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Home Inspector Tells All
I have a 16′ wide garage door. Recently the door has been binding and does not open properly. I notice it bends a lot when it first opens. What should I do?
One thing to remember is that these wide doors are heavy and require several components to work in tandem to ensure proper and smooth operation. In general when the opener begins to pull the door up it puts a tremendous amount of force on the top center panel. Usually...
How far out should my garage heater vent through the wall?
I often see large accumulations of frost under the garage soffit where the heater is vented. It is important that the warm moist air that is coming out of the heater vent is not entering the attic space through the soffit. If the vent is too short, the warm air rises...
How often should I clean or replace my furnace filter?
That depends on your conditions. I always say don't fix it if it isn't broken. Normally I would say the filter should be changed every two to three months. The exception is if you are renovating or have pets and carpets etc. Sometimes the filter needs cleaning in less...
All of a sudden my furnace shut down. I see it light and then shut off right away like it is not getting fuel. What can it be?
This problem sounds like a flame sensor. Most modern furnaces have several safety sensors and switches. What you describe sounds like a flame sensor. Here is how it works. When the burner starts up the gas valve has a timer that was a few seconds for a circuit to...
My windows have been building up with a lot of ice lately, what’s going on?
If your windows are icing up or condensing more than normal it is likely that one of two things has likely changed. First of all ask yourself if you have produced more humidity lately that could cause the windows to condense. A cold can of Pepsi on a warm day is an...
My furnace is acting strange lately, especially since it has turned cold. What can be happening?
One of the most common issues in cold weather is frosted over fresh air intakes. You furnace requires air to combust the fuel in much the same way your car pulls air into the engine through the air filter. When the air intake is blocked or partially blocked the...
My bathroom does not have a fan, should I install one?
Today’s standards require that a bathroom have a source of ventilation, usually this is a fan but an operable window also qualifies. I always recommend installing a fan in any case. In winter a window will rarely be opened and the added moisture in the room will be...
I am afraid of mold and want to know how to spot it in my home.
Mold is a very large subject and something I can only touch on here. First of all I will say every home has some mold. Secondly mold can produce serious side effects in people but it should not be feared. Sometimes mold is portrayed as a silent killer but this is more...
There are gaps in my hardwood flooring, should I be concerned?
First of all, hardwood flooring is real wood and as such it is not going to be as stable as some other products such as laminate. I always say if it's natural expect it to have flaws. Some people want perfection in their flooring to which I say buy a fake glued up...
What are the latest codes on smoke alarms?
A: The code has changed in recent years in terms of the way smoke alarms must be wired. In today's electrical code it is required that each level of a home contain a smoke alarm. When an event causes a single alarm to sound, all the smoke alarms in the home must...
WINTERIZING MY HOME
Five tips to get your home ready for winter. Well it is that time of year to start thinking about winter and what we need to do to get our homes ready. Here are a few steps that may save you some grief if you take the time to implement them. I don’t mean to be rude...
BATHROOM FANS
Venting bathroom fans About 40 percent of the inspections I undertake have a problem with the venting systems of the home. Some problems are minor such as a vent hood that has been damaged or the flap is stuck open. The more severe problems would include mold growth...
IS MY DECK SAFE?
Deck Safety Deck safety is something an inspector needs to pay close attention to. It is important to remember that a home inspection is not a code inspection. That means the inspector is not trying to go through the home and point out every code infraction. The deck...
WHAT IN THE WORLD IS SPRAY FOAM?
Consider the benefits of spray foaming. Are you building or renovating your home. Have you heard about spray foam? This article will try to highlight the benefits and differences of spray foam verses conventional insulation. I recently visited a home that was being...
IS MY HOME BUILT TO WITHSTAND THE WINTER?
Beware of US built mobile homes that do not meet Canadian standards. This week’s topic is about the dangers of buying an out of country mobile home. I have come across two brand new trailers that were built in the U.S. that did not meet the national building code. If...
HOW SHOULD MY TRAILER FLOOR BE INSULATED?
Trailer skirting and insulation Trailer insulation is a subject that is little understood. In particular the insulation under the trailer. The thing to remember about trailers or mobile homes is that there are a self-contained building. That is to say they roll out of...
Thr trouble with rushing into the deal-make sure to do your homework
Being a good inspector is only half the job. Tailoring the inspection to the clients’ needs is also very important. Assessing the clients’ needs and abilities to make sure the inspection is tailored to those needs is a serious job. Many of my inspections have been...
What is “GRANDFATHERING” and how will I be affected by it.
Grandfathering, what is Grandfathering. The past two weeks I have heard the phrase “grandfathering” a few times with respect to septic systems. First of all I’ll explain the term. According to Wikipedia, a grandfather clause is a provision in which an old rule...
Enough “IS” Enough – when renovations get out of hand.
In my business I often come across issues with the homes I inspect as you can imagine. Most of the time these “issues” are things that I flag for my customers so they understand what is wrong or will soon be wrong with the home if the problem is not repaired. Most of...
Finally its Barbeque Season.
If you are like me, a barbequed steak is a true summer treat. It is a time to gather in the great outdoors with friends and family. There is just something about cooking outdoors that is kind of neat and the taste of food cooked over open flame is the best. Of course...
A BIT OF ADVICE FOR THE DO-IT-YOUSELF TYPE – Keep records of renovations
A well documented renovation /repair is worth its weight in gold when its time to sell your home. As a home Inspector I see things all the time that concern me. In order to do my job I pass these concerns on to my clients. This week I came across a home that had...
WHAT IS A SEWER SCOPE, WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE ONE
Recently I decided to purchase a sewer camera and line locator. In all my years as a home inspector I have cautioned people on the risks of tree roots in the sewer line. After using the sewer camera I am learning that tree roots are only one possible issue with sewer...
Old Man Winter decides to give us a break!
Wow this has been is a brutal winter. Most of us are groaning about how awful this winter has been, or shall I say still is. I on the other hand am grateful that the winter is sticking around a bit longer. I think of this winter as a boxing match between nature and...
The importance of using vapour barrier in a crawlspace.
One of the most misunderstood areas of the home is the crawlspace. There has been disagreement on several parts of the crawlspace for decades. The big questions are; do you heat the area or keep it at the outside temperature, should the walls be insulated and vapour...
The Furnace Emergency Switch
I wonder how many people reading this can remember a time when someone mistakenly shut off the furnace switch in their home. I have a pet peeve when it comes to this common mistake. Years ago as I recall, the furnace switch always had a red cover and was labelled...
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