Here is a straightforward way to determining the proper slope for the ground around your house. As a home inspector in the St Paul, MN area, I know how hard…
Besides a clever use of the term "sweat", what do you need to know about making copper pipe connections? Are you less than perfect at soldering copper pipes? You are…
I wish I knew how easy it is to cure squeeky floors when I was a teenager. I would have been able to stay out past curfew. There are only…
Long before I was a home inspector, my wife and I remodeled our farmhouse. We had a choice of fireplaces, but the contractor explained that a wood burning firplace would…
Smoke alarms are one of the most important safety devices you can have in your home. These lifesaving devices are designed to detect smoke and fire early, allowing you and…
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…
Here's how a few hours of work once a year can increase safety and save money At least twice a year, test the safety features. Start by placing a 2x4…
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…