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 [...]
When purchasing a home that has stucco siding, it is important to identify what type of stucco siding is installed. One type of synthetic stucco system that has many problems associated with is it EIFS stucco siding (EIFS stands for “Exterior Insulation Finishing System”). One way to determine if the stucco siding is EIFS [...]
When looking for evidence of moisture intrusion in a crawlspace or basement, some of the most obvious signs include water stains on the floor or vapor barrier, decay in wood, or moisture damaged framing. While these defects all point to a past or ongoing moisture issue, there is another sign of moisture problems that [...]
CSST (Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing) is a flexible pipe that delivers natural gas or propane to a variety of residences and businesses in the United States. CSST is frequently covered on the outside with a yellow or, in some instances, a black plastic coating. CSST is not to be confused with flexible gas appliance [...]
Landscaping can make the difference between an unattractive setting and a private oasis. While roses and rhododendrons make for appealing shrubs, large trees can be a dramatic and attractive focal point for a yard. While large trees can be a great source of beauty and shade, they can also present certain challenges and hazards [...]
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 a significant impact on the safety and well-being of a home’s occupants and create a safer environment to call home. [...]
Wintertime in the Pacific Northwest brings many great outdoor activities; from skiing the slopes of Mount Hood to storm watching at Cannon Beach, wintertime in the PNW brings plenty of changes to our region. While cold and wet weather can put a damper on some activities, it can also bring a host of problems [...]
Moss spores are air-borne and find their way onto roofs via wind. Once the spores get on the roof, they adhere to the shingles and start growing into thick moss. Since moss does well in a wet climate, areas of the roof that get the least amount of direct sunlight are most likely to [...]
When homeowners with older dryers that have 3-prong connections move into a property with a newer 4-slot outlet, they may be confused about why their dryer cord doesn’t work. Their dryer cord doesn’t plug into the wall outlet and they’re not sure what the problem is. This situation is common and the fix for [...]
The use of fire has been an integral part of human evolution and civilization throughout the ages. As humans were able to learn how to control fire, we were able to spend more time during the darker hours of the day on cultural development. The use of fire enabled people to have some downtime [...]
