Sealing My Ductwork With Aeroseal
Aeroseal takes HVAC performance to a new level with its method of air-sealing your ductwork from the inside.
Does it work? Is it worth your money?
Read my full review of Aeroseal here.
Search Results for:
Are Ungrounded Electrical Outlets Safe?
It never fails. At least once a week I inspect a house that has an ungrounded electrical system. These are older homes with receptacles (or outlets, as everyone in my neck of the woods calls them) that only have two slots, and are missing the ‘3rd hole.’ That hole is for the ground conductor of…
Insulate Attic Access Panel
Insulation, air movement, building science, blah-blah-blah. I know, most folks find it boring. But if you like saving money, and living in a comfortable house, stay with me here. One of the most common things I find at just about every home inspection in Louisville in Louisville is a poorly insulated attic scuttle hatch (that is…
ACMV Part 3- Wall Details and Drainage
START HERE TO READ THE FIRST POST IN THIS SERIES. THIS WILL HELP YOU BETTER UNDERSTAND THE DETAILS FOR EACH SECTION OF THE ACMV SERIES. As I said before, flat walls are as easy as it gets when it comes to installing manufactured stone. You really have to try to mess up an open wall, but you know…
ACMV Manufactured Stone Siding | Building it Correctly | Home Repair | New Construction | The way it is
ACMV Part 2- Trouble Areas Around Windows & Doors
In this section, I break down the flashing details on windows and doors- the most common failure points for stone veneer installation.
Electrical | Home Inspection Stories | Home Repair | Safety | Stories from the trenches | The way it is
Best of 2015 Part 2
[av_icon_box position=’top’ boxed=’av-no-box’ icon=’ue83f’ font=’entypo-fontello’ title=’BEST OF 2015! HOME INSPECTION HIGHLIGHTS – PART 2′ link=” linktarget=” linkelement=” font_color=” custom_title=” custom_content=” color=” custom_bg=” custom_font=” custom_border=”] Let’s wrap up 2015 with the last top 5. Here is Part 1 if you missed it. [/av_icon_box] [av_hr class=’short’ height=’50’ shadow=’no-shadow’ position=’center’ custom_border=’av-border-thin’ custom_width=’50px’ custom_border_color=” custom_margin_top=’30px’ custom_margin_bottom=’30px’ icon_select=’yes’ custom_icon_color=” icon=’ue808′…
Best of 2015 Part 1
The Best of 2015!
Should you test for Radon Gas in Louisville?
Most who are buying a home in Louisville have a Radon gas test performed. If you are unsure about what radon gas is, how the testing process works, and what to do if your home comes back with elevated levels, this post should help clear things up for you.
Request a Home Inspection
Schedule your home inspection
Buying an Old House – The Plumbing System
Buying an old house comes with old materials. The plumbing system can be one of the most expensive components to replace. In this article we will discuss the different types of old plumbing materials that are no longer used in modern home construction, and what types of failures you can expect in your new home.
Should you attend your home inspection?
Yep, you SHOULD attend your home inspection. You’ve called around. You’ve done your due diligence, or maybe you’ve gone with your realtor’s recommendation (see why that can be a bad idea here What you don’t know about hiring a home inspector) and you think you’ve found the home inspector you want to use in the purchase…
Aluminum Wire in Branch Circuits
From 1965 to 1975 some builders used aluminum wiring for the branch circuits to cut the construction cost.
Now we know that was a mistake, and millions of homes have a big expensive problem to contend with.
How to Air Seal Electrical Boxes in 3 Steps
Air sealing your electrical outlets is one of the easiest things you can do to help lower your utility bills.
Be green. Save green. | Building it Correctly | Electrical | Home Inspection Stories | Home Repair | New Construction | Plumbing | Safety | Stories from the trenches | The way it is
Best of 2014 Part 2
I’m a bit later than I wanted to be getting this written, but hey, better late than never. If you missed the first part of this post you can see it here: Best of Home Inspections 2014. So without further ado, the second half of the Best of the Worst pictures of 2014. A waterfall in…
Be green. Save green. | Building it Correctly | Electrical | Home Inspection Stories | Home Repair | New Construction | Plumbing | Safety | Stories from the trenches | The way it is | Uncategorized
Best Of 2014 Part 1
Another year older, one or two more gray hairs found, and a stack of pictures to choose from. It’s hard to whittle it down to just a handful, but I selected the top 10 problems found during home inspections this year. A Cold Fireplace – This is a picture from a one year old home. The owners…
River City Real Estate Radio Show
I was recently invited to be a guest speaker on the River City Real Estate Radio Show. Try saying that 10 times fast!) My friend Sam George, a fabulous Realtor in Louisville was with me as well. We were there to talk about home inspections, and the most common questions people have about what I…
Thermal Imaging Home Inspections
thermal imaging home inspections What is thermal imaging? A thermal imaging camera uses infrared technology to see small differences in the temperature of an object. It is used primarily in home inspections to help identify hidden moisture intrusion, and air leaks within the building envelope. When things are wet, they are usually colder than their surroundings,…
Doing my job….and people hate me for it.
I got a phone call this week from a listing agent about a home I inspected a few days prior. Now, getting phone calls from Realtors that have questions about a particular item on a home inspection report is nothing out of the ordinary. But this call was different. This guy was angry. He was angry…
How to Prevent a Leaky Basement
Let me start by saying there is no such thing as a waterproof basement. When you build part of your house underground, there is always a chance you could get some water leaking in. Ask anyone who has lived in a home with a basement for a long time. Most have dealt with water…
Our Newest Inspector…ED-E.
For years, really tall chimneys and hidden valleys on big roofs have been a thorn in my side. I really do try to get to every square inch of the roof with my own two eyes, but sometimes it’s not feasible. I am as close to Spiderman on a roof as it comes, but I…
Repairing a Leaking Plumbing Vent
Do you have small water stains appearing on your ceiling? The problem is likely the flashing around your plumbing vents. One of the most common, if not the most common problem I find with inspecting roofs, is a leaking flashing boot around the plumbing vent pipe. When these fail, water gets in to places where…
The 15 Year Curse
I’m seeing a trend lately with home buyers. Lots and lots of people are looking to buy a house in the 15 year old category. 15, give or take a few years. But buying a house in that age range can be the kiss of death. Because almost every big ticket item within a…
5 Things you don’t know about Hiring a Home Inspector
So your real estate agent just called and said you have an accepted offer on that new house. Congratulations! And oh, by the way, you have 7 days to get an inspection. Better get on the horn pronto and find a home inspector. This is an all too familiar scenario for lots of folks. But do you…
How to check a leaking toilet
Leaking toilets can cost a homeowner hundreds of dollars a year. Testing your toilets is a simple process of adding a bit of food coloring to your tank and waiting. If the colored water makes it into the bowl without flushing the toilet, you have a leaking toilet!
YouTube
HOME INSPECTION VIDEOS Videos to educate you about home inspections, home care, and home repairs to help you along the way. MISSING KICKOUT FLASHING ON MANUFACTURERED STONE INSTALL Here is one example of an improper manufactured stone install at the roof gutter. Kick-out flashing should always be used to direct the water away from the…
Picture Gallery
Home Inspection Images Here you will find some of the madness I see on the job. If you like this sort of thing, you’ll want to follow my Instagram page as I update that much more often.
Home Inspection FAQ
WHAT IS A HOME INSPECTION? A home inspection is an objective, visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a home, from the roof to the foundation. Your home inspection report will include an evaluation of the condition of the home’s structural system (foundation), electrical system, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, plumbing system,…
What does a home inspection in Louisville KY cost?
How much does a home inspection in Louisville cost? What does a home inspection in Louisville KY cost? The difference between a great and an average home inspector is staggering. You have new guys who don’t know what they are doing, old guys who don’t do enough for you, and volume guys who don’t take…
Radon Testing
Louisville KY Radon Testing Everyone is saying you need to have a Radon test performed on your new house in Louisville. What is a Radon test anyway? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and the Surgeon General’s Office have estimated that as many as 20,000 lung cancer deaths are caused each year by Radon…
Deck Damage: Is your back-yard escape ruining your home?
With spring just around the corner, your neighborhood lumber yard will soon be full of people buying stacks of treated lumber, ready to build a brand new deck. Some are DIY’ers, some are paying a contractor, but from what I can see, they all need a little help. Remember the viral video of the Indiana…
Louisville KY Home Inspection
Louisville KY Home Inspections With 15 years of home inspection experience, over 4,000 happy clients, and 500+ 5-star reviews, you can trust your home inspection needs to ABI Home Services. Hi. I’m Ben. ABOUT ABI HOME INSPECTION SERVICES Everyone knows you need a home inspection when you buy a house. That’s a given. What everyone…
Energy Saving Program in Kentucky Saves Homeowners Big Bucks.
As a very hot summer comes to a close, heating your home may be the last thing on your mind. But with winter coming (for my fellow GOT fans) I’ve got some great news for you. There is a little known program available that can save you a lot of money. How does a 20% savings…
Why You Should Get a Home Inspection
I’m stoked to have my friend Sam George, a pro-Realtor here in Louisville to weigh in on the inspection process, and what buyers should be doing. She’s dishing up some sage words so get that note pad handy. Ahh, the home inspection. It’s a significant part of the home buying process that often isn’t given…
New construction homes need an inspection too.
The Prelude: Last week, I was at a home inspection for a client on a house that was 4 years old. The seller of the house had the home built new, by a custom builder. What tons of folks seem to not understand, or just don’t know, is that a home builder is only as good…
Home Inspectors vs Code Inspectors
Let’s talk about something that many, many people get confused about, or just don’t understand. I get asked on a daily basis if the home I just inspected “passed.” There is no pass or fail when it comes to a home inspection. Only code inspectors declare a pass or fail for a dwelling. What is…
Is there a bomb ticking under your sink?
Water. The substance of life. We can’t live without it. And there’s nothing better than indoor plumbing. Don’t think so? Ask your favorite senior sometime about walking through 12 inches of snow in sub-zero temperatures just to use the bathroom. But with all the greatness that indoor plumbing holds, people have made a few mistakes along the…
The low down on Mold.
Nasty stuff. Nasty stuff indeed. But what classifies a person to be considered a “Mold Professional.” This is where marketing spins start to twist like a F5 tornado. I do not advertise mold inspection, I never will. Why? Because it would not be honest for me to do so. The first thing I do when…
Only you can prevent fores…clothes dryer fires
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are an estimated 15,500 fires, 10 deaths and 10 injuries every year due to clothes dryer fires. Several hundred people a year are also subjected to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from improper dryer vents. The total damages come to nearly $100,000,000 yearly. That’s one hundred million dollars a year….
Priming…yeah it’s that important.
Priming…Most people hate it. Why? They think it’s extra work. I’m here to tell you it’s not, and your finished product will turn out much better with its use. I used to be a manager at a certain big retail giant…let’s call them “Glowe’s.” One busy Saturday at Glowe’s I was stopped in the lumber department by…
Don’t weep for your home, let it weep for you.
Does your home weep? If you live in a brick veneer home, the answer better be yes. What are weep holes? The short answer is that they allow water to drain out from the inside of the wall, and allow air to circulate on the backside of a brick wall to help dry out the moisture. They…
Another kind of cold shower
You guys will LOVE this. My first home inspection of the day was an older home, built around 1932. From the outside, the house looks to be in decent shape. A quick walk around it showed only minor problems. I do my thing outside, and head indoors. Nothing too shocking here either. I head upstairs and start in the…
Contact
Contact ABI Home Inspection Service HOME INSPECTIONS • RADON TESTING • MOISTURE INTRUSION My Story I made the decision to start ABI Home Services after spending nearly a decade in the home remodeling field, working my way from helper to job foreman. That time has afforded me the hands-on experience that a home inspector needs…
Sample Home Inspection Report
Sample Home Inspection Reports Not only do you need a great home inspector, you need one who produces a great home inspection report. No worries, I’ve got you covered. Below you will find a few examples of what your home inspection report will look like with ABI. Keep in mind that every home inspection report…