Geothermal systems are powerful enough to heat and cool a large home and still save money and energy. There’s a reason why geothermal heat pumps are popping up across America. They’re extremely efficient. And there’s also a reason why home inspectors should be a little concerned: The technology is more complicated than a traditional HVAC…
Tankless water heaters give the perfect shower every time with no waiting. Traditional water heaters couldn’t be much simpler. Water flows into a tank where it’s heated up using electricity or gas, and then it sits and waits. If it waits too long, it’s reheated to keep it at the right temperature until you need…
The Internet of Things makes any average home a smart one. If you’ve heard about the Internet of Things or IOT, you might have more questions than answers. In short, the concept is all about living in a wirelessly connected home where electronic objects such as thermostats, televisions and even kitchen appliances are accessible and…
If you make yourself look bad, you make the alternative look great. Do you dream of driving away customers and sending them to your competition? Of course not. But if you’re not careful, that might very well happen. Some less-than-stellar business practices are as plain as the nose on your face. You wouldn’t fail to…
Metal roofs aren’t just for old farm houses anymore. What began life as a rather humble roofing material is enjoying widespread appeal these days. Metal roofing was once only available in one color: metal! Now it’s available in a rainbow of shades and looks great on a wide range of homes. With the resurgence in…
Some people love to complain, but good planning can help minimize the risk. If you’re a home inspector for long enough, you’ll eventually meet a disgruntled customer. It happens to the best of inspectors, and it’s bound to happen to you. Maybe you’ll overlook an important defect. While that’s out of the ordinary, everyone can…
Stephan Baldwin is the Director of Business Development for Assisted Living Center, a directory of assisted living communities. Home inspection is a complex and skill oriented field that appeals to a lot of people. With proper training, the right skills and dedication, anyone can become a competent home inspector. Home inspection training teaches the regulations,…
It might look harmless, but some vermiculite have a nasty personality. Much has been made about the danger of asbestos over the years. It seems you can’t flip through the channels or scroll through a website without seeing an advertisement for legal services for asbestos victims. While our society has become more educated about the…
Appliances, plumbing and every other condo feature is just as likely to suffer defects as those in a single-family home. Because condos aren’t freestanding single-family homes and are part of a larger building, some buyers think home inspections aren’t as important. While it’s true that the condo association likely handles building maintenance, the interior is…
Condensation isn’t an anomaly, it’s a collection of water from the air. You’ve seen condensation on a water glass and felt dew on the grass in the morning or evening. The dew point is where water vapor in the air reaches its saturation point. This happens at a temperature and constant barometric pressure that condenses…
