Chimneys and Santa

Chimney Inspection: Preventing Collapse Original article by Nick Gromicko Edited by Brian Champagne Santa is here and you should make sure your chimney is sound. Chimneys are among the heaviest and most structurally vulnerable of all exterior components of a...

Asbestos

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...

Bloom Boxes

Original article by Nick Gromicko Edited by Champagne Home Inspections A Bloom Box® is a refrigerator-sized domestic power plant that produces electricity cleanly and cheaply, and may one day replace the traditional power grid. Its inventor wants to put one in every...

Backdrafting

Backdrafting by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard   Edited by: Champagne Home Inspections Backdrafting is the reverse flow of gas in the flues of fuel-fired appliances that results in the intrusion of combustion byproducts into the living space. Many fuel-fired...

Bathroom Ventilation Ducts and Fans

Original article by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard Edited by: Champagne Home Inspections Bathroom ventilation systems are designed to exhaust odors and moist air to the home’s exterior. Typical systems consist of a ceiling fan unit connected to a duct that...

An Introduction to Foreclosures

Original article by Nick Gromicko July 2010 Edited By:Champagne Home Inspections A foreclosure is a process by which a homeowner loses their property, usually to a lender or local government, for failure to pay agreed-upon taxes, payments or fees. Common reasons for...

Home Safety for the Elderly

Home Safety for the Elderly  (CHI) Champagne Home Inspections Each year, according to estimates by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), nearly 1 million people over age 65 are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with the products...

Common Home Repair Scams

Common Home Repair Scams (CHI) Champagne Home Inspections By: Nick Gromicko Homeowners have more to worry about than being ripped off by shady contractors in this lagging economy, but such a climate brings desperation — and with it, sadly, fraud. Of course, the...

What is a Pre-listing Home Inspection?

A pre-listing home inspection uncovers potential surprises that could derail your sale and can even expedite your home’s sale and yield a greater sale price. If you are ready to sell your home and want to ensure the sale process will go smoothly and quickly, you...