RECENT BLOG POSTS
Log homes must be maintained properly to control moisture. I recently inspected a home in Virginia that had numerous problems due to moisture intrusion into the logs. The logs will tend to split over time and water from rain will run into these cracks. This is conducive to wood rot and insect...
08/01/2012
Home Repairs, Don't send a boy to do a man's job! I recently inspected a home that had multiple electrical, plumbing and HVAC issues as well as other issues such as damaged siding, wood rot and peeling paint. I stated in my report that I recommend having licensed qualified electrical, plumb...
04/02/2012
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Painting aluminum siding is tricky business. Yes there are still quite a few older homes out there with aluminum siding on them and by now they are quite faded. Aluminum siding not only fades, but the surface oxidizes and there is a chalky residue left on the surface. In some cases, just pow...
03/02/2012
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Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) in the your home, are they dangerous Can the electric and magnetic fields (EMF) to which people are routinely exposed cause health effects? What are sources of EMFs, and when are EMFs dangerous? Checking for EMF's is not a standard part of a home inspe...
02/28/2012
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Are uninvited guests eating your home. We all know about the damage that termites can do, but there are other pests that do billions of dollars in damage to homes every year. I recently inspected a beautiful old home built around 1900. The home had ornate wood trim and most of the trim was ...
01/12/2012
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The Value of a Home Energy Audit With energy prices rising and are poised to go higher, having a home energy audit performed on your house is a good way to lower your bills. There have been many articles written about how to save money on your energy bills with simple things like adding in...
01/11/2012
PART TIME HOME INSPECTORS JUST DON'T MAKE THE GRADE. My advice to anyone purchasing a home is to make sure they check out their home inspector. Ask him or her a few questions before you hire them such as how long have you been doing home inspections? Are you licensed and/or certified by th...
01/09/2012
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You're Better Off With The Moths I recently inspected a home where when I walked in the front door I could smell a strong odor. After being there for a few minutes I realized the odor was moth balls. This immediatly raised red flags for me as I thought the owner was trying to mask other odor...
12/12/2011
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Helpful Home Holiday Safety Tips The Christmas Holidays are a time of celebration. That usually means cooking, baking, decorating and entertaining. The holidays can also be a time of increased risk for home fires and accidents in the home. You can ensure that your holida...
12/11/2011
Don't be the cause of electrical hazards in your home. As a home inspector I am always amazed at the things I see when doing inspections and I admire the homeowner who wants to make improvements to their home. However, electrical wiring installation and repair is one area that the do it yours...
10/23/2011