Are My Windows Missing Seals?
I recently bought a house with horizontal sliding windows, and I've noticed that when it rains, water is coming into the frame from a small groove on the…
home inspection
How Much Can I Expect to Pay for Window Repairs After Inspection?
I'm in the process of closing on a typical 1994 builder home, and I've just received the inspection report. It indicates that about half of the windows are…
Foundation Woes: DIY Fixes or Call an Expert?
I recently bought an old house from the 1950s, and unfortunately, the home inspector overlooked some major issues with the foundation. There's basically no drainage, and the house…
Is This Beam in My Attic Rotted or Just Bad Lighting?
I have some concerns about a beam in my attic that appears to have dark spots. My house was built in 1973, and although it passed inspection, I'm…
How to Handle Building Inspector After DIY Mistakes?
I've been living in rural NY and typically skipped getting building permits, which seems common in the area. Now, as we're planning to add onto our house, I'm…
Should I Replace My Breaker Box with Copper If I Have Aluminum Wiring?
I recently purchased a house from the 70s that has aluminum wiring, and I'm currently getting quotes to have it pigtailed. A lot of the contractors are suggesting…
Should I Hire a Specialist for a Ceiling Crack?
I found a crack in the vaulted ceiling of a home I'm under contract for, and it was pointed out by the inspector. The crack is about 1-2…
Can Unseen Mold in My House Be Dangerous?
I just moved into a new house, and there's a lot of leaking from the ceiling due to a bad roof that's supposed to be fixed soon. I've…
Why Is There Dirt Piling Up Under My Window Trim?
I've noticed that every time I clean up this pile of dirt that appears under my window's floor trim, it comes back in the same spot. I'm wondering…
Should I be worried about this crack in my turret?
I recently spotted a crack in my turret that runs from the roof down to the window. I didn't notice it until just a few days ago, so…
Did My Builder Mess Up by Skipping Sill Gaskets?
I've just noticed that my home builder skipped installing sill gaskets, sill sealers, and the foam barrier between the concrete foundation and the sill plate. There's a visible…
Help! Removed Load-Bearing Wall Causing Ceiling Issues - What Are My Options?
I recently purchased an older home and discovered that a load-bearing wall was removed to create an open-concept kitchen, which our inspector unfortunately missed. A structural engineer looked…
Do I Need to Inspect Electrical Wiring Before Selling My House?
My husband and I bought a house that was recently renovated after a fire, but we have some concerns about the electrical work done. The place looks good,…
Should I Buy This Home with Major Issues as a First-Time Buyer?
We're considering buying our first home – it's an estate sale in an ideal neighborhood, listed for $535,000 with $9,000 in taxes and 2,000 sq ft of space.…
What Should We Do About a Broken Sewer Line Found After Closing?
Hi everyone! We recently bought our first home and moved in a couple of weeks ago. During the inspection before closing, we flagged some issues with the toilets…
What's That Orange Stuff on My Basement Wall and Is It Serious?
Hey everyone! I just moved into a new house and noticed some orange residue on the basement walls. It's kind of powdery and comes off fairly easily when…
Should I Be Worried About Vermiculite and a Lead Pipe in My Old House?
I recently had a home inspection on a house built in 1905, and the inspector found vermiculite insulation in the side attics and a lead service line for…
Should I Hire a Structural Engineer for My Old House Cracks?
My wife and I recently bought our first home, which is around 100 years old. We've noticed some significant cracks between the door frame and wall of our…
How Can I Check if My Stairs Meet Code Requirements?
I bought my house a couple of years ago and the stairs leading down to the unfinished basement seem a bit precarious. They're steep with treads about 8…
Should I be concerned about an old water stain in my basement?
My wife and I just bought our first home and while replacing some carpets with flooring—especially in the finished part of the basement—we discovered a dry water stain…