Building Cavities Used as Supply or Return Ducts by Nick Gromicko and Ben Gromicko Nearly all building codes restrict the use of cavity spaces as supply ducts. However, it has been common practice to use cavity spaces as return-air pathways. Building cavities used as return-air plenums is one of the leading causes of duct leakage […]
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Barbeque Safety
Barbeque Safety by Nick Gromicko With barbeque season already here, homeowners should heed the following safety precautions in order to keep their families and property safe. Propane grills present an enormous fire hazard, as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is aware of more than 500 fires that result annually from their misuse or malfunction. The following […]
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Elements of an Energy-Efficient Home
Energy-efficient home Designing and building an energy-efficient home that conforms to the many considerations faced by home builders can be a challenge. However, at InterNACHI, we believe that any house style can be made to require relatively minimal amounts of energy to heat and cool, and be comfortable. It’s easier now to get your architect […]
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Asbestos Cement Siding
by Nick Gromicko and Ethan Ward Asbestos cement siding is a composite material consisting of Portland cement reinforced with asbestos fibers. When manufacturers figured out ways to produce siding made using asbestos cement, it became very popular for a number of years before being banned in the U.S. in the 1970s. InterNACHI inspectors are likely to […]
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Attic Pull-Down Ladders
by Nick Gromicko Attic Pull-Down Ladders Attic pull-down ladders, also called attic pull-down stairways, are collapsible ladders that are permanently attached to the attic floor. Occupants can use these ladders to access their attics without being required to carry a portable ladder. Common Defects Homeowners, not professional carpenters, usually install attic pull-down ladders. Evidence […]
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Anti-Scald Valves
by Nick Gromicko Anti-scald valves, also known as tempering valves and mixing valves, mix cold water in with outgoing hot water so that the hot water that leaves a fixture is not hot enough to scald a person. Facts and Figures Scalds account for 20% of all burns. More than 2,000 American children are scalded […]
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Gravity Furnace
by Nick Gromicko Gravity furnace A Gravity furnace is a heating unit and related equipment that employ gravity to move warm air throughout a building. These antiquated furnaces were installed from the late 1800s to the mid-20th century and are still found in use in some older buildings. Their design is simple: fuel is inserted through a door into […]
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Solar power disadvantages
by Nick Gromicko While the considerable advantages offered by solar power move some proponents to ignore the budding technology’s comparatively minor flaws, these imperfections must be acknowledged, lest their resolutions be stalled. We should take an honest look at the system’s disadvantages and seek to refine solar energy systems into a truly environmentally friendly alternative. The […]
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Solar Energy Advantages
by Nick Gromicko Solar energy offers considerable advantages over conventional energy systems by nullifying flaws in those systems long considered to be unchangeable. Solar power for home energy production has its flaws, too, which are outlined in another article, but they’re dwarfed by the advantages listed below. The following are advantages of solar energy: Raw materials are […]
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AFCI Arch-Fault Interrupters
by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard Arc-fault circuit interrupters ( AFCI ) are special types of electrical receptacles or outlets and circuit breakers designed to detect and respond to potentially dangerous electrical arcs in home branch wiring. How do AFCI s work? AFCI s function by monitoring the electrical waveform and promptly opening (interrupting) the […]
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What People Are Saying
Matt recently inspected a home for us that we are in the process of purchasing. It is a LARGE house and in-law apartment and Matt went through the property with a fine toothed comb. He crawled, climbed, and braved a dozen rescue dogs to inspect this home from roof to foundation. His recommendations were well explained and thorough. We would recommend his services to anyone needing a home inspection.
Watchdog is THE company to call! Matthew was so kind and accommodating. He explained everything thoroughly for me and educated me further if I had a confused look on my face. This is one of the most useful experiences I’ve had as a first time home buyer. So grateful to have called the right company to inspect our home!
We worked with Matt for our home inspection before closing. He was very thorough, responsive, able to make time at our convenience, and patiently helped us go over the findings in the final report. Moreover, he was extremely respectful of COVID precautions to ensure that all involved were safe throughout the process. Would absolutely work with Matt again.
