Why Are Reversed Polarity (Hot Neutral Reversed) Outlets a Hazard?
A common electrical issue that home inspectors find is electrical outlets that have hot and neutral wires reversed, or reversed polarity. While this is generally an easy fix, uncorrected it presents a potential shock [...]
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters: What Are They and Where Should They Be?
Since their creation by Charles Dalziel in 1961, ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI’s) have become a commonplace item in homes and have saved countless lives from electrocution. But how do these devices work and [...]
Common Retaining Wall Problems
Retaining walls are an important building component that help to secure the ground around a home. They are commonly installed when a home is built on a hillside, and where the hillside is cut [...]
Self Closing Garage Occupant Doors
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 [...]
Wood Stove Requirements in Oregon
Wood stoves and fireplace inserts have been required to be certified by the EPA since 1992. The Oregon DEQ had a certification program starting even earlier in the 1980s. Therefore, if you have a [...]
What are AFCI’s?
Safety devices in homes have come in many forms over years, some of which are relatively inexpensive and require only small modifications to existing hardware to put in place. However, these changes can have [...]