How to Operate Your Home Blog
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Wood Shrinks!
By Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, Inc., HowToOperateYourHome.com Home inspectors see the signs of wood shrinkage every day. Some shrinkage can create seri... -
Siding Leaks Into the Basement
By Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, Inc., HowToOperateYourHome.com Basement leaks can be caused by improper installation of siding, brick and flashings. Le... -
Fungus on a Roof
By Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, Inc., HowToOperateYourHome.com Stains and growth on a roof are often due to fungus or algae discoloration. I use the te... -
Low-slope roof needs special attention
By Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, Inc., HowToOperateYourHome.comDuring your inspections, it’s important to determine the roof slope. If the home has a low-... -
Get Smart: Check for Kickout Flashing
By Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, Inc., HowToOperateYourHome.comTwenty years ago, few people had ever heard the term “kickout flashing,” but things have ch... -
Gaps in the Roof Deck (Asphalt Shingles)
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By Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, Inc., HowToOperateYourHome.com Inspecting a roof covering gets complicated because of access issues, snow, rain, and an ... -
Roof Sags
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By Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, Inc., HowToOperateYourHome.com During a home inspection, we check structural elements and consider basic standards. We lo... -
Attic Insulation Gaps and Goofs
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We have all inspected attics and noticed large gaps in the insulation covering the ceiling of the living space. Or maybe they were just small areas of uneven insulation. We make a note in our inspection report about gaps in insulation, but how did they get there?
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Roof and Siding Clearance
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Smart Inspector Science Why Roof and Siding Clearance Is Essential By Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, Inc., HowToOperateYourHome.com Siding manufacturers sp... -
When Fresh Paint on Windows Is a Red Flag
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Smart Inspector Science By Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, Inc., HowToOperateYourHome.com You pull up to inspect a house. From a distance, it looks great (P... -
Water Softener Basics
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SMART INSPECTOR SCIENCE By Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, Inc., HowToOperateYourHome.com (htoyh.com) It’s important to understand water softening systems a... -
Attic Ventilation by the Numbers - Smart Inspector Science
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By Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, Inc., HowToOperateYourHome.com Why do we inspect attic ventilation? Because it’s designed to protect a home. Ventilation ...
