Nalliah Thayabharan's (expertinspector) Blog

                The back side of drywall, wallpaper, or paneling,                 The top of ceiling tiles,                 The underside of carpets and pads,                 Pipe chases (with leaking or condensing pipes),                 Walls behind furniture (where condensation forms),        ...

1.      Fix leaky plumbing and leaks in the building envelope as soon as possible.2.      Watch for condensation and wet spots.3.      Prevent moisture due to condensation by increasing surface temperature or reducing the moisture level in air (humidity).4.      Keep HVAC drip pans clean with ove...

Current Standards for Windows, Skylights and Door SystemsWindowsDivision B, Section 9.7. of the 2005 edition of the National Building Code of Canada  requires windows to conform to CAN/CSA-A440, “Windows” and CAN/CSA-A440.1, “User Selection Guide to CSA Standard CAN/CSA-A440-00, Windows”.The Can/...

Gus began his building science career at the University of Saskatchewan where he worked as a lecturer after receiving his B.E. in Mechanical Engineering in 1946.  He then joined DBR’s Prairie Research Station in 1948, and thanks to serendipity, went on to the University of Illinois where he recei...

Conservation Forum for Business LeadersTuesday, June 12, 2007  7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Venue: Toronto Board of Trade - Downtown Centre Concerns about global warming and other environmental issues are driving leaders to think harder about energy use, and there�s a growing awareness that greater effi...

In rural areas, the septic tank system is the most inexpensive and efficient method to dispose of household sewage. A septic tank system that is correctly designed, located, constructed and well maintained will function effectively and safely for years. An improperly designed, located, constructe...

Home buyers should always make their own investigations. These include a well driller's certificate and a potability test.A clause in the agreement of purchase and sale should contain a warranty that the seller never had any problems with the drilled well on the property and that the water supply...

Checklist for Possible Deficiencies / MalfunctionsNalliah Thayabharan, Registered Home Inspector, Member of CAHPI-Ontario and Certified By ASHI, Expert Building Inspections Ltd., Markham ON 905 940 0811 www.expertinspector.comExterior DoorsWarped            Dented             Sticks              ...

During the life of a building its brick walls may need to be cleaned on several occasions, the first occuring even before it goes into service when the general dirt and dust of construction, including mortar splashed or smeared on the bricks as a result of the bricklaying procedure, have to be re...

Sloping roofs on buildings are common. In the last few years, large inclined glass and metal roofs have become popular on major buildings in an urban setting. Designing for snow on all such sloping roofs, even on inclines as low as 10°, calls for a double measure of caution; they must be able to ...