This funky and worrying thing with wires hanging out of it is often found in the oddest of places. They can be found on the wall in a closet, in the basement on the wall or in the ceiling joists, beside the breaker panel, just about anywhere in a home.Nervous buyers often look at those […]
Venting Frustrations
There is nothing worse than badly draining sinks, tubs, and showers, not to mention toilets that need three flushes to finish the job. A call to a drain cleaning company did not help. They looked down the drains of the three year old home with a camera scope, all the way to the city sewer […]
When Wood Siding is Not Real Wood
Video about the rush to build houses cheaper, its often the beautiful wood lap siding that becomes a major liability.
Don’t Be Stranded…
When connecting stranded wiring (a wire that is made up of numerous smaller wires as opposed to a solid wire) all strands of the wire must be secured under the terminal screw. In this photo of a wire connected to a circuit breaker, there is less wire connected to one of the connections which means […]
How “Safe” is Your Bathroom?
When you hear it said that bathrooms can be unsafe you might not think that a half ton of steel would be the answer. But bathrooms can be one of the most dangerous places in a home, with a multitude of potential hazards. Starting with tiled floors which can become slippery when wet to the […]
Attic Ladders Are Generally Unsafe
Video explains highlights that manufacturers installation instructions are rarely followed which poses a safety issue. The most important fastener in the one in the hinge.
Unreasonable Expectations
Inspections can sometimes be a challenge for the inspector and the reason is rarely because of what is found, but trying to find it. Vacant properties are much easier to get around, no furniture, no stored items blocking the inspector at every turn. We do our best to get around obstacles and into difficult areas, […]
Steam Heat, Confused?
Yes, so what type of heating system is in the house we are looking at? It’s easy to figure out if you know what to look for. Steam heat does exist, the water is heated above 212 degrees (boiling point) turning it into steam. The steam moves by convection through pipes and radiators. Most homes […]
Telephone (What’s It?)
These blocks are often found in basements and can still be in use, but never in newer homes. Most newer homes have two plastic boxes outside with wires coming out of them. One for the cable TV wiring and the other for the incoming phone line. The phone “box“ is called a telephone interface which […]
Sales Brochure Mentioned The New Roof
Video of sales the listing that said the house had a new roof, take a look it was obvious to our inspector that it was far from new, and a big surprise for our client.
Relaxing Day Enjoying Life
So often it’s arrive, and get going. Tool belt on and get to work, room by room, plumbing, electrical etc. Recently at a house out in the country, I had to park in the driveway and walk through a paddock to get to the house. Horses appeared as soon as I entered the field which […]
Water Softener (What’s It?)
Looking at plumbing in a house have you ever wondered what different things are? There is that usual loop of pipe, which for no apparent reason loops down from ceiling in the basement? Or the two copper pipes about a foot apart one above the other that are sticking straight out and capped off? The […]
Radiant Heat (What’s It?)
Walking through a home you might notice a non descriptive box in every room, some may have numbers on a dial 50, 60, 70. What you are looking at is a thermostat for the radiant heat ceiling. The house is not heated by air coming out of a vent but wires embedded in the ceiling. […]
Well (Water) Inspections
Many properties particularly in rural areas are on well water, which is not a problem in itself. A new well will have a submersible pump that is down in the well shaft, older wells will often have a “jet pump” which will be located at the pressure tank (in the house of a well pit) […]
