Using a battery pack at the igniter for a gas fireplace can be necessary when the home has lost power or if electricity has been disconnected from the electric igniter at the gas fireplace. It may not occur to all homeowners that utilizing a gas fueled appliance still requires a small amount of electricity [...]
Is your sliding door sticking, grinding, or generally difficult to open? This issue can often be resolved with relatively simple maintenance that homeowners can perform themselves. Sliding doors need to be maintained in order to preserve their satisfying smooth operation, as well as their energy-efficiency and general condition. The easiest maintenance a homeowner can [...]
Moldy sealant is a common issue that can quickly make a bathroom look aged and unsightly. The sealant or caulking around your plumbing fixtures is easy pickings for household mold and mildew with an ideal combination of warmth, moisture, and organic materials such as soap, skin cells, or food particles. The issue can be [...]
Concrete is a crucial building material that has transformed the construction industry due to its exceptional strength, durability, and adaptability. In homes in our area, concrete finds common usage in foundations, patio slabs, and garage slabs. However, like any other building material, concrete has certain challenges that you should be aware of. Shrinkage is [...]
Allowing downspouts to drain directly at the foundation of a home is a common but potentially dangerous practice. Although it may seem harmless, this condition can have significant ramifications that jeopardize both the structural integrity and the safety of the occupants of the home. The risks posed by this practice can result in a [...]
Modern plumbing pipes are often comprised of plastic components. Plastic is a material that has an extremely long life, is durable, and affordable. It quickly became the material of choice for plumbing piping throughout the industry for these reasons. One consideration for protecting various plastic components from potential long-term damage is preventing exposure to sunlight. Sunlight is [...]
Drainage pipes are an essential component of every home’s plumbing system. Drainage pipes are part of a home’s DWV (Drain Waste Vent) system and provide the avenue in which water and waste leave the home. These pipes terminate either into the city sewer system or into a private septic system. One of the potential [...]
A common issue that we find, particularly in older homes, is downspouts that terminate next to a home’s foundation. When a home’s roof structure has a gutter system installed, the downspouts, which are integrated into the gutters, are responsible for discharging the bulk of the roof water runoff. When this water is not routed [...]
Fiberglass batt insulation has been installed in residential construction since the 1930s. Fiberglass batts are easy to install and are used to slow the spread of cold and heat in a home. Common areas to find fiberglass batts are in walls, ceilings, and floors. Fiberglass batts can be a good insulator when properly installed. [...]
A common defect that we find during a home inspection is water heaters that are not properly strapped to prevent damage or injury during a seismic event. Each state has different regulations regarding seismic strapping for water heaters and it generally correlates with the seismic risk in that area. Seismic risk in Oregon and [...]
