Tag: mold

7 Places Where Mold Can Hide Inside Your Home

February 19, 2024

Everyone has run into mold from time to time in their bathrooms, in their kitchens, or around leaking appliances. While mold can actually come in many different colors and varieties, the dark fuzzy spots that crop up inside homes are usually easy to take care of without much issue, especially when addressed quickly. However, when left unaddressed, mold can damage and permanently discolor materials that they’ve attached to, as well as negatively impact the health of anyone in the home. In fact, according to healthcare professionals over on Healthline, overexposure to mold can lead to infection, lung inflammation, and other symptoms. Mold thrives in dark, moist, and warm environments, which means that issues in certain lesser trafficked areas of the home can easily get out of hand. If you experience any of the following, schedule a mold inspection to find the root of the problem: Homeowners can keep mold at bay by reducing humidity in their homes, maintaining good ventilation, and cleaning spills quickly. In addition, check and clean out these areas to cover some of mold’s best hiding spots inside the home: Contact your local NPI home inspector to schedule a mold inspection!

Unconventional Ways Your Home Is Signaling That You Have Plumbing Problems

January 29, 2024

When discovering that any of your home’s key systems aren’t functioning as they are supposed to, some signs of damage or failure are more obvious than others. With that said, homes constantly signal to their homeowners that issues are cropping up just beneath the surface. Most people, unfortunately, are unaware of these common signs and what they mean. Homes are designed to satisfy a large number of needs in order to function as they should, but one force that architects constantly battle while designing homes is water. Water intrusion can spread rapidly to other home systems, damaging high-ticket appliances and electronics while also potentially leading to health problems for families. Plumbing leaks are certainly a major issue for homeowners, but you may not want to wait for a pipe to burst in order to take action. Instead, keep an eye out for these unconventional signs that your home is having plumbing problems! 1. Your Lawn is Too Green, Too Thick, and Too WetIt may be surprising for some, but one way to discover plumbing issues within a home is actually through looking at its exterior landscaping. Healthy lawns should grow evenly, but homes can spring leaks in their drainage systems,

What to Expect: How Long Does a Typical Home Inspection Take?

December 18, 2023

Purchasing a home can be one of the most simultaneously exciting and stressful processes anyone will go through. Considering the sizable investment and the long-reaching impact that a closing negotiation can have on both the buyer and the seller, it is completely understandable to lose a couple winks of sleep while worrying about each odd detail of a home’s sale. In these instances, buyers (especially first-time homebuyers) who learn about the need of a home inspection can get a bit antsy through the process, viewing the inspection as a roadblock to their homeownership. This is where a frequently answered question comes into play: How long does a home inspection take? While there may be a typical range of time to expect for a general home inspection, there are a wide array of factors that make this question tough to answer point blank. However, in the interest of easing any concerns, we will take some time today to discuss how long a home inspection takes, what can extend or shorten the process, and why a good home inspector needs this time. To begin, let’s review what a home inspection is and why it is a necessary part of every home’s sale.

Mountain Home Maintenance Advice According to Home Inspectors

November 13, 2023

A home inspector’s job is to know everything about what makes a home safe, comfortable, and habitable. Modern advancements mean that families are able to live in new jaw-droppingly beautiful environments, even despite their unique challenges. As people stretch the limitations of a modern home, home inspectors are still there to ensure necessary systems function as they should. When it comes to living in a mountain home, owners have to adapt to their surroundings. Whether you’re a new homeowner acclimating to life a little higher above sea level, or you’re a long-time mountain dweller looking for some tips to keep your home running smoother (and to keep costs down), here are some primary maintenance concerns worth tracking. Every Home’s Number One Enemy is Water IntrusionIn most climates, water management easily tops the list for property concerns due to the wide range of issues it can cause. Between poor water run-off, water intrusion, pooling and standing water, the development of mold, mildew, is a primary concern. In areas that have to deal with rain and snow throughout the year, water management becomes an even more important focus. Homeowners can start by regularly cleaning out their gutters and keeping their downspouts free

Home Maintenance Items to Prioritize After Your Inspection

May 22, 2023

Home inspectors and other real estate professionals know the truth that every new homebuyer will have to swallow: no home is perfect. Each house has a unique array of attractions and eye-catching features sure to draw in families. At the same time, there isn’t a home that doesn’t have its share of warts or bruises as well. Your local home inspector is the key to identifying building and property maintenance issues while keeping the weight of each concern in perspective. To review the differences between which features should be addressed as soon as possible and which can be put off until later on, here are your home maintenance priorities post-inspection. How Is The Condition of the Roof?One of the top priorities of every new homeowner should be to understand the condition of their roof. Roofing is considered one of the main cornerstones of home systems for a few reasons. The roof is the home’s primary defense against weather and the elements. Without solid integrity, leaks are just the start of a slew of problems including the potential for mold and energy inefficiency. All roofs have a natural lifespan until shingles begin deteriorating beyond the point of serving their use. Since

Did You Skip Your Buyer’s Inspection?

April 24, 2023

In competitive housing markets where availability is low and sellers seem to have all of the leverage, buyers sometimes feel the need to compromise in order to find a home that fits their needs. As this dynamic combines with tough economic times or financial strain, many homeowners in search of an answer to these issues have opted to skip their buyer’s inspection altogether. A home inspection is the only way for owners to get the full picture of their home’s condition. Without this professional assessment, homeowners are playing a dangerous game, as minor issues can escalate into major expenses down the road. If conditions forced you to skip your buyer’s inspection and you are searching for options, look no further! In this article, we outline the best steps for homeowners who missed their home inspection. Why Do People Skip Their Buyer’s Inspection?For those who are aware of the value that a home inspection brings during a home-purchasing negotiation, the thought of bypassing it altogether can seem surprising. With that said, some people have opted to go this route for a number of reasons. According to an article published by Forbes, 85% of Americans opted to sidestep a number of essential

How To Improve Your Home’s Ventilation (And Why It’s Important)

April 10, 2023

Staying on top of a home’s upkeep can often feel like a full-time job. With every project checked off the list, oftentimes homeowners end up adding two more in a never-ending quest for home improvement. While some home maintenance and home upgrade projects can seem to add a lot to a homeowner’s plate, improving a home’s ventilation systems tends to eliminate many pesky household issues. What is Home Ventilation?Ventilation refers to the systems a home uses to cycle out pollutants and carry in fresh air, while also regulating a comfortable indoor environment. Older homes were able to get by with natural ventilation through windows, doors, and natural air leaks in walls and ceilings, but current systems are more sophisticated. The modern home has become much more air-tight than in the past in an attempt to improve energy efficiency. The side effects of these building philosophies have led to many new maintenance issues and even health problems for families. Homeowners who are unaware of the state of their house’s ventilation systems will benefit from a regular home systems inspection. Why is Ventilation Important?Poor ventilation leads to problems throughout the home. A home has two key contributors to pollutants and condensation: the

How to Easily Clean Your Showerhead

February 28, 2022

There are lots of little things that can get overlooked when you clean your home. One item you may not have touched in a while is your showerhead. Here’s how you can clean your showerheads this weekend in just a few minutes. Importance of a Clean Showerhead There are a few good reasons that you should regularly clean your showerhead. Cleaning will help keep your showerhead working for longer. Over time, showerheads can succumb to mineral buildup, especially if you have hard water. This not only looks unpleasant, but can limit the effectiveness of the head. Mold and grime can also start to collect inside the head and on the nozzles, which can be harmful to your health. When You Should Replace Your Showerhead You may find that even a deep cleaning won’t fix your dirty showerhead. In this case, it’s best to just go ahead and buy a new one. You should be replacing your showerhead every seven months anyway, but not everyone remembers to. It can also be time to replace if the nozzles get damaged and the water is plugged. Scrub the Nozzles First, you’ll want to scrape off whatever gunk has accumulated on the nozzles. This

How to Handle Mold in Your Attic

June 14, 2021

Attic mold is one of the most common maintenance issues, with thousands of homes each year requiring an infestation removal. Attics are notorious for producing the right conditions for a mold outbreak, as there can be an excess of moisture if your roof isn’t properly sealed. Unless you consistently check your attic for mold and other issues, the problem can quickly grow out of control and turn into an expensive repair. Luckily, there are ways for you to stop mold before it appears. What Causes Mold?The main reason that mold forms in your home is a large amount of moisture accumulation. If you live in an area that has humid summers, the chances of mold growth increase. Attics that aren’t well ventilated trap moisture and don’t allow for the wooden beams to properly dry out. Ventilation is also important when it comes to your kitchen stove, bathroom fans, and even your dryer. Appliances that don’t correctly exit through your roof can deposit water droplets in your attic as well. Even a small hole in your shingles or a gap between your roof and gutters creates an opening for water intrusion. How to Spot MoldThere are several ways you can tell

Celebrate Home Safety Month by Improving Your Home!

June 1, 2021

With June being National Home Safety Month in both the United States and Canada, it’s a great opportunity for you to give your house a thorough checkup! Even if you just moved into a new build, there could still be any number of hidden issues with its components. Take some time over the next month to protect you and your family from some of these commonly overlooked problems. Radon Reduction Radon is very common in both the U.S. and Canada, and it’s the second leading cause of lung cancer. It’s an odorless and colorless gas which makes it practically impossible to detect without some sort of monitoring device. Homes both old and new are susceptible to radon, so you shouldn’t assume you’re completely free of it. The most effective way to know how much radon is in your home is to buy a tester. Consistent testing lets you keep an eye on accumulation levels so that you can act quickly to stay safe. Check Wiring Electrical fires account for nearly 24,000 home fires each year. Your home’s wiring is one of its largest components, so you need to be certain it’s in top condition. Loose outlets should be repaired or