Home Inspection Blog

Yep, that’s right! We are talking bathroom fan exhaust! Found this one during an inspection last week. Fans in all bathrooms ✅ Great! Love to see it! Bathroom fans vent to the exterior 🚫 …uh oh. 👎 Venting straight into the attic! This can be a bad deal! Venting from a bathroom into an attic can cause moisture buildup, which may eventually lead to mold growth, wood rot, and damaged insulation. Not good! Make sure you see something like these examples below for each of

The name ‘Stone & Shield Home Inspections’ not only sounds awesome, it also has meaning! One could think ‘stone’ as in, foundation. They could also think ‘shield’ as in the home that shields the family from the elements, keeps them safe. Cool, right?! For us at Stone & Shield, there’s also a more personal meaning behind the name. Our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Our name is taken from Psalm 18:2. Psalm 18:2 “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deli

Operating a home inspection business requires teamwork. As one of the furry, fun-loving members of the Stone & Shield Home Inspections team, I may not be out on the field inspecting roofs or electrical panels, but I play an essential role in our operations! I'm Odie! My job is to ensure Dad is limbered up and ready for the day by engaging in a game of fetch and tug of war with one of "Dad’s" favorite stuffies before he sets off in the morning! When Dad comes back from his awe

Now that you have safely cleaned out those gutters, let’s stay with the topic of water for one more post. Water is one of the primary enemies of any home. One thing that I see frequently during inspections is a downspout without an extension or splash block. This allows water to discharge and soak into the ground very near the foundation of the home. With enough time and enough water, this could potentially lead to settling and cracking of the slab/foundation! Using a splash

Thinking about cleaning those gutters?! Use the “4-to-1 Rule” for extension ladders, which states that for each 4 feet of distance between the ground and the upper point of contact (such as the roof), move the base of the ladder out 1 foot. Always face the ladder when climbing, and wear slip-resistant, rubber-soled shoes. Keep your body centered on the ladder. You can gauge your relative position using your belt buckle, for example. If your buckle passes beyond the ladder rai

It's spring in northern Alabama and we tend to get some rain around here. It's a great time to check those gutters and ensure they are clear of leaves and debris. Something as simple as a clogged gutter can lead to gutter splash, where rainwater that is shedding off the roof gets to the gutter and the problem starts! It gets stopped or at least slowed down by debris, causing the water to pour over the side of the gutter, near the edge of the foundation. If this occurs frequen