Snow!

Did you build a snowman during the recent snow storm? This is “Stack”. Pattie built “Stack”. The snow would pack, so she got creative and stacked the snow.

Speaking of snow! During sub-freezing temperatures, did you wonder if your home is energy efficient…..or wasting money? Is your home leaking warm air to the outside? Is cold air entering your home? The only way to know if you have excessive leakage is to contact an energy auditor and perform a blower door test on your home. This test will identify excessive air leakage.

Contact me today to schedule an energy audit of your home.

Henry Brown

 


Isn't it better to find the problems in a home
before you buy it?

 


Get Your Energy Audit Today!
Henry Brown is certified under Tennessee's Weatherization Assistance Training Program. He is certified by TVA, Tennessee Department of Human Services and Conservation Services Group. 

You may be able to save a lot of money on your utility bills by having an energy audit on your home. 
Please call today to schedule an appointment!

 


Henry inspecting a home's chimney, just one of the hundreds
of things we check.

 

 

2009 Winter Weatherization

Each year qualified people receive help in improving the homes where they live through the federally funded home weatherization assistance program.  This year, for example, instead of 49 Sumner County homes receiving help, that number could reach more than 200.  As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, millions of dollars are being pumped into the Weatherization Assistance Program to help reduce energy bills. 

This year situations have changed.  In these economic times more people qualify as the income guidelines have changed.

Guidelines:  Family of 1 (Income $21,660

                     Family of 2 (Income $29,140)

                     Family of 3 (Income $36,620)

                     Family of 4 (Income $44,100)

Awareness about this year's weatherization program is important, because the counties could lose the allocated dollars if the money is not spent.  There are a lot of people who could benefit from this, from the elderly on a fixed income to those who, because of job loss, have become a one-income family.

In this area, The Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency, The Clarksville-Montgomery County Community Action Agency,  and The Metropolitan Housing and Development are administering the program.  An energy makeover will produce constant savings.  The average savings after a weatherization project is completed is about 23 percent.   

MID-CUMBERLAND COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY
233 Legend Drive, Suite 103, P. O. Box 310
Lebanon, Tennessee 37088-0310
(615) 742-1113 or 1137
Serving Cheatham, Sumner, Trousdale, Rutherford, Robertson, Wilson & Williamson Counties
www.mid-cumberlandcaa.com

CLARKSVILLE-MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY
350 Pageant Lane, Suite 307
Clarksville, TN 37040
(931) 648-5774
www.cmccaa.com

METROPOLITAN DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING AGENCY
701 South Sixth Street
Nashville, Tennessee 37206
(615) 252-8500
Serving Davidson County
www.nashville.gov/mdha

Know anyone who needs a home inspection or energy inspection? 
H.F. Brown Inspection Services, LLC can help!

 

What is a home inspection?

H.F. Brown Inspection Services will provide a thorough inspection of a home.  Henry personally performs the inspection, and he prepares the report on the condition of all accessible areas and systems of the home.  This includes:
 

Foundation
Floor Structure
Roof
Gutters
Chimney
Kitchen
Electrical
Electrical Fixtures
Switches
Receptacles
Doors
Windows
Garage
Heating
Sidewalks
Attic
Cooling
Crawl Space
Insulation
Interior
Grounds
Plumbing
Plumbing Fixtures
Water Heater
Bathrooms
Basement
Exterior Walls
Porches
Decks
Driveway
Downspouts
Skylights
Railings
Garage Doors
Garage Door Openers
Safety Sensors
Electric Meter Box
GFCIs
Circuit Breakers
Fireplace Damper
... and much more!

 

After the inspection, we will generate a "matrix report," which is the most popular inspection report in North America.  The report is generated on-site, and it is easy to follow and understand. 

Digital photos will be provided for any problems found in the crawl space and attic  -- any hard-to-reach place that is not easily accessible for viewing.

 

Why should I have a home inspected?

The main reason, of course, for a home inspection is to identify problems and potential problems in a home and to recommend corrective action.  This is to protect your family's investment and possibly your family's health.

 There are actually advantages to having a home inspection
if you are buying a home,
if you are selling a home,
if you are renting a home,
if you are divorcing,
or if you are a real-estate agent.  
Please click here for additional information.

 

Why should I choose H.F. Brown Inspection Services?

All inspections are performed to meet or exceed the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Standard of Practice and Code of Ethics.  In addition, Henry Brown is a licensed contractor in the State of Tennessee and has been building quality homes for over 20 years.  Over the years, Henry has supervised and inspected the construction of his employees, contractors, and subcontractors.   With his years of experience as a builder, Henry is able to identify structural problems which require attention.

"In my role as a home inspector, I do not make repairs.  (To do so would be unethical and would violate the ASHI Code of Ethics.)  However, I will report what is wrong and offer suggestions on the best way to handle the problem.  You can depend on H.F. Brown Inspection Service's inspection to be thorough, honest and sincere.  I do not benefit financially from the sale or repair of any home."

 

Can you test for Radon gas?

Yes, I can. 

Radon is an invisible, colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that seeps into many homes in this area.  Radon can accumulate in homes, and radon is noted to cause over 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States.

H.F Brown Inspection Services can test your home for the presence of radon gas.  If I detect radon, I will give you tips on how to keep the gas from entering your home.

A radon test is a simple add-on to a home inspection, or a radon test may be scheduled by itself.

 

Can you test for mold?

Yes, I can.

Molds are microscopic fungi that sometimes grow in homes.  Mold is particularly prevalent in wet areas such as bathrooms.  It is possible (and fairly common) for mold to grow into drywall and into the wood studs of a home, which can cause major damage.  (The mold literally eats the drywall and the wood.)

In addition to damaging your home, the presence of mold can have a serious impact on your family's health.  Mold can cause allergies; and mold can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs.

A mold test is a simple add-on to a home inspection, or a mold test may be scheduled by itself.

 

Can I walk around with the inspector?

Of course.  My clients are welcome to accompany me during the inspection.   You are encouraged to ask questions, and you'll learn a lot along the way!

 

I'm already paying for an appraisal.  Isn't that the same thing as a home inspection?

Definitely not!  An appraisal looks at general things, for example, a three-bedroom, two-bath, 2,000 square foot home on 1 acre in such-and-such neighborhood.  Similar homes have recently sold for $200,000, so your home will probably be worth about the same thing.  That's basically what an appraisal does.

The appraiser, however, is not trained to do a detailed inspection of the home.  He/she will probably not be looking for things like roof leaks, garage door sensors not working, wiring and plumbing problems, water intrusion in crawlspace and basement, and hundreds of other things.  These are the kind of things that a qualified, experienced, well-trained, home inspector does.

 

How do I set up a home inspection?

It's easy!  Simply contact us and we'll set up a convenient time for the full inspection and a review of the results.

 

 

 

Thinking of Buying a Foreclosure?

A lot of people are considering buying foreclosed homes in an effort to find a bargain.  However, it is extremely important that you have a professional home inspector look over the home before you buy it.

Why?

First, if the homeowner were strapped for cash (which he obviously was), he may have skipped needed maintenance.

Second, under Tennessee law, the seller has to provide a disclosure statement listing major problems with the house (for example, a leak in the roof).  However, the people who used to live in the house are no longer there.  Chances are the bank (or whomever is handling the sale of the house) has no idea what's wrong with the house.  Most foreclosures are sold as is.

For your peace of mind, and to avoid unforeseen expenses, having a professional home inspection is a smart idea.

 

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H.F. Brown Inspection Services, LLC
P.O. Box 1268
Gallatin, TN 37066
Office Phone: (615) 495-0879
Cell: (615) 330-7995
Tennessee Licensed Home Inspectors
A.S.H.I. Associate