Hardboard siding is basically sawdust and glue which if kept sealed properly should last a long time. The problem is most homeowners don't keep up on their paint and caulk as much as they should. Cracks form in the caulk, the Builder's painter misses some bottom edges, the sprinkler system has
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11/19/2010
Rather than list the obvious benefits of a pre-inspection, I'm going to share real pre-inspections and their outcomes. I've had 2 inspections in the last week where the Sellers were on top of their game. They hired me up front to look over their home to alert them to any major issues that might
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11/17/2010
The 2 photos below are of a water heater flue pipe that is oversized. As a result, the flue gases aren't drafting properly up and out to the atmosphere. They are cooling off before they make it to the top, churning, and causing the B-vent to corrode. This could also lead to backdrafting of car
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11/15/2010
Buyers: please read this before you hire your home inspector. Agents: please research the home inspectors before you refer them. ASHI Code of Ethics 1 & 1C 1. states: “Inspectors shall avoid conflicts of interest or activities that compromise, or appear to compromise, professional independence,
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11/04/2010
This is one of the more extreme shifted clay-tile lined chimneys I've ran across. Usually on older homes from the 1940's-1960's, they'll have a clay-tile liner. Most often, the mortar joints have deteriorated out allowing the flue gases a secondary avenue to flow. Shifted liners and cracked li
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11/02/2010
Expansion joints serve an important function on concrete flatwork. On this Wahoo, NE driveway, the expansion joints were missing around the brick veneer at the garage. When the street expands and contracts, the driveway needs a place to take that absorption. If it can't, something will give.
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11/01/2010
This beautiful 3,500+ s.f. home in Omaha, Nebraska had it all! It truly was a dream home!!! One of the biggest issues found during my home inspection was the unique front that set this home apart in the neighborhood was sinking. I'll show you... The photo below shows where the weight of the ov
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10/21/2010
There is a huge misnomer out there that “as-is” properties don’t need to be inspected. The Seller or bank has placed the property on the market “as-is” claiming they will not perform any further repairs. That’s great! But what about protecting the Buyer and making sure they are fully aware of
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10/19/2010
I've ran across plenty of these sitations over the years, but never one this bad. The ground has settled and the underground service lines are being pulled down with it. The meter box is tilted and coming off the wall. At some point, the wires will begin to pull loose and sparks will fly!!! T
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10/12/2010
(For the printable PDF version, click here.) It's that time of year again. The days are getting shorter and cooler. To ensure that your house remains in prime condition over the winter, a good weekend spent on preventative maintenance is a great investment. By making a thorough inspection of
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10/11/2010
