How to Operate Your Home Blog

Big Little Hydronic Pipes

by Thomas Feiza January 24, 2023

By Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, Inc. HowToOperateYourHome.com If you’ve ever inspected a 100-year-old home with radiators, you have seen 4- to 6-inch pip...

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The Ice Dam Cometh

by Thomas Feiza January 16, 2023

By Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, Inc., HowToOperateYourHome.com During a winter inspection, you notice an ice dam—a thick, solid ridge of ice that built u...

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Indoor Moisture - Dew Point Basics

by Thomas Feiza January 10, 2023

Smart Inspector Science By Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, Inc. | HowToOperateYourHome.com Many moisture issues are related to the dew point temperature of ...

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Have You Ever Seen the Rain…in the Attic?

by Thomas Feiza January 5, 2023

Have You Ever Seen the Rain…in the Attic?

SMART INSPECTOR SCIENCE By Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, Inc., HowToOperateYourHome.com Many home inspectors who work in cold climates have seen signs of ...

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Problems with Attic Ventilation Fans

by Thomas Feiza December 20, 2022

Smart Inspector Science by Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, Inc. We all know attics must be vented to remove heat and moisture. Intense heat buildup in an at...

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Attic Insulation Gaps and Goofs

by Thomas Feiza December 12, 2022

Smart Inspector Science By Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, Inc. - HowToOperateYourHome.com We have all inspected attics and noticed large gaps in the insula...

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Help! It’s Hot Upstairs

by Thomas Feiza December 5, 2022

SMART INSPECTOR SCIENCE Help! It’s Hot Upstairs By Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, Inc., HowToOperateYourHome.com Central air conditioning often keeps the ...

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Wood Shrinks!

by Thomas Feiza October 31, 2022

By Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, Inc., HowToOperateYourHome.com Home inspectors see the signs of wood shrinkage every day. Some shrinkage can create seri...

Posted in airflow, homeinspection, htoyh, smartinspectorscience, weathertightcorp

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Siding Leaks Into the Basement

by Thomas Feiza October 24, 2022

By Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, Inc., HowToOperateYourHome.com Basement leaks can be caused by improper installation of siding, brick and flashings. Le...

Posted in basement, homeinspection, htoyh, leak, moisture, smartinspectorscience, weathertightcorp

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Fungus on a Roof

by Thomas Feiza October 17, 2022

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...

Posted in flashing, homeinspection, htoyh, moisture, roofing, shingles, smartinspectorscience, weathertightcorp

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Low-slope roof needs special attention

by Thomas Feiza October 10, 2022

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-...

Posted in homeinspection, htoyh, roofing, smartinspectorscience, weathertightcorp

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Get Smart: Check for Kickout Flashing

by Thomas Feiza October 3, 2022

By Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, Inc., HowToOperateYourHome.comTwenty years ago, few people had ever heard the term “kickout flashing,” but things have ch...

Posted in flashing, home inspection, htoyh, leak, smartinspectorscience, weathertightcorp, windows

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