An amazing find in a beautiful large hundred year old house in Oakwood was a real piece of history and in good condition. Down in the basement was what appeared to be a fully functional incinerator. It would have been used for disposing of household garbage by burning it at high temperature in the days […]Read More about Residential Incinerators Were Once Common
North American Van Lines Box
In the attic this box from a nineteen fifty six, North American Van Lines promotion was still in perfect condition. Stamped on the top corner is “Wife Approved Move” how times have changed! The wife approved move must have been successful because it was still advertised up thru the early sixties in newspaper adverts. North […]Read More about North American Van Lines Box
Roof Truss Correctly Installed at Chimney
When the chimney was installed the mason correctly built around the roof trusses (framing) instead of cutting a section out of the truss, which appears to be rather common solution to one problem and the creation of another. Trusses are all too often modified, removing parts that get in the way of attic access ladders, […]Read More about Roof Truss Correctly Installed at Chimney
Is Your Water Heater Safe ?
Every water heater gas or electric, tank type or demand all have one thing in common, a temperature pressure relief (TPR) safety valve to prevent the unit from possibly exploding or injuring a user. As water is heated it expands in volume (size), normal hot water temperatures of 120 degrees do not expand the water […]Read More about Is Your Water Heater Safe ?
“Water Softeners can Sicken Family”
What do all these pipes have in common? They come from water softeners that are incorrectly and dangerously installed. They could contaminate the drinking water in the home they are in and possibly the whole subdivision. Water softeners have a pipe coming out of the control unit at the top of the softener (there is […]Read More about “Water Softeners can Sicken Family”
Recycling at its best!
Would we “call” this “disadvantage home team”, found in an attic last week, quirky reuse of a tennis ball container as an electrical junction box. Yes it works, No its not permitted!
“Garage Door Opener Could Hurt Your Child”
Unsafe Garage Door Openers? Do you have one?Is yours safe for children or pets?With Christmas and cold weather coming children may be playing in your garage. Your garage door opener should have a photoelectric safety beam mounted to the bottom of the door track and located between 4 to 6 inches from the floor. Older […]Read More about “Garage Door Opener Could Hurt Your Child”
Garden Hose Can Burst Piping in Home
Cold Weather is on the way, as fall turns cold pipes freeze. Hose bib’s are the worst offender when garden hoses are left attached. All garden hoses should be disconnected to prevent the faucet rupturing inside the wall as a result of the water in the hose and faucet freezing. Hose bibs like the one […]Read More about Garden Hose Can Burst Piping in Home
Garage Opener Security Takes a Minute….
SECURE YOUR HOME and don’t let the garage door be your weak link. When all your house doors are locked and deadbolts set, your garage door emergency opener pull cord, may be accessible from the outside if the J -bar is not installed at an angle equivalent to the 2 position on your clock. So […]Read More about Garage Opener Security Takes a Minute….
Is Your Incoming Electric Wiring Safe?
BEFORE YOU GO CLEANING GUTTERS and carrying ladders around you should perform a safety check. Look to see where your electrical service comes in. If it is to a roof mast or attached to the side of your home, take a look at the electrical connection between the power company wire and the wire from […]Read More about Is Your Incoming Electric Wiring Safe?
Bathroom Vent Confusion
Bathroom venting is simple and necessary to remove excess moisture from the bathroom All that’s required is a fan, an insulated pipe and a vent on the roof or the exterior wall. This professionally remodeled home in a Dayton historic area appeared to have it all until we questioned the direction of the piping in […]Read More about Bathroom Vent Confusion
Engineer Should Have Been As Detailed
As a Home Inspector we are very like the family doctor, observing and suggesting a remedy or referring our client to a specialist. Recently we inspected an old farm house in Jamestown and as we finished the client arrived, smiling and happy with the “how is it going comment”, any “deal killers” says the Realtor? […]Read More about Engineer Should Have Been As Detailed
Roof Dryer Vents Often Wrong Type
The most common problem we see with dryer vents is with roof terminations of the dryer vent pipe where the home has been re-roofed. The correct vent is the first photo. The screen must be removed for use with a clothes dryer or it becomes blocked with lint and poses a fire hazard. The second […]Read More about Roof Dryer Vents Often Wrong Type
Water Softener Drain Pipe
Water softener drain pipe connections are a constant issue that we observe and write up. The backwash drain pipe from the softener must have a back-flow prevention device when it is terminates at a drain, in other words there must be an air gap between the end of the pipe and the top of the […]Read More about Water Softener Drain Pipe
