Top Ten Minnesota Home Inspection Defects On Old Houses - 10/27/09 06:24 AM

Top Ten Minnesota Home Inspection Defects 10.  Tree Branches Rubbing On The Roof Tree branches do a lot of damage to roofs.  Just think about branches rubbing on the roof all day long while the wind is blowing.  This adds up to a lot of damage.  Tree branches too close to the roof will also give squirrels, raccoons, and other pests very easy access to the roof.
9.  Double-Tapped Circuit Breakers Every circuit breaker in the main panelboard should have only one wire connected to it, unless the circuit breaker is designed for more than one wire.  Most aren't.  When two wires … (8 comments)

Do I Need An Air Conditioner Cover? - 10/20/09 06:09 AM

Summer is gone, fall is here, and it’s time to get around to all the fall chores – put up your storm windows, turn off the outside sillcocks, cover up the air conditioner… wait, scratch that last one.  Don’t waste your time or money installing a cover on your AC unit.  I’ve already seen people start to cover their air conditioners this year, but there’s no need to.

Why do people even install air conditioner covers?  One company that sells covers claims that their AC cover “protects from dirt, hail, snow, ice, nesting animals, moisture, bitter cold, and harsh … (11 comments)

FHA Loans Need Appraisals, Not Inspections - 10/13/09 06:09 AM
I get a lot of questions about FHA Inspections, and it's about time I sat down and blogged about it.  Here are the most common questions I get asked about standard FHA loans.  This information does not apply to FHA 203(k) Loans.
Can You Do The FHA Inspection? FHA loans do not require a home inspection, they require an appraisal.  The appraiser does this.  These are often mistaken for an inspection.  Home inspections are still strongly encouraged.
How Can I Pass The FHA Inspection? First, see above.  FHA appraisals require the appraiser to look for obvious defects with the house, but the appraiser never requires … (60 comments)

Some Furnace Certifications Are Useless - 10/06/09 06:26 AM

I don't think I'll be recommending any more furnace certifications.  Heresy you say?  No, I have good reason not to.  I started out meaning to write a blog about what's involved in furnace certifications and who does them, so I contacted 40 local HVAC contractors.
I was shocked at most of the responses I received.
An Easy Call

When I inspect a furnace and I find a serious problem, such as a cracked heat exchanger, it's easy for me to tell my clients what to do: replace the furnace.   The photo above shows a cracked heat exchanger on … (8 comments)