Take a look at the cracked mortar I found during a recent Long Island Home Inspection. This mortar at the top is usually called the cap and it is the first line of defense when it comes to maintaining the integrity of the chimney. When these cracks in the cap go...

    I came across this drain under a bathroom sink during a recent home inspection. The first problem I see is the lack of a proper drain trap like the one in the second picture. The primary use of a trap is to prevent the escape of dangerous sewer gases....

I found this electric meter pan at a Smithtown home inspection recently. Notice the missing cover which left live wires exposed to the touch. All electric panels and boxed must be covered to prevent injury.

  What is Asbestos? Asbestos is a mineral fiber that can be positively identified only with a special type of microscope. There are several types of asbestos fibers. In the past, asbestos was added to a variety of products to strengthen them and to provide heat...

Building orientation is the practice of facing a building so as to maximize certain aspects of its surroundings, such as street appeal, to capture a scenic view, for drainage considerations, etc. With rising energy costs, it’s becoming increasingly important for...

If you want to build a new home, there are things you need to know before you begin. Learn about construction standards and about buying land, so you know your rights. MPS Supplementing Model Building Codes   The Minimum Property Standards (MPS) establish certain...

Outdoor air pollution in cities is a major health problem. Much effort and money continue to be spent cleaning up pollution in the outdoor air. But air pollution can be a problem where you least expect it, in the place you may have thought was safest -- your home....

by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard   The purpose of this article is twofold. First, at InterNACHI, we’d like you to take measures to keep your garage free from fire. Fortunately, there are ways this can be done, some of which are described below. Secondly, garage...

by Nick Gromicko     The following items are essential tools, but this list is by no means exhaustive. Feel free to ask an InterNACHI inspector during your next inspection about other tools that you might find useful.   1.  Plunger A clogged sink or toilet is one of...

Roof and Drainage System Maintenance and Replacement by Michael Chotiner of The Home Depot   Roof assessments are among the most valuable observations a home inspector can provide for a prospective home buyer in the pre-purchase inspection report. Authoritative...