How to Repair an Interior Main Water Shut off Valve

By |2022-03-08T09:51:10-08:00March 8th, 2022|DIY Repairs, home inspection, Maintenance|

Shut off valves are an important part of a plumbing system and can save a home from a significant amount of damage if used at the right time. However, valves can leak, break, or become stuck over time and may need to be repaired or replaced for them to remain in good working order. [...]

How to Repair Firebrick at a Fireplace

By |2022-03-08T09:46:30-08:00March 8th, 2022|DIY Repairs, home inspection, Maintenance|

Fireplaces are a pleasant addition to home and can provide an enjoyable source of warmth in the wintertime. However, like all areas of a home, fireplaces do need the occasional maintenance in order to operate properly and safely. Since fireplaces are used to contain flames and toxic combustion byproducts, their regular maintenance is crucial [...]

Kickout Flashing – Code Confusion

By |2022-01-27T08:39:46-08:00January 27th, 2022|DIY Repairs, home inspection, Maintenance|

Kickout flashing that is too small Kickout flashing, also referred to as diverter flashing, is intended to prevent water intrusion into building structural components and direct it back to the exterior. Although this flashing detail has been required by IRC for more than a decade, old habits appear to have stayed in [...]

How to Fix Damaged Drywall

By |2022-01-26T09:58:36-08:00January 26th, 2022|DIY Repairs, home inspection, Maintenance|

Drywall is the standard wall covering for homes built in the 2nd half of the 20th century and homes built in the 21st century. It is inexpensive and inexpensive to install. It is also a material that is easily damaged and being able to do drywall repair can help a homeowner save a significant [...]

When to Test your Well Water (And What to Test For)

By |2022-01-25T16:10:22-08:00January 25th, 2022|DIY Testing, home inspection, Maintenance|

One of the most important advancements in both health and convenience is access to a clean water supply. With the average household in the U.S. using approximately 300 gallons of water per day, a clean water supply is critical. While most homes in the U.S. are connected to a public water system, an estimated [...]

How to Refinish a Deck

By |2022-01-25T14:21:58-08:00January 25th, 2022|DIY Repairs, home inspection, Maintenance|

Many of the decks that we inspect have finish coatings that are at or past the end of their useful service life. In our wet climate, maintaining a protective finish coating on the deck can do as much as double the service life of a deck. Failing to do so will allow the deck [...]

How to Correct a Misaligned Door Latch

By |2022-01-25T13:56:29-08:00January 25th, 2022|DIY Repairs, home inspection, Maintenance|

A common problem with doors in a home is a misaligned latch that does not allow the door to stay close. This is an annoying problem that can be caused by a variety of reasons, but most of the time, repairs can be pretty simple. There are several tricks that can be used to [...]

How to Repair a Binding Door Jamb

By |2022-01-25T13:43:27-08:00January 25th, 2022|DIY Repairs, home inspection, Maintenance|

Have you ever tried to close a door and it ends up binding or rubbing against the door jamb? Chances are you have; this is a common issue in homes. This problem can be found in old homes, or even brand new homes. Usually this issue is caused by problems with the door hinges, [...]

How to Replace a Toilet

By |2022-01-25T13:38:10-08:00January 25th, 2022|DIY Repairs, home inspection, Maintenance|

Do you live in a house built before 1994? If so, you may be flushing down more water than you think every time you use the toilet. If you are someone that pays water and sewer bills, you can say that you are literally flushing money down the drain each time you press that [...]

How to Test and Maintain A Sump Pump

By |2022-01-25T13:31:36-08:00January 25th, 2022|DIY Repairs, home inspection, Maintenance|

Water can be one of the most damaging outside forces to a home and even a small amount can lead to significant repair costs. While plumbing leaks can cause tremendous damage in a short amount of time, these often make themselves apparent relatively quickly and can be mitigated once they are identified. A type [...]

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