At first glance, pellet stoves may look like wood-burning stoves, but the similarities end there. Pellets are made from biomass that might be wood or a variety of other products such as cherry pits and corn. They have on-board computers that control the flow of pellets into the burning chamber so that a constant, moderate flame is produced. They can be closer to walls and other combustibles than wood stoves because they don’t get as hot, and their flues don’t need to be as wide. To find out more about these unusual appliances and how to inspect them, check out our new article on pellet stoves for inspectors.

Ever wonder why the mortar joints between bricks come in so many different patterns? It isn’t just to make them look pretty, some actually enhance the water-resistance of the mortar and the lifetime of the wall. Some joints are easy to make and some require great care, but all are used for a particular purpose. The grapevine joint, for instance, was used extensively during America’s colonial period and is often replicated in newer buildings to match old styles in the area. The raked joint looks impressive but it has the tendency to trap water and should not be used in exterior walls. To find out more, take a look at our new article on mortar types.

Inspectors who wish to inspect fireplaces should know how large the hearth and hearth extensions need to be. Feel free to read our new article on hearths and hearth extensions to find some specifics about inspecting these fireplace components. Important IRC code can be found there too.

Firestops are methods of passively protecting homes from fire damage. They can restore the ability of a rated firewall to keep fires from spreading into neighboring floors, rooms, or condominiums units. Inspectors should know how to identify a faulty firestop and should always call it out when they’re missing. To find out more, check out our new article on firestops. Learn about what they are made of, how they work, and why they are so important.

Ever hear of hantavirus? It is extremely deadly, there is no cure, and the most likely place that you’ll find it is in homes. Those are pretty good reasons for inspectors to learn about it. Fortunately, it’s very rare, and if you know how it is transmitted you will further reduce your chances of being harmed by it. Check out our new article on hantavirus danger in homes to find out more about this virus and how to avoid it.

Newer ranges are light enough that it doesn’t take much weight to cause them to tip over, but they’re heavy enough to injure or kill small children trapped beneath. Hot items on the stovetop, too, can burn or scald anyone who accidentally tips the range over. Anti-tip brackets can prevent this from happening and they are required by UL standards but they aren’t installed in a huge portion of ranges. Inspectors should know how to check for brackets and what to tell the client if none are found. Check out our new article on anti-tip brackets for ranges to find out more about these safety devices and why they are so valuable.

When homes lose too much air pressure due to exhaust fans and other appliances it becomes possible for backdrafting to occur. This is a common way for dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide to enter the living space unnoticed and harm or kill the occupants.  Luckily, it is sometimes possible to test for backdrafting. To find out more about how it happens and how inspectors can test for it, check out our new article on backdrafting for inspectors.

Grounding electrodes are essential safety measures in every home, but even if they’re there it doesn’t mean that they will work if they are needed. Water pipe electrodes are particularly prone to failing because plumbers sometimes replace metal portions with nonconductive plastic pipes and nothing is done to correct the grounding system. Take a look at our new article on home service grounding electrodes to find out more about the different types you might encounter and how they work.

Pool fencing is not a subject that is most inspectors know much about, and most don’t include it in their services. It’s a good idea to learn the basic requirements of pool fencing, however, since many children are killed due fences that are not built to code. Take a look at our new article on outdoor pool barriers to find out more about how they should be constructed.

New home construction is wired a lot differently than it used to be, using well-insulated, grounded cables. Still, they must be installed correctly in order to ensure that they don’t create unsafe situations. Inspectors should know the differences between the types of cables commonly found in homes and be able to spot defective installations. They should also be prepared to encounter wiring systems that are very old and obsolete. Take a look at our new article on common types of electrical wiring to find out more.

Garbage disposals can cause more problems than they help solve if they aren’t used correctly. There’s a lot of food that you can’t put in them unless you want to pay a plumber to fix a clog. Check out our new article on garbage disposals for inspectors to find out more. Find out how to check for leaks, proper wiring, and what you can and can’t put in them.

Inspectors who don’t have a moisture meter should think about getting one. These instruments can accurately measure the amount of moisture in building materials without causing any damage. Take a look at our new article on moisture meters for inspectors to find out more about how they work and the ways that they can be used. Some options are so high-tech that they can accurately measure moisture nearly an inch beneath the surface of tile concrete.

With the number of foreclosures in today’s real estate market and the long lengths of time homes stay on the market before selling, many properties must be winterized and de-winterized.  Winterization is the process that prepares a home to sit vacant without heat/utilities and with the water turned off.  It reduces the risk of the plumbing supply lines freezing and causing damage and/or flooding.  Often real estate agents or banks will ask home inspectors to perform this service.  For those inspectors who offer winterization and de-winterization services, InterNACHI offers this Winterization/De-Winterization Services Agreement.

Sump pumps are probably the most important appliances in the homes that have them. They keep water from seeping into the basement and causing damage to the home’s interior. It’s too bad that many homeowners spend thousands of dollars on TVs and furniture yet get the cheapest sump pump they can buy. The pump is what protects their possessions from being destroyed by water! Sump pumps are self-activating but must be maintained regularly. Read our new article on sump pump operation and inspection to find out more.

NACHI.TV’s filming crew just came back from being on location at Clayton Home’s modular home plant.  The new modular homes are all green. Some models include a flex room that “powers down” when not in use.  Warren Buffet owns Clayton Homes BTW.  Watch the new episode featuring Tennessee InterNACHI inspectors and learn how to inspect modular homes.