Insights into the world of construction, real estate, and home inspections!
We’ve amassed a collection of articles related to all things home inspection-related—honestly, it’s just a bunch of stuff that makes us geek out. Hopefully, you can glean some good information out of these. You can search for specific topics below or use the subheader to filter by category. Feel free to contribute via the comments, but please keep it PG-rated for the kids. Enjoy!
By Joe Boos, Certified Master Inspector® and NC Licensed Home Inspector What does it mean to be built to code? Built to code means a structure meets the minimum legal requirements adopted by a local jurisdiction at the time of construction. What makes a building “up to code”? A building is considered up to code […]
By Joe Boos, Certified Master Inspector® and NC Licensed Home Inspector Is open-concept living actually better, or has it just been marketed that way? Sometimes it works. Often, it doesn’t. In many homes, open-concept living layouts introduce problems with noise, privacy, clutter, and function that aren’t obvious in listing photos. After years of walking through […]
When Should You Call a Home Inspector? When should you call a home inspector? Most people assume home inspections are only necessary when buying a house, but that’s far from the truth. There are several situations where hiring a certified home inspector can save you thousands—whether you’re selling, dealing with unexpected issues, or just want […]
By Joe Boos, Certified Master Inspector® and NC Licensed Home Inspector What does it mean to be built to code? Built to code means a structure meets the minimum legal requirements adopted by a local jurisdiction at the time of construction. What makes a building “up to code”? A building is considered up to code […]
By Joe Boos, Certified Master Inspector® and NC Licensed Home Inspector Is open-concept living actually better, or has it just been marketed that way? Sometimes it works. Often, it doesn’t. In many homes, open-concept living layouts introduce problems with noise, privacy, clutter, and function that aren’t obvious in listing photos. After years of walking through […]
Derived from an article written by Ted Cushman – Contributing editor Ted Cushman reports on the construction industry from Hartland, Vt. The recent pandemic has had many ripple effects on the US economy. Along with other factors, it has affected the supply of framing lumber in American lumberyards. Restricted supply of US and Canadian lumber […]
“Dead valleys”, sound ominous, don’t they? Well, when it comes to your roof, dead valleys are kind of subjective. Let Realm Inspections explain from our perspective. One thing to keep in mind is that we don’t call out dead valleys as a deficiency in a home inspection report. Why? Simply stated, it is a design […]
Crawl Space Encapsulation vs. Crawl Space Conditioning: What’s the Difference? When it comes to keeping your home’s crawl space dry and healthy, two common options are crawl space encapsulation and crawl space conditioning. While these methods share the goal of improving air quality and preventing mold growth, they differ in their approach. In this article, […]
Crawlspace encapsulation, or sealing, is the treatment that building scientists recommend to turn a damp, dirty, moldy crawlspace into a clean, dry space where mold can’t grow The following article was written by the authority on building science, Joseph Lstiburek Crawlspaces continue to be a mess ever since we decided to insulate them and put […]
Receptacle Orientation, it’s all in the profile Is outlet receptacle orientation really a thing? Do outlets have an up? Have you ever looked at your outlets and noticed that one or more are oriented differently? Have you ever been curious about whether there is a “right way” to install an outlet? I’m going to guess […]
Schneider Electric™ Recall: 1.4 Million Electrical Panels affected Due to Thermal Burn and Fire Hazards Name of Product: Square™ D QO™ Plug-on-Neutral Load Centers, also known as, Load Centers, Breaker Boxes, Electrical Panels Hazard: The load center can overheat, posing thermal burn and fire hazards. Remedy: Replace Repair Date: June 16, 2022 Units: About 1.4 […]
All about bootleg grounds The outlets in our homes are a necessary component of modern living. Our culture is dependent on readily available access to power. Ever since we harnessed electricity, we have witnessed the ongoing evolution for safety. Safety, it would seem, does come without a price. And bootleg grounds, unfortunately, are one way […]
How do a sewer scope inspection, sewer laterals, and your insurance relate? Have you ever stopped to think about what’s going on beneath your home’s surface? Most of us don’t until something goes wrong. Picture this: you’ve just moved into your dream home, and everything seems perfect, until you start noticing strange smells or weird […]
In the excitement of purchasing a brand-new home, many buyers overlook an essential step in the inspection process: the sewer scope inspection. Some might argue that since it’s a new construction, there’s no need to inspect the sewer lines. However, this assumption could lead to costly and inconvenient surprises down the line. In this blog […]
Ever wondered what’s beneath your property? Don’t forget crucial systems like sewer lines. Enter sewer camera inspections—simple yet potent. They uncover issues and bring peace. Let’s explore the perks and why they’re a savvy homeowner investment. What’s a Sewer Camera Inspection? Before diving into the benefits, let’s clarify what exactly a sewer scope inspection entails. […]
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Crawl Space Encapsulation vs. Crawl Space Conditioning: What’s the Difference? When it comes to keeping your home’s crawl space dry and healthy, two common options are crawl space encapsulation and crawl space conditioning. While these methods share the goal of improving air quality and preventing mold growth, they differ in their approach. In this article, […]
Crawlspace encapsulation, or sealing, is the treatment that building scientists recommend to turn a damp, dirty, moldy crawlspace into a clean, dry space where mold can’t grow The following article was written by the authority on building science, Joseph Lstiburek Crawlspaces continue to be a mess ever since we decided to insulate them and put […]
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Radon: A Silent Threat in Your Home In the world of buying and selling homes, there’s a hidden danger that can impact your health and home’s value: radon. At Realm Inspections, we make sure to uncover this danger during the home inspection process. A Brief History of Radon Radon, a radioactive gas, was discovered in […]
Why You Should Choose a Radon-Resistant Home During New Construction Radon-resistant homes offer effective protection against radon gas, a known health hazard. These passive systems, when properly installed during construction, can significantly reduce radon levels. If initial tests reveal radon levels above 4 pCi/L, upgrading to an active system with a vent fan is straightforward […]
By Joe Boos, Certified Master Inspector® and NC Licensed Home Inspector Is open-concept living actually better, or has it just been marketed that way? Sometimes it works. Often, it doesn’t. In many homes, open-concept living layouts introduce problems with noise, privacy, clutter, and function that aren’t obvious in listing photos. After years of walking through […]
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