Home Inspections Blog Articles

• Sep 18, 2017
• Justin Havre

Why Home Buyers Shouldn't Skip The Inspection

Almost one in four home buyers decides not to get a home inspection after they make a purchase offer on a home. This can cost you more than you possibly imagined. Here are four reasons to make that small investment, to avoid future. . .

• Feb 10, 2017
• Doug Bowman

Keeping Mold at Bay

• Jun 09, 2016
• Doug Bowman

How Does a Water Heater Work?

Conventional Storage Water Heaters   Conventional storage water heaters remain the most popular type of water heating system for the home. In this section, you'll find basic information about how storage water heaters work, what criteria. . .

• May 29, 2016
• Doug Bowman

A New Wave of Conservation

As part of a renewed energy conservation initiative, home inspectors are recommending the Government re-establish a home energy audit program. Coupled with incentives for upgrades, a home energy audit helps a home owner understand where there is. . .

• Apr 17, 2016
• Doug Bowman

What Are The Ways Water Can Penetrate a Calgary Home?

Water, in all its forms, is an ever-present fact of life, especially for homeowners.   Households commonly use and dispose of hundreds of gallons of tap water on a daily basis. Torrents of rainwater must be successfully shed by the roof and. . .

• Apr 14, 2016
• Doug Bowman

Replacement Windows for Improved Energy Efficiency: A Walk-Through Case Study

Replacement Windows for Improved Energy Efficiency: A Walk-Through Case Study by Michael Chotiner of The Home Depot   I'm not a building inspector, but as a former building contractor and a widely published home-improvement. . .

• Mar 27, 2016
• Doug Bowman

Keeping It Dry Inside

Keeping It Dry Inside In the same way water is an enemy of the structure outside, so moisture is the enemy of healthy living inside. Moisture inside the home is measured as relative humidity.   Humidity indoors higher than 40% in winter and. . .

• Mar 21, 2016
• Doug Bowman

Radon in Alberta

I was recently asked to do some research on Radon. I thought I would share the results with you. First of all, Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas. You cannot see, smell or taste radon. But it still may be a problem in your home.  When. . .

• Feb 04, 2016
• Doug Bowman

Removing Knob and Tube

The service comes from a pole in the alley or the yard and enters the house terminating in a fuse block with usually only one or two fuses that protect the whole house. Total electrical supply may be only 30-40 Amps vs today's 100 - 300 Amp. . .

• Jan 15, 2016
• Doug Bowman

How Code Changes Affect Home Inspections

How Code Changes Affect Home Inspections   A home is a snapshot of construction techniques and code requirements in effect at the time the house was built. As materials and technology changes over time, these changes are reflected in the. . .

• Dec 21, 2015
• Doug Bowman

What Really Matters in a Home Inspection

At Archer, we help you condense and distill hundreds of pages of information into critical segments. Here’s where you should invest your attention: Maintenance Recommendations Minor Imperfections and Deferred Maintenance Major. . .