Putting people before business
Putting people before business
Knob and Tube wiring is a method of wiring that was popular from about 1890 to 1940. Characterized by the ceramic knobs that held the conductors away from the joists and ceramic tubes that the conductors ran through when it had to pass through a joist or wall plate.
What is Knob and Tube Wiring? Read More »
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems work by collecting sunlight onto specially designed panels which produce DC current. This current is transferred to an inverter which converts it to AC current to match our home electrical system. Since these systems are becoming more and more popular it’s important to gain an understanding of how theses systems
Understanding Solar PV Systems Read More »
Most people are familiar with how a regular 120 volt circuit is constructed (a hot, a neutral and a grounding conductor). Some may even understand how a 240 volt circuit operates (two hots, a neutral and a grounding conductor). But what the heck is a multi-wire branch circuit? Well, a multi-wire branch circuit is
What is a Multi-wire branch circuit? Read More »
In this article I want to clear up some confusion about a wiring method home inspectors sometimes encounter and which sometimes even some electricians don’t thoroughly understand. I’m talking about section 240.21(B) of the NEC (National Electrical Code) which discusses Feeder Taps. While most people understand that overcurrent protection is typically required at the
Understanding Feeder Taps Read More »
As more and more homeowners are opting to add a generator to their home it’s time to discuss the different types of generators, how they’re used and how they should be installed. We’ll discuss the proper bonding and grounding along with some options for transfer switches. Let’s get started. Two types of Generators Basically
Types of Generators and Transfer Switches Read More »
Have you ever seen vinyl J channel used at the bottom of a wall and wondered where the water caught in the channel will go? Well, it runs sideways until it gets to a joint in the J channel or a corner intersection where it’ll weep out. If these areas are flashed correctly then
J Channel at bottom holds water Read More »
If mold, apparent mold growth or microbial growth has been noted on your report it means that the inspector has found growth that appears to be mold. Mold is a fungus and there are hundreds of thousands of different species. If it looks like mold then it probably is; but only lab analysis can
All About Mold Growth Read More »
Whether or not you currently have termite problems it’s important to know what attracts termites to your home and what signs to look for and why. Did you know for instance that every acre of land in South Carolina has over a dozen termite colonies. So since termites are probably already on your property
Recognizing Termite Activity and Damage Read More »
A Microwave oven is mighty handy for boiling a cup of water in a hurry or popping popcorn. However it might surprise you that the microwave oven is not the only device in your home that uses microwaves. In this article we’ll talk about some more devices that produce microwaves and some common sense
The Shocking Truth About Microwaves Read More »
A good home inspector will carefully examine your garage door. He’ll check for damage, proper operation and safety. You’d be amazed at how many homes that I have been to have garage doors which are improperly adjusted or even dangerous. Most people don’t realize how dangerous they can be. Every year people die because
Inspecting Garage Doors Read More »
How old is my house? Home buyers and home inspectors are not always given accurate information about how old the home they are about to buy is. Oh sure, a simple web search on popular real estate sites typically turns up the homes advertised age. However, occasionally homes are built before records are kept;
Attic ventilation is an important part of keeping your building healthy. Current regulations state that the minimum attic ventilation requirements are 150/1. This means that if you have a 1500 sq attic then you would need at least 10 sf of ventilation. (1500 ÷ 150 = 10) So if this is the minimum is
About Attic Ventilation Read More »
General Stairway Safety Recommendations Below is a discussion of the general requirements (paraphrased for readability) for stairways. · Minimum stairway width is 36” wide. · Headroom minimum 6’ 8” measured vertically. · Maximum riser height is 7 ¾ “ high, can vary no more than 3/8” between treads. · Minimum tread depth is 10”.
About Stairway Safety Requirements Read More »
Modern air conditioners can remove between 8-20 gallons of moisture from the air every day. So on modern air conditioners provisions have to be made to reliably remove any collected water that the air conditioner removes from your home air to a an appropriate place (usually outside). To do this the air handler needs
Understanding AC Condensate Drains Read More »
Join us in a discussion of various inspection related topics. Old Building at Boone Hall.
Inspection Articles Read More »
Blue Palmetto Home Inspection
1325 Sandy Run Circle
Summerville SC 29486
Phone 843-608-5851,cell 843-934-3045
License # RBI48831, RBB22399
rthornburg@homesc.com
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Ray Thornburg at publishing time.