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340 Honeysuckle Terrace, Woodstock, GA 30188
404-538-8511
www.phisllc.com
Hours: Mon. - Sat. 9 - 6
Payment: Cash, Check, Credit, Debit
  • We also service the Marietta area.
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    The Atlanta Home Inspector Can Help You With Flipping Houses

    Posted 07:03 PM April 10, 2009

    Are you thinking about purchasing a house, fixing it up, and re-selling it? If you are, I can help. Hire a certified home inspector to see if the home you are considering is structurally sound and find out all of the repairs that need to be completed. This will help you when you are completing repairs and when it is sold. I completed an inspection for an investor today. He is going forward and will have it on the market soon.

    Call me to help you with your real estate needs. Jeff Riggs, Atlanta Home Inspector, at 404-538-8512 or www.phisllc.com.

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    Dream Home or Nightmare?

    Posted 08:50 PM April 09, 2009

    Money is tight for alot of us these days. If you are buying a home and feel like you really can't afford to have a home inspection, please think again. You cannot afford NOT to have a home inspection. If you purchase a home without having an inspection, you may end up with a Money Pit and pay Thousands of Dollars in repairs. The information you receive will help you make negotiations in the contract. If you are buying the home "as is", you will know up front what the issues are.

    Don't discover costly issues after you move in. Hire a Certified Home Inspector.

    I provide Peace of Mind in knowing that the home you purchase is Safe and in Good Condition. Schedule your inspection today with Jeff Riggs, Atlanta Home Inspector at www.phisllc.com or 404-538-8512.

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    Atlanta Home Inspector Finds A Beautiful Home in Waleska, GA for Sale

    Posted 10:16 PM April 08, 2009

    I was looking at some homes for sale recently and found a beautiful one in Waleska listed by Rosanne Wells of ReMax.    It is on 7.8 acres, 5 beds, 4.5 baths.  I have some friends that lived in Waleska for years and loved it there.  View the details of the house at
    http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/348-George-Gray-Lane_Waleska_GA_30183_1103972096



















    Schedule Your Home Inspection at www.phisllc.com or 404-538-8512

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    Asphalt Shingles -- Are They The Best Investment For Your Home?

    Posted 10:55 PM April 07, 2009

     
    (ARA) – During this time of economic uncertainty, you may be hesitant to invest money in your home. It is important to remember, though, that your home is a valuable asset. In order to maintain your investment, home maintenance or repair projects are essential. An important area of your home to maintain is the roof, which may provide up to 50 percent of your home’s exterior protection.

    A roof repair or upgrade is one type of home investment that will likely maintain its value. Many American homeowners may be unfamiliar with the process to repair or upgrade their existing roof. Consider creating a list of goals and a budget. Then, it is important to research your options.

    Asphalt shingles are a practical choice, and are one of the most widely used residential roofing materials. Asphalt accounts for more than 80 percent of all new and replacement roofing applications. Asphalt has been the most popular roofing material in North America for the past 150 years, according to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association.

    "Asphalt shingles remain a popular choice because they’re economical, long-lasting and readily available," says Kent Blanchard, vice president of roofing manufacturing for TAMKO Building Products Inc. "There are two basic types of asphalt shingles: three-tab and laminated."

    Blanchard says it is important to gain some basic knowledge of asphalt roofing products before making a purchase. To help you better understand asphalt shingles, he offers the following information on common types:

    Three-Tab Asphalt Shingles

    For many years, three-tab asphalt roofing shingles have been a popular choice for homeowners. These shingles are made from individual layers of fiberglass mat, an asphalt roofing base material manufactured from glass fibers that provides additional strength to the shingle. The fiberglass mat is dipped in asphalt and coated with fire-resistant granules. Classic three-tab asphalt roofing shingles generally include a 15 to 30-year warranty and are one of the more cost-efficient roofing product options.

    Laminated Asphalt Shingles

    Often used for replacement jobs and on new, upscale homes, laminated asphalt shingles have increasingly become a popular choice among homeowners. Also known as "architectural shingles" or "three-dimensional shingles," laminated asphalt shingles have added dimensionality because of extra layers of fiberglass mat, which create a wood shake-like appearance. Laminated asphalt shingles provide a more distinctive look when compared to classic three-tab asphalt shingles.
    According to ARMA, laminates are gaining ground in new construction. When reroofing, three-tab asphalt shingles remain the more popular choice, however industry experts predict the laminate category will continue to grow.
    You may want to consider a premium laminated asphalt shingle, which typically comes with a longer warranty and additional advantages that could save you money in the future. For example, TAMKO’s Heritage Vintage premium laminated asphalt shingles are backed by a 50-year limited warranty and include a Class-A fire rating.

    "If you’re planning to sell your home when the economy recovers, the shingles you select could affect your return on investment," says Blanchard. "When you’re ready to make repairs or upgrade your roof, take your time, do your homework and select the roofing shingles that are the best investment for your home."

    Courtesy of ARAcontent

    Schedule Your home Inspection at www.phisllc.com or 404-538-8512

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    Keep Your Roof Tip-Top

    Posted 11:10 PM September 21, 2008

     

    (NAPSI)-When it comes to curb appeal, many homeowners say it pays to start at the top.

    They make sure their roof is clean and attractive with no mold or mildew stains. Fortunately, that can be easier to accomplish than many realize.

    Getting It Clean

    For roofs that are already stained, there's a cleaner that's simple to apply with just a pump-type garden sprayer. Unlike with some cleaners that contain bleach, garden plants are unharmed by this StainhandleR Roof & Deck Cleaner.

    Keeping It Clean

    Once you have a clean roof, StainhandleR Roof Protector zinc strips can prevent the return of algae, fungus or moss. They work by releasing small amounts of harmless zinc oxide whenever rainwater comes in contact with the strips. This invisible protection prevents the growth of vegetation for some 20 years.

    Learn More

    For more roof-cleaning tips and tricks, visit http://www.stainhandler.com/ or phone 1-800-942-3004.

    Things may be looking up for homeowners who want to keep their roofs looking fresh and clean.

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    Calendar For Home Maintenance

    Posted 11:08 PM September 21, 2008

    It is often hard to remember to know when and what to do to keep

    our home maintained. For a calendar to help you with this, click

    on this link to View, Save, and Print

    http://www.htoyh.com/content/service_req_web.pdf.

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    Read The Latest Newsletter from Professional Home Inspection Services, LLC

    Posted 10:43 PM September 18, 2008

    We've just published a new edition of our newsletter! You can check it out on our website and get the latest information from Professional Home Inspection Services, LLC. Let us know what you think!

    Read It Now Here

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    Five Tips to Help You Gear up for the Homebuying Season

    Posted 10:34 PM June 02, 2008

    Five Tips to Help You Gear Up for the Homebuying Season
     
    (ARA) - It’s time to gear up for the busy spring and summer homebuying season. Buyers and sellers alike have come to expect that there are greater options available during this time of year as more people tend to be in the market for a new home. So what is behind this trend and how can you make the most of the buying and selling season?

    Why Now?

    The Kids.

    Many homeowners, especially those with school-aged children, prefer to plan their move around the summer. By starting the homebuying process in spring, most children can finish the year at their current school and start fresh at their new school in the fall.

    The IRS.

    Tax refund checks start hitting mailboxes in spring. For people in the market for a new home, a tax refund is an added bonus that they can put towards the down payment.

    The Weather.

    For people living in northern climates, the thought of moving during winter holds little to no appeal. As the weather turns milder, the idea of making a move becomes more realistic for many.

    How do I Make the Most of the Season?

    If you’re one of the many millions of Americans buying or selling a home this year, you’d probably prefer to make the move as smooth as possible. Start early.

    “From searching and touring houses to the negotiation, home inspection and closing, buying the home that perfectly fits your needs can take a lot of time, especially if you don’t know the process,” says Frank Destra, managing director and senior vice president of national sales for Ditech, one of the nation’s leading online mortgage lenders. “By learning and understanding the steps in buying a home, you will be ready to go through the process and complete it efficiently so you can soon begin enjoying your new home.”

    Here are some tips from Ditech that will help make your spring or summer move stress-free.

    1) Review You Credit Report. Whether this is your first time buying a home or your 10th time, it is always in your best interest to keep an eye on your credit report to make sure your credit history is accurately reported. Your credit history has an impact on what loans you can qualify for as well as the interest rate you will be offered. Report any errors to the credit reporting agencies right away, so that your credit report is accurate when you’re ready to apply for home financing.

    2) Get pre-approved. Getting pre-approved is one of the first steps in the home buying process. By getting pre-approved, you will receive a loan commitment for up to a certain amount from your lender before you find a home, based on a review of your credit and finances. Pre-approval makes your home search more efficient by allowing you to focus only on the homes you know you can afford. It also is beneficial to have a pre-approval letter in your possession when you submit an offer on a home, so the seller knows you are serious about buying the home.

    3) Know what you want. Sitting down and figuring out what kind of home and neighborhood you would prefer in the beginning of your home search will save you a lot of time. Make a list of the features that are most important to you. Start with determining the number of bedrooms and bathrooms as well as other personal requirements you might have such as an office versus a den, one or two stories, etc. Also, think resale before you ever set foot in a home. The neighborhood, schools, parks, shopping, transportation accessibility, and proximity to key points in the city are all characteristics that will remain important when you decide to sell your home at some point in the future.

    4) Review financing solutions. There are a variety of financing options available to homebuyers, and your particular situation will play a factor in figuring out what financing solution might work best for you. An experienced loan officer will take the time to review the home financing process, define terms, and listen to your concerns to get you a loan that fits your needs. In addition, home lenders such as Ditech (www.ditech.com) offer a number of online resources, such as payment calculators, glossaries, etc. to help homebuyers better understand which financing options might be right for them.

    5) Negotiate. Once you find the home of your dreams, work with a real estate agent to negotiate the price and present your offer. Motivated sellers may be willing to reduce their price, or even pay part of the closing costs. Also, if you are looking at new construction, make sure any incentives being offered are tied to the home. For example, if a builder offers a cruise or flat-screen TV, ask for the value of the item to be discounted from the purchase price of the home. You are purchasing a home and that should be your focus -- not the giveaways.

    If you’re ready to contact a mortgage lender and begin the process of buying a new home, contact Ditech at (800) DITECH-3 or www.ditech.com.

    Courtesy of ARAcontent

    www.phisllc.com

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    Maxwell House Coffee Can Repair Job

    Posted 10:33 PM May 26, 2008



    A Maxwell House Coffee Can was used to try to repair this.  A hole was left for possible carbon monoxide leakage.

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    Stumped by Plumbing? Newer Technologies Make it Easier than Ever

    Posted 10:11 PM April 25, 2008


    (ARA) - Ask anyone if they have ever taken on a home plumbing project by themselves and they will likely say that they have. But how involved was the project?

    Many building professionals agree that plumbing is one of those tasks that typically looks a lot easier than it is. And while many savvy homeowners may have taken on a simple plumbing project, such as repairing a leaky faucet, fixing a toilet that keeps running, or even hooking up an ice maker, few consumers have actually plumbed their own bathroom or replaced old, corroded pipe.

    That’s because plumbing has historically required various mechanical skills and the ability to operate expensive, cumbersome and complicated equipment. Even those more adventurous who have the know-how to plumb an extra bath may have avoided the task since a copper plumbing installation requires soldering. Difficult and messy, in some cases soldering is also downright risky, because it introduces an open flame into a confined area surrounded by wood joists and other flammable materials.

    Today, however, you might be more likely to successfully replace a worn-out system or plumb a new bathroom, thanks to newer products and technologies that make the installation faster and easier – not to mention safer and less expensive. FlowGuard Gold CPVC plumbing systems, for instance, made of a high-performance plastic material, require only a handful of inexpensive cutting tools, a can of solvent cement, some knowledge of plumbing systems and proper procedures, and careful review of manufacturer instructions.

    CPVC is a plastic piping system that allows easier installation than traditional copper or other metallic systems. As with any building material, you’ll need to handle CPVC properly and install it according to manufacturer instructions, and local and national building codes. Improperly installed CPVC systems can fail, as can ones that come in contact with chemically incompatible products during installation or at anytime during their service life. Keep the pipe and fittings away from certain oils and lubricants, wires and cables and some caulks (all Teflon tape is compatible). For more information, refer to your manufacturer’s instructions. To view a list of widely available compatible products, visit www.systemcompatible.com.

    Here’s a step-by-step guide to installing a simple CPVC system:

    * Start by cutting the pipe with a wheel type plastic tubing cutter, ratchet cutter or fine tooth saw. Using a chamfering tool, pocket knife or file, remove any burrs or filings; they can hinder proper contact between the pipe and fitting during assembly.

    * Wipe the fitting socket and pipe end with a clean, dry rag to remove dirt and moisture. Then apply a heavy, even coat of one-step CPVC compatible solvent cement to the pipe end. Without adding more cement to the applicator, next apply a thin coat inside the fitting socket.

    * Immediately insert the pipe into the socket, rotating the pipe 1/4 to 1/2 turn while inserting. The motion ensures cement is evenly distributed inside the joint.

    * Hold the assembled pipe and socket for about 10 seconds, allowing the joint to set. You should see an even bead of cement around the joint. Wipe the excess cement from the pipe for an attractive, professional appearance. The joint will cure completely in about 10 minutes.

    Like all piping material, FlowGuard Gold CPVC expands when heated and contracts when cooled, so you’ll need to allow for this. Expansion is mainly a concern in hot water lines. Changes in direction can usually accommodate this issue, but a long straight run of pipe may require an offset or loop. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for further details.

    While the concept of CPVC piping is relatively new in the do-it-yourself market, the technology behind it has been around for decades. Professional plumbers have been using FlowGuard Gold CPVC pipe and fittings, for example, in residential, commercial and industrial settings for 50 years. CPVC piping has proven to be reliable, quiet, energy-efficient and more budget friendly than costly metal systems. Plus, the plastic piping minimizes condensation and concerns about water contamination.

    It’s important to note, however, that even with the newer, user-friendly products, a moderate level of plumbing knowledge is required. Total plumbing ignorance may create silly mistakes that can turn into big, costly headaches. Do your homework before tackling any plumbing project. Regardless of what product or material you’re installing, always be sure to research local plumbing codes and fully read all manufacturer’s instructions before getting started.

    For more information on the easy-to-install FlowGuard Gold CPVC plumbing system, visit www.flowguardgold.com.

    Courtesy of ARAcontent

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