Blinds and shutters can be a practical alternative to curtains, simple and easy to install with a few basic tools. Their ease of operation make them ideal for most windows except those which require a handle to crank them open. The handle gets in the way of shutters or catches the bottom of the blinds […]Read More about Blind Annoyance
Old verses new with big savings
Just look at the difference in size between the old furnace and the new furnace. Physically the new one is one quarter the size of the old one. Heat output at 100,000 BTU, the new one is just over half the size of the big brute. The new furnace has a blower and the heated […]Read More about Old verses new with big savings
“Your not inspecting it?”
A detached one car garage, when the door opened two panels flapped around threatening to fall to the floor right where we stood. The place is piled high with junk, old toys, broken furniture, bits of everything! What did we write in the report? “Restricted”, Not all visible, Floor not visible. The client who was […]Read More about “Your not inspecting it?”
Classic Deck Failure
Most often when a deck collapses the first thing people thing about are the outside support posts failing, whereas it is actually more common to fail on the house side. There are many reasons for this, the most common reason, not enough fasteners (bolts/screws/nails) used to secure the ledger board to the house wall. Then […]Read More about Classic Deck Failure
Radon Mitigation System Gauge
If you see one of these you are looking at a part of a Radon mitigation system. Basically a simple system that creates a negative pressure (suction) under the concrete slab floor of a house, or in the case of a crawl space under sealed plastic sheeting covering the dirt or gravel floor. So you […]Read More about Radon Mitigation System Gauge
Back-flow Prevention Device
This safety device is not very common in residential properties. But you do see them often enough that you might have wondered what they are and do. Most home buyers have no idea what it is or why it’s there, so let’s explain it. Water plumbed to anything other than regular home plumbing (examples: water […]Read More about Back-flow Prevention Device
Flawed Expansion Tank Installation
These expansion tanks are becoming more common, some are blue, some beige all slightly bigger than a gallon milk jug. Most often located at the water heater, these tanks allow heated water to expand in closed water systems without bursting the pipes. Installations like the one in the photo are a water leak time bomb, […]Read More about Flawed Expansion Tank Installation
A Privy, you will probably never get to use one!
In an old house in Yellow Springs this privy or outhouse (toilet) from the 1800’s is really unusual. It’s a three seater! Two adults and a child’s spot. The older homeowner told me all about it, when it was built the house was at the edge of the village so when travelers came in by […]Read More about A Privy, you will probably never get to use one!
Why is the AC condenser suspended
That’s a great question, and we are asked it all too often and now you will know. The two options for the condenser are to be installed on a pad, the most common option or suspended on brackets. Suspended condenser units became popular about fifteen years ago. When a contractor was installing the heating and […]Read More about Why is the AC condenser suspended
Modern “In”convince!
A 1950’s house, with all the modern convinces of the time. The party room with spotlights and bar, built in intercom and music in all the rooms. The wiring was amazing, lights everywhere, recessed, at the top of the window treatments, with ceiling fans, just mind boggling! But more mind boggling was trying to figure […]Read More about Modern “In”convince!
Siding in contact with roofing
Should siding be installed touching the roof? It really depends on the siding. Vinyl and aluminum siding are can be install against the roofing if so desired, because they are not damaged by moisture. Any type of wood siding or trim and fiber cement siding should have a two inch gap between its termination and […]Read More about Siding in contact with roofing
Gas line “appliance connectors”
The yellow flexible pipe pipe on the gas line to the furnace is a problem. Flexible connectors are not permitted to go through any wall of any kind. The metal wall of the furnace cabinet becomes the excluding factor. Equally bad is that the edges of the hole in the cabinet are sharp and could […]Read More about Gas line “appliance connectors”
The Utility Room “with a twist”
Bathrooms come in all shapes and sizes, half baths and full baths, and then there is a new addition: the utility room! What architect thought this was a good idea, in fact the photo does not fully portray just how exposed the user is on this throne! This is the rear of a utility room […]Read More about The Utility Room “with a twist”
Is Your Stove Safe? (or a child killer)
In 1986 a young girl lost a limb when a kitchen stove tipped over and crushed her. As a result all free standing stoves sold since 1991 come with an anti-tip bracket included in the bag with the instruction manual. Sadly most brackets are never installed. Younger children are the most common victims, opening the […]Read More about Is Your Stove Safe? (or a child killer)
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