Common Causes of Water Stains on the Ceiling What causes water stains on the ceiling of your home? There are many reasons for why these stains may occur, here are a few common causes and tips for locating the problem. Often, water sources such as condensation development from air conditioning ducts and service lines in…
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As you prepare to purchase a new house or perhaps refinance your existing house, estimating your new monthly note (obligation) to plan your financial obligations is important. There are many variables at play here but let us consider the key elements in establishing your monthly note. How do I estimate my mortgage payment? 1. How…
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Flexible duct or Flex duct is often used in the installation of residential Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems to distribute treated air throughout your house. Flex duct, as opposed to rigid duct, was introduced into the residential construction market as a cost saving measure in central heating and air conditioning systems. Flex duct…
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Florescent lights are inexpensive to purchase and install making them an appealing light source for homes, workshops, utility rooms, and storage rooms. Installation of the light is simple since the fixture is lightweight and generally anchored with two molly bolts through gypsum drywall board. The power source is also easy to connect to the light…
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So, you have heard the term “GFCI receptacle” but do not know what it means. First, the word “receptacle” is often interchanged with the word’s “outlet” or “plug”, but they all refer to the same electrical feature. Second, GFCI stands for “Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt”. Its purpose is to detect small impulses of change in…
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Wood-destroying insects are always a concern for homeowners, with the most egregious of the insects being termites. Common wood destroying insects in houses include termites, powderpost beetles, and carpenter bees. Potential damage caused by each of these insects results in the destruction of wood where infestation occurs. Let’s discuss each of these pests and how…
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What is this thing in my yard? It is ugly and not easy to hide with landscape plants. Well, this is a Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) Backflow Preventer used to protect the drinking water of your house. PVB’s are required by code to be installed at the connection of your lawn irrigation system to the…
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What is wall base flashing? Well, it is never seen but especially important in the water management in the exterior wall of your house. Simply stated, flashing is installed at the bottom of the wall behind brick or tile masonry and usually polyethylene (plastic) material. As discussed in other HOUSETIPS articles, rainwater passes through brick,…
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What is tuck pointing? Tuck pointing is a term used in the repair of masonry walls and veneers on houses – specifically referring to the mortar in the masonry of your house. It is basically a method of removing the old mortar and replacing it with new mortar. So why would you want, or need,…
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Home inspection protocols were developed for the real estate community to help buyers of houses learn about the condition(s) of the house they were buying. Many states have home inspection license requirements for individuals performing home inspections in a buy/sell transaction. These states will have laws and rules regarding home inspections and are typically governed…
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