Winter Home Hangover: A Guide to Spring Detox

Freezing temperatures, howling winds, and ice dams the size of Samurai swords… Spring is finally here! The birds are singing, daffodils are pushing through the soil, and your house is groaning like it just woke up from a three-month bender. Truth is, winter is...

Dungeon Down Under: A Wet Crawlspace Can Be Your Home’s Worst Nightmare

Ignoring your crawlspace is like ignoring a cavity. It doesn’t get better on its own. As a home inspector, I’ve been places you couldn’t pay me enough to go if it wasn’t literally my job. I’ve shimmied into attics hotter than the surface of the sun and squeezed behind...

Out, Out, Damp Spot: A Short Guide to Waterproofing a Basement From the Inside

Can you seal basement leaks from the inside? The short answer is YES!Photo by Lowe’s Basements have a sketchy reputation. Things lurk down there: forgotten holiday decorations, that treadmill you swore you’d use, and (unfortunately) that dreaded musty smell that...

Is your home on shaky ground? The silent language of foundation problems

The specter of foundation problems can be terrifying, spawning money nightmares! Photo by Marcu Ioachim on Unsplash Your home is likely your biggest investment, and its stability literally rests on its foundation. While often out of sight, your foundation supports the...

Potential home inspection deal-breakers

Finding asbestos in a home can be a serious deal-breaker. People often ask if a home inspection can kill a real estate deal? The simple answer would be no. An inspection of itself is not the reason deals are called off. However, there are times when the inspector...

What to do when your home tests high for radon gas

Your well water can be a source of radon in Western North Carolina. People often ask, “What is radon, and do I need to be concerned about it?”  Let’s address this as two questions. First, radon is an invisible, odorless, and tasteless gas produced by the natural...