Limbo is a good measure of flexibility and is used throughout the Caribbean. The more practiced you are, the better you can bend beneath the bar. The one who goes lowest wins. In the lead and healthy housing world, we say the goal is "no lead." But can we get there in...
A Visit To The Crawl Space
Nobody really wants to admit that they have one especially if you haven't been down there for a while or ever. I just bought a new to me 1988 home and what I found told a story. Fortunately, I had a prepurchase inspection and so there was not much shocking to deal...
My House is More Humid Than Normal
I recently was asked to look at a new development in the summer of a home we recently remodeled. The concern is that it is in the 'mid to high '80's and the house is humid. OUTSIDE HEAT mid to high '90s INSIDE SET TO: 73deg UPON ARRIVAL: House is 70 deg AC not...
Failing Exhaust Duct work
A client called to report a hot exhaust wall in their bathroom. Naturally fire and Carbon monoxide poison come to mind. The gas water heater exhaust and the 80% furnace exhausts commingle and go up and out of the home in a double walled oval exhaust flu. The home was...
Is My House Toxic?
I have always enjoyed understanding building science and have dabbled in the realm of an amateur of sorts trying to discover what is causing a home to make a resident feel ill when they are inside of it. Being a former Paramedic, I blend my knowledge into a pretty...
Your Home’s Thermal Envelope
No, it has nothing to do with insulated packaging. It does, however, involve thinking differently about energy efficiency and reducing air infiltration into our living spaces. I recently had an in service at a heating company by a nice young man who really knows his...




