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Spring time is when ants are likely to invade our homes. The most common household ant around here is the odorous house ant. They like human food and can be a real nuisance. Here is how to control them. Borax and Sugar Balls Ants love the sweet taste of sugar Read more…
When a water heater malfunctions and overheats, the resulting failure can be super dramatic. Here is a great example showing a water heater blowing through a mock up house. Why? We all love to see stuff blow up..
We find a lot of problems with toilets. Always look at the base and see if the floor is discolored, this is often a sign of a leak at the wax ring. We frequently find that water has worked its way under flooring and will eventually cause damage to sub-floors Read more…
What is the proper slope of drain pipes? That depends on the pipe size. It is important that liquids flow smoothly, which helps transport solids away without clogging. A pipe that is too flat will prevent waste from flowing away. The minimum velocity in a horizontal drain pipe is 2 Read more…
Video post: 60 home inspection issues in under 3 minutes By Reuben Saltzman On March 21, 2017
The first day of class is complete. 1/12 the way through and already we covered a LOT of material in 10 hours. In the first day we concentrate on the laws and rules. Here is today’s sample question: What do you think? What would be the best answer? It is Read more…
One of the most complicated things a home inspector must grasp is the rules around notching and drilling framing. We spend quite a bit of time going over these rules, and anyone taking the state exam had better study them. Since it is so complicated and important, you are likely Read more…
Installing an electrical box in an finished space is not a project for every homeowner, but if you are handy and willing to get your hands dirty it is not too difficult. Remember NEVER work with live circuits and if you have any doubts about what you are doing call Read more…
Arc faults breakers detect dangerous arcing condition that can start a fire. This is a very technical subject, so here is a short introduction video. Even better explained by IAEI News: INTRODUCTION Smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, emergency escape ladders these are all proven methods for making a quick and safe escape Read more…
We are proud to be a Washington State Eligible Training Provider Click here to see our listing. ETP eligible students can use their state and/or federal training dollars for our School. Getting through the bureaucracy of government programs is never simple but we are excited to be able to offer this program to eligible Read more…
Some may recognize this picture I shared about a month ago. This is a failure of the roofing structure, the trusses are separating and I strongly advised consulting with a Licensed Engineer before my clients make their final offer. I got a call back for a re-inspect of other issues Read more…
This 12 day intensive course is State approved, we prepare you to take the required state exam. With real hands on experience and intimate knowledge of our curriculum the School of Professional Home Inspection stands apart. We not only teach this, we wrote it. We are committed to your success in your Read more…
One of the most common problems we find in home inspections is attic pull down stairs problems. A huge percentage are installed wrong creating a safety issue that most homeowners are unaware of. Stairs are one of the most dangerous places in your home. Most are poorly installed, missing fasteners or Read more…
Of course I always teach our class to strictly follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your ladder. Be careful with ladders, a LOT of people are injured on them every year. It is surprising how dangerous the ‘silent’ tools are. Think of ladders and screw drivers, etc. Saws make a lot Read more…
Just because your home is new don’t think your sewer is! If you are buying a new home in the Seattle area, almost certainly there was a home on that lot before your house was built. What do you think is the most expensive part of the sewer to Read more…
With the cold snap finally here it is time to get serious about preventing the most common problem most people will have with their homes. Here are a few tips to prevent frozen pipes and safe ways to thaw them. The most vulnerable plumbing in most homes are hose bibs, Read more…
We just wrapped up our last session, it has been a great class. Looking forward to our next class, we have 2 scheduled: December 1st, 2016 and January 2nd, 2017 Call us today for more information or to register for class Happy students make for good reviews Check out our Read more…
This is a super important detail that is often done wrong. 2009 International Residential Code: Sidewall step flashing min 4 in. high & 4 in. wide, length Sidewall flashings must terminate in kickout flashing F56 [905.2.8.3]72 A lot of water gets directed down where the sidewall and roof-line meet. When Read more…
I always tell my clients they should keep records for the repairs and maintenance of their homes. This guide below will help you keep up your home and saving records will be useful when selling your home. Buyers like homes with records, so do inspectors! Here is our yearly reminders, Read more…
Today in class we learned all about water heaters. When considering a tankless water heater there are several questions that come up. The first thing to consider is to heat water “instantly” it takes a LOT of energy. Let’s consider a modern residential tankless gas model. Here is the math Read more…
Great 1st day of class. The first day is always the hardest one, we learned all about Washington State Laws and rules. Washington State laws are the biggest single part of the home inspection exam Tomorrow on to the structures of the home, and hopefully the first field training day looking Read more…
The classroom remodel is done! New carpet and expanded teaching space. Next class starts in just over a week. New inspections careers start here.
We find leaky plumbing a lot, and studies have shown that up 14% of the average bill is due to leaks. If your water consumption is high or you feel that you are using a large amount of water, check for leaks To use your water meter to detect leaks, Read more…
I had a fellow home inspector share this video on just how fast someone can break into garage. I never thought it would be so easy. Watch the this demonstration and see someone get in just 6 seconds. Of course once they are in the garage, they can take their Read more…
As a licensed Home Inspector, we have to take continuing education to maintain our license. Just a couple weeks ago, we were in a class with a representative from Simpson, the company that makes all kind of metal connectors used in construction. The topic of the day was deck attachments, Read more…