Many home inspectors offer what is called an “interior only” home inspection for condos and townhomes. Oftentimes, the cost for an interior only home inspection is less than a full general home inspection since it takes less time to inspect and report on an interior only inspection. These types of inspections are meant for [...]
Regular maintenance is the best way to help extend the life of the various components within a home and to keep them operating properly. One of the most important areas of a home is the roof, which serves to protect the interior from rain, hail, debris, and wind. Regularly cleaning and performing preventative maintenance [...]
Maintaining water safety and quality in a home is an extremely important part of regular home maintenance and repairs. With the majority of households in the U.S. drinking tap water (71%), keeping impurities and contaminants out of the potable water supply is critical. While city water from the street is regularly inspected and treated [...]
One thing you are likely to never see while inspecting a manufactured home is horizontal flashing. In fact, sometimes no flashing is installed on the entire exterior of the home. Rather than rely on metal flashing materials, manufacturers simply apply copious amounts of sealant (often incorrectly). The problem with sealant dependent areas is that [...]
Zinsco (also known as Magnetrip, Sylvania, and Challenger) electrical panels are among the known types of electrical panels that are considered to be dangerous. Just like many other electrical panel manufacturers, the Zinsco brand went through a series of equipment design and company ownership changes. This is why you may be able to find [...]
For many people, having an outdoor living space is an important factor when considering the purchase of a property. Homes with decks and patios enable homeowners to enjoy the outdoors in a way that can keep them out of the dirt and mud, and often are used as outdoor cooking areas for barbeques and [...]
A common plumbing fixture in a home, showers are a modern convenience that provide clean water for bathing activities while using less water than a traditional bath. While showers typically don’t require much maintenance beyond regular cleaning and periodic replacement of deteriorated sealant, some components can require repair or replacement as they age, such [...]
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 for a residential fire to start is the kitchen, another common area of the home where fires are likely to [...]
Properly flashed penetration blocking is a critical component in cement fiber siding systems. Although important, this exterior detail is often overlooked or executed incorrectly. One of the biggest violations of blocking requirements today, are furnace and tankless water heater exhaust vents. With appliances becoming more efficient and having significantly lower exhaust temperatures, capable of [...]
If your home has aluminum branch wiring, you are at an increased risk of electrical fire. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has determined that “homes built before 1972, and wired with aluminum, are 55 times more likely to have one or more wire connections at outlets reach ‘Fire Hazard Conditions’ than homes [...]
