Basic Waterproofing for Basements

Water Damage Concerns Basements are typically the area of a structure most at risk for water damage because they are located below grade and surrounded by soil.  Soil releases water it has absorbed during rain or when snow melts, and the water can end up in the basement through leaks or cracks.  Water can even […]

Bathroom Ventilation Ducts and Fans

Bathroom ventilation systems are designed to exhaust odors and moist air to the home’s exterior. Typical systems consist of a ceiling fan unit connected to a duct that terminates at the roof. Fan Function    The fan may be controlled in one of several ways: Most are controlled by a conventional wall switch. A timer […]

Attic Pull-Down Ladders

Attic pull-down ladders, also called attic pull-down stairways, are collapsible ladders that are permanently attached to the attic floor. Occupants can use these ladders to access their attics without being required to carry a portable ladder. Common Defects Homeowners, not professional carpenters, usually install attic pull-down ladders. Evidence of this distinction can be observed in consistently […]

Inspecting Aluminum Wiring

Between approximately 1965 and 1973, single-strand (solid) aluminum wiring was sometimes substituted for copper branch-circuit wiring in residential electrical systems due to the sudden escalating price of copper. After a decade of use by homeowners and electricians, inherent weaknesses were discovered in the metal that lead to its disuse as a branch wiring material. Aluminum will […]

Aluminum Siding Inspection

Aluminum siding is generally in decline as an exterior cladding material because vinyl siding and other materials have become more popular choices. However, it is still among the most common forms of siding found today. It provided many advantages over other materials when it was introduced in the 1940s. It was installed on many affordable homes […]

French Drain Inspection

A French drain is a common means of diverting water from one location on a property to another in order to divert excess rainwater or to dry up soil that is excessively waterlogged, such as land that is located near wetlands. Inspecting French drains is not within the scope of InterNACHI’s Residential Standards of Practice because […]

Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Saving Time (DST), also known as British Summer Time (BST) in the U.K., is the practice of adjusting clocks an hour ahead of Standard Time so that afternoons have more daylight and mornings have less. It is designed to reduce energy consumption in residences and businesses, but its effectiveness is controversial. Interesting DST Paradoxes  In […]

Crawlspace Hazards and Inspection

Crawlspaces are host to a large number of conditions that may harm the house or inspectors. Never enter a crawlspace without proper personal protective equipment. Crawlspaces are notorious for the nasty discoveries made there by inspectors, and it isn’t hard to figure out why; for one thing, their cool, dark environment attracts undesirable pests and […]

Abrasive Blasting for Mold Remediation

Mold in the Home Health concerns related to the growth of mold in the home have been featured heavily in the news.  Problems ranging from itchy eyes, coughing and sneezing to serious allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and even the possibility of permanent lung damage can all be caused by mold, which can be found growing […]

Barn Inspection

A barn is an agricultural building, typically located on a ranch or farm (or former ranch or farm), and used for a variety of purposes, including: the storage of farming vehicles, equipment and supplies; housing livestock; storing hay and other livestock food supplies; and as a covered work area. Inspectors who work in rural areas […]