Modern building standards have several requirements regarding egress in a home. All bedrooms and finished basements that do not have a door to the exterior should be equipped with properly sized egress windows. Egress windows are meant to permit the home’s occupants to escape during a fire and to allow a fully outfitted firefighter [...]
Plumbing vents are an essential part of a home’s DWV (Drain Waste and Vent) system. They supply fresh air to the plumbing system in the home, which helps with proper water circulation. Additionally, plumbing vents create an avenue for toxic sewer gases to leave home. One of the most common defects we that we [...]
Water heaters are essential for all homes and generally require less maintenance as compared to other major appliances such as furnaces and air conditioners. However, water heaters that are not monitored can eventually leak and cause disastrous conditions. The average life expectancy of a water heater is approximately 6-12 years. Many homes contain water [...]
Chimney Crickets Moisture intrusion around chimney penetrations is a common issue. Large chimneys on a roof can collect snow, water, and debris on their uphill side. Water pooling at a chimney can deteriorate the roof covering material, flashing, and the chimney itself. Prolonged moisture buildup can eventually cause rook leaks and even structural damage [...]
Swimming pool lights are important safety features that increase a swimmer’s visibility at night and help observers to locate swimmers. Locating swimmers during an emergency, such as drowning, is imperative and pool lights can potentially be lifesaving. While pool lights are beneficial from a safety standpoint, they also improve the aesthetics of a pool, [...]
Many homes, particularly in rural areas, rely heavily on wood burning fireplaces for home heating. Fireplaces can also serve as an aesthetically pleasing and comforting addition to a home. Chimneys and their respective safety features for wood burning fireplaces are essential. Safety features such as rain caps and spark arrestors are important additions to [...]
Imagine you are strolling down a sidewalk in your neighborhood. Suddenly, you trip on an uneven section of concrete, causing you to fall and break an arm. Now you are stuck with significant medical bills all because the sidewalk was in a potentially hazardous condition. So, who is liable for these expenses? The answer [...]
Here in the Pacific Northwest, where winter temperatures can drop below freezing, swimming pool winterization is particularly important. Winterizing your outdoor swimming pool can help to prevent a variety of issues, including damaged pool equipment, cracked or broken plumbing lines, algae growth, and more. Heating your pool throughout the winter may not economically feasible [...]
Swimming pool filters are an essential component of a pools water circulatory system and help to maintain clean water for swimmers. Filters are plumbed into the plumbing network after the pool pump and before the pool heater. A pool filters main purpose is to trap dirt and debris and prevent it from entering the [...]
Have you ever looked in your attic and noticed black, brown, or white patchy or fuzzy areas present on the roof sheathing or framing? While this is a common occurrence, particularly in regions with high annual rain fall and/or humidity, it can pose a potential health hazard for the home’s occupants. Mold growth can [...]
