The Home Inspector

• Cast Iron Waste Pipes
  If the surface of a pipe is rusted, will the entire piping system need replacement?
• Ivy and Vines: Attribute or Detriment?
  From trapping moisture to encouraging insect nesting, ivy and vines can be more problematic than aesthetically pleasing.
• Imported Pests: Ladybugs and Stink Bugs
  Bugs that aren't welcome inside our homes.
• Imitation Slate Roofing
  Are manufactured alternatives appropriate?
• Old Metal Windows
  When metal casement windows are not working properly, here is what to consider when deciding between restoring or replacing them.
• Preserving Historic Log Homes
  An exposed log house dweller needs to vigilantly defend against water and insects.
• Built-in Gutters
  Sometimes hidden gutters are neglected.
• Growth on My Roof: Damaging or Just Ugly?
  What is that green stuff on my roof, and how do I get rid of it?
• Vermiculite and Asbestos
  Does all vermiculite insulation contain asbestos?
• Balloon Framing
  Is balloon framing a fire hazard?
• Old, Soft, Crumbly Mortar
  When faced with eroding mortar joints on old stone walls, try repointing.
• Finding a Roof Leak
  Homeowners can sometimes identify the source of a roof leak by performing a few simple tasks.
• Two Front Doors
  Was this just a style of the time, or did it serve some specific purpose?
• Lead Paint - Reducing Your Family's Risk
  Lead-based paint is a primary source of lead poisoning, here's how to keep your family safe.
• Surprise! The Home You Bought Was a Former Meth Lab
  No disclosure means no one is responsible.
• Wet Basement of an Old House
  Costly "waterproofing" may be detrimental.
• Finishing the Basement: A Challenge in an Old House
  If you're an old home owner, is finishing your basement a mistake?
• Vinyl Siding
  Old house in disguise?
• Controlling Moisture in a Crawlspace
  The wettest crawlspaces -- and basements -- seem to be directly related to exterior drainage issues.
• Termite treatments & prevention tips
  There are two kinds of homes: those that have termites and those that will.
• Knob and Tube Wiring
  Handy homeowners, critters, and time are enemies of this vintage wiring system
• Chimney Flue Liners
  Liners can make old chimneys stronger and safer. Here's what you need to know to buy one.
• Buying an Old House
  Plan for repair and higher maintenance costs
• Venting Your Dryer Outside
  There's a reason manufacturers' instructions say that dryers must be ducted "to convey moisture to the outside of the building."
• Home inspection
  Answers to questions about sagging floors, rotted sills and other problems common to old houses
• Common Fire Safety Device in Old Homes a Health Hazard
  Fire Grenades (or Fire Bombs) were popular from 1870-1940, but can actually be deadly during a fire.
• The Spring Cellar
  We'd like to use our farmhouse's root cellar but it's always flooded. Any ideas on how to keep the water out?
• Original Windows
  The wavy look of vintage window glass is a result of the handmade manufacturing process that was used until the early twentieth century.
• Cement Asbestos Roofing
  Cement asbestos roofing is a durable, inexpensive material that was used to cover and protect buildings throughout two-thirds of the twentieth century.
• Repointing Historic Masonry
  The mortar that's used between the bricks and stones of old homes is traditionally lime-based. The properties of this type of mortar make it a wise choice for repointing and repairs to stone walls and foundations.
• Brick Houses and Vapor Barriers
  Improper installation can cause moisture problems and mold
• Hiring a Contractor
  Vet your contractor and spell everything out to avoid costly surprises
• Structural Terra Cotta
  Many stucco homes from the 1920s and '30s were made from these durable, fire-proof building blocks.
• Carpenter Ants Infestation
  Pests thrive on warm weather and water-damaged wood
• Brick Houses
  Strip and peel methods tedious but effective for removing paint from brick
• Tin Roofs
  How to breathe new life into old metal roofs through new coatings and good maintenance.
• Slate Roofs
  All slate was not created equal
• Worn slate roofs - repair or replace?
  How inspectors know when it's time for a new slate roof
• The Home Inspector
  Getting help in evaluating old foundations, crawlspaces
• Termite damaged wood in an old house
  The floor joists in our "new" old house have extensive termite damage. What should we do?
• Firebacks - What are they?
  Decorative cast iron plates also served functional purpose
• Wood roofs
  Care and maintenance of cedar shakes and shingles
• Old boilers - a cause for concern?
  Condition, not age, a primary consideration in evaluating older heating systems
• Sagging floors
  Serious flaw or charming old house character?
• The 'other' chimney - the one serving your furnace
  What you need to know about inspecting, repairing and maintaining your heating system's chimney
• Inspecting historic properties
  How to choose a home inspector qualified to evaluate an older home.
• Stone foundations - cause for concern?
  Common in old houses, stone foundations can be a source of trouble ... and need regular maintenance.

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