There is a lot of confusion in the world of Real Estate Sales and Inspections about Ground Fault Circuit Interruption (GFCI or GFI) protection & devices. The average home buyer has no or only a vague understanding of what these are or when and where they are needed. Real Estate sales professionals are not much better informed than buyers and sellers and sadly many home inspectors are not keeping up with these issues. The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) has also helped to cloud the.....

Top Five Things to Know about a Home Inspector When you are buying a home, one of the most important things to do is hire a home inspector. Home inspectors can help you find any problems with the property that you may not be able to see yourself. They will inspect the roof, the foundation, the plumbing, and more. In this blog post, we will discuss the top five things to know about home inspectors! Most home inspectors will have a website where you can learn more about them and read reviews.....

Common HVAC (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning) issues found during a home inspection: Gas Heating Equipment Exhaust flue: This is a vent for the exhaust byproducts to be carried out of the home and released outside. This flue pipe must slope up to an outdoor vent or chimney with adequate support. It also needs to be kept away from any combustible materials. Sediment trap: Lack of a sediment trap on a gas heater or one that is made up improperly can allow small pieces of sediment to get.....

Are you in the market for a new home? If so, you may be wondering if it's worth investing in a home inspection. The answer is most definitely yes! Home inspections can save you money in the long run by helping you identify potential problems with the property. In this article, we will discuss some of the ways that home inspections can save you money. Keep reading to learn more!   What is a Home Inspection? A home inspection is a visual analysis of the systems or structures of a home. This.....

International Residential Code SUCCINCT REQUIREMENTS Minimum 70 square feet, with 7-feet headroom Emergency egress Natural or artificial light Natural or artificial ventilation Heated A more detailed answer must look at the Code requirements and of habitable and sleeping spaces. Code referenced is based on the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC). While inspections are not Code based, current safety considerations are. HABITABLE SPACE First, it must meet the definition of.....

Corner cracks, also called wedge cracks, are common on slab foundations in the southeast Texas area. They are generally not considered structural and are not an indication of a cracked slab. In researching for this article, we found a great YouTube Video by Houston professional structural engineer R Michael Gray. Rather than re-invent the wheel in this case we’ve decided too re-direct you to the professional. Michael Gray as several interesting videos on his channel. To understand this.....

Improper grades prevent water from flowing away from the foundation. Proper grading and drainage of the soil adjacent to the foundation can be critical to the performance of the foundation and to avoid water penetration problems. The ground adjacent to the foundation should be graded such that there is positive drainage away from the foundation wall. Surface drainage should be diverted to a storm sewer or other approved point of collection. Lots should be graded so as to drain surface water.....

Modern residential water heaters may be the longest lasting, safest and most maintenance free appliance in our homes. That does not mean they never fail and can’t be dangerous and never need any maintenance. Here are some things to be aware of and check on occasionally. Today we have traditional storage tank type water heaters that have been around for years and the newer tankless water heaters. Both gas use either gas or electricity to heat water. In this article we are not going to get.....

What are AFCI’s and are they required in all homes? AFCI’s are smart gadgets that are designed to detect arcing electrical connections in your home’s wiring. When arcing is detected, these devices should trip off and prevent a fire in your home. First let’s talk about how to recognize them. AFCI’s are special circuit breakers and found in your home’s breaker panel(s). There are different types but all look pretty similar. They look like normal circuit breakers but they have a.....