More than you need to know about water softeners and water conditioners. A typical water softener is actually pretty simple. water comes into the house through the water meter and…
Don't make it harder for your sump pump to do it's job The flexible tube laying on the ground is of particular concern, as it could easily fill with ice.…
As a home inspector, I'm not qualified to positively identify asbestos. So when I see what looks like asbestos, I always say the same thing; "Portions of the metal ductwork…
"99% of 9 X 9 tiles have asbestos!" If your house was built (or remodeled) in the 1950's through the 1980's, there is a very good chance that asbestos was…
Carbon Monoxide Alarms Save Lives CO alarms are required to be installed on every floor and within 10 feet of every sleeping room. There cannot be a flight of stairs…
I was talking to a customer about the importance of CO detectors in the home. "Oh!" she said, "I know all about that!" She shared the story of her sister's…
As a home inspector in the Twin Cities, Mn area, I get a lot of questions about ice dams. Ice dams can cause dangerous icicles, and cause damage to the…
Smokers choose to smoke, despite knowing the risks. Nobody chooses to live in a building with high radon levels; most are unaware of the risks. Radon is real. It's also…
As a home inspector in the Twin Cities area, I usually see an issue or two with asphalt driveways. While no driveway will last forever, a few actions at…
Spend an hour or two every six months to add years to your water heater's life. I was at a home inspection seminar, led by a plumber. There were about…