If you want to prevent damage to building components and the possible growth of mold in the walls of your home, an airtight vapor barrier is essential. See what the absence of a basement vapor barrier leads to at the wall sheathing and insulation in my video and know how to protect your vapor barrier and keep it airtight.
Drain Tile Systems, Sump Pumps and Discharge Hoses
While out on a Twin Cities home inspection the other day, I came across a sump pump that was hard at work. The pump was doing exactly what it was designed to do: pump out water that had collected in the home’s sump basket. If you are unfamiliar with sump pumps and how a drain […]
Loose or Missing Vent Connections Spell Bad News in Your Attic
What’s in your attic? The reality is, a lot of homeowners have no idea. From a home inspector’s point of view, the attic is one of the most important parts of the inspection. It’s an area where some of the most significant problems are found. Sometimes these problems have gone undetected for years.
On one of my recent Minneapolis inspections, a quick pop of the attic hatch revealed…
Furnace Filter Installation: The Correct Way
Fall is here and winter is approaching. Your furnace is going to be working hard for you to keep you home warm over the coming months. If you haven’t done so already, now is a good time to check your furnace filter to make sure it is clean. If it isn’t, install a new filter […]
The Importance of Changing Your Furnace Filter
It’s almost automatic on my home inspections: When inspecting the home’s heating plant, the furnace filter comes out, it’s found to be dirty or clogged, a picture is taken, and it ends up in the inspection report with the recommendation to replace the filter and make regular filter changes part of the home’s routine maintenance. I’d […]