Whole house fans are still commonly found at our home inspections they come in a few different varieties. While most of them are very old units, many of them are still in working condition. There are also newer versions which we see on occasion as Colorado has a decent climate for a whole house fan [...]
Ask Your Inspector Series: Question: Why are some outlets installed upside down? Answer: Electricians use this standard practice to indicate which outlets are controlled by a wall switch that a light or lamp can be plugged into. Why are some outlets installed upside down? This is one of the most [...]
During the course of our 16+ years performing home inspections, with a team of home inspectors in Colorado, we have seen a wide range of electrical issues. And while we have written a lot of articles on specific issues, we wanted to compile the top electrical issues found at home inspections into one place. GFCI [...]
Have you lost power in not one, but all of your bathrooms? Or maybe you have lost power in the outlets but the lights and fans still work? Or possibly, just the outlets and the lights above the vanity? This odd occurrence is easily explained but can be concerning if you don't understand the electrical [...]
Water problems are some of the scariest issues to deal with as a homeowner. If a leak starts, you need to know how to jump into action before serious water damage occurs. One way to help prepare is to ensure you and your family know where the main water shut-off for the home is located. [...]
Galvanized supply pipes are still fairly common in older homes around the country. It was a commonly used piping material before the 1960s. The pipes were seen as a cheaper alternative to copper and a better alternative to lead, which was commonly used when the piping material was invented. The pipes were dipped in a [...]
If you own a home built in the late '60s to early '70s or are planning on purchasing a home in this age range, it is quite possible that the home was built with aluminum wiring. So, this begs the question: Why do homes built during this time period have aluminum wiring? And more importantly, why is aluminum wiring an issue in homes?
The roof over your head is an especially important aspect of the overall performance of your house. A properly installed and maintained roof and attic system are key components that prevent moisture intrusion, manage water from roof runoff, and promote good energy efficiency and indoor air quality. Much like a crawlspace, an attic space can [...]
Home appliance technology changes over time. This can be easily seen in the difference between current washing machines or refrigerators and the ones we had when we were growing up. However, some of these changes are more subtle but can still affect us in sometimes costly ways. One example of this is the refrigerant in [...]
Federal Pacific Stab Lok electrical panels have a known history of failure and lawsuits. We are always on the lookout for these panels during our inspections and we recommend a full panel replacement when found.
