Sub-Panels Can Be Confusing: Don’t Let Them Be!

Use This Flow Chart To Get Them Right! The way most home inspectors are trained to understand the difference between sub-panel wiring and main panel wiring is that once you have a sub-panel, the equipment grounds (green covered or bare wires) should be separated from the neutral conductors (the white ones) and the neutrals should not be bonded to the panel and would remain “floating,” while the grounds should be bonded to the panel. This is not a half-bad place...

Cold Roof Condensation

Is My Roof Leaking? If you are a home inspector, you have experienced the amazing reflective properties of PVC and EPDM, white roofing membranes. In the summer heat, with some of the more traditional (older) modified bitumen black roofing membranes, you could burn your hand when getting onto the roof for inspection. By contrast, I have climbed onto a PCV membrane roof on a nearly 100-degree F day and the roofing membrane was still nearly cool to the touch. Needless...

Architectural Grade Composition Roofing

Architectural Grade Composition Roofing Developed in the 1970s for use on high-end homes, dimensional shingles are offered for homeowners who want a shingle that retains the architectural appearance of a cedar shingle with the high performance of asphalt. Layered construction lends an appearance that is a lot like cedar shakes. These shingles are also sometimes referred to as laminated architectural shingles, or as dimensional or composite shingles. This type of shingle is constructed with a heavy base fiberglass mat affixed...

Tiled Decking Surfaces

Tile Decking – Elevated And Over Living Spaces Installing tile over a standard deck frame in an exterior environment is a recipe for trouble. The combination of tile, grout, wood, and water in an environment with temperature and moisture fluctuations makes it nearly impossible to get the long-term performance that most homeowners expect. For a deck that is partially enclosed, under a roof, and protected from heavy precipitation, a conventional tile floor could possibly be achieved, but otherwise, proprietary systems...

Should I Be Concerned About Toxic Materials in Older Houses?

When it comes to toxic materials in older houses, there are three primary materials to be concerned with: lead, asbestos, and radon. Other toxic and unhealthy materials and conditions could be present in older houses, such as mold, or formaldehyde, but this blog will focus exclusively on lead, asbestos, and radon. When It Comes to Lead and Asbestos, 1978 Is An Important Date 1978 is when Congress passed national legislation to outlaw the use of lead and asbestos in construction...