Articles

Discover articles and tips on everything related to maintaining your home—inside and out.

post-tension foundation

How can I tell if I have a post-tension foundation?

In residential construction, post-tension foundations are associated with concrete foundations resting on the ground, or slab-on-grade foundations. If your home is raised off the...
foundation failure

How can I tell if I have foundation failure?

First, we need to understand what a foundation is designed to do and what the term “foundation failure” means. A foundation is essentially that...
Common House Foundation

What are Common House Foundations?

All houses are constructed on foundations - we all know that!  But what type of foundation do you really have?  Most people readily recognize...
stucco crack

Do stucco cracks mean the stucco is not installed correctly?

The location and type of stucco crack may provide some insight into if the stucco is installed correctly. But not every crack means there...
brick wall crack

Should brick cracks be a concern to me?

Your level of concern on brick cracks in your wall is directly associated with the type, location, and nature of the crack. Keep in...
The goal of HOUSETIPS is to help homeowners better understand the various systems of their house and provide insight to common and unusual issues that may occur. With decades of experience as forensic engineers, plan designers, home inspectors, and contractors, our team has unique experience in diagnosing failure patterns in houses. Our team has witnessed needless, costly repairs without repair of the actual cause of the damage. We want you better informed to save time and money so we tailored our content to help homeowners identify issues, possibly solve problems, and consider practical repairs. We hope you enjoy and benefit from the content presented by HOUSETIPS.

Why are my wood floors buckled?

Frustrated?  Did you recently replace the floors in your house and find your new wood floors are buckled or “cupped”?  Do you have an...
Home Inspections Mortgage

Home Inspections and Your Mortgage Application

Now that your offer to purchase a home has been accepted, you are on the clock!  Due diligence requirements start, and you generally have...
Roof Covering

How Long Does My Roof Covering Last?

How long does the roof of my home last? - The answer to that question depends on the type of roof covering, how well...
Prepare My House for Sale

How Should I Prepare My House for Sale?

Oh, the pressure of preparing your house for sale.  So, you made the decision to move forward with putting your house on the market...
do I need a real estate agent?

Why do I need a real estate agent?

Real estate agents are valuable assets to the buy/sell transaction process when one is looking to purchase or sell a home.  Seasoned real estate...
why do i need a home inspection

Why do I need a home inspection?

Most home inspections are performed during the purchase or sale of a house, usually initiated, and paid for by a prospective purchaser of a...
type of water heaters

Is a tankless water heater better than a tank-style water heater?

The beach or the mountains? Ford, Chevy, or Ram trucks? Pick a side and prepare for battle! No matter which side of the tank...
dishwasher doesn't drain

Why won’t my dishwasher drain?

As the saying goes, “We’ve been there and done that!”.  A dishwasher that does not drain can be very frustrating.  So, let us consider...
Water Heater Problem

What Are Common Water Heater Problems?

Tank water heater problems can be so annoying.  One usually learns of water heater problems at the most inopportune time like taking a bath...
how to plan a house remodel

How do I plan a remodel of my house?

So, you are tired of your house and are considering a remodel, or perhaps an addition.  Where do you start?  Overwhelmed already?  That’s okay. ...
find a house designer

How Do I Find a Designer?

In considering a building addition or remodel, or perhaps a new home, one of the first steps in pursuit of your dream is finding...
things to consider when buying a new build house

What are things to consider when buying a new house?

What are some important things to consider when buying a house? - Well, that is a loaded question with unlimited topics. First, consider the...
how to prepare for a mortgage

Mortgage Preparation Tips

Now that you have decided to refinance your house or perhaps purchase a new home, you may need a mortgage on the property.  Simply...

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