Fall is the classic time of year when home maintenance projects really take off. The weather is nicer, insects are less aggressive, and it helps button up the house for the long winter ahead. Although your work as a certified home inspector warns home buyers of important defects, new defects can arise almost overnight. With…
Noisy pipes can be the bane of a homeowner’s existence, especially when the noise is a mystery. There’s not one but several possible causes for the pops, ticks, bangs, and rattles that happen inside plumbing. Here’s what might be happening and what homeowners can do about it. Bang-Bang-Bang Goes the Water Hammer One of the…
Not everyone comes to the home inspection industry with a background in construction, plumbing, electrical or any other related field. That’s why comprehensive training is so important. It’s also why ICA School includes four modules on electrical wiring and inspections in the complete home inspection certification program. If you’ve ever wondered why lights and outlets…
Online education has grown by leaps and bounds in the past several years. It’s no longer a fringe idea, but an effective and convenient way to learn without up-ending your whole routine. So how do you choose a program that’s got what you need at a price that you can afford? Compare them side-by-side.…
Pricing your services partly determines whether or not your business will ever turn a profit. It’s also one of the most challenging aspects of starting a new business. Chances are, you have at least a basic idea of what certified home inspectors in your area charge for a general home inspection. And if you’re like…
Homeowners use electricity every day, but rarely see the wiring that lets the coffee pot brew, refrigerator run and the cell phones charge. Wiring defects are quite common. And while some of them are more of a nuisance, such as a breaker that trips every time the vacuum cleaner is plugged in, some are serious…
A growing number of states have home inspection license requirements for anyone performing the service for a fee. For now, the number is a little more than half. If you’re just starting home inspection training or you’ll soon finish up, here’s what you need to know about licensing before working in the field. Nineteen States…
It’s still summer, but autumn is on its way. That means it’s time to think about fireplaces and fireplace safety. Usually, a certified home inspector performs a general fireplace inspection. If defects exist, many of them are visible at the time of the inspection. But for a deeper, investigative inspection, customers should call in a…
Cool weather is on its way and new homeowners will soon put systems through their paces. If there’s a defect that slipped by you, count on hearing about it. Your training should prepare you to describe the type of heating system in the home and uncover material defects that interfere with the operation of a…
It won’t be long before windows are closed and heating systems fire up for another season of heavy use. That’s when indoor air quality issues can intensify for homeowners. Late summer and early fall bring a new wave of pollen producing plants and closed windows mean less fresh air. For allergy sufferers, it’s a double…