In the story of the Three Little Pigs, the wolf blows down a house of straw with ease. Modern straw bale houses, by contrast, can withstand high winds a whole lot better. They’re sturdier than most people realize, but they’re also more vulnerable to moisture than conventional homes. To find out more, check out our new article on straw bale house inspection.

The oldest wells were dug by hand, and this low-tech approach still survives today. Their construction is labor-intensive, but it requires few specialized tools. Inspection should be focused on features that keep children or animals from falling into the well, as they’re usually quite wide. A simple lid or stone wall usually does the trick. To find out more, check out our new article on hand-dug well inspection.

Anti-scald valves are designed to lessen the water temperature fluctuations in a building, which are an inconvenience and can potentially cause a person to suffer a burn or slip in the shower. They contain a special diaphragm or piston mechanism that  balances the pressure of the hot- and cold-water inputs, limiting one or the other to keep the temperature within a range of several degrees. To find out more about how they work and why they’re needed, check out our new article on anti-scald valves.

InterNACHI has a new article on scaffold inspection, full of all sorts of information that will help construction workers stay safe. Learn about safety components such as fall arrest systems and guardrails, as well as strength and size requirements for scaffolds.

The WebMD article deals with home winterization.  Read the entire article here: http://women.webmd.com/home-health-and-safety-9/winterize-your-home-10-tips

As the most destructive wildfire in Colorado’s history tore through Boulder County last month, it should become more clear to homeowners, fire crews and inspectors that more emphasis should be placed on wildfire mitigation strategies. You might be surprised at just how many strategies are available, from custom window covers to vents that swell up and close when they’re heated, preventing stray embers from passing through them into the house. Inform yourself, check out our new article on wildfire mitigation strategies and inspection.

PVC is used everywhere in and around buildings, from sewage pipes and siding to shower curtains and junction boxes. It’s had a long and complicated history, but in recent years there’s been growing suspicion that PVC can vent toxic chemicals into indoor air and water. To find out more about PVC uses and its potential dangers, check out our new article on PVC health hazards.

UFFI foam insulation was used extensively in North American homes during the 1970’s until it was banned due to fears over offgassing of formaldehyde. Those fears were largely unfounded and the ban was overturned in the U.S., although it still remains in effect in Canada. Learn the history of this insulation, why and where it was banned, and how to inspect for it in the home in our new article on UFFI insulation inspection.

Chimneys made from bricks or stone may look sturdy but few building components can crush a building so suddenly and without warning. Especially in seismically active regions, chimney inspection should be performed routinely to check for separation from the building, loose mortar, mechanical damage and undersized footings. To read more, check out our new article,  Chimney Inspection: Preventing Collapse

Pilot lights are responsible for a large amount of unnecessary fuel consumption and they can cause fires, too. Did you know that they can even cause insecticide “bug bombs” to detonate and demolish a building? To find out how they work, their dangers and alternatives, check out our new article on pilot lights.

Do you know that there are two kinds of smoke alarms and they differ in their performance based on the type of fire they’re exposed to? Do you know the most common reasons why smoke alarms fail, or where they should be located in the home? If you don’t, be sure to read our new article on smoke alarm inspection.

The government has the right to seize real estate from private owners and use the land for public use through the law of eminent domain. Homeowners are often powerless in these situations, but they can prevent their homes from being declared “blighted”, so that they’re harder to seize. Blighted properties lack adequate ventilation, sanitation, electricity and utilities, pose a fire hazard or are otherwise unsafe. To find out more about the law of eminent domain, how it affects homeowners and what they can do about it, check out our new article on eminent domain.

Gases from the sewer are extremely toxic, foul and even explosive. One of its constituent gases is so dangerous that it’s actually used as a chemical weapon while another is so heavy that it will quickly displace oxygen and suffocate anyone nearby. In most cases, these gases remain in the sewer, but they can enter the living space through dried out plumbing fixtures, plumbing cracks and other sources. To find out more about the danger, how it arises and what to do about it, please read out new article on sewer gases in the home.

Eyebrow dormers are as pleasing to the eye as they are functional, at least when they’re constructed right. On the other hand, they’re very expensive and they more prone to defects than the rest of the roof. To find out more, check out our new article on eyebrow dormers.

Did you know that UL lists some ceiling fans for use in wet environments and others for damp, humid environments? Or that fans shouldn’t be less than seven feet from the floor? There’s more to these appliances than you might have thought, and you can find out more in our new article on ceiling fan inspection.