Picture yourself on a nice sunny day at your home, enjoying the yard, maybe cutting grass or gardening. Your elderly neighbor passes by and you smile and wave. As they do the same, they catch their foot on a concrete slab that has heaved or settled, and then they trip and fall. No one [...]
For most people buying a home, it is usually one of the biggest purchases of their lifetime. The price to purchase a home does not only include the purchase cost but there are also costs for maintenance and repairs that should be considered. Many homes may look like they are in good condition, but [...]
Garage door openers offer a convenience that help people save time and effort when entering and exiting their garages. Over time, garage door technology has evolved, and now we can open garage doors with a touch of a button, and an electric motor does all the work. Before electric mechanical devices were invented, springs [...]
Many homes built in North America have crawlspace or basement foundations. A crawlspace is a small space below the lower floor for a home, usually 3 or more feet high, that is used for routing building components such as plumbing, electrical and HVAC equipment/ductwork. The crawlspace also allows access to under the building’s subfloor [...]
A home’s roof is the most important building system for keeping water from leaking into and damaging the interior of the home. Roof leaks could lead to mold growth issues, and long term leakage could lead to significant structural damage and expensive repairs. Although a roof is a waterproof assembly that is designed to [...]
Homes that have a crawlspace have a unique set of concerns when compared to homes built on a slab, or on a basement foundation. Since a crawlspace is an enclosed space under the living space, problems can go unnoticed since most people will hardly ever, or never enter the crawlspace. Crawlspace issues that include [...]
There are certain requirements for a home in order for it to be considered habitable. In many cases, these types of requirements can determine whether a home can qualify for financing or not. Home inspectors are not loan experts, but can help buyers determine whether certain repairs are needed in order for the home [...]
Gas fireplaces are a great addition to a home, and can help to keep the living space comfortable and cozy. A home with a gas fireplace may be more desirable for homebuyers, and the presence of a gas fireplace could increase a home’s value. There are a few different types of gas fireplaces found [...]
Residential building architecture and construction techniques can differ from place to place, especially when considering the foundation type. Generally, in North America, there are three types of foundations used regularly. Slab on grade, basements and crawlspaces. Usually certain locations have a predominate type of residential building foundation, which is usually based on soil type, [...]
When inspectors inspect electrical systems, they are looking for any installation errors, shock and fire hazards, and also labeling issues. Since electrical systems can cause injury or fire, making sure that all of the wiring and electrical panels in a home is very important, and this is why home inspectors take special care to [...]
