Asbestos

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that can be positively identified only with a special type of microscope. There are several types of asbestos fibers. In the past, asbestos was added to a variety of products to strengthen them and to provide heat insulation and fire resistance. InterNACHI inspectors can supplement their knowledge with the information offered in this guide.

Attached Garage Fire Hazards

by Nick Gromicko, Rob London and Kenton Shepard

The purpose of this article is twofold. First, at InterNACHI, we’d like you to take measures to keep your garage free from fire. Fortunately, there are ways this can be done, some of which are described below. Secondly, garage fires do happen, and we’d like you to make sure that a fire cannot not easily spread to the rest of your house.

Bed Bugs: Inspecting for the New "House Herpes"

by Nick Gromicko and Rob London

Bed bugs are small, flightless, rust-colored parasites that feed on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals.

Biological Pollutants in the Home

Outdoor air pollution in cities is a major health problem. Much effort and money continue to be spent cleaning up pollution in the outdoor air. But air pollution can be a problem where you least expect it, in the place you may have thought was safest -- your home. Many ordinary activities, such as cooking, heating, cooling, cleaning and redecorating, can cause the release and spread of indoor pollutants at home.

Biowall Inspection

Biowalls -- also referred to as living walls, vertical gardens, green facades, and green walls -- are interior or exterior walls that are covered with living vegetation. Biowalls have practical applications for both indoor and outdoor use.

Building a Home

If you want to build a new home, there are things you need to know before you begin. Learn about construction standards and about buying land, so you know your rights.

MPS Supplementing Model Building Codes

The Minimum Property Standards (MPS) establish certain minimum standards for buildings constructed under HUD housing programs.

Central Air-Conditioning System Inspection

A building's central air-conditioning system must be periodically inspected and maintained in order to function properly.

Child-Proofing Your Home: 12 Safety Devices to Protect Your Children

About 2.5 million children are injured or killed by hazards in the home each year. The good news is that many of these incidents can be prevented by using simple child-safety devices on the market today. Any safety device you buy should be sturdy enough to prevent injury to your child, yet easy for you to use. It's important to follow installation instructions carefully.

Choosing a Manufactured Home

Manufactured homes no longer have to be the simple, rectangular, boxy trailer homes of the past. Depending on the size of your home site, you can choose from single-section or multi-section designs.

Electrical Safety

Electricity is an essential part of our lives. However, it has the potential to cause great harm. Electrical systems will function almost indefinitely, if properly installed and not overloaded or physically abused. Electrical fires in our homes claim the lives of 485 Americans each year and injure 2,305 more.

Household Hazards

This list of terms covers most of the common household dangers likely to be encountered by InterNACHI inspectors.

• algae: microorganisms that may grow to colonies in damp environments, including certain rooftops.

Mold, Moisture and Your Home

Mold Basics 

• The key to mold control is moisture control.
• If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem.
• It is important to dry water-dama

Residential Foundation Insulation

Homes being constructed today are more energy-efficient than those built even just a few years ago, primarily due to significant improvements in building products and techniques, as well as development of high-performance heating and cooling systems and other appliances. At InterNACHI, we believe that the benefits of foundation insulation are often overlooked.

Safeguard Your Home From Burglars

Some interesting statistics concerning break-ins in the United States:

• Theft makes up more than three-quarters of all reported crime.

Termite Control in the Home

Wood-destroying insects and other organisms can cause serious problems in the wooden structural components of a house, and may go undetected for a long period of time.