Today, we'll talk about preparing your home for a home inspection. You've received an offer on your house, and a home inspection is part of the purchase agreement. Here are some straightforward improvements to make before the inspector arrives. People frequently ask me about the most common defect I encounter. I don't have a specific metric to measure that, but I can say there are often a dozen small things you can address before my visit that will help "clean up" the inspect

Black CSST Yellow CSST Gas Appliance Connector What's the difference between the 3 images? Two are versions of the same thing, and the other is different. Let's discuss that. Yellow and black flexible tubing called corrugated stainless steel (CSST) pictured above are products that have been around for many years. This flexible gas line is easier and more flexible to work with and I would say preferred by installers for that reason. There are nuances with this type of piping t

Polybutylene, commonly called Poly-B or PB piping, is a flexible plastic water-supply piping that was widely installed in homes from the late 1970s through the mid-1990s. It was popular because it was inexpensive, easy to install and resistant to corrosion compared with traditional metal piping. Millions of homes received polybutylene plumbing during this period. However, the material developed a reputation for premature failures and hasn't been produced for North American re

Mini-split heat pumps have become increasingly common in Minnesota homes, garages, cabins and additions. Once thought of primarily as an alternative to a window air conditioner, modern mini-splits can provide extremely efficient air conditioning and, with the right equipment, a surprising amount of heat during a Minnesota winter. They aren't necessarily a replacement for every furnace or boiler, and not every mini-split is designed for severe cold. However, when properly sele

Radon gas testing is a service we provide and think is very important to ensure that you have a healthy house. Radon gas is a radioactive gas that naturally occurs and gets sucked into your house through cracks in the foundation. It is colorless and odorless, so testing is the only way to know if your home is safe. This does not just affect basements or houses with basements. Houses with crawlspaces or built on slabs can also be affected. The concern here is lung cancer. So f

Asphalt shingles are by far the most dominant roof covering material used in the United States. They account for approximately 75-80% of all roofs on residential houses. There are many other types of roofs, but for this article, I just want to focus on asphalt shingles and their components. Architectural asphalt shingles As a home inspector, I have walked on thousands of roofs in my career and seen many failed roofs, both due to age and installation errors. I would say that m

The home inspector is not an expert but a generalist. The home inspector can inspect a home and report upon the home’s condition as it...

Every homeowner has similar concerns and questions related to maintaining their home. The following questions are those that all...

Just for a moment, let’s assume that you’re a real estate agent. The seller has accepted your clients' offer and now, with your help,...