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8 Winter Home Improvement Projects To Complete Indoors

8 Winter Home Improvement Projects To Complete Indoors

Home improvement projects are a major focus for many homeowners during the warmer months. However, just because winter has arrived, you don’t have to stop improving your home. Let's look at eight winter home improvement projects you can take on when it's cold outside....

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4 Steps To Prepare Your Fireplace For Use This Winter

4 Steps To Prepare Your Fireplace For Use This Winter

While most of us love a warm and cozy fire during the colder months, it's important to prepare your fireplace for use to keep your family safe. A fireplace that isn’t properly maintained or cleaned can cause issues like smoke in your home or a chimney fire. Take these...

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Prevent Household Plumbing Leaks With These 4 Tips

Prevent Household Plumbing Leaks With These 4 Tips

Your home’s plumbing provides water for your household so it's essential to keep the pipes healthy and operating well to avoid plumbing mishaps. Many things can threaten the integrity of your pipes and cause them to leak. To prevent household plumbing leaks, use these...

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How To Clean the Gutters During Fall

How To Clean the Gutters During Fall

Cleaning gutters is not the most fun task for homeowners because it's time-consuming and involves scooping nasty debris from up above while standing on a ladder. Most homeowners aren't aware of why they should or even how to clean the gutters during fall. Read on to...

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Thermal Imaging In Home Inspections and How it Works

Thermal Imaging In Home Inspections and How it Works

What is Thermal Imaging? Thermal imaging uses an infrared camera to take photos of an object’s infrared rays, which appear as a color spectrum based on the temperature emitted from the object. The image produced shows data otherwise invisible to the human eye. It's...

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Use This Checklist to Prepare Your Home for Vacation

Use This Checklist to Prepare Your Home for Vacation

Oftentimes, people get so excited for their vacation that they forget to prepare their home. Follow our checklist to prepare your home for vacation to help make your time away and your return stress-free. Tidy Up You will not be at your house for a while, so your...

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7 Ways to Save Water at Home This Summer

7 Ways to Save Water at Home This Summer

Is your water bill too high? Would you like to be more environmentally friendly? Either way, read more for easy tips to save water at home this summer: 1. Water Wisely Water your grass in the evening or in the early morning to save water at home. When the sun is high,...

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5 Simple Ways to Reduce Indoor Air Toxins in Your Home

5 Simple Ways to Reduce Indoor Air Toxins in Your Home

The ozone, smog, and numerous other outdoor pollutants usually come to mind when we think about pollution, but many indoor air pollutants cause just as much, if not more, damage to an individual’s quality of life. Mold, dust, pet dander, smoke, radon, and formaldehyde...

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5 Tips for Staging Your Home Inexpensively

5 Tips for Staging Your Home Inexpensively

Staging Your Home Inexpensively for Home Selling Success When you are getting ready to put your home on the market, you want to take every step you can to help it sell quickly and for asking price or better. But keep in mind that you’re competing with other sellers...

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Home Cleaning Hacks for Every Room

Home Cleaning Hacks for Every Room

Keep your Whole House Spotless with our Home Cleaning Hacks Cleaning your entire home may seem overwhelming, but with our home cleaning hacks for each room of your house, your goal may be closer and easier than it seems! Your Kitchen You don’t want to use a...

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5 Ways to Increase Energy Efficiency at Home

5 Ways to Increase Energy Efficiency at Home

Energy efficient homes are becoming more popular by the day as American homeowners are looking to save money on utility bills and save the environment at the same time. Make no mistake about it—it has become a popular goal to increase energy efficiency at home. Here...

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Tips for Home Winterization

Tips for Home Winterization

Home Winterization Made Simple When cold weather is on its way and you find yourself wanting to crank up your thermostat, it’s time to start thinking about all the little things that can add up to much larger bills. Getting a jumpstart on preparation is the key, so...

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Basement Mold—and What Can Be Done About It

Basement Mold—and What Can Be Done About It

Mold simply needs oxygen, organic material, and water—even just a small amount—to grow, and it really likes to sprout up in the humid, moisture-rich areas of your home. Naturally, this means that basement mold is going to be an issue that many homeowners will find...

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5 Tips To Prevent Termite Damage

5 Tips To Prevent Termite Damage

Termites are voracious pests that devour cellulose, which means they’re a danger to your actual cash, as well as to your bank account. That’s right, termites don’t just eat wood - any of your possessions made of natural materials, including your clothes and even your...

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Why First-time Homebuyers Should Get an Inspection

Why First-time Homebuyers Should Get an Inspection

First-time Homebuyers Market Indianapolis was recently listed as one of the top ten best cities for first-time homebuyers, so we thought it would be a great time to stress the importance of a quality home inspection. When emotions are running high and the market is...

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Why a P-trap is important for your plumbing drainage

Why a P-trap is important for your plumbing drainage

Why a P-trap is important! Have you looked at how your home’s water leaves the sink? What are all those pipes under the sink or in the basement? Those pipes not only get the water away and out of your home, it keeps nasty smells from getting into your home. Enter –...

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How to determine kitchen design layout

How to determine kitchen design layout

Kitchen Design Most kitchen layouts start from the concept of a “work triangle” between the sink, refrigerator, and cooking surface. For an efficient work triangle, follow these guidelines: No leg of the triangle should be less than 4 ft. or greater than 9 ft. The...

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Discovering mold indoors raises major concerns

Discovering mold indoors raises major concerns

Mold is Everywhere Mold spores are found both indoors and outdoors. Mold spores cannot be eliminated from indoor environments. Some mold spores will be found floating through the air and on settled dust; however, they will not grow if moisture is not present. Why Be...

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Water heater burn marks

Water heater burn marks

  Burn marks are a BIG warning sign. If there are burn marks on the bottom of your water heater, you could usually have one, if not more, possible problems. (Burn marks are usually only on gas or propane water heaters) Issue: Unit is not venting properly Improper...

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Kickout Flashing

Kickout Flashing

Kickout flashing, also known as diverter flashing, is a special type of flashing that diverts rainwater away from the cladding and into the gutter. When installed properly, they provide excellent protection against the penetration of water into the building envelope....

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Chimney flue and combustible materials

Chimney flue and combustible materials

Interior Single-Wall Metal Chimneys Our inspectors look for exposed interior single-wall metal chimneys that are not continuously enclosed where they extend through closets, storage areas, or habitable spaces, or where the surface of a chimney could come into contact...

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Copper for fuel lines and leaks

Copper for fuel lines and leaks

Copper, while perhaps permissible in some locations, is not ideal for natural gas. Sulfur in the gas, depending upon its concentration, can degrade the copper. There are approved flexible gas lines that can be used to supply appliances that may need flexibility, but...

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Foundation Issues and How to Recognize Them

Foundation Issues and How to Recognize Them

Foundation systems have other members besides the perimeter foundation wall. In your basement or crawlspace, look for posts and concrete supports, or piers. Posts should stand straight and be firmly installed underneath the girder or support beams. At the bottom of...

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Electrical overcurrent wiring issues in main panel

Electrical overcurrent wiring issues in main panel

Circuit breakers straddle the hot bus bars, and if there’s an overload on the branch circuit—the affected circuit trips and automatically stops the flow of electricity to that branch in your home.  Breakers also serve as the starting points for the electricity which...

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Why you should not use accordion drain pipe

Why you should not use accordion drain pipe

I see flexible accordion drain pipe in use frequently. I look at these with questions since most home improvement stores have them. Why sell it if you aren’t supposed to use it? They are intended to be used as a temporary solution. The major problem accordion pipe has...

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Importance of Installing Gutters on Your Home

Importance of Installing Gutters on Your Home

IMPORTANCE OF GUTTERS Rainwater can cause a lot of damage to a house if it’s not controlled. There are misunderstandings about gutters and as a result there are many mistakes homeowners are making. In some cases these mistakes are causing damage rather than preventing...

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NEVER mess with the structure of your home.

NEVER mess with the structure of your home.

If your home was built with manufactured roof trusses you should never cut or damage them. If the need for modifications is crucial for renovations or repairs you should consult with a licensed structural engineer. Although you may have a recommendation or design plan...

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Common Roofing Errors

Common Roofing Errors

Common Roofing Errors Common Roofing Errors Details that matter on asphalt shingle roofs By Mark Parlee, Journal of Light Construction I was recently called to consult on an Iowa home that had extensive roof leaks into the finished space. According to the homeowner,...

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Settlement Foundation Cracking Issue

Settlement Foundation Cracking Issue

Settlement Foundation Cracking Issue Differential Settlement Caused by Variable Soil Types Cracks should always be evaluated to determine their cause and whether corrective action is required. Look for signs of movement. A clean crack indicates recent movement; a...

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Causes of Cracked Grout

Causes of Cracked Grout

It is disappointing. It is frustrating. You see your carefully applied grout begin to crack or even start to chip off and fall to the ground. What causes cracked grout and what can you do about it? Causes of Cracked Grout There are several possible reasons why your...

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Anti-Tip Range Bracket to Keep You Safe

Anti-Tip Range Bracket to Keep You Safe

  Anti-Tip Brackets for Ranges Anti-tip brackets are metal devices designed to prevent freestanding ranges from tipping. They are normally attached to one of the rear legs of the range or screwed into the wall behind the range, and are included in all...

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Proper Venting of Gas-Fueled Appliances

Proper Venting of Gas-Fueled Appliances

Gas furnace ventilation issues can be dangerous to homeowners!   Gas Venting Basics Most homeowners are aware of the need for chimney cleaning and inspection if they own a wood-burning stove or regularly use their fireplace, but many don't realize that a gas heating...

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Preventing Holiday Decorating Hazards (PSA)

Preventing Holiday Decorating Hazards (PSA)

While decorative lights and other electrical decorations add to the splendor of the season, they can increase the risks of fire and electrical injuries during the holidays if not used safety. Follow the basic safety guidelines outlined in this high-quality video to...

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Get your furnace tune-up now

Get your furnace tune-up now

It’s well below freezing. The ground is covered with snow. You can’t remember the last time your furnace kicked on. You try to troubleshoot, but it’s no use—your furnace has quit working. As you wait for help from HVAC professional, your home becomes very cold. To...

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Top Tips for Fire Safety

Top Tips for Fire Safety

American Red Cross- Home Fire Prevention Gatlinburg Fire Incident- "The wildfire exploded on Monday, as massive walls of flames spread down the mountains into Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge with shocking speed, according to those who fled with little more than the...

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Posts not positioned correctly

Posts not positioned correctly

Visit us and follow along to learn more about your home. We see this often when inspecting decks or porches. The issue is bearing is not correct. It becomes even more critical when the structure extends to a second story. The weight being supported by the post should...

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Verify the repairs are done correctly

Verify the repairs are done correctly

Repair Verification- It isn't unusual to have a contractor quickly complete tasks you've hired them to do and not do the repair or work up to standards. Sometimes their schedules get busy or subcontractors aren't doing what the contractor expects, there are reasons to...

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Improper roof flashing

Improper roof flashing

Flashing was protected by sealant only in various areas of roof covering. Using only sealant is improper roof flashing and the homeowner should consider this improper flashing temporary. Metal flashing should be used to provide more protection. Improper roof flashing...

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Poor Foundation Repairs

Poor Foundation Repairs

View the video here: Poor Foundation Repairs Sometimes people will hire a company that doesn't do work using a proven standards approach. The homeowner had a foundation issue and decided to contract with a company to repair the issue. The repair was performed and the...

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Signs of moisture and water damage

Signs of moisture and water damage

If left untreated, water damage can cost you BIG money, especially if it goes for long periods of time without recognizing and repairing the issue. Look for signs of water damage and repair areas leaking before it gets out of hand. You may clean your bathrooms...

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CSST Lawsuit: Piping is Defective, Presents Fire Risk

CSST Lawsuit: Piping is Defective, Presents Fire Risk

Important Information- The information here is for reference only. THIS ALERT AFFECTS: Property owners whose home or other structure has been outfitted with corrugated stainless steel tubing (CCST), which is flexible piping used to transport natural and propane gas...

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Mold in Attic- Common Causes

Mold in Attic- Common Causes

Watch Video from Link Here: Mold in Attic Cause #1: You guessed it! A leaking roof Sometimes a roof leak is bad enough that water leaks into the floors below and becomes immediately apparent. While this kind of water damage is never fun, the good news is that at least...

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Settlement

Settlement

All concrete block foundations should be inspected for problems associated with settlement. Although serious settlement problems are relatively uncommon, uneven settlement can be a major structural problem in residential buildings. Indications of settlement are...

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Crawlspace Issues

Video Link: Crawlspace Issues Home's older than 50 years usually have many concerns based on several variables. Expect problems to surface as time passes especially in construction eras of the past. It is common that homes of any age will have had repairs performed...

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Lintel Damage Above Garage Opening

Watch Video: Lintel Damage Above Garage Opening Lintel damage can be a big issue for homes. Lintels are horizontal members which are placed across an opening to support the portion of the structure above it. The function of a lintel is the same as an arch or a beam....

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Water heater discharge pipe visibility

Water heater discharge pipe visibility

Water heaters can be very dangerous when pressure builds up. One of the features build in water heaters is a TPR valve. The TPR, or temperature/pressure-relief,  valves are installed on water heating appliances, such as boilers and domestic water supply heaters. TPR...

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Use Joist Hangers Properly

Use Joist Hangers Properly

All too often rookie carpenters or do-it-yourself homeowners will not install joist hangers correctly. That’s a recipe for disaster if the joist hangers are not fit properly. They don’t have the inherent strength to support the weight from above, especially if they...

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Limitations and benefits of rolled roofing

Limitations and benefits of rolled roofing

Limitations and Disadvantages of flat roofing: Flat roofs have a number of disadvantages. The main issue is the fact that there is no slope and all the water/snow sits on the roof. While water can be taken care of with proper drainage, snow will sit on the roof until...

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Seal up holes to prevent rodents from entering home

Seal up holes to prevent rodents from entering home

Mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a nickel, and rats can squeeze through a hole the size of a half dollar! Prevent rodents from entering the home by checking inside and outside the house for gaps or holes. Where to look for gaps or holes inside your home...

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Where does the water go?

Where does the water go?

Gutters & Downspouts:  Downspouts may need adjustment. Water from the roof reaches the ground through gutters and downspouts or by flowing directly off roof edges. Because downspouts create concentrated sources of water in the landscape, where they discharge is...

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Window Maintenance

Window Maintenance

Condition:  Window frames, sills and sashes should be monitored because the interior condition and hardware of windows change over time. Frame materials can include plastic, aluminum, steel, wood, plastic-clad wood, and metal-clad (steel or aluminum) wood. Window...

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Vertical cracks in building foundations

Vertical cracks in building foundations

Foundation cracks, which are signs of foundation damage, can mean very different things depending on the material from which a foundation is made, the location, size, and shape of the foundation crack, and other site observations. How to Diagnose the significance of...

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Vent Clearance = Home Safety

Vent Clearance = Home Safety

Vents from your building gas appliances should be installed with an understanding there are requirements on clearance and types of materials to be used. Proper sizing is important due to the fact ducts will get hot and could potentially start a home fire. Combustible...

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Structural Strength is Important to Safety

Structural Strength is Important to Safety

When you are evaluating a deck- supports and connections are very important for safety reasons. Decks are where people tend to spend a large deal of time. Sometimes you have guests and want to spend your time outside on your deck. With each person you bring out, the...

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The Importance of a WDI Inspection

The Importance of a WDI Inspection

If you are buying or selling a home in Indiana chances are you will need a Wood-Destroying Insect (WDI) inspection. Some sellers and agents consider the WDI inspection to be a “nit-picky” item- just another obstacle in the path to closing the deal. But the truth is...

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Notching I Joists

Notching I Joists

I-joists are engineered truss joists that are lighter and less expensive than typical floor joists. There are two parts to an I-joist, the flange and the web. The flange cannot be modified. Cutting, notching, or putting holes in the flange will weaken an I-joist. The...

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The Unseen Space Above You

The Attic An attic is an unconditioned space between the roof and the ceiling or walls of the building’s inhabited rooms. In a small house with a pitched roof, the attic is usually partially or fully accessible. In a house with a low-slope roof, it may be inaccessible...

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