Original Article Link Outdoor air pollution in cities is a major health problem. Much effort and money continue to be spent cleaning up pollution in the outdoor air. But air pollution can be a problem where you least expect it, in the place you may have thought was safest — your home. Many ordinary activities, […]

by Nick Gromicko Original Article Link Water Damage Concerns Basements are typically the area of a structure most at risk for water damage because they are located below grade and surrounded by soil.  Soil releases water it has absorbed during rain or when snow melts, and the water can end up in the basement through leaks or […]

by Zach Brown. Voltage drop is something that I commonly find when doing home inspections, and it isn’t always easy to understand. Is it dangerous? Will it affect my electrical equipment I have plugged in? Why didn’t my last home inspector test for voltage drop? I usually go over these sorts of questions during or after my […]

by Nick Gromicko Original Article Link Attic pull-down ladders, also called attic pull-down stairways, are collapsible ladders that are permanently attached to the attic floor. Occupants can use these ladders to access their attics without being required to carry a portable ladder.   Common Defects   Homeowners, not professional carpenters, usually install attic pull-down ladders. Evidence […]

by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard Original Article Link Anti-tip brackets are metal devices designed to prevent freestanding ranges from tipping. They are normally attached to a rear leg of the range or screwed into the wall behind the range, and are included in all installation kits. A unit that is not equipped with these devices […]

by Nick Gromicko Original Article Link Aluminum siding is generally in decline as an exterior cladding material because vinyl siding and other materials have become more popular choices.  However, it is still among the most common forms of siding found today.  It provided many advantages over other materials when it was introduced in the 1940s.  It […]

by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard Original Article Link What are AFCIs? Arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) are special types of electrical receptacles (or outlets) and circuit breakers designed to detect and respond to potentially dangerous electrical arcs in home branch wiring. What are AFCI testers or indicators? AFCI tester indicators (sometimes called AFCI testers) are portable […]

by Nick Gromicko Original Article Link Solar energy offers considerable advantages over conventional energy systems by nullifying flaws in those systems long considered to be unchangeable. Solar power for home energy production has its flaws, too, which are outlined in another article, but they’re dwarfed by the advantages listed below. The following are advantages of solar energy: […]

Here is a fun one. 🙂 by Nick Gromicko Original Article Link A bug zapper is a popular exterior appliance installed by a homeowner or food handler to attempt localized control of flying insect populations. Its name comes from the characteristic “zap” sound produced when an insect is electrocuted. Around homes, they are primarily used […]

by Nick Gromicko, Ben Gromicko, and Kenton Shepard Original Article Link Most people don’t know how easy it is to make their homes run on less energy, and here at InterNACHI, we want to change that. Drastic reductions in heating, cooling and electricity costs can be accomplished through very simple changes, most of which homeowners […]