Shoemaker Real Estate

What is a Whole-House Surge Protector? 06/06/26

A whole-house surge protector is a hardwired device installed at your main electrical panel that intercepts dangerous voltage spikes, diverting excess energy safely into the ground before it reaches your household electronics.

1) These offer comprehensive protection, safeguarding large, expensive appliances such as HVAC systems, refrigerator, washer/dryer. They protect smart electronics that standard power strips cannot (TV & computers).
2) These surge protectors offer layered defense. While it handles massive external surges such as lightning or grid switching, experts still recommend combining it with point of use surge strips for ultimate safety.
3) Mandatory code compliance. The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires whole-house surge protection on all new and upgraded residential services. This became a national code recommendation 6 years ago and became a Hall County code requirement 5 years ago.
4) The cost for a whole-house surge protector varies by brand and amperage. They can range anywhere from $40 to $400. The standard offering runs about $150. Because it requires working directly inside a live electrical panel, professional installation is highly recommended and will typically add another $200-$300 to the cost.

And NOW YOU KNOW!

Determining the Age of Roof Shingles- 05/02/26

Even the most seasoned professional roofer or home inspector sometimes cannot pinpoint the exact age of a roof. Often it boils down to their best “guesstimate”.

When shopping for a house, pay attention to the Sellers Disclosure Statement as there is a place to disclose the roof age. Sometimes a seller is very confident in recalling when the roof was replaced. However, more times than not, the age of the shingles is a mystery. Here are some ways to “approximate” the age of your shingles.

1) Check for cupping or curling. This generally begins to occur in the 15-20 years range. Brittle shingles also indicate age with a tear test. Pliable or soft shingles suggest they are newer.
2) Check for granular loss. Look in the gutters for excess granules. The bottoms of downspouts also can have a small pile of granules present. This generally indicate the roof is at least 10 years old.
3) Check for fungal staining at the northern exposure of the roof. Heavy stains indicate shingles are generally 12+ years old. Light or early staining doesn’t occur on roof shingles generally until about 7 years old.
4) Look for torn or missing shingles. This may not tell you the age as much as the quality of the installation. Loose nails lead to shingle damage.
5) Check the stack vent boots on the roof. Are they cracked or torn around the neck? Is the black rubber semi shiny or has it turned to a faded gray color? Newer boots have a satin black finish. Old boots are dried out, faded and cracked.
6) Most professional roofers and home inspection reports will provide an “estimated” age. Determining the shingle age is NOT an exact science.

And NOW YOU KNOW!

Shoemaker Real Estate Shoemaker Real Estate offers residential real estate services. Serving Gainesville, GA and beyond, Craig is the perfect real estate agent for your buying or selling journey. An agent when needed, but a resource for life.