FYI

Requirements for Bat Houses The house's interior should be roughened and grooved at least every 1/4-inch, or have attached polyethylene plastic mesh. The house should be at least 24 inches tall, 13 inches wide and 3 inches deep. There must be an opening at the base of the house so the bats can ge...

Why would a homeowner want to install a bat house? As housing developments expand into animal habitats and forests are cleared for logging and development, bats are having a harder time finding natural places to roost. Bat houses provide shelter for these troubled mammals. Bats are an effective, ...

Choosing the Right Home Inspector Buying a home?  It is probably the most expensive purchase you will ever make.  This is no time to shop for a cheap inspection.  The cost of a home inspection is very small relative to the home being inspected.  The additional cost of hiring an InterNACHI-certifi...

Landscape Patio furniture should be covered. If there is a deck, it might need an extra coat of sealer. Adequate winterization is especially crucial for homes that are left unoccupied during the winter.   This sometimes happens when homeowners who own multiple properties leave one home vacant for...

Chimneys and Fireplaces The chimney should be inspected for nesting animals trying to escape the cold. Squirrels and raccoons have been known to enter chimneys for this reason. The damper should open and close with ease. Smoke should rise up the chimney when the damper is open. If it doesn't, thi...

Heating Systems   The heating system is used most during the winter so it's a good idea to make sure that it works before it's desperately needed. The following inspection and maintenance tips can be of some help to homeowners: Test the furnace by raising the temperature on the thermostat. If it ...

Leaks in the Building EnvelopeLeaky window frames, door frames, and electrical outlets can allow warm air to escape into the outdoors. Windows that leak will allow cold air into the home. Feeling for drafts with a hand or watching for horizontal smoke from an incense stick are a few easy ways to ...

Home Winterization   Winterization is the process of preparing a home for the harsh conditions of winter. It is usually performed in the fall before snow and excessive cold have arrived. Winterization protects against damage due to bursting water pipes, and from heat loss due to openings in the b...

 if you watch Dr. Oz, you would have seen a bit about this creature.  As a kid I did not think they were actually real, I thought it was a saying of my parents. Guess not.  Bed bugs are small, flightless, rust-colored parasites that feed on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals.    B...

Metals also vary in their thermal conductivity.  Thus, they tend to cause water vapor to condense.  Inspectors can be aided by a rule of thumb that states that a metal's ability to transfer heat (and, therefore, create condensation) is roughly equal to that metal's electrical conductivity. Electr...