Tornadoes can be unpredictable and devastating, but the damage they cause to homes doesn’t have to be. Learn how tornadoes form and behave, how they damage houses, and what to do before, during and after one in our new article on Tornado Safety and Inspection.

For inspectors who have Spanish-speaking clients, post this InterNACHI article on your website, which has been newly translated into Spanish and explains how to prevent infestations of and the damage caused by carpet beetles:  Los escarabajos de alfombras.

For inspectors who have Spanish-speaking clients, post this InterNACHI article on your website, which has been newly translated into Spanish and explains how to burglar-proof a home:  Las casas resistentes al robo.

For Canadian and other French-speaking members, post this InterNACHI article on your website, which has been newly translated into French and discusses the purpose and proper inspection of central vacuum systems for the home:  Les Systèmes d’Aspiration Centralisée.

For inspectors who have Spanish-speaking clients, post this InterNACHI article on your website, which has been newly translated into Spanish and explains what bump keys are and what homeowners and inspectors should know about them:  Las llaves usadas en la técnica Bumping y lo que los inspectores deberían de saber sobre ellas.

For Canadian and other French-speaking members, post this InterNACHI article on your website, which has been newly translated into French and discusses the purpose and proper inspection of central humidifiers:  Les Humidificateurs Pour Systèmes de Chauffage Central.

While home inspectors aren’t required to diagnose problems concerning concrete that they may discover at an inspection, learning about the properties of their constituents and the variables of their placement can aid inspectors in understanding some of the causes of cracks in foundations, floors, and the other structural elements of a home.  This knowledge can give inspectors an edge over their competition.  Read about it in our new article:  Visual Inspection of Concrete.

It might surprise you to learn that millions of dollars are spent annually to repair damage caused by woodpeckers. Their natural target is trees, but woodpeckers sometimes prefer houses for the warm layers of insulation found beneath the siding and drill unsightly holes that allow heat to escape and rainwater to enter. Fortunately, there are ways to discourage woodpeckers from drilling into a house without harming them, but you must first find out whether they’re foraging for insects, excavating a nest site, or merely drumming to signal a mate. Each of these behaviors requires a different exclusion approach, which you can read about in our new article on Woodpecker Damage Prevention and 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 purpose, procedure and proper inspection of basic waterproofing of basements:  La impermeabilización básica para sótanos.

For inspectors who have Spanish-speaking clients, post this InterNACHI article on your website, which has been newly translated into Spanish and explains the proper maintenance, potential hazards and inspection tips for barns:  La inspección de granero.

Some of our fondest childhood memories involve lazy summer afternoons playing on the backyard tree swing.  But awareness is growing about the inherent dangers of this DIY play equipment as many children are injured or even killed using tree swings every year. A little awareness can go a long way in preventing tragic accidents. Check out our new article on Tree Swing Inspection to learn some valuable tips.

For inspectors who have Spanish-speaking clients and colleagues, post this InterNACHI article on your website, which has been newly translated into Spanish and explains the purpose, operation, potential hazards and proper inspection of commercial baghouses:  La inspección de la cámara de filtros.

For consumers, this article describes a wide variety of equipment commonly used by home inspectors, including frequency of use and estimated price. Include it on your website to help educate your clients:  Home Inspection Equipment.

For inspectors who have Spanish-speaking clients, post this InterNACHI article on your website, which has been newly translated into Spanish and explains the safety issues related to attic pull-down ladders:  Las escaleras extensibles del desván.

For inspectors who have Spanish-speaking clients, post this InterNACHI article on your website, which has been newly translated into Spanish and explains the safety issues related to potential fires in attached garages:  La contención de incendios en los garajes pegados.