Colin Murphy - Home Inspector - Mike Holmes Inspections Renfrew County

06/11/2026

🎉 Today marks Inspection # 100!

I'm proud to say that, in just 9 months of active operation, I have completed 100 inspections, many of those including septic, well, and WETT add-ons.

Thank you to all my clients, realtors, friends, and family for your trust, referrals, and support. I couldn't have done it without you.

On to the next 100! 🏠

Also, watch for trees.🤨They'll get ya when you least expect....

06/07/2026

"Forgot my tape today, but we can use my belt."

06/03/2026

More than just home inspections!

From septic and well inspections to radon testing, WETT inspections, and IAQ + mold sampling, there is a service to help bring peace of mind to homeowners and buyers across the Ottawa Valley.

Coming soon: Sewer Scope inspections.

06/01/2026

Remember - if you cut an entire floor joist, its only good for emotional support after.

05/28/2026

05/27/2026

Hot tubs are incredibly heavy — far heavier than many homeowners realize.

A fully loaded hot tub with water and occupants can easily exceed 4,000–6,000+ lbs. Unfortunately, many backyard decks were never designed to support that kind of concentrated load.

When building or replacing a hot tub deck, proper structural support is critical. Common deficiencies I often see include:

undersized framing
excessive spans
inadequate footings
settlement and movement
structural sagging over time

In many cases, the best solution is a properly prepared concrete pad with the deck built around the tub rather than supporting it directly.

If the hot tub will sit on a raised deck, the structure should typically include:
✔ Proper frost-depth footings
✔ Appropriately sized beams and joists
✔ Reinforcement and blocking
✔ Proper structural connectors and hardware
✔ Load considerations far beyond a standard deck build

A hot tub can be a great addition to a home — but only when the supporting structure is designed for the weight it will carry.

05/19/2026

ATTIC RAIN ☔🏠

Yes… your attic can actually “rain.”

During colder weather, warm moist air from inside the home can rise into the attic and condense on cold surfaces. When temperatures change, that frost can melt and drip back down onto the insulation and the ceiling below.

Possible signs can include:
• Frost on roof sheathing
• Wet insulation
• Mold growth
• Ceiling staining

Proper ventilation, insulation, and air sealing all play a major role in helping prevent attic rain.

Before you buy a home.....make sure to check the attic! (Or, I can do that for you)😎

05/14/2026

Who said inspections aren’t cool?

05/14/2026

Alright...Quiz time! Guess the insulation R-Value of some old wood-chips & other discarded wood pieces??

Also, if your buying a home I highly recommend an inspection😬

05/11/2026

Thermal imaging has huge benefits during a home inspection. This active leak showed up clearly on the camera, even though it wasn’t immediately obvious visually. Moisture meter confirmed a wet area. That’s why thermal imaging is included with every inspection!