An expansion tank is an essential part of certain heating systems, and when you’re inspecting a home, you’ll want to make sure it’s in good working order. What should you look for when you’re inspecting an expansion tank? Boilers operate by heating the water that heats a home. The heating process causes the water to […]
ICA School Now Offering Online Radon Inspection Training
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is harmful to human health. In fact, it’s the No. 1 cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. A National Research Council report says radon causes 15,000 cancer deaths per year. Radon is odorless and colorless, so the effects of this radioactive gas […]
What are the Guidelines for Inspecting Liquid Vinyl Siding?
Have you ever seen liquid vinyl siding? Maybe you have, and you haven’t realized it. Liquid vinyl siding came into use in 1985 as an alternative to traditional vinyl siding. It’s about half the cost, and it can be installed over almost any surface. It’s roughly double the cost of paint, but if it’s applied […]
How is Moisture Testing Used to Locate Water Intrusion?
Many home inspection courses deal with how to look for leaks and water damage. This is because of the top 10 most common home inspection problems, seven of them are related to water and leaks, according to Realtor.com. Water is one of the worst enemies a home can have. Another is fire, and that’s why […]
Why Every Home Inspector Should Consider E&O Insurance Coverage
Do you think you need insurance coverage for errors and omissions for your home inspections business? You may think you don’t, but insurance isn’t only for people who might make mistakes. It’s for people who own property, a business or have assets they don’t want to lose. Anyone can make a mistake, no matter how […]
What Home Inspectors Look for When Inspecting a Home for Moisture Issues
A key part of home inspections is looking for any signs of water damage. While water is good for people and plants, it’s bad for homes, and it must be kept out in order for a structure to remain strong. Contractors incorporate into their home building many methods for keeping out water, including installing moisture […]
Using Thermal Imaging to Locate Water Leaks
Your home inspection training helped you to learn ways to spot evidence of leaks — stains, warping, etc., — but how do you find the source of these leaks? Sometimes it’s easy. You may be in an attic and see water leaking through a hole in the roof. You may be in a basement and […]
Moisture Intrusion in Homes and the Problems it Causes
Water is a home’s mortal enemy. It can destabilize foundations, rot wood and cause potentially lethal mold and mildew to grow. During a home inspection, you want to make sure you identify any sources of moisture and recommend that they be properly addressed. Leaky Roofs Water’s most common path of infiltration is through the roof. […]
Classroom Instruction Options for Your Home Inspection Training
Many home inspection training classes are offered online. This is an excellent option for people who find it more convenient to learn at home versus in the classroom. But it doesn’t work well for everyone. A highly advanced student wrote a letter to the editor of the New York Times outlining how poorly he did […]
Get Field Training Services in Addition to Your Home Inspection Course
Virtual classrooms for home inspection training are great because you can learn on your own time and in the comfort of your own home. These courses teach you what you need to know and are convenient. But home inspecting is hands-on work. You can learn to cook or throw a baseball online too, but it’s […]