10 Rental Tools for DIY Home Projects by Fran J. Donegan for The Home Depot If you don't own the right tools for tackling a remodeling or maintenance project, you have the option of renting them or buying them outright. The decision is usually based on how often the tool will be used and its cost.
Abrasive Blasting for Mold Remediation by Nick Gromicko and Ethan Ward Mold in the Home Health concerns related to the growth of mold in the home have been featured heavily in the news. Problems ranging from itchy eyes, coughing and sneezing to serious allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and even the possibility of permanent lung damage
Electrical Service Panels by Nick Gromicko and Rob London Electrical panels are boxes that house circuit breakers, which are are safety devices that stop the electrical current if it exceeds the safe level for some portion of the home electrical system. Safety Many people, even experienced electricians, have been killed or seriously injured while
Product Recalls The list below of recalled items is complied from the CPSC. This list may not be completely up to date nor does it contain every recall. It is intended to be a quick reference list of recalled items that may be of interest to the inspection and real estate industries. Last Updated: 11/15/2012
Polybutylene Piping Polybutylene piping is a low-cost piping formed of plastic resin. It is commonly gray, white, or sometimes black in color. Poly piping is employed as a substitute for copper piping in both underground water mains and interior plumbing. Due to the ease of installing poly piping, it was used in the construction of
Tile Stress- Lessons not learned from history! Tile is a very common floor covering in modern homes. But most do not think much about it and we should. Tiles are very durable and will last a long time if… done correctly. European builders thousands of years ago understood some basic principle of tile
Stains- The tell tale sign of infestation When performing a home inspection I am on the lookout for obvious entry point for rodents and other critters. Squirrels, rats, mice, bats and raccoons can have a health impact as well as destroying insulation and wiring. Here we have an obvious entry point for a rat. Rats
Vinyl Single-Hung Windows Ever walk into a room and see a single hung window that looks all cocked eye, not sitting square in the frame? This is usually from one of the balances that have come free. If not corrected these balances get damaged and will need replacement. But the good news is this is
Vermiculite by Nick Gromicko and Rob London Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral composed of shiny flakes that resemble mica. When heated rapidly to a high temperature, this crystalline mineral expands into low-density, accordion-like strands. In this form, vermiculite is a lightweight, odorless and fire-resistant material that has been used in numerous applications, such as
Venomous Pests by Nick Gromicko, Rob London and Kenton Shepard Venomous pests are found virtually everywhere, and homeowners may encounter one while living on the property. Bees and Wasps Bees and wasps are flying, stinging insects commonly found in and around homes throughout much of the world. Stings from these insects are normally not serious,