So hopefully you have already read our blog post about how to pick a good home inspector, if not you should give that a read....  How to find a home inspector          . In this blog we will tell you some of the warning signs to look for when finding an inspector. Inspectors who are contractors It probably seems practical, even wise, to hire a home inspector who is also a licensed builder. After all, who would know better if a home is well constructed? In many ways this sentiment is quite true. Builders can amass a great deal of knowledge and should in most situations have a solid base of knowledge about home construction. The real concern here is when builders also offer to complete the repairs (defects) they identify during a home inspection. First off, and in our opinion most important, is the fact that offering to do repairs on the same home a company inspects is a clear violation of the ethics agreement for the two largest home inspection organiza...

So, you are about to make what is probably the largest purchase of your life. Now you have to find someone to inspect it and trust them to tell you everything important about the home you are about to buy. Wouldn't it make sense to make sure you are hiring a home inspector who will do the job well? At EHI we certainly think so, and while we know you may not choose us, we want to make sure you have the resources to choose the inspector that is right for you. Below are a few important things to know about inspectors and the industry, and how to go about finding an inspector. Certified/Member/Registered/Licensed - There are a variety of professional organizations that serve the Home Inspection industry, with the two largest being ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) and Inter-NACHI (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors). Both of these groups along with a few others offer a range of certifications, and memberships. Inspectors who are members have paid their...

Faulty GFCI Plugs GFCI outlets are a great invention that do a wonderful job keeping us safe around electricity. This style outlet should be used anytime an outlet is within 3 feet of a water source, and on all exterior plugs. (There are other locations these are required at, as well. However, these are the two most common locations.) Anytime these plugs detect a fault, the internal circuit breaker will trigger cutting off electricity; thus keeping you alive and happy. The problem is there are a variety of these outlets, and they are not all built to last.  I frequently see these outlets fail, particularly if they are in a harsh environment, or used frequently. There are 2 easy ways to verify that your outlets are working correctly. If you look at the front of the outlet you will notice two small buttons labeled "test" and "reset".  Plug a small light into the plug and push the Test button, the light should turn off, then press the reset button and the light shou...

Know the exact condition…even if its not all good, its good that you know. There are several benefits to knowing the exact condition of your home, and a home inspection is the only true way to know that. Despite the amount of time we spend in our homes, in most cases we tend to not see many of the small issues that arise over the years. Because we watch the change evolve slowly, they become normal. A good home inspector will be able to look at your home with fresh eyes and a professional mindset to give you a true diagnostic report on the condition of your home. A quality inspection before you list, WILL be an advantage, even if all the information is not good. More accurate pricing With the completed inspection you and your Realtor will be able to better asses the market value of your home. A quality inspector will list a variety of features in your home you may not have remembered to even market such as, energy efficient windows, efficiency ratings on appliances and furnaces...

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless and odorless gas produced by the combustion of fossil fuels, natural gas, propane, gasoline etc. This gas (CO) is naturally produced by common household appliances such as furnaces, gas water heaters, gas ovens/stoves, and even gas clothes dryers. When appliances are working properly and are properly vented, CO does not typically pose any issues. However, if the gas enters the living space and accumulates, it can be extremely dangerous, even deadly. Here are some of the most important knowledge points about Carbon Monoxide. It is colorless and odorless - Without a CO detector, there is NO WAY to identify the presence of the gas before it begins affecting you. It is heavier than air - This means the gas remains low in a room unlike smoke, which rises. It is produced by the combustion of fossil fuels - If you have an appliance that produces a flame, it will produce carbon monoxide. If there is a build up of CO in your home, you will start feelin...

So you have determined you have roots in your sewer line that are either causing a slow drain or a completely blocked drain. NOW WHAT?!? There are several options to try. Keep in mind that every situation is different, and not all fixes are suitable for all issues. The condition of the pipe, or cracks in the pipe, the type of material of pipe and the amount of roots can all have an effect on the efficacy of these treatments. Additionally, the following are meant as TEMPORARY repairs to get a homeowner to a point where the pipe can be properly repaired. Once a sewer pipe has breaks in it, the deterioration will continue until the pipe fails. This is NOT the point you want to be shopping for a plumber. We highly suggest you use any time gained by these fixes to start looking for a reputable plumber. As we always believe it is best to avoid harsh chemicals, and apply minimum impact, we will list these suggestions in order of their ease, cost and safety. SALT: Regular, plain, old ro...

Trees can be a wonderful asset to your property. At the same time, they can also cause significant damage to your home. Keep reading to learn some of the most common benefits and pitfalls of shade trees on your property. During the summer months the tree shade to your home can create comfort and save you money. If you look at the picture below, you will see how the tree is casting a large shadow onto the roof. The shadow provides an incredible amount of heat reduction. As the sun bakes the roof, heat continues to build in the attic of your home. The more your attic heats up, the harder your AC has to work to keep up with cooling.  As with most things, the benefit this shade can provide needs to be balanced by the risks that also come with trees. The following are common problems that shade trees can cause to homeowners, and things to look out for if you have trees near your home. Roots: Problem : Since shade trees are generally tall, it follows that they have quite la...

With the 4th of July upon us, fireworks and fire safety should be at the front of our minds.  Were you aware that fire extinguishers expire?? Even with proper care and storage, fire extinguishers should be replaced at least every 12 years, EVEN IF THE GAUGE STILL READS GREEN!!! As a home inspector I look at dates when fire extinguishers expire on a daily basis, but as a home owner, it is REALLY easy to forget. Case in point are the 5 fire extinguishers pictured below. These are the extinguishers I keep in my own home, and after checking them today in preparation for this blog, I noted that 3 of them expired over 3 years ago, and the remaining 2 expire this year. What To Do: Look for the manufacture date on the fire extinguisher. the date should either be printed on the label itself, or some manufactures stamp the year in the bottom of the canister. If the date is beyond 12 years, the fire extinguisher should be disposed of and replaced immediately. ...

People commonly ask what is the best way to ensure my home passes a home inspection. The simple answer is that no home "passes" or "fails" an inspection. The reason is simple - no home is perfect. The best thing you can do to make sure your home inspection goes smoothly, is to address all of the minor issues by doing a walk through and around your home. Many of the most common defects or conditions that we find during a home inspection are relatively minor. It is often much easier and less expensive to fix a few of the small items around your home before the inspection begins. By following these tips, you will not only help your inspection go smoothly, but your home will be in the best condition possible to show to prospective buyers. Lighting One of the first things to do as you prepare your home for inspection or showing is to make sure all the lighting in the home is working properly. Light bulbs are inexpensive and having them all working will bene...