Don't let a night sitting in front of your fireplace turn into a 911 call to the Fire Department! As the temperature drops, winter begins to settle in, and the daylight fades earlier and earlier, many of us enjoy sitting by a nice roaring fire in the fireplace. It is a great way to relax and enjoy the season, IF your chimney is in good shape and has been recently inspected. Many people who use their fireplaces regularly don't give it a second thought when winter comes, and start up a fresh new fire.  The reality is that chimney's and fireplaces NEED to be regularly inspected. And while you might think it is less than  i ronic that the home inspector is recommending a recurring inspection, this is not an inspection we as a company offer.  These are inspections that should be done by a chimney sweep who is certified by CSIA, the Chimney Safety Institute of America. No matter how meticulous you are with maintaining your fireplace,  it  do es  r...

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...

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. ...

Is your dryer clean? Are the vent pipes in your home free from lint? Or are they lined with highly flammable lint bunnies? According to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), it is reported that there are 2,900 residential fires each year caused by clothes dryers, causing 5 deaths, over 100 injuries, and tens of millions in property damage! What's more, it is estimated that 35% of these fires are caused because dryer and vent lines are not properly cleaned. If any of the following conditions exist in your laundry area, keep reading and I will walk you step by step through the process of cleaning your dryer, so you can rest assured it is running safely and efficiently. You haven't cleaned your dryer vent in the past 3 months Your dryer is taking longer than usual to dry clothes You notice buildup of lint around the lint filter There is a buildup of lint outside your home where the vent exits As an added benefit, keeping your dryer clean will help it to run e...