Follow Home Inspection Blog, filter it, and define how you want to receive the news (via Email, RSS, Telegram, WhatsApp etc.) https://follow.it/home-inspection-blog Fri, 01 Dec 2023 14:58:39 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtN0pd-hyYbgCF1cWWor9YPv In today’s episode, Reuben and Tessa discuss garage door opener safety and inspection practices. They emphasize key aspects like the proper height of the wall button to prevent children from operating the door, ensuring the electrical connection is directly plugged into an outlet, and inspecting the auto-reverse sensors within six inches of the floor. The […]]]> Mon, 27 Nov 2023 12:00:10 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtN0pd-hyYbgCF1cWWor9YPv https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtP-8smH7wHUrClmFkX7M1Jw Here at Structure Tech, we struggle with the phrase “end of life expectancy”. This phrase strikes fear in the hearts of first-time home buyers and sometimes leads to expensive demands from home buyers to home sellers. So what the heck does that mean, and what is a buyer supposed to do with this information?  […]]]> Tue, 21 Nov 2023 14:00:05 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtP-8smH7wHUrClmFkX7M1Jw https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtN7qyNmQU988nn9ye8UNv30 If the power went out, the GFCI outlet inside the garage tripped, or the garage door opener failed, the owner would be locked out of this garage. The fix for this is quite simple - install an emergency release kit.]]> Tue, 14 Nov 2023 14:00:53 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtN7qyNmQU988nn9ye8UNv30 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtNeEtJTuwClMSlmFkX7M1Jw In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry delve into the unique challenges of home inspection in Arizona with Home Inspector Paul Staron. Their exploration encompasses the distinct nuances of newer constructions, the prevalence of unvented attics, and the transitioning trend towards electric heat pumps within the region. They emphasize the influence of extreme heat […]]]> Mon, 13 Nov 2023 12:00:49 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtNeEtJTuwClMSlmFkX7M1Jw https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtPY0BNlELSfc8b1naedg1wr Is your garage door opener safe? I'm going to go over the most common garage door opener issues that come up during home inspections.]]> Tue, 07 Nov 2023 14:00:46 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtPY0BNlELSfc8b1naedg1wr https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtM3Umt7ABkyvCejEQ2Mq9rY In today’s episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry are joined by Chad Fabry from StructureSmart. The discussion focuses on the unique challenges and characteristics of home inspections in Western New York, particularly in areas with historic homes dating back to the 1700s and 1800s. Chad Fabry shares his expertise in dealing with older houses, highlighting […]]]> Mon, 06 Nov 2023 12:00:03 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtM3Umt7ABkyvCejEQ2Mq9rY https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtOhGwzmJN0IhOzdsCmHakzH This is the best time of the year to share some of our creepiest home inspection finds. Enjoy!  I’d hate to be the last person to use this bathtub. Blue man head. Seriously, someone had to put this here to creep us out. Please move, we’re trying to work. Squirrel remains in the fireplace. […]]]> Tue, 31 Oct 2023 14:52:56 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtOhGwzmJN0IhOzdsCmHakzH https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtP27xCmPbiUB5s0ohxaO6Yr In this podcast episode, Reuben Saltzman of the Structure Talk podcast is joined by Jon Bolton from Inspectagator, a Florida-based home inspection company. They delve into various aspects of home inspections in Florida’s unique climate and construction landscape. Florida’s hot and humid climate presents distinct challenges, from stucco problems to moisture management. They emphasize the importance of understanding […]]]> Mon, 30 Oct 2023 12:00:07 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtP27xCmPbiUB5s0ohxaO6Yr https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtMvyFJMNTGESZs0ohxaO6Yr Google Lens is a fantastic tool that every home inspector should know about. It’s a free mobile device app to help you identify stuff. You take a photo with the app, and Google searches the internet for similar images, giving you pretty good results.  Check out the examples below: Funky-looking trap  What is this […]]]> Tue, 24 Oct 2023 13:00:23 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtMvyFJMNTGESZs0ohxaO6Yr https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtNPDhnwBEnjkyejEQ2Mq9rY In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry interview Jim Katen, a seasoned home inspector from the marine climate zone in Portland, Oregon. Jim offers valuable insights into the region’s unique housing characteristics and challenges. Notably, he highlights the relatively young housing stock in Oregon, with few homes predating 1890, and the desirability of Craftsman-style houses […]]]> Mon, 23 Oct 2023 12:00:13 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtNPDhnwBEnjkyejEQ2Mq9rY https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtO2_0D774awIZVjH6qdYdAk It’s time to get your house ready for winter. Do it now while the weather is nice. We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of fall maintenance items to help you remember everything you’re supposed to do as a Minnesota homeowner. I’m also including a podcast episode where we discuss most of the stuff on our list […]]]> Tue, 17 Oct 2023 13:00:37 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtO2_0D774awIZVjH6qdYdAk https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtOG7hFyfH605Js0ohxaO6Yr In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry are joined by Dusty Jameson, a seasoned home inspector of Inspector Cluseau which is based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Together, they delve into the unique challenges posed by the mixed humid climate in their region. Dusty sheds light on critical aspects of […]]]> Mon, 16 Oct 2023 11:59:25 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtOG7hFyfH605Js0ohxaO6Yr https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtN65qk6rNuACuzdsCmHakzH I’ve had a point-of-use water heater leak on me twice now, and it was less than three years old both times. I shared those stories in a couple of blog posts: My kitchen disaster, and Kitchen disaster… averted! I’m somewhat familiar with water heater warranties; I’ve helped many friends replace failed water heaters, many times […]]]> Tue, 10 Oct 2023 14:00:27 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtN65qk6rNuACuzdsCmHakzH https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtPVeXZbZe7XM5VjH6qdYdAk In this episode of the Structure Talk Podcast, Reuben Saltzman shares a recent experience with a water heater and the importance of installing a leak detection system to prevent potential damage. He recounts a previous incident where a water heater leak caused significant harm to his house, underscoring the necessity of early detection. Reuben also […]]]> Mon, 09 Oct 2023 11:59:12 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtPVeXZbZe7XM5VjH6qdYdAk https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtM2dXWN0VXGYuzdsCmHakzH I had a nasty water leak in my kitchen about two years ago. My cute little point-of-use kitchen water heater sprung a leak, and it did some major water damage to the room directly below. You can find that story here: My kitchen disaster. To help ensure this would never happen again, I installed a […]]]> Tue, 03 Oct 2023 14:00:24 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtM2dXWN0VXGYuzdsCmHakzH https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtNJ94m0Pql4g-zdsCmHakzH In this podcast, Bruce Stahlberg, an expert in HVAC systems and energy efficiency, highlighted the paramount importance of accurate testing and diagnostics for HVAC performance. He emphasized the significance of static pressure testing over temperature rise testing in assessing furnace performance. Reuben, Tessa and Bruce discussed challenges like sheetrock dust infiltrating A-coils during home renovations, […]]]> Mon, 02 Oct 2023 13:27:45 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtNJ94m0Pql4g-zdsCmHakzH https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtOezwPRLGFX9Js0ohxaO6Yr Many large plumbing companies are charging an outrageous amount of money for a simple water heater replacement. I have no problem with a company charging more money when they deliver more value, but that’s not what’s happening here. Outrageous, you say? Let me explain, and then you can decide for yourself. While the plumbing companies […]]]> Tue, 26 Sep 2023 14:00:19 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtOezwPRLGFX9Js0ohxaO6Yr https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtP8qUzuNPj3p11cWWor9YPv Toilets are a divisive topic, but today, I'll be setting the record straight once and for all on three important toilet topics.]]> Tue, 19 Sep 2023 14:00:18 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtP8qUzuNPj3p11cWWor9YPv https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtN9AIO0REVWKJs0ohxaO6Yr In this episode of Structure Talk, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry are joined by Adam Barthel from Rum River Construction Consultants. They explore fire separation standards for homes and townhouses, focusing on the wall between the house and garage. The conversation covers crucial details such as material requirements, gap considerations in drywall, and proper […]]]> Mon, 18 Sep 2023 11:59:39 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtN9AIO0REVWKJs0ohxaO6Yr https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtN3ZcaJsn-rpF1cWWor9YPv Don’t ever skip the home inspection, even when it’s new construction. While new means new, it doesn’t mean perfect. There are a lot of steps required to put a house together properly, and stuff always goes wrong. I could talk all day about the reasons for this, but it in the end, it all comes […]]]> Tue, 12 Sep 2023 14:00:06 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/v0xuMQDrGtN3ZcaJsn-rpF1cWWor9YPv