Author Archives: mikew

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  They’re moving in with cooler weather

  Posted on October 10, 2018 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  Cooling weather is very inviting for outdoor rodents looking for a safe, comfortable place where they can move to the top of the food chain. After summer play, yard work and house maintenance it is advisable to check the condition of your crawlspace access. It may have been bumped ajar or finally reached the end […]

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  Have you ever found crawlspace treasures?

  Posted on September 30, 2018 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  This is a question I am frequently asked or the variation, “Have you found any bodies?” Nope. Y’all have watched too movies. But if I ever find one there’s bound to be another movie made about it! No cash stashes or valuable treasures. But here are some of the things I have found… Old-style pop cans […]

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  Wide Clearance Required

  Posted on September 20, 2018 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  There are a few areas that require wide clearance for proper and safe operation. Be sure your electrical panel is kept accessible and clear of all storage. As a rule of thumb I recommend a 3′ by 3′ by 3′ by 3′ space in front, beside, above and below the panel. I had one inspection […]

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  Here comes the rain (and) fall – 3 things to do

  Posted on September 19, 2018 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  There a few things you can take care of to prepare your house for the impending wet season. Replace your furnace filter. If it is a washable, hose it out and air dry it before replacing it in the furnace. If it is disposable, take a look at the measurements and buy a replacement at […]

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  Allowing your attic to vent a little

  Posted on June 30, 2018 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  Have you ever wondered about those square black boxes on house roofs? What about those round holes cut into the eaves? Ever wondered where all the moisture and heat goes in your house? Let me answer those questions by explaining your attic ventilation. Hot air and moisture escape from the attic through four common vents, […]

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  Mystery Household Component

  Posted on June 10, 2018 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  As my inspections conclude I take time to download and label all my pictures so that I can remember and keep straight what I’m looking at. Sometimes I will take a picture and 90 minutes later it becomes a mystery household component that I struggle to identify. This picture is one that I thought some […]

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  Super Mario Mushroom

  Posted on May 30, 2018 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  Fungi result in intriguing mushrooms of various shapes and color! I was in an older house a few weeks back and came across something that reminded me of my junior high school years of playing Super Mario Brothers, a perfectly formed mushroom. I admired it and wondered what would happen if I ate it… but […]

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  Decks need a leg to stand on

  Posted on May 10, 2018 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  Barbecues are firing up and cushions are getting placed on outdoor furniture as life on our decks returns – at least for four months of sunny Seattle weather! As we do so I’ve been noticing several problems with decks that are often missed or neglected: #1 – The deck should be secured with bolts to […]

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  Houses to flip over!

  Posted on April 30, 2018 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  In this market many folks have found investment opportunities fixing up run down houses. As an inspector I’ve entered countless “flips” and there are some things that are good signs, and some not so good signs. I operate from the perspective that we ought to do right by one another – it doesn’t take Biblical […]

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  Ladder Advice

  Posted on March 10, 2018 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  I’m convinced that the most dangerous tool that homeowners own is a ladder. One of my recent continuing education courses reviewed ladder safety. Watching the re-enactment videos was sobering and put a healthy fear in me about climbing to places that only monkeys, squirrels and birds dare live! Here’s some advice I have for those […]

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