A door that is rubbing against the floor can sometimes be a simple nuisance but sometimes it can cause damage and negatively affect the HVAC system of the home. A door that repeatedly rubs against the carpet can cause the carpet in that area to wear prematurely. If it is rubbing against a hard [...]
The most popular kind of deadbolt, the single-keyed deadbolt, only needs a key to be turned in order to gain access from the outside. A knob that locks and unlocks the door is found on the interior side of the door. Both sides of a double-cylinder deadbolt have key-entry locks. In a home with [...]
Adjustable steel columns, commonly known as Lally Columns, are hollow steel posts designed to provide intermediate structural support. An attached threaded adjustment mechanism is used to adjust the height of the post. Adjustments can properly distribute support to the floors above, to prevent out of level conditions that might cause structural damage. Lally columns [...]
Influenced by the changes in the economic and legal environments, home inspection requirements have been introduced and continue to develop as the industry changes. An increase in consumer expectations for more extensive information and protection has led to most states adopting Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) and licensure requirements for home inspectors. To understand the [...]
Offset in Sewer Line Whether your home is on septic or public sewer, the main sewer line is an integral part of your homes’ plumbing system. The main objective of this sewer line is to carry wastewater from your home safely. Although sewers have been discovered in ancient ruins dating back to [...]
During a home inspection, home inspectors often encounter varying electrical defects. Some of these conditions can be major, oftentimes they are minor deficiencies, but carry potentially dangerous consequences. In older homes, ungrounded 3 prong receptacles are common. In 1969, UL mandated grounded electrical only on major appliances for safety purposes. At that time, only [...]
Louisiana-Pacific was hit with a barrage of lawsuits in the 1990s over the alleged subpar performance of LP's faux-cedar Inner-Seal siding. LP Inner-Seal siding was produced from 1985-1995. Inner-Seal siding from LP came with a 25-year warranty. However, the siding frequently started to decay, fall apart, and change color. Homeowners complained that their siding [...]
Maintaining proper clearances between the flues of combustion appliances like wood stoves, fireplaces, furnaces, pellet stoves, etc. is critical to help prevent damage to the home and potential fires. Any substance or surface that can burn is considered combustible, including wood or wood products, drywall, compressed paper, plant fibers, plastics, or any other substance [...]
Cleaning your dryer vent and lint screen on a regular basis helps minimize lint buildup, lowers the risk of a fire, and ensures that your dryer runs effectively. Dryer lint fires are extremely common and dryer fires account for $238 million in property damage every year. Thankfully, the risk of dryer fires can be [...]
A bootleg ground exists when the ground of the receptacle or fixture is connected to the neutral wire of the circuit. This is an improper condition and potentially a very hazardous condition. Incorrectly wired receptacles can cause significant injury or even death. Because the neutral wires carry electricity, creating a bootleg ground makes it possible [...]
