In terms of detecting moisture intrusion, an IR camera can locate:

• Plumbing leaks
• Hidden roof leaks before they cause serious damage
• Missing, damaged and/or wet insulation
• Water and moisture intrusion around penetrations and at the foundation and building envelope that could lead to structural damage and mold

IR cameras are equally effective at locating hot spots in the home, including:

• Circuit breakers in need of immediate replacement
• Overloaded and undersized circuits
• Overheated electrical equipment and components
• Electrical faults before they cause a fire

Additionally, based on the color gradients that thermal images provide, an inspector can locate:

• Possible pest infestation, as revealed by energy loss through shelter tubes left by boring wood-destroying insects
• The presence of intruders, such as rats, mice and other larger pests hiding within the structure and detected because of their heat signature that the IR camera captures
• Dangerous flue leaks, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning of the home’s residents

Time to fire up the bbq and light some fireworks, summer has arrived.  If you want to be cool, take a few minutes to do a bit of preventative maintenance for your air conditioner.  Check the basics on your air conditioning system: Change the filters, check the batteries in thermostats, and clean units outside. 

When it comes to filters, there are several options.  There are disposable, washable, and electronic.  We recommend disposable.  For most people, pleated filter is a great choice because of the increased surface area of the filter.  There are several levels of filtration and you can pick a filter that fits your needs.  A dirty filter prevents air from flowing through the system.  If air flow is restricted, the unit will not be able to efficiently cool the space.  If air flow becomes too restricted, the unit can freeze up and air flow becomes increasingly reduced.

Tell us a little bit about your company and its foundation.
I grew up working on home remodeling projects with my family and started A Helpful Handyman while in college. Homeowners liked my work and told their friends. Before long, realtors and property managers got my phone number and passed it around. Soon, I was doing repairs for homeowners, closings, and rental properties.

While making repairs on homes that had sold, I noticed variations in the home inspections. The reports from these inspections specify which repairs are needed to the home. Some inspectors provided well-written, timely reports with pictures and detailed comments; some did not. To address the need, I started Assured Home Inspectors, which uses licensed and certified home inspectors who take the approach of being thorough, efficient and an advocate for the customer.

Although termites are ecologically beneficial in that they break down detritus to add nutrients to soil, the same feeding behaviors that prove helpful to the ecosystem can cause severe damage to homes by compromising the strength and safety of a structure.

Here are a few key signs that your home may be infested with termites

When buying a new home, your schedule is full of time-sensitive "to-dos" and attending the inspection may no be convenient. After all, you'll get a detailed report afterwards, right?

If you find a house that seems like it has possibilities, do your own initial home inspection, inside and out, before making an offer. Your intention now is to be alert for obvious deficiencies. Assuming you're not looking for a fixer-upper, too many of these may be a reason to eliminate this house from further consideration.

Selecting a good and reliable contractor can be difficult. With a little time and effort up front you can save yourself time, money and a few headaches.

• Ask your family and friends to refer you to a contractor they've used that was reliable and honest.
• Check the contractor's online service ratings. The better the ratings, the more likely they are to provide good service.

When contacting a contractor, keep the following questions top of mind.

With a little preparation you can prevent these common, DIY items from showing up on your home inspection report. Your home inspection and/or sale will go much smoother and save you time and frustration: