Posts by cwinspections
What is the best type of insulation?
What’s the best attic insulation? That depends on your definition of “best”. What’s going to perform the best is definitely not the most cost-effective way to insulate an attic. But surely, you already knew that. And I didn’t call you Shirley. First, let’s discuss the most common types of insulation available for attics; spray foam,…
Read MoreRead This Before Adding Attic Insulation!
If you’re thinking about adding attic insulation to your home this year, please read this first. Many homeowners go about re-insulating their attics all wrong. What’s far more important than simply adding attic insulation is to have air-sealing performed first. This is the labor-intensive part of an attic insulation job that unscrupulous insulation contractors may…
Read More3 HVAC Maintenance Tips from a Home Inspector
According to my friends who work on air conditioners, there are three basic maintenance items for AC units that people overlook. And these three items comprise a large portion of easily preventable equipment failures. These consist of the condensate line, the air filter, and the condensing coil. The Condensate Line In Louisiana, most single-family homes…
Read MoreDon’t Vent Your Clothes Dryer Through the Roof
Roof vents for dryers are stupid. As soon as I’m in charge, there will be no more venting of clothes dryers through the roof. I think the roof is a stupid spot to terminate clothes dryer vents because it’s difficult to clean and it’s a major contributor to ice dams. Clothes dryers should be vented…
Read MoreWHY SHOULD I HAVE A HOME INSPECTION ON A NEW CONSTRUCTION HOME?
There’s nothing worse than buying something new and bringing it home only to discover that it’s defective. And while big box stores might accept your return, what happens when the brand-new thing that’s defective is your house? Utilizing new construction phase inspections sets up quality checkpoints throughout the building process to help ensure that the…
Read MoreRubber Washing Machine Hoses
Rubber or braided steel hose? Burst washing machine hoses have to be one of the most common causes of catastrophic water damage in homes. When I find rubber hoses used to connect the washing machine, I often mention to my clients that it’s a good idea to replace them. It’s downright disturbing how often my client then…
Read MoreMelted Vinyl Siding
Grills When we find vinyl siding melted about chest-high near a patio or deck in one concentrated area, it’s surely the result of a grill placed too close to the house. Grills kick out a lot of heat, so keep ’em away from your house. I’ve never done any testing to figure out exactly what’s…
Read MoreMOISTURE IN YOUR CRAWL SPACE: Causes and Solutions
If you’re like most homeowners in south Louisiana, you’re likely to overlook any moisture in your crawl space. That’s because the crawl space is out of sight, and that’s where all the moisture is, right? Moisture in your crawl space might compromise your home’s structural integrity and have adverse effects on your health. Here in…
Read MoreBuying a condo? Don’t miss these 6 inspections that could reveal potential red flags
. Heading out to today’s inspection of a condo in Baton Rouge, Louisiana had me thinking about a few concerns that the buyer brought up. Living about 1 mile from the campus of LSU poses some unique concerns about soundproofing. A condo is, obviously, different from a single-family dwelling. But often there’s much more than…
Read More6 HVAC Tasks Homeowners Can Do.
Feeling helpless when it comes to maintaining your HVAC system? In times of extreme temperatures, it is hard not to think about your HVAC unit. Summertime in Baton Rouge, LA can range in temperatures of over 100 degrees. When things are going well with your air conditioning unit, you are grateful to walk into the…
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