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PLAY VIDEORadon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas that is sometimes found in the basements of American homes. While it is impossible to detect...
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PLAY VIDEOHeating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment provides heating and cooling for your home. The HVAC system may also be responsible for providing fresh outdoor...
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PLAY VIDEOTermites and other wood destroying insects cause billions of dollars in damage each year. Termites are the most notorious pests, but you can also have carpenter...
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PLAY VIDEOYour fireplace is likely either a masonry fireplace or a factory built fireplace. There are a few hybrid types, but they are less commonly found....
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PLAY VIDEOAlmost every new home built today includes an elevated porch or deck. Great for seasonal socializing, right? However, before you put another shrimp on the...
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PLAY VIDEOA roof inspection is an important preventative maintenance job that can identify issues before they turn into larger problems like leaks and rotting wood. And...
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PLAY VIDEOAn attic inspection, while not exactly comfortable or glamorous, is a very important part of the home inspection process. In the Summer, attic temperatures can...
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PLAY VIDEOWhen establishing the final grading plan (the landscaping of soil elevations) of your home, make sure that water will move down and away from the foundation....
Termites and other wood destroying insects cause billions of dollars in damage each year. Termites are the most notorious pests, but you can also have carpenter ants, carpenter bees, and their lesser known friends—powder post beetles, and aptly named old house borers. Since a termite inspection report is typically a requirement for a home loan, this is an important step in the home inspection process. Signs of infestations include:
- Drill holes
- Evidence of shelter tubes
- Sawdust
- Small piles of feces
- Small piles of wings that resemble fish scales
A termite shelter tube is what termites travel through to avoid sunlight, so they start below ground and work their way up. Even if a shelter tube is wiped away, it would leave behind stains. Sawdust is another strong indicator, so if you spot sawdust in or around your house (and you haven't been handymanning on your own), look around for insect drill holes. You don't want critters gnawing away at your investment, and the thought of thousands of winged termites emerging inside of your home is the stuff of Alfred Hitchcock nightmares. Bill Bitz says that a good coat of paint on all exposed wood is your best defense against wood destroying insects, and an annual internal and external inspection is a good preventive measure for your home and peace of mind.