How to Choose a Home Inspector
Would you call a retail store and ask "How much do you charge for a TV?" Probably not. You'd have to do research and decide what you want to buy before asking for prices. One of the toughest calls that...
View ArticleIs Your Deck Safe?
How do you know your deck is safe? You certainly don’t want to learn the hard way, which is what happens when a deck collapses. The best way to know about your deck is to have it a professional inspect...
View ArticleWhat Do Water Stains on Windows Mean?
Water stains on window sills are often a source of anxiety for home buyers, and it's the home inspector's job to help determine if the stains are the sign of a major problem or not. There are three...
View ArticleThe Necessity of Full Home Inspections on Townhouses
There's a prevailing myth in the real estate industry that a townhouse inspection is far easier than a single-family home, takes less time, and uncovers fewer defects. False, false, and false. When...
View ArticleZinc Strips Prevent Moss Growth on Roofs
While black stains on roofs are a cosmetic issue, moss growth is more than just cosmetic. Not only does moss look terrible, it will also shorten the life of the roof and possibly lead to leaks. Whether...
View ArticleHow to Prevent Your Outside Faucets from Freezing
Most homeowners who live in cold climates know it's important to “winterize” the outside faucets to prevent them from freezing, which can destroy the faucet or lead to a burst pipe. The problem is...
View ArticleProblems With Flipped Houses
Home flippers buy dilapidated houses, fix them up, then sell them again as quickly as possible with the intention of making a tidy profit. Flipped houses look shiny and new inside, but what's going on...
View ArticleHorrors! Scenes from a Home Inspector's No-No Book
As a home inspector, once you step foot inside a home to inspect it for a customer, there’s usually a surprise or two awaiting. Because when a homeowner faces an “issue,” they take it upon themselves...
View ArticleIonization vs. Photoelectric Smoke Alarms
Do you know what type of smoke alarms you have in your house? It makes a difference, because there are two basic types of residential smoke alarms: ionization and photoelectric. The vast majority of...
View ArticleMay is Deck Safety Month -- Is Your Deck Safe?
May is National Deck Safety Month and the most common cause of deck collapses is improper attachment to a building. Most decks are supported on one side by the building, and on the opposite side by the...
View ArticleWhat is Water Hammer?
Have you ever heard a banging noise coming from your water pipes when the water is turned off quickly? It usually sounds like the pipes are banging on something inside the walls, and that's exactly...
View ArticleDoes Your Furnace Really Need a Yearly Inspection?
A recent blog post about fall maintenance mentioned having your furnace inspected/tuned up by a qualified heating contractor annually. One reader sent an email asking if this was really necessary –...
View ArticleTop Home Inspection Photos of 2012
Each week, the Structure Tech team posts new home inspection photo on the Structure Tech Facebook page. After poring over all the photos from the last year, here are our favorite home inspection pics...
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