High-Performance Buildings
Americans spend most of their time inside buildings. We take for granted the shelter, protection, warmth, coolness, air and light that buildings provide, and rarely give a thought to the systems that deliver these services unless there’s a power interruption or other...
Building a Home? Things You Must Know! (Or Why You Should Hire a Real Estate Agent)
If you want to build a new home, there are things you need to know before you begin. Learn about construction standards and about buying land, so you know your rights. MPS Supplementing Model Building Codes The Minimum Property Standards (MPS) establish certain...
Investors and Flippers: Top 10 List of Issues That Are Hiding Now But Will Cost You Later
Top 10 List of What I have Found After Building Inspectors and Your Brother-in-Law Already Approved the House 1. Electrical main feed conductor coming loose2. Wrong breaker size for major systems3. The electrical panel that will always need further evaluation by an...
Phone a Friend
I have always offered clients the opportunity to call me long after the inspection for my advice or just to get my opinion on an issue they see. Sometimes it is right after the inspection and they forgot the priorities of issues they want to fix and just need someone...
Brand New Homes Don’t Need an Inspection, Right?
So you looked around at homes and after days or weeks or even months of seeing nothing that is as nice as you would want it you decided to buy a new home. And I have to say a new home is pretty nice. As much as I like older homes a brand spanking new home that still...
Asbestos: Facts and Tips for Home Inspectors and Homeowners
What Is Asbestos? Asbestos is a mineral fiber that can be positively identified only with a special type of microscope. There are several types of asbestos fibers. In the past, asbestos was added to a variety of products to strengthen them and to provide heat...
What Really Matters in a Home Inspection
We all see the postings. The 5 Most Important Things in a Home Inspection or the 10 Most Serious Defects for an Inspector!....most of these articles are only partly right.What really matters is to make sure your inspector is trained and knowledgeable. All inspectors...
Top 5 Fast Fixes for Faulty Windows
by Joseph Truini for The Home Depot There’s a common misconception that if your home has older windows that are in less-than-perfect condition, you must replace them with new windows. But as long as the window is structurally sound, you can fix most problems and...
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and Detectors
by Nick Gromicko📷 Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas that forms from incomplete combustion of fuels, such as natural or liquefied petroleum gas, oil, wood or coal.Facts and Figures:480 U.S. residents died between 2001 and 2003 from...
Attic Pull-Down Ladders
by Nick Gromicko 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...