ARCHIVED BLOG POSTS
2009
93
Comments
This post will be something most of you have likely not seen before. It concerns foam insulation in an attic. It looks a bit like the top of a roof beer float, doesn't it! This foam is an icynene product. Icynene is an open celled foam, sprayed onto sheathing and/or supports, and completely s...
12/31/2009
11
Comments
There are some very good reasons for not turning over the maintenance of your house to other people. Sure, there are some things you must pay for - an annual service contract for your furnace and AC, winterizing your sprinkler system or swimming pool, cleaning high gutters or effecting certain re...
12/28/2009
0
Comments
A homeowner called. "We just want to know one thing. Why is the floor in our kitchen bulging?" Such a question over the phone spawns a lot of further questions. I had a lot of them. But I answered the only way I could. "I would have to see it and diagnose why." And we set up a time for an in...
12/27/2009
16
Comments
A homeowner called. "We just want to know one thing. Why is the floor in our kitchen bulging?" Such a question over the phone spawns a lot of further questions. I had a lot of them. But I answered the only way I could. "I would have to see it and diagnose why." And we set up a time for an in...
12/27/2009
100
Comments
It was a phone call from a concerned, potential, client. He is building a new townhouse. A friend told him to hire a roofer to make sure that rubber was put between his roof and the houses next to his. Yes, that puzzled me too. I told him that step flashing and some form of counter flashing, ev...
12/20/2009
12
Comments
Sometimes snow fall causes you to do things differently. This was early this morning. Our little Jack Russell had no where to go, so I had to install a new bathroom. Later I had to enlarge it. It disappeared. More than once. We are expecting between 20 and 24". She will not be having a ...
12/19/2009
23
Comments
Almost exactly a year ago, I posted a blog about Bump Keys. It was very popular and I thought a useful public service. Burglary is a sensitive thing for us this time of year. In the early 80's we were burglarized on Christmas Eve. Even though nobody was home, it was traumatic. However, last n...
12/15/2009
20
Comments
I had an inspection recently with a couple who were buying a new home. As far as problems with new construction go, this house took the cake. The buyer introduced himself as "Big Phil." And Big Phil he was. Two of me could fit inside of Big Phil. His wife was as small as he was big. Let's cal...
12/08/2009
20
Comments
For some time now I have done home inspections for one of the Habitat for Humanity organizations in Northern Virginia. This County requires a private home inspection. Somehow Habitat found me, and, the masochists that they are, they have continued to call me with each new house built. Many woul...
12/02/2009
19
Comments
This is a hose bib on a new house. It has never been used. It may never be used! At my house, the hose bib is by itself. It is not near an electrical junction box! It is not so close to anything else that the handle cannot be turned. It is not so close to the wall (here 1/4") that installing a ...
12/01/2009