Carey Home Inspection, LLC

06/04/2026

Cast iron pipes have a long life. They can last about 100 year. That is only back to about 1926. In the northeast we see houses from the late 1800's and early 1900's all the time. Unfortunately, this material is coming to the end of its useful life in many homes. Because of its weight it can be costly to replace, even with new PVC material. Leaking, cracked, or damaged cast iron pipes are a common plumbing issue we find in many inspections.

06/03/2026

Just because the water goes down the drain doesn't make it right. There are at least five things wrong with this drain. Can you name them all?

06/02/2026

Ventless gas heaters vent carbon monoxide and other gases into the living area. They can only be run for a short while, need a window opened, and should not be used unattended or while sleeping. These are not permitted in some states and should never be considered the only permanent heat in a dwelling. They are allowed in each state we work in, but a warning to follow the manufacturers instructions is in our inspection report whenever we see them.

06/01/2026

That leak around the bathroom fan may not be from the roof. It can be from the bathroom fan. If the vent material is not properly insulated, condensation can form inside the material from the moist hot air and then drip down through the fan. This is just one of the many moisture intrusion issue we look for in a home inspection.

05/30/2026

Gutters are not required on homes, but they are recommended. If they are present, gutters must work correctly. Bad gutters can be worse than no gutters. Gutters are just one of the hundreds of things we check in a home inspection.

05/29/2026

Testing appliances such as stoves, refrigerators and dishwashers is excluded in many home inspection requirements. That doesn't stop us from testing them for you. No one wants to move into their new home and not be able to heat up dinner the first night!

05/28/2026

Exposed electrical comes in many forms and can be found through out a house from the attic to the basement and everywhere in between, inside and outside. Never skip the home inspection, we focus on safety!

05/27/2026

A barometric damper (also known as a draft regulator) is an automatic, weighted mechanical valve installed in the flue exhaust pipe of oil, gas, or coal-burning heating systems to regulate and stabilize chimney draft. By balancing pressure differentials, it prevents excessive airflow from pulling valuable heat out of your furnace or boiler, ensuring peak fuel efficiency and safe combustion. These are most commonly found on oil burning appliances in our area.

05/26/2026

Water is something we can't live without. If buying a house with a well, never skip a well flow test and a water quality test. Always get the best water test you can reasonable afford taking into consideration the property. You can't test for everything, but you can test for what may be present in the water. Your home inspector can help with suggestions.

05/04/2026