by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard Backflow is the reversal of the normal and intended direction of water flow in a water system. Devices and assemblies known as backflow preventers are installed to prevent backflow, which can contaminate potable water supplies. Why is backflow a problem? Backflow is a potential problem in a water […]
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Choosing the Right Home Inspector
Buying a home? It’s probably the most expensive purchase you’ll ever make. This is no time to shop for a cheap inspection. The cost of a home inspection is very small relative to the value of the home being inspected. The additional cost of hiring an InterNACHI-Certified Professional Inspector® is almost insignificant. You have recently been crunching the numbers, negotiating […]
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Aluminum Siding Inspection
Aluminum Siding Inspection by Nick Gromicko and Ethan Ward Aluminum siding is generally in decline as an exterior cladding material because vinyl siding and other materials have become more popular choices. However, it is still among the most common forms of siding found today. It provided many advantages over other materials when it was introduced in […]
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Aging in Place
by Nick Gromicko and Kate Tarasenko aging in place Aging in place is the phenomenon describing senior citizens’ ability to live independently in their homes for as long as possible. Those who age in place will not have to move from their present residence in order to secure necessary support services in response to […]
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High-Performance Buildings
High-Performance Buildings Americans spend most of their time inside buildings. We take for granted the shelter, protection, warmth, coolness, air and light that buildings provide, and rarely give a thought to the systems that deliver these services unless there’s a power interruption or other problem. In addition, few Americans understand the environmental consequences of maintaining […]
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Chinese Drywall
by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard Chinese Drywall Amidst a wave of Chinese import scares, ranging from toxic toys to tainted pet food, reports of contaminated drywall from that country have been popping up across the American Southeast. Chinese companies use unrefined “fly ash,” a coal residue found in smokestacks in coal-fired power plants in […]
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Electrical 101: Understanding the Service Panel
by Fran J. Donegan of The Home Depot Many homeowners who are unfamiliar with construction and wiring are timid when it comes to electrical work. It makes perfect sense to have a healthy respect for electricity—it can be dangerous if you don’t understand it. To give you confidence and a little knowledge to help […]
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Dryer Vent Safety
by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard Clothes dryers evaporate the water from wet clothing by blowing hot air past them while they tumble inside a spinning drum. Heat is provided by an electrical heating element or gas burner. Some heavy garment loads can contain more than a gallon of water which, during the drying process, […]
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Air Sampling for Mold
by Nick Gromicko and Ethan Ward Taking air samples during a mold inspection is important for several reasons. Mold spores are not visible to the naked eye, and the types of mold present can often be determined through laboratory analysis of the air samples. Having samples analyzed can also help provide evidence of the scope […]
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Mold Basics •The key to mold control is moisture control. •If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem. •It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. Why is mold growing in my […]
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