For Canadian and other French-speaking members, post this InterNACHI article on your website, which has been newly translated into French and covers the hazards and solutions for keeping elderly occupants safe in their homes:  La Sécurité du Domicile des Personnes Âgées.

InterNACHI’s message board has seen several threads about the hidden hazards of inspecting crawlspaces, especially those that are particularly damp or have standing water.  Not only can you not inspect what you can’t see, but you also may be in for a nasty surprise by forging ahead based on the pressure of a home sale.  We advise erring on the side of caution at all times and have put the real estate profession on notice in our Memo to Real Estate Professionals RE:  Inspecting Crawlspaces with Water.  Print it and hand it out the next time you find yourself put on the spot.

For Canadian and other French-speaking members, post this InterNACHI article on your website, which has been newly translated into French and explains the importance of preparing a home in the event of an earthquake:  Inspection Relative à la Prévention des Risques Sismiques.

Failing to perform simple home maintenance tasks can lead to some serious consequences.  One of the easier tasks is changing the furnace or HVAC filter.  Homeowners may need to do it every three months, but there are conditions that require it to be done more frequently.  Find out what those conditions are and why it’s so important to stay on top of this task in the first place in our latest article:  Homeowner Maintenance: Changing the HVAC Filter.

Inspectors are somewhat divided on the question of when to breach their client’s confidentiality for when (or whether) to warn a non-client about an imminent danger on an inspected property.  Depending on the hazard, some inspectors wouldn’t think twice, while others are concerned about ensuring everyone’s safety versus minimizing their own liability.  This article discusses the pros and cons for both homeowners and home inspectors:  The Duty to Warn:  A Home Inspector’s and Home Seller’s Guide to Immediate Hazards.

For Canadian and other French-speaking members, post this InterNACHI article on your website, which has been newly translated into French and explains the problems caused for sensitive people by the ubiquitous household dust mite:  Inspection des Acariens  (Dust Mite Inspection).

For Canadian and other French-speaking members, post this InterNACHI article on your website, which has been newly translated into French and explains the importance of properly locating the clothes dryer vent and regularly cleaning its lint trap to prevent a potential house fire:   Sécurité et Conduits d’Évacuation des Sécheuses (Dryer Vent Safety).

For Canadian and other French-speaking members, post this InterNACHI article on your website, which has been newly translated into French and explains the importance of having special electrical receptacles for exterior use, especially on a home’s deck:  Les Prises Électriques de Terrasses (Deck Receptacles).

For Canadian and other French-speaking members, post this InterNACHI article on your website, which has been newly translated into French and explains the importance of fire mitigation measures for homeowners who live near forested areas, especially during windy and dry conditions:  L’Espace Défendable (Defensible Space).

Author and InterNACHI Director of Education Ben Gromicko is pleased to join InterNACHI in announcing the release of the 7th Edition of “Now That You’ve Had a Home Inspection,” the homeowner’s ultimate home maintenance guide, now with a new look, revamped format, and updated information.  Read all about it here.

Have you ever seen wallpaper used to conceal electrical wires? It’s been encountered by at least one InterNACHI inspector, and it sure isn’t safe!  Find out about other safety and cosmetic defects common to wallpaper in our new article on Wallpaper Inspection.

For inspectors who have Spanish-speaking clients, post this InterNACHI article on your website, which has been newly translated into Spanish and explains the common defects found when inspecting steel siding:  Las Inspecciones de Revestimiento de Acero.

For Canadian and other French-speaking members, post this InterNACHI article on your website, which has been newly translated into French and discusses the benefits and proper inspection of cork flooring:  L’Inspection des Parquets en Liège.

For inspectors who have Spanish-speaking clients, post this InterNACHI article on your website, which has been newly translated into Spanish and explains the various exterior design features found at traditional homes, including decks, porches, patios, balconies and verandas:  Características de Diseños Exteriores.