Abandoned live wires under the sink is something we see far too often. It is improper, dangerous, and a shock hazard but luckily, a very easy deficiency to repair yourself. When a garburator or garbage disposer is removed, the electrical wire is often pushed in the back and abandoned. In … Read More

During our home inspections, one of the recommendation that we often have for homeowners is to install an easy to remove access cover for the water shut off. Too often, it’s behind a screwed in cover that is difficult to remove. During an emergency, every second counts, and being able … Read More

Of all the electrical deficiencies that we find during our home inspections, missing covers on outlets are extremely common. This issue can be dangerous, and a shock hazard, but with an incredibly easy fix. If you have two dollars, a screwdriver, and two minutes, you can put that deficiency to … Read More

No matter the type or age of the roof, all roofs need annual maintenance to reach or exceed their life expectancy. Asphalt shingles roofs have an approximate expected life span of 20 to 25 years, but many of the components associated with the roof do not have such a long-life … Read More

Hot / Neutral reversed, or reverse polarity, outlet is a common electrical deficiency that we find on many home inspections. As part of an inspection, we test as many outlets as possible to make sure that they work, are grounded, and are not damaged; but occasionally, we find outlets wired … Read More

While inspecting the bathrooms, the kitchens, and other areas where an outlet is located within 6 feet, or 1.5 meters, of a water source – we want to make sure it is GFCI protected. A GFCI outlet is designed to shut the power off in case of an imbalance is … Read More

If all your sinks are slow draining then the problem is potentially a clogged sewer line but when just one, or few are slow then most of the time, the issue is at the trap. If you look under the sink, you will see the drain connected to your sink, … Read More

Very often, older homes will get new windows, but when the wall finish is stucco, it is very difficult to add a flashing above it. Caulking is usually installed and is a good material but does last forever and will leak if not updated. Our moto is that if we … Read More

A common type of electrical wiring in homes built between 1965 and 1972 is single strand aluminum. Single strand aluminum wiring is a fire hazard and an insurance issue. This type of wiring expands and contracts during normal use and the conductor (wire) can become brittle at the connection point. … Read More

A very common electrical deficiency that we find during our home inspections, is a double tapped breaker. Double tapping is having two conductor wires under one screw on a breaker designed only for one. This can cause overheating due to an improper connection. A simple solution, if there is room, … Read More

During our home inspections sinks are often where we find the most leaks. When the sealant or plumber putty that is applied between the sink strainer and the sink fails, it will leak. Rubber gaskets that have dried out or were improperly installed will also cause leaks. Leaky sinks can … Read More

Small repairs around a home are always needed. As a homeowner it is important to build the confidence to do small jobs. The bottom of columns around the house are always the first thing to rot, especially if they are touching ground or have a downspout attached to it. Some … Read More

Very often the first thing that anyone notices in a home are the cosmetic issues. Drywall scratches, small nail holes, nicks and dents can overwhelm prospective buyers. In this video, we will show you how easy it is to fix small drywall damage. No experience is necessary and only a … Read More

Having old style thermostats is not a deficiency and replacement with a new one is easy. Whether you like to install a simple digital thermostat or a Nest system, it can all be done easily. There is no need for new wiring, but simply swapping the thermostats and re-wiring properly. … Read More

Air quality is extremely important to any home. During a home inspection we thoroughly check all fans in the home. Poor air quality leads to many issues such as mold growth, condensation damage to components, asthma, and other respiratory issues.
One important way to maintain good air quality is with … Read More

Garburators, also called food disposals, cost cities millions every year in cleaning costs due to clogged drains. Many municipalities discourage, or have banned, the use of garburators. Many strata corporation ask their members to remove them. Garburators often break down, leak, are dangerous, clog up pipes, smell bad and trap … Read More

Drains around the foundation of a house are designed to direct water away from the foundation in order to prevent water damage in the home and yard. Clay and Concrete drain tiles, Big-O drain tiles, and PVC are all common types of drain material. PVC has been used since the … Read More

Small cracks are a typical characteristic of concrete. Cracks develop due to drying and curing of concrete after construction. Cracks can become an issue if they are larger than one eighth of an inch, if they are offset, or larger at the top or bottom due to differential movement. Typically, … Read More

Loose toilets are one of the most common deficiencies found during our home inspections. There are many levels of looseness, from just a little loose to extremely loose; and they all require different remedies.

This is a common question that comes up when talking about seller inspections. For all intents and purposes, all the benefits seem to go to the seller – or at least at first glance. In reality, there are many benefits that go to the buyer, and many protections as well.

There … Read More

Caveat emptor (Buyer Beware)
Imagine buying a used car and the person selling the car does not let you sit in the driver seat, open the hood, or even start the car until you sign the papers to buy it. Only after signing the purchase agreement does the seller of that … Read More

Why Sellers Get a Pre-Listing Inspection

The real estate market is one of those things that never stays the same. Years ago, buying a home was completely different than how we buy a home now.

The expectations of modern buyers are also changing. The Millennials represent a large share of who buy … Read More