by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard There are a number of measures that homeowners can take to ensure that their homes are not attractive to burglars. If clients are concerned about a break-in , there are some basic strategies for burglar-proofing their homes. Some interesting statistics concerning a break-in for the United States: InterNACHI estimates […]
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Deck Receptacles
by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard Are exterior receptacles required at decks? The 2008 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) describes two requirements for locations of outdoor receptacles in one- and two-family dwellings. The previous edition (2005) includes only one of these requirements, and inspectors should be aware of this change and understand the […]
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Oil Tank for Home Heating
by Nick Gromicko Heating oil, which is more commonly known as Fuel Oil No. 2, is used to heat 7.7 million American homes each year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Heating oil is in a category of fuel oil that also includes Fuel Oil No. 1 (kerosene), range oil and jet fuel. It […]
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Garage Doors and Openers
by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard Garage doors are large, spring-supported doors. Garage door openers control the opening and closing of garage doors, either through a wall-mounted switch or a radio transmitter. Due to the strain that garage door components and openers regularly endure, they may become defective over time and need to be fixed […]
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Basement Waterproofing
Basic Waterproofing for Basements by Nick Gromico and Ethan Ward Water Damage Concerns Basements are typically the area of a structure most at risk for water damage because they are located below grade and surrounded by soil. Soil releases water it has absorbed during rain or when snow melts, and the water can end up in the […]
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Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and Detectors by Nick Gromicko Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas that forms from incomplete combustion of fuels, such as natural or liquefied petroleum gas, oil, wood or coal. Facts and Figures 480 U.S. residents died between 2001 and 2003 from non-fire-related carbon-monoxide poisoning. Most CO exposures occur […]
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Bed Bugs:
by Nick Gromicko Bed bugs are small, flightless, rust-colored parasites that feed on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals. Inspectors should learn the telltale signs of these pests and be capable of providing information to their clients. Bed bugs were diminished to an historical footnote after their near-eradication in the 1950s, but they […]
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Pesticides
by Nick Gromicko Pesticides are poisons designed to kill a variety of plants and animals, such as insects (insecticides), weeds (herbicides), and mold or fungus (fungicides). They are each composed of an inert carrier and a pest-specific active ingredient, both of which are toxic to humans and pets. Human Exposure to Pesticides Pesticides may […]
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Central AC System Inspection
by Nick Gromicko A building’s central ac system must be periodically inspected and maintained in order to function properly. While an annual inspection performed by a trained professional is recommended, homeowners can do a lot of the work themselves by following the tips offered in this guide. Clean the Exterior Condenser Unit and Components The exterior […]
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Foundation Bulging, Leaning, and Cracking
Bulging Walls Masonry walls sometimes show signs of bulging as they age. A wall itself may bulge, or the bulge may only be in the outer wythe. Bulging often takes place so slowly that the masonry doesn’t crack and, therefore, it may go unnoticed over a long period of time. The bulging of the whole […]
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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.
