Sump pumps are self-activating electrical pumps that protect homes from moisture intrusion and are very common in Southeastern Michigan homes. They are usually installed below basement or crawlspace floors to remove rising groundwater and surface runoff before it has a chance to seep into the hom
...
12/15/2020
Humidifier Maintenance When the humidistat is calling for humidity (and the furnace is running) a solenoid valve will open and allow fresh water to flow across a porous evaporator pad. The water supply starts from a saddle valve attached to a water pipe. Water flows through a tube to a solenoid
...
12/14/2020
Step 1: Turn off the Water Supply If you have an electric water heater, turn off the power at the breaker-box. If yours is a gas heater, turn the thermostat to the "pilot" setting. Connect a hose to the drain valve located close to the thermostat, but don't open the valve yet. Turn off the cold-
...
12/14/2020
A few months ago I decided to join those of you who have purchased a drone for inspecting those "out of reach roofs." While I do believe every accessible roof should be walked there are times when even an otherwise accessible roof it not accessible due to weather conditions for example. It's
...
01/23/2015
As a home inspector I find myself in tight places sometimes. There are times when I think to myself, "can I do it?" and often times I will try when I really don't know if I can. When this question comes up I do consider the pro's and con's of going beyond what I am expected or required to do. In
...
07/05/2013
Let me start this off by saying I did not find real body parts in an attic but I thought I did. While preparing for the attic inspection in Garden City I did what I always do, shine a light around the opening to make sure there are not rodents eyes shining back at me. That has happened a couple t
...
10/09/2012
Recently something happened that I've heard about but never really expected to happen to me. When generating my reports I always include photographs of the furnace, condensing unit and water heater data plate. This allows me to note the age of these units but also provides an added benefit. Du
...
10/06/2012
During a recent Southeast Michigan home inspection I was following my regular routine of starting at the exterior then garage. While walking around the exterior, close to the garage door, I could hear the sound of water dripping inside the home. Going inside I was expecting a huge mess in one of
...
10/03/2012
This is a question I ask myself at least once a year while looking into training and equipment for mold testing. Is testing for mold a good service to offer? So far the answer I've come up with each time is "probably not" but I always, at least partially, contribute my answer to lack of educatio
...
11/15/2011
People come up with all kinds of ways to make a small house bigger or appear bigger by knocking out walls, building additions, using different paint colors, turning the attic into a living space or cathedral ceilings. When taking on a task such as extending a home out or up you have to consider
...
05/26/2011
