January 2019

Efflorescence

What does efflorescence mean to the home inspector? Efflorescence is the salt deposits on a masonry or concrete surfaces that is associated with water moving through walls. Water in the walls dissolves salts from the mortar and concrete or masonry.  As water evaporates off of the wall surface, the salts are left behind as crystals …

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Fireplace Safety

During my tenure in the fireman business (1980 to 2018) I have been on multiple house fires caused by fireplaces that were not in safe condition. Two of those fires burned enough to make the houses inhabitable for almost a year before the houses were able to be repaired

Head Flashing Over Doors and Windows

Head flashing is sometimes referred to as Z flashing.  The purpose of this type of flashing is to direct water away from the house.  When windows are installed, part of the window protrudes from the siding. When water flows down the wall, it hits this protrusion and flashing is needed to keep water from flowing into the house