West Egg Inspections
and Home Services LLC
West Egg Blog
West Egg Blog
February 18, 2023
Visual, concise, and intuitive, Spectora delivers the modern experience today's market demands. The report’s clean layout emphasizes what's important. Easy navigation and smart filters make it understandable and easy-to-use. And the Agent Tools help agents do their job faster. Agents and clients appreciate a Spectora report.
Sounds like a bit of an advertisement but.... There are a number of software companies and home inspection reports available to those of us in the industry. I tried several different ones and determined that Spectora not only met my clients and agents needs but it was intuitive and easy to use in the field.
February 13, 2023
This is a great reference document from Energy Star about sealing air leaks and adding attic insulation. Sealing and Insulating your home is one of the most cost-effective ways to make a home more comfortable and energy efficient—and you can do it yourself.
Use This Guide To:
- Learn how to find and seal hidden attic and basement air leaks
- Determine if your attic insulation is adequate, and learn how to add more
- Make sure your improvements are done safely
- Reduce energy bills and help protect the environment
A DO-IT-YOURSELF GUIDE TO SEALING AND INSULATING WITH ENERGY STAR®.pdf
February 6, 2023
In this blog, we'll answer some of the most common questions you may be asking yourself related to the indoor humidity levels in your home:
- What should the humidity level be in a house in winter?
- What are the dangers of high humidity levels inside your home?
- How do I reduce the humidity in my house?
- How can I add moisture back into your indoor air?
What is the Ideal House Humidity in Winter?pdf
January 6, 2023
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Surgeon General, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommend that ALL homebuyers have an indoor radon test performed prior to purchase or taking occupancy, and recommend having the radon levels mitigated if elevated radon concentrations are found.
Elevated radon concentrations can easily be reduced by an NRPP Certified, or state licensed, if applicable, radon mitigator. All homes should be tested regardless of geographic location or foundation type. Radon, a Class-A human carcinogen, is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and the second leading cause overall”
December 17, 2022
Renewal license (RMEA-00437) approved by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) on 11/9/2022 and valid from 12/17/2022 to 12/17/2023.
November 26, 2022
West Egg Inspections has a new footer for their e-mail communications!!!
We are now entering the holiday season with Thanksgiving "under our belt", literally and Christmas less than 1 month away. I look forward to working with you next year as 2023 hopefully promises to be a better year for home buyers as both interest rates and house prices decrease as we tame inflation.
Happy Holidays
Tim Rubash, West Egg Inspections and Home Services, LLC
November 23, 2022
When the season turns cool, it’s time to winterize your outdoor faucet. This is probably one of a long list of fall chores, but resist the temptation to skip it. If you don’t get around to winterizing your outdoor faucet before the first frost, the water in your pipes could freeze with disastrous (and expensive) results.
Fortunately, it can be pretty quick and simple to winterize an outdoor faucet. Just follow this easy step-by-step guide.
November 16, 2022
Ice dam removal is a pain, so try to prevent them from forming in the first place. The key to preventing ice dams is simply to keep your attic and roof cold. After a snowfall, a cold roof will have a thick blanket of snow. A warmer roof, however, will soon have clear spots where the snow has melted off, and may well have icicles hanging from the eaves. To keep your roof cold, follow these three steps:
- Close up attic bypasses
- Measure your attic insulation level
- Add roof and soffit vents
October 22, 2022
Many of the leaves in our trees have fallen and this weekend is a picture perfect sunny Autumn day in the state.
If you haven't finished your fall maintenance list, get on it now. To help you remember everything you're supposed to do as a Minnesota homeowner, I've compiled a comprehensive list of fall maintenance items.
September 19, 2022
There is a great brochure created by the Minnesota Department of Health, "Keeping You Safe from Radon". In Minnesota 2 in 5 homes have high radon. It is estimated that 21,000 people die each year in the United States from lung cancer due to radon exposure. A radon test is the only way to know how much radon is in your home. Radon can be reduced with a mitigation system.
Radon is a serious public health concern in Minnesota. The average radon level in Minnesota is more than three times higher than the U.S. radon level. This is due to our geology and how our homes are operated. Minnesota homes are closed up or heated most of the year, which can result in higher levels of radon. I am licensed in the state of MN for radon measurement. Contact West Egg today to have your home measured for levels of radon.
Additional information can be found here: Keeping You Safe From Radon.pdf
July 1, 2022
There's nothing worse then having your air conditioner fail in the sweltering summer. To prevent this, be sure your AC condenser is free of dust, dirt and other debris.
Tools Required
- Cordless drill
- Hose and spray nozzle
- Screwdriver w/socket
- Soft-bristle brush
June 21, 2022
Summer is one of the best times for you to do maintenance at home. While the sun is up and it’s safer to stay outside you can take the opportunity to repair or maintain areas of the home to avoid future major repairs as well as for your peace of mind. Here are some areas of the home that you can give extra attention to during the summer.
May 26, 2022
Most products made today do not contain asbestos. Those few products made which still contain asbestos and could be inhaled are required to be labeled as such. However, until the 1970s, many types of building products and insulation materials used in homes contained asbestos.
Full article about "Asbestos in the Home" below:
April 15, 2022
Check your furnace filter monthly and change it when it’s dirty. You’ll get better heating in the winter and air conditioning in summer. You’ll save on your utility bills and extend the life of your furnace too.
When to Change Your Furnace Filter.pdf
March 4, 2022
During my time as a home inspector, and as a home owner, I have seen a wide range of electrical issues. I thought it would be interesting to our readers to compile the top electrical issues that I have observed:
- GFCI Outlets Missing or Defective
- Ungrounded Outlets
- Reverse Polarity Outlets
- Electrical Panel Age Concerns
- Smoke Detector or Carbon Monoxide Detector Concerns
Full article below:
Top Electrical Issues Found at Home Inspections.pdf
February 6, 2022
First time homebuyers and others that are unfamiliar with how a house is constructed will benefit from this article. There are many occasions where a homeowner will need to know how to. find the "studs" to hang a heavy object, picture, etc.
Wall studs are structural elements in the construction of homes. Studs are part of the framing of the building and are typically vertical wood beams that run from floor to ceiling.
January 4, 2022
Something a little different to start off the new year. Rogers was the sort of TV host that both kids and parents trusted and enjoyed. The series ran for 31 seasons, from 1968 through 2001.
On the show, Rogers dispensed timeless wisdom about how to be kind to others, how to feel good about yourself, and what to do when you’re up against your worst fears. Here is 20 of Rogers’ most memorable quotes, reminders of the good old days of turning on the TV and spending an afternoon in the neighborhood.
December 20, 2021
It all began simply enough. A great meeting on 11/17 with a good friend who is a successful Realtor®. I was encouraged to add radon measurement as an additional service to my home inspection business. Radon in MN homes is an issue and prospective buyers want to make sure their home is safe for their families. There is a demand.
Read the entire story below on how I became fully licensed!!!
December 4, 2021
A home inspection helps you make a more informed decision about the home you're considering buying.
A home inspector can identify potential issues, plus give you a better idea of the ongoing maintenance the property will require.
When you’re buying a house, a thorough home inspection can save you thousands of dollars in unexpected repairs — or from unwittingly buying a money pit. Read more in the following article:
November 19, 2021
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Did you know that:
Radon is the Leading Cause of Lung Cancer Among Non-Smokers. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Nationally, the EPA estimates that about 21,000 people die each year from radon-related lung cancer. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths.
Breathing radon over time increases your risk of lung cancer. You can take steps to reduce and control the amount of radon in your home. Testing is the only way to determine radon levels.
EPA guidance suggests mitigating if levels are at or above 148 Becquerels / cubic meter or 4 picocuries / liter, typically abbreviated as 4 pCi / l. Usually, radon problems are resolved using an underground ventilation system, or ASD (Active Soil Depressurization).
I am investing in equipment and the appropriate certifications / licenses required by the state of Minnesota to perform this testing service for my clients. My hope is to have everything in place starting in 2022.
November 15, 2021
Consider a few steps you can take on your own to ensure a smooth inspection. Based on feedback from an earlier entry on this same subject, I've included a one page summary checklist.
Preparing for a home inspection: A do-it-yourself checklist for sellers
November 12, 2021
House plumbing can be a mystery to the average homeowner. This is numero uno of a series of miscellaneous blogs over time to help with shedding some light on this area.
Understanding the pipes in your home and their function starts with this one page primer on the different materials used and their pros and cons. This covers copper, PVC, CPVC, and PEX.
November 10, 2021
Other than the unique name, what makes West Egg Inspections and Home Services LLC different than other home inspectors, and more importantly, why should you hire us?
As I meet with prospective clients and members of the REALTOR® association I need to be able to quickly summarize what value I bring to the home buying process. There are many options out there. From larger inspection companies to one man shows like myself. We each bring something a little different to the party. I've summed it up in three bullet points:
- Owner / CPI
- Software / Report Writing
- Social Media Presence
Details are included in my one page deliverable I leave with my client after our meeting.
November 8, 2021
You can do several things to make a buyer's home inspection go smoothly and reduce negotiations after the home inspection.
All this may have you wondering how to pass a home inspection? A home inspection doesn't have a pass or fail grade, it is a professional opinion of the home's condition provided by a home inspector according to the inspector's Standards of Practice. Here's a great article.
October 27, 2021
Fall is here and the weather is beautiful in Minnesota, but we all know what's coming next. Yes, there's snow in the forecast.
If you haven't finished your fall maintenance list, get on it now. To help you remember everything you're supposed to do as a Minnesota homeowner, I've compiled a comprehensive list of fall maintenance items.
October 26, 2021
I am already entertaining questions from friends and family as to why "West Egg". It comes from the novel "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald that I have enjoyed reading.
First of all, the author is a native of St. Paul, MN so there is already a hometown connection.
Second, the difference between the two fictional towns of East Egg and West Egg. East Egg is a place of residence for the people who inherited their wealth, while West Egg is a place where people who worked for their wealth lived. East Egg was used to refer to the places where those with inherited or “Old” money live. I feel I have worked hard in my career for the better part of my life. I would have definitely lived in West Egg with Jay Gatsby. I also enjoy hosting parties but nothing as lavish as in the novel.
Third, I live on a small lake with my beautiful bride in a suburb of St. Paul and have a dock similar to the picture on the left which I have incorporated into my logo. While there is not a physical green light across the lake (nor Daisy Buchanan) it does symbolize my hopes and dreams of starting a new career in Home Inspection as I gaze at the other houses across the water.
October 25, 2021
This website is live!!! I am very excited to have a presence on the internet where my business services are made available and I can provide timely updates and information to prospective clients and members of the REALTOR® association.
Starting and running my own successful business has always been a dream of mine.
"Kings to you Fernand." (Quote from my favorite movie, "The Count of Monte Cristo")