National Association of Certified Home InspectorsEarthquakes are a potential hazard in every part of the United States — not just in California. Find out how to identify weaknesses in homes so that homeowners might correct them and potentially save their properties, and their lives, by reading Earthquake Preparedness Inspection.
Admixtures manipulate the properties of concrete to make it more workable, to make it set faster or slower, and to change its color and texture. Inspectors who know more about admixtures can add to their arsenal of knowledge to use during the inspection of concrete components at a home or commercial property. Read about the different types and their functions in Concrete Admixtures.
Inspectors conducting an inspection of a home whose exterior is composed of masonry, brick or stucco may encounter some typical defects that may be caused by environmental factors or structural issues, so it’s helpful for them to know what these defects are, whether the defect is urgent, and their common causes. Read Inspecting Visible Masonry to find out more.
Generators are convenient in supplying power to homes in the event of a power outage. But they also can also cause deadly ‘back feeding’ and other hazards if not used correctly. Find out how to protect homeowners from the dangers associated with generators in our new article on generator hazards and inspection.
InterNACHI now vouches for the honor of its members with its $10,000 Honor Guarantee. Looking for an honorable inspector? Look no further. InterNACHI inspectors in the U.S. and Canada are backed by InterNACHI’s Honor Guarantee.
NACHI.TV has just released a new, online training episode titled: Structural Inspection of a House. It is an excellent 18-minute video produced especially for home inspectors.
Inspectors who’ve been in the business for a while can probably know what kinds of problems they’ll run into based on the age of the house alone. We’ve assembled a handful of the most common defects found in old homes so you waste less time recognizing them. Take a look at our new article on inspecting for defects in older buildings.
Ungrounded electrical receptacles can be unsafe, especially if they’re used to power large appliances that are designed to be grounded. Homeowners have a number of options if they’d like to modernize their ungrounded electrical systems, but they should avoid common quick fixes that may make the situation more dangerous. Read about the subject in our new article on ungrounded electrical receptacles.
Photovoltaic arrays are an exciting new possibility when considering saving money on energy. But they can potentially be hazardous to firefighting operations if the proper guidelines are not followed. Learn how to make sure that solar panel systems remain a safe and effective tool for harvesting solar energy in our new article on solar panel fires and electrical hazards.
Polyurethane foam insulation can be sprayed into locations in either closed cell or open cell form. Closed cell has a higher R-value but it’s more expensive, while open cell is a better sound barrier. Find out more about where these insulation types are appropriate and where they’re a bad idea in our new article on polyurethane spray foam insulation.
Wood siding is attractive, desirable and expensive. It also requires a lot of upkeep in order to maintain its performance, as well as its appearance. Read about some common maintenance issues and potential problems with this exterior cladding in Wood Siding Inspection.
The course covers the following categories:
Take the online video course, How to Perform Deck Inspections now.
(NACHI.TV subscribers only)
Although its manufacture was banned in the U.S. by the EPA in 1973, asbestos cement siding is still around, and inspectors are likely to encounter it on their inspections of exterior cladding. While its hazards are limited if this material is undamaged, proper maintenance is key for avoiding structural issues related to water intrusion, as well as the health risks associated with damage to this type of building product. Read all about it in Asbestos Cement Siding Inspection.
Salvaging building materials can be an exciting and thrifty way for homeowners to save money, but extreme caution should be taken with certain items. Find out how to protect homeowners from the potential hazards of their newly found treasures in our new article on salvaged building material inspection.
Tape sampling is a useful tool that can help a testing laboratory determine the species of mold that’s apparent during a mold inspection. This information can be helpful when attacking the problem through mitigation. Read about how to perform this easiest of tests, including when and where to sample, as well as when not to sample, in Tape Sampling for Mold Inspections.
