If you’re looking to save money on home heating and cooling, these smart strategies will help you cut costs without sacrificing comfort. Heating and cooling costs can add up, but with a few simple adjustments, you can keep your home comfortable without breaking the bank. Here are some practical tips…

  Ants are persistent little creatures, and once they find their way into your home, they can become quite a nuisance. Whether you’re dealing with tiny sugar ants or larger carpenter ants, here are some effective strategies to keep them out: 1. Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for cracks,…

Common Roof Defects and How to Prevent Them Your roof plays a vital role in protecting your home from the elements and maintaining structural integrity. But like any part of your house, it’s vulnerable to wear and tear. From poor installation to weather damage, roof defects can compromise performance and…

Common Electrical Defects Found During Home Inspections Electrical issues are some of the most frequent—and serious—problems home inspectors come across. They can pose safety risks, reduce energy efficiency, damage appliances, and lead to expensive repairs, especially when rewiring or panel replacement is involved. In this post, we’ll walk through the…

Common Plumbing Problems in Homes and How to Fix Them Plumbing issues are among the most frequent and costly challenges homeowners face. These common plumbing problems in homes can lead to water damage, mold growth, health risks, and higher utility bills. The good news? Most of them are preventable or…

    Buying or selling a home is one of the most important decisions you can make in your life. It involves a lot of money, time, and emotions. That’s why you want to make sure that you are getting the best deal possible and that there are no hidden…

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 or virtually nonexistent. Roof…

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 types include double-hung, single-hung, casement, horizontal sliding, projected out or awning, projected in,…

1.  Plunger A clogged sink or toilet is one of the most inconvenient household problems that you will face. With a plunger on hand, however, you can usually remedy these plumbing issues relatively quickly. It is best to have two plungers — one for the sink and one for the toilet. 2.  Combination…

Asbestos Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral used in many construction products. It is considered to be a carcinogen. Asbestos has been used in: sealant, putty, and spackling compounds; vinyl floor tiles, backing for vinyl sheet flooring, and flooring adhesives; ceiling tiles; textured paint; exterior wall and ceiling insulation;…

Laundry Room:  Watch for leaks and kinks developing at plumbing connections to the washing machine.  Water can overflow from the top or bottom if the machine is overloaded with a load that’s too big, or if it is resting on an uneven surface.   Protect the electrical or natural gas…

Monitor the Exterior Planters: Check any planting beds adjacent to the foundation of your house because planters are built in a way that traps water, which may infiltrate hidden areas of your home. The structure around the planting beds acts like a dam and traps water. Flower planters should never…

A well-maintained landscaping and other improvements are important for the enjoyment of a healthy and durable property. Plants, Trees & Shrubs:  Check the location and condition of all trees and shrubbery. Those that are overgrown should be pruned or trimmed. Where trees or bushes have overgrown, complete removal may be…

Making sure that your property is sloped to allow proper drainage can mean the difference between a trouble-free rainy season and a flooded basement a few times a year.  Unwanted moisture intrusion—even at a level not serious enough to cause interior flooding—can create insidious problems that will be difficult to…

A building’s central air-conditioning system must be periodically inspected and maintained in order to function properly. While an annual inspection performed by a trained professional is recommended, homeowners can do a lot of the work themselves by following the tips offered here. Clean the Exterior Condenser Unit and Components The…

https://youtu.be/zQYGCkYfKTY These types of systems are generally used in rural areas where it would be costly to install a sewer system; they may be present in city limits.   Septic tanks are usually made of concrete, steel, fiberglass, polyethylene, or other approved material cistern that is buried in the yard. The…

What it means to you! What is carbon monoxide (CO)? Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odorless gas. It is a by-product of incomplete combustion, such as natural gas, liquid fuels, and anything that burns. Should I be concerned? When a person inhales carbon monoxide, its absorbed into the body the…

What it means to you. What is asbestos? Asbestos is a fibrous material that was used in many building materials as acoustic insulation, a fire-resistant material, a binder in other products such as roofing material, and was also used as thermal insulation. So, what’s the big deal? Well, asbestos are…

What you need to know. As an addition Some homes have an entrance straight into the basement from the outside; sometimes they are added after the fact. Building a basement walkout is tricky business and could lead to some issues you should be aware of if you are considering this…

Written by Nick Gromicko, Ben Gromicko, and Kenton Shepard Most people do not know how easy it is to make their homes run on less energy, and here at InterNACHI, we want to change that. Drastic reductions in heating, cooling and electricity costs can be accomplished through remarkably simple changes,…

The amount of content and knowledge regarding Building Science is vast and we have been studying it for thousands of years. It is the collection of knowledge that focuses on analyzing and controlling physical phenomena affecting buildings

Why do basements leak? Common Reasons for Basement Leaks: How to Prevent and Remediate As homeowners, understanding the factors that contribute to basement leaks is crucial. Let’s explore the common causes and effective solutions: No Gutters/Downspouts: Gutters and downspouts play a vital role in managing water runoff from your roof.…