When starting a buildings it is typical to start with a foundation which may be then followed with block or poured cement walls. Every block wall requires a footing that is built below the frost line to prevent heaving in the winter. The footing should be twice as deep as the thickness of the...
Barrie Home Inspector Tips
- Inspection of a Commercial PropertyThe Commercial Property Inspector is a qualified Building Code inspector. He is a Certified Building Code Official with the Ontario Building Officials Association and is fully qualified on Large Buildings and Part 3 of the Ontario Building Code. An unknowing inspector may lead you to believe your property is code compliant when you could in […]
- Aluminum Wiring – Hazards and SolutionsPrimarily in the 1960s and 1970s, many electrical contractors used aluminum wiring instead of copper wiring as a way to save money and lower construction costs. However, a number of electrical fires have been attributed to aluminum wiring. Many building codes have been rewritten to not allow the use of aluminum wire for branch circuit wiring in houses. […]
- Deck Collapse – Is Your Deck Safe?Safety Alert: Study Reveals Sharp Increase in Deck Failures A landmark study reveals that there have been 179 reported deck collapses from January2000 through December 2006, killing 33 and injuring 1,122.By: Michael Morse, Brittney Corwin, Robert Morse and Andrew JohnsonIn September 2006, a particularly violent deck collapse occurred. What made this collapse […]
- Why You Need a Home InspectionWhy You Need A Home Inspection by Roger Frost A home inspection is a limited, non-invasive examination of the condition of a home, often in connection with the sale of that home. Home inspections are usually conducted by a home inspector who has the training and certifications to perform such inspections. The inspector prepares and […]
- Solving Basement Water ProblemsMany “how-to” magazines run articles touting miracle products that stop water from permeating through foundations or basement walls and floors. While some products may be effective at mitigating water migration through cracks or flaws in a wall, blocking groundwater can be as tough as keeping water from leaking through split seams of a wooden boat. […]
Posts Tagged ‘ insulation ’
Inspecting Century Homes
Inspecting Century Homes Century homes are a marvel in construction. People are attracted to these beautiful old buildings and they usually do not remain on the market long. Most buyers want the assurance of a qualified home inspector before buying, what could be in some cases, a potential “Money Pit”. Usually just the age...
Barrie Home Inspections Experiences Phenomenal Growth
Napoleon Home Inspections is proud to welcome aboard two highly qualified inspectors. Carl Kolbe is an experienced building inspector with over 10 years in the building industry and Brent Rowe is a graduate A.Sc.T. both fully trained and with excellent credentials. Napoleon Home Inspections has been based out of Barrie ON for the past...
Attic Ventilation – Protect Your Home
Attic Ventilation – Protect Your Home Ice on your roof or shingles curling, look no further, your attic needs proper ventilation. As a home inspector, one of the most common problems I find is improper or inadequate attic ventilation. According to building code requirements, your attic should have one square foot of...
Pre-Delivery Inspections
Many of the pre-delivery inspections that I do are usually delayed because the builder tries to deny access to the buyer when he has a home inspector with him. Sadly, this is not the way things are supposed to work. I always ensure the buyer notifies the builder in writing as required by the...
Professional Cottage and Chalet Inspections
Many insurance companies will not insure a cottage, chalet or home that does not have a 100 amp service panel installed. Older cottages and homes may have had a lot of "handy man" additions made to the service and sometimes this additions are downright dangerous...
Soffit Baffles – Protecting Your Attic
One of the biggest causes of ice dams are the lack of soffit baffles. What are soffit baffles most people ask? They are also be known as Mor-vents and Sur-vents, usually made of Styrofoam and designed to promote air flow and ventilation of your attic.
Common Electrical Problems Found
If you are installing pot lights into your attic, carefully read your manufactures instructions and specifically look for required clearances. It is possible to build a 3 sided box out of drywall or plywood and install this over the pot light. You have now met the manufactures installation requirements and can now cover you...
ICE DAMS – Causes and Cures
With the winter season almost upon us it is time to discuss the re-occurring ice dams that frustrate many home owners. So lets start with the educational segment first. Ice Dams are created when you have fairly large snowfall and the snow melts and re-freezes before being channeled away from your roof. This is...
Home Inspection News
- Ask a Realtor: Is a Home Inspection Worth it? - Huffington Post Canada (blog)Ask a Realtor: Is a Home Inspection Worth it?Huffington Post Canada (blog)Well, if your house is your biggest investment, I think you want to know how solid that investment is. Four hundred and fifty dollars is the cost for a home inspection on an average three-bedroom house. The price is calculated on the size and price of ... […]
- Town to inspect burnt out home for possible demolition - TowntimesnewsTown to inspect burnt out home for possible demolitionTowntimesnewsBy Jim Taylor WATERTOWN — The town has gained permission to inspect a home located at 6 Taft Avenue, Oakville, that residents have been asking to have torn down for five years. Building Inspector Dino Raddochio and Town Manager Chuck Frigon are ... […]
- Inspection, appraisal, fees -- homebuying costs add up - NewsdayNewsdayInspection, appraisal, fees -- homebuying costs add upNewsdayThere are other outlays: appraisal, inspection, deposit, cash reserves and more. The costs add up. "How much cash you'll need depends a lot on the size of your home purchase and how much you intend to finance," says Tim Ross, president and chief ... […]
- WIN Home Inspection Named 2012 Military Friendly Franchise by G.I. Jobs ... - DigitalJournal.com (press release)WIN Home Inspection Named 2012 Military Friendly Franchise by G.I. Jobs ...DigitalJournal.com (press release)MADISON, Ala., May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- WIN Home Inspection announces its achievement of being ranked in the top 10 percent of all franchises nationwide, and being named a 2012 Military Friendly Franchise® by GI Jobs Magazine.and more » […]
- Painting fixer-upper will make it a home - San Francisco ChroniclePainting fixer-upper will make it a homeSan Francisco ChronicleQ: We just bought a house in Alameda. It was built in the 1930s and hasn't been touched since. We got it for a good price and are viewing renovations as a long-term project. We had a termite inspection, a roof inspection and a home inspection. […]