Author: Philippe Heller
House Fires Caused By Heaters
Heating Equipment is a Leading Cause of House Fires Cooking is still the leading cause of house fires, but heating equipment is a close second. Heating equipment causes 16% of all house fires according to the Nation Fire Protection Association (NFPA). We did some research to share the causes of fires so that you can […]
Your Toilet Should Last 50 Years…
… And other estimates of how long appliances and components of a house should last Everything in your house will require replacement. Here is a guide to the life expectancy of many of the components of the typical U.S. house. Please keep in mind that these are general industry standards, and family size and location can […]
Identifying Problem Roofs
Asphalt Shingle Roof A roof is one of the most expensive components of a home. Hundreds of different materials have been used as roofing material from sticks to plastic, and grass to glass. When you are looking for a home you need to know what type of roofing material is installed if it was installed correctly, and […]
The UNspection
Whoever gets the home inspection has the upper hand Knowledge is power. It is also a powerful negotiating tool. Many home sellers think that their house is in “good shape” when they put it on the market. They agree on a price to list it and wait for the offers to come in. They accept […]
Why We Don’t Perform Radon Gas Testing in San Diego
Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is present in varying amounts in the ground and in water. Radon is produced by the natural radioactive decay of uranium deposits in the earth. Prolonged exposure to radon in high concentrations can cause cancer. The EPA has set guidelines for radon levels in residential buildings. […]
Fireplace Safety
Southern California has such awesome weather that we don’t think about our fireplaces very often. Not until the weather changes from sunny and 70 degrees to a chilly 60 degrees. What’s better than a nice fire in the fireplace on those cold evenings? Since fireplaces are such an after thought for most of us, we […]
Understanding Windows
UNDERSTANDING WINDOWS Any opening in a building’s envelope – in its outer shell – is technically called fenestration, a term that includes windows, skylights and doors. Obviously, fenestration is important if you’re concerned about energy efficiency. A typical house can lose 30 percent of it’s energy dollars out the windows and doors, according to the […]
All The Ways Your House Is Trying To Kill You
There are many dangers lurking around your home. Some of these are obvious, but some can easily be overlooked. Here is an infographic showing some of the dangers that can appear both indoors and out and around your home that you should be aware of. We all know that our medicine cabinet should be […]
Upgrading your Water Heater
Is Replacing Your Traditional Water Heater With A Tankless Water Heater Right for You? People ask us all the time if upgrading to a tankless water heater is a smart thing to do. After all, they are promoted as an energy saving appliance. The average gas-powered tankless water heater can indeed save you money because they use […]
Cancelled Escrow Protection
Protect yourself from the disappointment – and expense – of a cancelled escrow. No one anticipates falling out of escrow. After all, you wouldn’t make an offer on a house unless you really wanted it. But houses fall out of escrow all the time for numerous reasons. The most common of which is a low appraisal. […]
