Blog

Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard Geothermal systems are home heating and cooling systems that gather heat from the earth. Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) use the relatively constant temperature of sub-surface soil as the exchange medium. Geographical Distribution As of 2004, five countries — El Salvador, Kenya, the Philippines, Iceland […]

EMFs in the Home Electromagnetic Fields   Can the electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) to which people are routinely exposed cause health effects? What are sources of EMFs, and when are they dangerous? An “electromagnetic field” is a broad term which includes electric fields generated by charged particles in motion, and radiated fields, such as TVs, […]

Electrical Safety Electricity is an essential part of our lives. However, it has the potential to cause great harm. Electrical systems will function almost indefinitely, if properly installed and not overloaded or physically abused. Electrical fires in our homes claim the lives of 485 Americans each year and injure 2,305 more. Some of these fires […]

Eco-Friendly Relocation by Nick Gromicko and Kate Tarasenko     Relocation is often stressful and time-consuming, but rarely do we wonder about the impact the process has on the environment. This is amplified when moving to a smaller house or condominium, and additional decisions have to be made regarding items that must discarded in order to […]

Constructed Wetlands: The Economic Benefits of Runoff Controls People have a strong emotional attachment to water, arising from its aesthetic qualities — tranquility, coolness and beauty. As a result, most water bodies within developments can be used as marketing tools to set the tone for entire projects. A recent study conducted by the National Association […]

Child-Proofing Your Home: 12 Safety Devices to Protect Your Children by Nick Gromicko and Kate Tarasenko About 2.5 million children are injured or killed by hazards in the home each year. The good news is that many of these incidents can be prevented by using simple child-safety devices on the market today. Any safety device […]

Central Air-Conditioning System Inspection by Nick Gromicko A building’s central air-conditioning system must be periodically inspected and maintained in order to function properly. While an annual inspection performed by a trained professional is recommended, homeowners can do a lot of the work themselves by following the tips offered in this guide. Clean the Exterior Condenser […]

Building Orientation for Optimum Energy by Nick Gromicko and Ben Gromicko Building orientation is the practice of facing a building so as to maximize certain aspects of its surroundings, such as street appeal, to capture a scenic view, for drainage considerations, etc. With rising energy costs, it’s becoming increasingly important for builders to orient buildings […]

Building a Home If you want to build a new home, there are things you need to know before you begin. Learn about construction standards and about buying land, so you know your rights. MPS Supplementing Model Building Codes   The Minimum Property Standards (MPS) establish certain minimum standards for buildings constructed under HUD housing […]

Biological Pollutants in the Home Outdoor air pollution in cities is a major health problem. Much effort and money continue to be spent cleaning up pollution in the outdoor air. But air pollution can be a problem where you least expect it, in the place you may have thought was safest — your home. Many […]

Attached Garage Fire Hazards by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard The purpose of this article is twofold. First, at InterNACHI, we’d like you to take measures to keep your garage free from fire. Fortunately, there are ways this can be done, some of which are described below. Secondly, garage fires do happen, and we’d like […]

Asbestos What is Asbestos? Asbestos is a mineral fiber that can be positively identified only with a special type of microscope. There are several types of asbestos fibers. In the past, asbestos was added to a variety of products to strengthen them and to provide heat insulation and fire resistance. InterNACHI inspectors can supplement their […]

15 Tools Every Homeowner Should Own by Nick Gromicko and Ben Gromicko     The following items are essential tools, but this list is by no means exhaustive. Feel free to ask an InterNACHI inspector during your next inspection about other tools that you might find useful.   1.  Plunger A clogged sink or toilet […]

10 Easy Ways to Save Money & Energy in Your Home by Nick Gromicko, Ben Gromicko, and Kenton Shepard  10 Façons Simples de Limiter Votre Consommation énergétique chez Vous Las 10 maneras fáciles de reducir el consumo de energía en su casa Most people don’t know how easy it is to make their homes run […]

Tamper-Resistant Receptacles by Nick Gromicko, Thomas Zachar and Kate Tarasenko   It is estimated that approximately 2,400 children suffer from electrical shock and burns in the home each year when they force foreign objects into unprotected electrical outlets.  Installing tamper-resistant receptacles (TRRs), also called tamper-resistant outlets, are one way to safeguard young ones in the […]

How to Clean Algae and Moss Off Asphalt Shingles   by Michael Chotiner of The Home Depot   Stains on asphalt roofing shingles make a house look shabby, which detracts from its value. In some cases, stains are merely a cosmetic issue.  But sometimes they’re symptomatic of a problem that, if left unchecked, can lead […]

Replacement Windows for Improved Energy Efficiency: A Walk-Through Case Study by Michael Chotiner of The Home Depot I’m not a building inspector, but as a former building contractor and a widely published home-improvement writer, I’m often asked by friends and acquaintances to assess their homes and suggest the best ways to address whatever issues there […]

Choosing a Manufactured Home Manufactured homes no longer have to be the simple, rectangular, boxy trailer homes of the past. Depending on the size of your home site, you can choose from single-section or multi-section designs. Homes range in size from 900 to 2,500 square feet and can be customized to meet your needs and […]