News

Are You Social?Posted by admin on April 23rd, 2014

We are! Follow us on social media to get maintenance, home improvement and green building tips as well as links to relevant housing articles and neighborhood events for the Portland area.

Don’t be shy! We’re happy to help. If you have a question, ask us in any of these ways:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HomeGnomePDX

Twitter: @HomeGnomePDX

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/homegnome

Email: hello@dev.home-gnome.com

Call: 503-913-1281

Tip No. 5Posted by admin on April 22nd, 2014

Our inspector, Nicole, was in architecture for more than 13 years! Ask her about ideas for remodeling and additions at no extra charge when she inspects your home.

Toot toot!Posted by admin on April 21st, 2014

I’m not really the type of person to toot my own horn, but this article on Faces from the Neighborhood is so well-written and deserves a read! Learn a little about my history, my fascination with crawlspaces and why I gave up architecture.

Thanks to Lisa Ratzlaff for her wonderful interview and superb writing. She hit the nail on the head. Read the article here: Faces from the Neighborhood

Nicole in a crawlspace

If you’re looking for a realtor here in the Portland area, contact Lisa- she’ll take care of you!

Lisa Ratzlaff
Re/Max Equity Group
Cell: 971-200-5259
lratzlaff@equitygroup.com
www.realhomesinpdx.com

My Moisture Meter Is Ready For Its Next Home Inspection!Posted by admin on April 10th, 2014

moisture meter skin testI changed the battery and calibrated my moisture meter this morning. I also successfully tested my skin and it contains moisture, so that’s good… but how do I use my moisture meter in a home inspection?

I use my moisture meter anytime I see moisture stains or have pinpointed a suspicious area that needs checking. Common areas that I check with my meter are:

  • Ceilings and walls (particularly at chimneys and at potential plumbing and roof leaks)
  • walls/ceilings/floors near plumbing
  • in basements and crawlspaces under plumbing and where foundations show previous or current leaks

My moisture meter is an invaluable tool to have in a home inspection and I use it a lot (mostly just to be sure) but surprisingly, I don’t usually find an alarming amount moisture. (Testing wood is tricky because it naturally contains moisture.) It’s even more difficult to detect moisture during the summer months when it hasn’t rained for a while so little moisture is present from a lack of rain.

If the house you’re getting inspected has had leaks or moisture issues in the past that the realtor and client know about, let me know so I can check it with my meter!