Home Inspection Blog

If your home was built before the mid-1970s, you probably have galvanized steel drains. This was the standard branch drain line and vent material for kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, bathtubs, showers, and laundry sinks because it’s what we had. Sure, some homes used copper, but that didn’t last long. Too expensive. We switched over to […]

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/WxpLRqe6LDk In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry are joined by Dillon Winiecki of Protect Property Inspections in Arizona to discuss the growing demand for more detailed new-construction inspections. Dillon shares his journey from firefighter to home inspector, the growth of his company, and […]

I recently had a friend ask me why his fireplace is stinky in the summer. If it smells like a dead carcas, you’re dealing with a dead carcas. You’re welcome. But let’s assume it smells like soot. That’s the more common cause of a stinky fireplace. Winter = no odors During the winter, a […]

When it comes to kitchen hood fans, more properly known as a ducted kitchen range hood, bigger is better. At least that’s what most people think. I won’t discuss this here, but you can listen to me and Tessa discuss it on our podcast: Kitchen Hood Fans: Design, CFMs, Makeup Air, and Myths. But everyone […]

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/-Tsv9suvZwc In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss kitchen hood fans and exhaust ventilation, focusing on CFM, hood design, ductwork, makeup air, and combustion safety. They explore common ventilation problems found during inspections, explain how excessive exhaust can affect homes, and disc...