Building a New Home

Building a New Home If you’re building a new home, there are things you need to know before you begin. Learn about construction standards and about buying land, so you know your rights. MPS Supplementing Model Building Codes   The Minimum Property Standards (MPS) establish certain minimum standards for buildings constructed under HUD housing programs. … Read more

Barbeque Safety

Barbeque Safety – With barbecue season already here, homeowners should heed the following safety precautions in order to keep their families and property safe. Barbeque 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 … Read more

Crawlspace Hazards

Crawlspace Hazards and Inspection – Crawlspaces are host to a large number of conditions that may harm the house or inspectors. Never enter a crawlspace without proper personal protective equipment. Crawlspaces are notorious for the nasty discoveries made there by inspectors, and it isn’t hard to figure out why; for one thing, their cool, dark … Read more

Garbage Disposals

Garbage disposals are residential and commercial appliances designed to shred food waste so that it can fit through plumbing. They are usually electrically powered (although occasionally powered by water pressure) and are installed beneath sinks. Despite the convenience afforded by garbage disposals, the strain they can place on septic systems should be weighed against any … Read more

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

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 during the winter months, especially in December (including 56 deaths, … Read more

Pool Safety Guidelines

Swimming pools should always be happy places. Unfortunately, each year thousands of American families confront swimming pool tragedies, drownings and near-drownings of young children. At InterNACHI, we want to prevent these tragedies. These are guidelines for pool barriers that can help prevent most submersion incidents involving young children. These guidelines are not intended as the … Read more

Fire Safety for the Home

The U.S. Fire Administration reports that more than 403,000 home fires occurred in the U.S. in 2008, causing 2,780 deaths and more than 13,500 injuries.  Some fires are caused by issues related to the structure, such as lightning strikes, faulty wiring, furnace malfunctions, and other electrical and heating system-related mishaps. But most home fires are … Read more