Lead was added to paint to impart desirable properties such as faster drying, durability and moisture resistance. Lead is hazardous, and can cause a number of problems when ingested. In any structure built prior to 1978, there is a higher likelihood of the presence of lead paint. There is a considerable amount of educational material regarding lead available on the …

Lead is a heavy metal, which is soft and malleable and has a low melting point. It comes from ores that are often associated with silver production, and has been used by mankind for almost 10,000 years. Lead is very dangerous to human health. For children, lead exposure can cause irreversible and life-long health effects, including affecting IQ, focus, and …

Ledger board: horizontal structural members that are attached to the main structure, and are typically used to attach a deck or patio cover.

Ledger Board Overview Ledger boards are structural members that are attached to a vertical area of the framing of a structure. Sometimes called a ribbon board or ribbon strip, the ledger board is used to attach a deck or porch to the framing of the main structure. It provides an attachment point for securing floor joists, support posts and decking …

A horizontal support, typically constructed of metal, wood, concrete or steel, that spans the opening above a door or window to support the weight of the structure above that opening.

load-bearing wall: a wall in a structure that is used to support or bear the weight of the structure that rest upon it.

The general term for the shelf and accessories surrounding the opening of a fireplace.

Molds are a type of fungus that grows everywhere on Earth. Mold needs moisture to grow and it slowly digests any organic material on which it grows. Inspecting for and testing of mold is outside the scope of a standard home inspection. As a result, when we discover material that appears to be mold during a home inspection, we issue …

A mix of cement, sand and water that is used in construction to bind together stones, bricks and blocks.

Many older homes we inspect still have their original electrical wiring installed. The oldest type, knob and tube type wiring was installed in buildings from the late 1800’s (when we first started using electricity to power our homes) until the 1930’s and 40’s. The high cost of labor to install a knob and tube system, coupled with the decreasing cost …