Fire is one of the most destructive and life threatening hazards to a home and can lead to significant damage or death if it is allowed to spread unchecked. While the most common area for a residential fire to start is the kitchen, another common area of the home where fires are likely to [...]
Properly flashed penetration blocking is a critical component in cement fiber siding systems. Although important, this exterior detail is often overlooked or executed incorrectly. One of the biggest violations of blocking requirements today, are furnace and tankless water heater exhaust vents. With appliances becoming more efficient and having significantly lower exhaust temperatures, capable of [...]
If your home has aluminum branch wiring, you are at an increased risk of electrical fire. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has determined that “homes built before 1972, and wired with aluminum, are 55 times more likely to have one or more wire connections at outlets reach ‘Fire Hazard Conditions’ than homes [...]
Federal Pacific Electric Co. (FPE) was a manufacturer of faulty electrical panel components, most commonly known, Stab-Lok panels. In 1949 the Federal Pacific company filed their first patent and in 1963, a patent for Stab-Lok breakers was filed and soon after gained its Underwriter Laboratories (UL) listing. Sales for the company were strong and [...]
Did you know that many well-known home improvement retailers may sell certain types of equipment, parts, or building materials that are not actually allowed to be installed in homes? One type of plumbing connection that is sold in many home improvement stores, but is prohibited to be installed in homes by many local jurisdictions, [...]
When people hear the word “mold” during a general home inspection, there is usually a concern about indoor air quality, and the health and safety of occupants. When home inspectors find evidence of what may be mold, they will often use the terms such as “apparent mold” or “potential biological growth”. The reason why [...]
Dead front covers on electrical panels help to keep potential malfunctions such as arcing or sparks from reaching beyond the panel and help protect one of the most dangerous areas in a home. Since it only takes 100 milliamperes (0.1 amp) to be lethal, electrical panels should be approached with caution. Other hazards such [...]
An effective and relatively low-cost roofing option, asphalt shingles are one of the most common types of roofing material used on steep slope roofs. When properly installed and maintained, asphalt shingles can last between 20 and 50 years depending on the manufacturer, quality of shingles, and installation method. However, the life span and effectiveness [...]
Gas fireplaces with glass fronts are very common in our area. The glass at the front of the fireplace helps keep the flames and combustion gasses contained. This lets you enjoy your fireplace without the risk of smoke and flames that is associated with open-flame fireplaces. Unfortunately, it is very common for us to [...]
The beauty of natural hardwood floors will fade over time due to normal wear and tear. Luckily ,the hardwood can be rejuvenated with a little sweat equity. This task is similar to painting but does require more steps and does take more time. To beging with, thoroughly clean the floor. A simple cleaning solution [...]
