by Home Standards | Apr 4, 2013 | Buildings Exterior
I love the resourcefulness of people in this city. What do we do when we run out of shingles? Do we buy more? NO! We find a piece of sheet metal and use a lot of caulk…..a LOT of caulk!! -Tim Krof
by Jon Vacha | Mar 20, 2013 | Uncategorized
Tim actually found one of these little guys hanging out in a disposal during a recent inspection. Don’t worry he was released outside. It is crazy to find the areas critter can get into in a house. This was a case of the bat probably making its way down a...
by Jon Vacha | Mar 19, 2013 | Uncategorized
Types of Cracks Concrete does two things; it gets hard, and it cracks. When looking at a crack in a house’s foundation wall, the type of crack can often indicate what is causing the crack to occur. Vertical or stair step cracks indicate settlement of part of...
by Home Standards | Feb 26, 2013 | Buildings Exterior, Newsletters
Concrete the Magical Mud. by Steve Vacha Concrete is an integral part of home construction. Throughout the centuries and in many places still today, people live in mud or earth homes. As society has progressed, our building materials have improved. The ingredients...
by Jon Vacha | Feb 23, 2013 | Uncategorized
In the picture you can see that the safety beams are in this garage are installed in a very wrong location. They are up in the rafters of the garage. Periodically we see people do this just to make sure the beams are never broken. Of course, they should be at either...
by Home Standards | Feb 15, 2013 | Buildings Exterior
During an inspection we always check to make sure that the deck is secured to the house with lag bolts where needed. We look for joist hangers and footings below the support posts. On the deck in the picture the stairs where in good shape except for the fact that the...
by Home Standards | Feb 1, 2013 | Mold, Newsletters
The Truth About Mold By Jon Vacha Mold plays an important part in our ecosystem by breaking down and recycling material in nature. Mold can become troublesome when it is allowed to grow inside our homes. It is important to know where to look for mold so a problem can...
by Jon Vacha | Jan 26, 2013 | Electric
There needs to be at least ten feet of clearance from the ground for the power line that comes into a house. Most new houses have the power coming in under ground. But, in older houses we find clearance issues periodically. Sometimes the electrical mast on the house...
by Home Standards | Jan 10, 2013 | Plumbing
Tim Krof found this one -This is not your typical way to drain the washer…but it works. Good to see they have both a plunger and toilet cleaner standing by……but sorry ladies, this seat STAYS UP!!
by Home Standards | Jan 3, 2013 | Heating and Air, Newsletters
Flue Safety By Tim Krof A properly installed and functioning flue is essential for home safety. Carbon monoxide and other gases are lighter than air and will float up through a flue without the assistance of a blower. Flues need proper clearance from combustibles and...
