In Hawaii, home inspectors don’t have licensure regulations. That simplifies the path between deciding to become an inspector and going to work in the field. But it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare for the job. An education ensures you know how to perform the job correctly. Knowledge about construction, plumbing or electrical makes a good…
DetailsThe structural components of a house are its skeleton. The whole house will suffer if its bones are weak or damaged, but not every house is built the same. Typically, certified home inspectors in America find three distinct wood construction styles: post and beam, balloon frame and platform frame. The latter is the most common…
DetailsSome signs that a roof is in peril are easy enough for anyone to spot. Missing shingles, impact damage, and rusted fasteners are obvious ones, but what about those that aren’t? A certified home inspector needs a certain affinity for detective work. Here are 4 ways you can spot a roof that’s in need of…
DetailsThey’re legal, at least in most parts of the country, but should they be? Back-wired, push-in electric receptacles were designed for one reason, and that’s convenience. If wired incorrectly, which is easier to do than you might imagine, or after years of shifting around, they can leave the home with a home inspection defect. In…
DetailsAmerican architecture ranges from small and quaint to grand and even a bit quirky. Some styles are more common in certain parts of the country while others became so popular that they were built almost everywhere. One of the first jobs of a certified home inspector is to describe the house in question, so you’ll…
DetailsA great education is an important first step, but success as a home inspector also requires high-quality tools. They’re an investment in your career. And if you choose well, they can make your job easier while presenting your business in a professional light. At ICA School, our goal is to help every newly certified home…
DetailsIs there anything homier than the curb appeal of a house with mature trees all around? Trees clean toxins from the air, provide shade, block winds and give birds and squirrels a nice place to live. But they can also cause plumbing problems. Every home is likely to have a drain line blockage at one…
DetailsThe very nature of showers and bathtubs can create a real risk of leaks and also make them hard to spot until there’s widespread damage. Just how much havoc can a small leak create? Left unchecked, plenty. Water ruins drywall, warps subfloors, and can even lift tiles. If you’re inspecting a bathroom that doesn’t look…
DetailsAs landscaping grows and matures all summer, new home defects might arise and old ones may become obscured by all of the lush, green growth. When fall arrives and plantings die back for the season, foundation cracks, roof damage, and other defects become apparent. Fall is one of the best times for a home inspection…
DetailsThere’s no way to know everything that has happened in a home. If a house has survived a flood, there might be hidden damage that a new owner needs to know about. Although a certified home inspector doesn’t dig into walls or lift up flooring to see the bones of the house, certain indicators on…
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