Vapor barriers are an important installation for all homes. However, vapor barriers in homes build on a slab or with a finished basement will not be visible or accessible. A vapor barrier should be made of 6-mil black polyethylene plastic and is designed to prevent moisture vapor in the underlying soil from reaching the [...]
Have you ever noticed that a window in your home has a hazy or foggy appearance? Does the window develop condensation that cannot be removed? This is a common occurrence for double or triple pane windows, and is generally known as a failed window seal. Double or triple pane windows can be referred to [...]
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 [...]
Earthquakes are one of the most destructive forces on earth and can cause devastating damage to the structure of a home. Damage can include a home sliding off of its foundation, masonry breaking apart, plumbing lines snapping, and gas lines rupturing. Fires are common in the aftermath of a seismic event and can easily [...]
If you are considering buying an older home you may discover that many of your electrical devices have three-prong cords that will not fit into pre-1960’s two-slot outlets or receptacles. One solution is to use a "adapter" which allows you to plug in your three-prong cord but does not give the necessary safety of [...]
In an electrical panel, you will find a variety of different types of wire gauges, circuit breakers, and bus bars. Three types of wires that you will see in any electrical panel are hot, neutral, and ground conductors. Hot conductors are usually colored black or red, neutrals are white or gray, and grounds are [...]
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 [...]
