Mold is a hot topic, probably a hotter topic than it should be. Just how big of a problem it really is and for whom has been argued by health professionals and environmental scientists. What is mold, what is mildew, what are microbial growths? Enough already! Despite all the big talk, I will sho
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02/28/2010
When it is possible to do so, a home inspector not only reports problems at homes but many of the items on a report are basic information. A good example of that would be reporting on the hot water heater. At a new house, at least around here, the odds of the hot water heater being okay are good
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02/28/2010
I looked at the calendar today and, surprised, realized that the week after next is the beginning of the next fundamentals of home inspection training class at Bellingham Technical College. Monday, March 8, is the day. The beginning of the class, without fail, means I have to watch my schedul
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02/27/2010
One of the most common problems seen in the new house is a vapor barrier that is not complete, builder shortcut. Along with that, much of the time, the inspector will also find scraps of wood and cardboard left over in the crawl space. Since moisture from the ground will pass around the vapor
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02/26/2010
One tough find, especially at a new house that looks good otherwise, is discovering a wet crawl space. Dry is necessary in a crawl space. It is important to keep not only the lumber in the crawl space dry but the humidity levels upstairs will be a problem if water from below evaporates up. I on
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02/26/2010
I was out at Sudden Valley the other day. That is a community south of Bellingham. You go by Lake Whatcom and suddenly you are at Sudden Valley. It has it's own little lake -- Lake Louise. I remember going to see Lake Louise as a kid, before Sudden Valley was a thought in anyone's mind. My dad w
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02/25/2010
I had a chilling experience the other day while up on a roof that was icy on one side. I did not go over to that side, for safety. But there was an interesting phenomenon in play. Have any of you ever heard of spirit photos? During the days when spirit seances were taken very seriously, in the e
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02/25/2010
I have, over the last several years, made a habit of posting my deer photos at Active Rain. Deer are very photogenic. Over and over again, when I see deer, it is at home inspections at Sudden Valley. Heck, they might be on the road but, more often than not, they come right up to me to visit. Her
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02/23/2010
This photo is very descriptive of the topic of this post. See the gimmick in the gutter? It looks kind of like a badminton birdie. Here in the northwest, where we have lots of runoff water, it seems like people are always looking for gimmicks and gadgets that will perform miracles so they no lon
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02/21/2010
Bellingham Technical College is now an approved provider for the supplemental training course that is mandatory for those home inspectors who require more education in order to meet state licensing requirements. Many home inspectors had previously taken home inspector education, but the courses
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02/21/2010