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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 –...
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...
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...
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...
Curved Claw vs Straight Claw | Which hammer wins the challenge?
Q: Which is better? Does curved hammers have advantages over the straight-claw hammer? A: Curved-claw hammers do have some advantages over straight-claw hammers. Curved-claw finish hammers weigh less: typically 16 ounces as opposed to 20 ounces or more. A curved claw...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Surface Drainage Around Your Home
Controlling water around your home can save you thousands of dollars in repairs. You should have the surface around your home sloping away to allow the water to properly drain. Allowing the water to flow towards your home could potentially cause the water to settle...
June is National Garage Door Safety Month
June is National Garage Door Safety Month. Here is a list of 10 common garage door accident types, and tips and how you can prevent them from ever happening. Playing With Garage Doors Nearly 100 children are injured each year playing with garage doors, whether riding...
Leak in drain under home.
Leaks and areas of standing water are not good under a home. Moisture control and properly routing water away from the home can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in repair costs. Don’t cut corners with repairs and use the correct materials and tools for...
Seller’s Pre-Listing Inspection
Inspect your home yourself before issues arise. Eventually, your buyers are going to conduct an inspection. You may as well know what they are going to find by getting there first. Having an inspection performed ahead of time helps in many other ways, such as: • It...
Should I get a home inspection?
Absolutely. You’re not just buying a renovated kitchen and beautifully design screened patio, “you’re also buying ALL problems which are a part of the home in the crawlspace and in the attic,” Your home inspection is a chance to avoid these expensive problems—or, use...
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