Tobacco Odor Removal by Nick Gromicko and Rob London Tobacco smoke creates an odor that is notorious for its ability to saturate living spaces and persist long after its source is gone. Inspectors may be asked by clients who recently purchased a smoke-infused home, or by sellers before their house goes on the market, about
Backflow Prevention by Nick Gromicko, Rob London 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
Ladder Safety by Nick Gromicko, Rob London and Kenton Shepard A ladder is a structure designed for climbing that consists of two long side-pieces joined at uniform intervals by rungs or steps. According to the American Ladder Institute, there are nine different types of ladders. Not all of them are used by inspectors, however. The
Attic Pull-Down Ladders by Nick Gromicko and Rob London Attic pull-down ladders, also called attic pull-down stairways, are collapsible ladders that are permanently attached to the attic floor. Occupants can use these ladders to access their attics without being required to carry a portable ladder. Common Defects Homeowners, not professional carpenters, usually install attic
Attached Garage Fire Containment by Nick Gromicko, Rob London and Kenton Shepard An attached garage is a garage that is physically attached to a house. Fires that begin in attached garages are more likely to spread to living areas than fires that originate in detached garages. For this reason, combined with the multitude of flammable materials
Rockwool by Nick Gromicko and Rob London Rockwool refers to a type of thermal insulation made from actual rocks and minerals. A wide range of products can be made from this material because of its superior ability to block heat and sound. Rockwool insulation is commonly used in building construction, industrial plants, and in automotive applications. The term
The Importance of Home Inspections Home inspections can serve a number of purposes. They can help sellers evaluate the market value of their home, help buyers ensure a wise purchase and even help current homeowners stay safe within their home. Inspections can cover a number of different areas and identify asbestos. The most common inspections
Asbestos by Nick Gromicko, Rob London and Kenton Shepard What is Asbestos? Asbestos is a mineral fiber that can be positively identified only with a special type of microscope. There are several types of asbestos fibers. In the past, asbestos was added to a variety of products to strengthen them and to provide heat insulation
Ungrounded Electrical Receptacles by Nick Gromicko and Rob London Grounding of electrical receptacles (which some laypeople refer to as outlets) is an important safety feature that has been required in new construction since 1962, as it minimizes the risk of electric shock and protects electrical equipment from damage. Modern, grounded 120-volt receptacles in the United
Lightning by Nick Gromicko and Rob London Lightning is the "visible discharge of static electricity within a cloud, between clouds or between the earth and a cloud," as defined by Underwriters Laboratories. Lightning is unpredictable and a serious threat to buildings and their occupants virtually everywhere. Facts about lightning: Benjamin Franklin invented the first lightning rod