CALL 915 490-3160
CALL 915 490-3160
Home inspectors with less experience may not notice these things. Last week I inspected a home in El Paso where there were multiple issues with a new home. Call us for an inspection on your new El Paso home! A smoke detector was closer than three feet from a return...
Learn MoreToday in Horizon City our home inspector discovered an unsafe electrical panel find. During an earlier new home inspection in Horizon City, our inspector discovered missing AFCI (Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter) protected receptacles in the dining room. A follow-up visit 2 1/2 weeks later all AFCI breakers were missing from the...
Learn MoreCourtesy of InterNACHI 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...
Learn MoreCourtesy of InterNACHI By Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard There are a number of measures that homeowners can take to ensure that their homes are not attractive to burglars. If clients are concerned about break-ins, inspectors can pass on to them basic strategies for burglar-proofing their homes. Some interesting statistics...
Learn MoreCourtesy of InterNACHI By Nick Gromicko, Ben Gromicko, and Kenton Shepard Most people don’t know how easy it is to make their homes run on less energy, and here at InterNACHI, we want to change that. Drastic reductions in heating, cooling and electricity costs can be accomplished through very simple...
Learn MoreEl Paso Home inspector electrical find-The electrical panel was covered with drywall texture and or spray foam overspray. Contaminants can affect the contacts between the breaker and the bus bar, creating a fire hazard. Usually, cardboard is placed in front of the electrical panel to prevent overspray. An electrician can...
Learn MoreDuring the inspection today at a new Westside El Paso Home, I found a gable vent that was spray foamed over. Ventilation in the attic without the gable vent was lacking. New homes also have issues. Please call us for your next inspection. (915) 490-3160
Learn MoreThis inspected new home window lock was one of many that were shaved down by the installer instead of adjusting the screws holding the locking cleat. When the window locks are shaved down, the window strength is compromised and can easily be opened by an intruder. I have inspected multiple...
Learn MoreThis shower stem was found during an inspection this week. The base of the showerhead caused water to drip on the top of the fiberglass shower enclosure. This could allow water to get behind the wall. A longer shower stem is recommended. The shower head was also installed too high...
Learn MoreWhile inspecting this electrical panel, I noticed a wire was not connected to the grounding bushing at the bottom of the panel. Grounding and bonding bushings are used to bond and terminate the metal conduit to the enclosure. For safety this should be repaired. Call our home inspector in El...
Learn MoreGet a good home inspection. A kitchen receptacle was discovered without ground and required GFCI protection. Newer building standards require kitchen receptacles to have both. I recommend upgrading any kitchen receptacles for safety, even in an older home. A few dollars spent on the electrical upgrade may save a life...
Learn MoreSafety in your home is of great importance. A family in Las Cruces in 2011 lost their lives when they ran electrical cords together to power their mobile home. A fire started when they overheated, and the three family members inside the home died because the security bars on the...
Learn MoreBefore purchasing your home, look at where the rainwater on the roof will flow. Where does the rainwater go? Does the water push against a wall? These conditions create a vulnerable condition roof for leaks. An ideal roof installation will allow the water to flow in one direction straight off...
Learn MoreThermal imaging cameras we have can help detect leaks or insulation flaws that a normal camera cannot detect. Missing insulation may increase your utility bills and can affect comfort in the home. Thermal cameras let us see what our naked eyes can’t, regardless of lighting conditions. Call us to book...
Learn MoreLooking at buying a “NEW” home in Horizon City? Be aware that your 2021 home is only required to meet to the 2008 National Electrical Code (NEC) and 2009 International Residential Code (IRC). El Paso City homes are currently built to the 2014 NEC and 2015 IRC. So, as...
Learn MoreOne of the unique gems of older homes and history. This milk slot was found during an El Paso home inspection. The milkman used to drop the butter, milk or whatever you ordered into a slot in the sidewall of the home (icebox). The clip at the bottom would be...
Learn MoreUnsafe door landings that drop down or a door that opens over a stairwell can be dangerous. A door landing that was not at least the width of the door was found last month at a new home inspection in El Paso. If you step in from the side garage...
Learn MoreThis electrical panel was found during a home inspection last week. These unsafe wires were not installed by a licensed electrician. Homeowner or handyman installed wiring can be quite dangerous. When this type of work is visible, start thinking about what else may be installed in the walls, and what...
Learn MoreJust like the engine of your car, your El Paso house works as a system of interdependent parts that must work together. Every part has an impact on the operation of many others. A typical home has more than 10,000 parts. Get an El Paso house inspection scheduled. Call (915)...
Learn MoreDryer vent terminations with screens I find too often during home inspections. Smashed covers are also not to be on the dryer vent termination. They pose a fire hazard. The vent termination should have a damper flap that opens/ closes fully to keep birds and rodents out of the home....
Learn MoreLooking to buy a home in El Paso? Would you like to know if certain work was permitted? Here is a link to the city of El Paso E-permit search page. Click building services, enter a valid address (case sensitive), and enter a date range for the permit. https://epermits.elpasotexas.gov/CitizenAccess/Default.aspxepermit.elpasotexas.gov/citizenaccess/
Learn MoreWhat to do if you smell gas at your home. WHAT TO DO IF YOU SMELL GAS: Do not try to light any appliance. Do not touch any electrical switch; do not use any phone in your building. Clear the room, building, or area of all occupants. Immediately call your...
Learn MoreDo not install a clothes dryer with flexible white plastic venting materials. These are no longer sold. If a flexible metal (foil type) duct is installed, it must be of a specific type identified by the appliance manufacturer as suitable for use with clothes dryers. Flexible venting materials are known...
Learn MoreSometimes you do not have to be a professionally trained inspector to see problems at a home. Be your own home inspector before making an offer on a home. There are some obvious items you can check before hiring me to do your home inspection. Is the plumbing under the...
Learn MoreNot flushing your water heater each year of sediment build-up can keep the water heater from operating at full capacity. By flushing the tank once a year you won’t be wasting cash by heating through the debris and sediment. Start by turning off the heater and letting the tank cool;...
Learn MoreAs the leaves fall, you may not worry about raking them off the lawn, but you should make sure that a few key areas start the winter relatively leaf-free. Keeping such places clear protects against drainage problems that can develop whether you live in the New Mexico mountains (Cloudcroft or...
Learn MoreHere in El Paso, we are approaching our cold weather. During this time of the year, the temperature can reach the teens. Since parts of your home plumbing system may be exposed to freezing temperatures, they should either be wrapped in pipe insulation or protected with electric heat tape. Plug...
Learn MoreYour air filter requires a monthly inspection to make sure that the air can flow through it. Refrigerated air systems and furnaces may be damaged if the airflow is restricted. Evaporator coils can become clogged as well. Your utility bill may also increase because heat-cool systems will run longer with...
Learn MoreIs your new home Refrigerated Air safe? This new El Paso home was not (30 amp breaker installed). Check your home for this common unsafe condition. Each AC condenser has a nameplate on the side with the minimum and maximum amps that the breaker or fuse needs to be. If...
Learn MoreThis was found in a garage of an older home. The coffee can was used as an electrical junction box. Notice the armored cable coming in and then out of the can (1950’s innovation). Needless to say, this is not a safe or UL approved installation. Inspectors find many interesting...
Learn MoreDo you have old door stops on your El Paso home that are damaging your doors and/or trim? Most of the older style stops that mount onto the hinge pin of the door can cause damage. During a home inspection, I often find damage to the walls. While the inspector’s...
Learn MoreSilicone spray makes a great lubricant for windows and sliding doors. Use this on the tracks of your windows if they are sticking. Windows that are hard to operate are often found during the home inspections. Many can be improved by adding a little spray onto a rag and then...
Learn MoreThinking about buying a foreclosed home for sale and see its potential? Is the price too good to be true? Does it need cleaning up or should it be torn down? Could this be the site of a murder? Is someone buried under the home? Was the home a meth...
Learn MoreReplacing your washing machine water supply hoses every few years may prevent flooding. Hoses in El Paso experience extreme heat and dry air which can cause them to fail sooner than in other areas of the country. If you go on vacation, be sure to shut off the water at...
Learn MoreTo reduce the risk of tipping of the range, the range must be secured to the floor by a properly installed anti-tip bracket and screws packed with the range. Failure to install the anti-tip bracket may allow the range to tip over if excessive weight is placed on an open...
Learn MoreDouble cylinder deadbolts are keyed on both sides. These should only be used on interior closets or maybe an office to keep kids or intruders out. Many times they are found at garages and exterior doors of the home. Single-cylinder dead bolts should be used at the exteriors so you...
Learn MoreIs the flow from your faucet is sluggish at one or more locations? The trouble may be in the faucet aerator. This device, at the tip of most faucet spouts, mixes air and water for a smooth flow. But minerals or dirt or pipe particles in the water often build...
Learn MoreIs your bathtub or shower caulk is moldy? You’ve got to remove every bit of old grout so that the new material forms a seal against the tub and tile. If moisture gets back there, mold will form again. Use a 5-in-l tool and a box knife (razor blade) to...
Learn MoreLooking for a new home to live in? If the home you buy is certified by Energy Star, these newer homes should meet the performance standards established by the EPA and Department of Energy. These homes are designed to consume approximately 30 percent less energy than standard homes, thanks to...
Learn MoreGarbage Disposals and Septic Systems If the garbage disposal discharges into a septic tank, it can place a significant strain on the septic system. The amount of waste that enters the tank, particularly grease and suspended solids, will increase considerably. This load increase requires that the septic tank be pumped...
Learn MorePlanter boxes are common in many of the older homes in El Paso. The 1950s and 1960s homes were the most common to have planters. When the rains came the plants were watered from the roof run-off. Most of the planter boxes are made of brick or concrete and are...
Learn MoreFYI Property Inspection welcomes all the new troops to El Paso. A special thanks to all who have served our great country. You give us the freedoms we cherish. If you are looking for a home inspection, please fill out a booking form and an authorization form with “Military” in...
Learn MoreEvaporative coolers, commonly called “swamp coolers,” can cool homes in dry climates. Evaporative coolers have a low first cost, use a lot less electricity than conventional air conditioners, and do not use refrigerants, such as CFCs and HCFCs, that can harm the ozone layer. Unlike air-conditioned rooms, windows or ceiling...
Learn MoreTo help show the importance of removing wrought iron bars over windows. As a home inspector, the last thing I ever want to see or hear about is a death or serious injury in their home. A fire in a home can develop quickly. Anything you can do to speed...
Learn More<pCarbon Monoxide: This odorless, colorless gas is toxic and may even kill you. And you may not even realize it’s in your home! We recommend fossil fuel burning appliances be inspected annually by professionals of that field. Typically, the danger comes from fuel-burning appliances such as; furnaces, stoves, fireplaces, clothes...
Learn MoreSafety features of gas hot water heaters include temperature, pressure relief valves, and discharge pipes. The purpose of this valve is to relieve excessive temperature or pressure build up inside the tank if it approaches the limits of the tank’s safe design range. If this is not operated twice a...
Learn MoreThe Number One hazard for children under the age of 19 are falls, which are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries in the U.S. for this age group. Thousands of youngsters wind up in emergency rooms every day for injuries related to falling. What can be done to prevent such...
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