Did you know that chlorine is ineffective against a number of pathogens that are commonly found in swimming pools? People have been killed by viruses, bacteria and protozoa just by going for a swim in their backyard pool. Learn about specific pathogens, the diseases they cause and what can be done to prevent contaimination in our new article on pool water pathogens.

Nowadays, many pools are equipped with alarms designed to alert parents if their children sneak out to enter the pool. There are a number of different designs and some work better than others, but they should only be used in conjunction with other safety measures and supervision. To find out more, check out our new article on pool alarms.

We all know that drowning is a constant danger when kids are swimming, but were you aware that many drowning deaths were caused by the drain at the bottom of the pool? These drains have a huge suction that can trap a child, or even an adult, underwater long enough for them to drown. Children are attracted to these hazards because they think the rushing water will be fun to play with. Even if they are able to escape, they may leave with debilitating internal injuries. A broken or missing drain cover is a sure sign that no one should be swimming, but there are other ways that children can be harmed by “suction entrapment” in swimming pools. To find out more, check out our new article on pool drain hazards inspection.

One of the easiest ways to reduce solar heat gain and subsequent energy costs is as simple as planting a tree. Energy savings should be balanced by the cost of the trees themselves, which can be considerable. Learn where to plant shade trees, what species are best, and more in our new article on landscape shading.

Windbreaks are used to prevent strong winds from reaching a house, which makes the property more comfortable, especially in the winter. But did you know that windbreaks are also relied upon by many species of animals, they provide snow control and they can actually increase property values? To do these things and more, they must be built in a specific way, however. To find out more, check out our new article on windbreaks.

Home inspectors can maintain better control over their jobs and manage their clients’ expectations by understanding and clearly communicating the limits of a general home inspection.  Read our new article:  “The Limitations of a General Home Inspection.”

Some defects are more obvious than others.  Read “A Garage Inspection” for one InterNACHI inspector’s experience discovering problems that could lead to structural disaster.

Whether it comes from a kit or a crew of home builders, a log home has special considerations for inspectors to recognize and understand.  Read “Inspecting Log Homes” now!

This ever-growing area of home inspections is poised to explode with opportunity.  Green building continues to gain in popularity as many new home builders and buyers strive to live more sustainably, and even off the grid.  Re-visit the fundamentals in this article titled “What is a Green Home Inspection?”

Inspectors who deal with wells and rural properties should be aware that the U.S. groundwater and aquifer systems are being threatened by depletion.  Read “The Potential for a Water Crisis” now.

What is ghosting?  Click here to read about the discoloring effects of ghosting on surfaces in the home.

Many low-slope roofs use EPDM coverings.  Click here to read “Inspecting EPDM.”

What exactly is a “historic” home?  Is it just an older house, or is it something very different from the average home?  Click here to read “Inspecting Historic Homes” so that you know what to look for.

Are you an inspector who wants to expand his business by giving testimony in court cases as an expert witness?  Put your expertise to use and get paid for it.  Click here to read “Inspectors as Expert Witnesses.”

How can inspectors tell if steel encased in concrete, such as rebar, is corroding?  Click here to read “Detecting Corrosion in Concrete-Encased Steel.”