How To Look At A House

McGarry and Madsen's home inspection blog for buyers of  

site-built, mobile/manufactured and modular homes

SITE

Thursday, May 24, 2018

Here’s links to a collection of our blog posts about “SITE":

Why do so many more sinkholes open up after a hurricane?

Should I seal the pavers at my patio and driveway or not? 

What is a flag lot?

How much is the ground required to slope away from a house? 

How do I recognize structural problems in a retaining wall?  

What are the warning signs of a sinkhole? 

What is the difference between soil subsidence, heave, creep, and settlement?

What causes sinkholes?

How can homebuyers protect themselves against buying a house over a sinkhole?  

What should I do about a tree with roots running under my house?

Will the electric company trim branches rubbing against the overhead service lines to my house?

How can trees damage a house? 

What causes cracks in a driveway?

• What is my chance of buying a Florida home over a sinkhole? 

Are house numbers required by law on the front of a house? 

Which trees are most likely to fall over on your house in a hurricane? 

• What is that new termite in Florida that also eats live trees?

Does a home inspector check fences?

• How far should trees be kept away from a mobile/manufactured home? 

• How do I stop water from getting under my mobile home? 

• Do home inspectors check retaining walls? 

• Does a home inspector check site grading and drainage? 

• Does a home inspector inspect trees? 

• Does a home inspector check seawalls and docks? 

• What is the average life expectancy of wood fencing? 

What is the average life expectancy of mulch? 

• What is the average life expectancy of a chain link fence? 

• What is the average life expectancy of a concrete driveway? 

What is the average life expctancy of an asphalt driveway? 

What is the average life expectancy of a paver driveway? 

What is the average life expectancy of a paver patio? 

• What is the average life expectancy of a gravel driveway or walkway? 

• How do I look for yard drainage problems when buying a house? 

• How long do timber railroad tie retaining walls last? 

• What is batter in a retaining wall? 

• How long does a dry-stacked stone retaining wall last? 

• Should I buy a house with a retaining wall? 

What are the most common causes of retaining wall failure? 

• How close to the property line can I put an air conditioner? 

Why is the floor of a home required to be above the crown of the road?


Water Heaters

Water Heater Age

"What Are The

Signs Of..."

Septic Tank Systems

Structure and Rooms

Plumbing Pipes

Termites, Wood Rot

& Pests

Sinkholes

Stairs

When It First

Became Code

"Should I Buy A..."

Park Model Homes

Site

Shingle Roofs

Safety

Stucco

Remodeling

Wind Mitigation

Roof and Attic

"Does A Home

Inspector...?"

Pool and Spa

"What Is The Difference Between..."

Radon

Brick

Plumbing

Concrete and

Concrete Block

Metal Roofs

Foundations

Modular Homes

Rain Gutters

Mold, Lead & Other Contaminants

Condominiums

Older and

Historic Houses

Crawl Spaces

Mobile-Manufactured Homes

Building Permits

Life Expectancy

Clay Soil

Insurance

Floors

Insulation

Toilets

Exterior Walls

& Structures

Generators

Common Problems

HUD-Code for

Mobile Homes

Garages and Carports

Flat (Low Slope) Roofs

Electrical Panels

Sprinkler Systems

Electrical Receptacle Outlets

4-Point Inspections

Hurricane Resistance

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Home Inspection

Heating and Air Conditioning

Building Codes

Fireplaces and Chimneys

Inspector Licensing

& Standards

Energy Efficiency

Washers and Dryers

Electrical

Kitchens

Doors and Windows

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Cracks

Electrical Wiring

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Bathrooms

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AFCI, CAFCI,

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Sinks

Air Conditioner & Furnace Age/Size

Attics

Electrical Switches

Siding

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Water Intrusion

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Foundation Certifications

Tiny Houses

About McGarry and Madsen

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Moisture Problems

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