COULD THE ATTIC BE DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH?Dangerous insulation may be hiding above the ceiling of older homes. In newer homes the insulation is usually soft and puffy fiberglass or a cellulose (very finely ground paper). In some older homes a granular product with a silver glint to it may have been used to insulate […]Read More about Granules in Attic, Is it Dangerous Insulation?
Garage Door Spring Safety Wire Required
Video of garage doors with the old style springs to the side of the tracks. These pose a danger if they fail and snap. A safety wire must be inserted into the center of the spring to hold it in place. These inexpensive safety wires are available at any store that sells overhead doors for […]Read More about Garage Door Spring Safety Wire Required
Who Will Keep the Dog In….. A Sears Fence?
It never ceases to amaze me how many homes have chain link fences around the back garden proudly displaying the iconic “Sears Armadillo” plaque on the gate. In fact, it’s hard to believe that Sears has filed bankruptcy all closed down all their stores. The products they sold were in so many homes, still are […]Read More about Who Will Keep the Dog In….. A Sears Fence?
Leaking Vent Pipe Boot, Replacement
Where the plumbing vent pipe exits through the roof shingles, there is a metal plate with a rubber gasket (boot) that stops water leaking into the attic. The flashing boot will generally deteriorate and start leaking water into the attic after about twelve years, that’s long before it’s time to re-roof. When boots need to […]Read More about Leaking Vent Pipe Boot, Replacement
Cast Iron Drains Had a Lot of Problems
Modern PVC drain pipes have reduced the number of blocked drains substantially. This old house in downtown Dayton was built in the early ‘50’s had a sixty foot run to where the blockage was in 58, again in ‘66, ‘03 and ‘06. These were all bad years for this houses main drain according to the […]Read More about Cast Iron Drains Had a Lot of Problems
Trees and Drains do not go well together.
Video of a very standard front yard: Take a look where the sewage clean out is located; in the basement or outside along the side of the foundation. This will tell you where the sewer line from the home is. Now look around for trees and see if there are any near the sewer line. […]Read More about Trees and Drains do not go well together.
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
Beautiful Old Kitchen Cabinets
Saw this on front of a kitchen counter in Kettering, probably installed in the 50’s and thought it showed such pride in quality and workmanship. The kitchen though old was perfect. Tried to find Valley Kitchens but unfortunately they did not last as long as their workmanship.