-educated in the field of Termite Inspection. We also offer any other type of home or property inspection you may require and are licensed to perform all of them. We can be reached at (201) 476-9200.