The Three Little Pigs: A Masonry Fairy Tale
It’s funny how much truth there is in fairy tales. One of my favorite fairy tales, The Three Little Pigs, holds a lot of truth for homebuyers today. Recent green building standards have encouraged people to build home out of straw bails, yet wood frame homes compose the vast majority of the buildings that Read More
Flashing and Weep Hole HORRORS!!!
In the last week I have inspected four more buildings with huge problems related to the mistakes in masonry and construction detailing while the building was being built. In every case, the required flashing and weep holes were missing over windows and doors or they were poorly installed, sending water into the building. It makes Read More
Stairway to Heaven
Three weeks ago I spent an entire day in a North Shore single family home where the buyer was demanding that the seller repurchase the property. The main topic of examination and cross examination involved the installation of three flights of stairs in the new building. First, some background: The house was sold in the Read More
Want Mold? You Got It!!!
Your home is probably the perfect environment for mold to flourish. Mold spores simply need a little condensation and some type of organic substance, such as wood or cloth, to use as nourishment. Give these two conditions, and in no time mold will be engulfing your bathroom tiles or basement walls. Not only are the Read More
Water Infiltration Getting You Down?
In the last month Tomacor has completed more than a dozen building inspections that have water infiltration problems through new roofs and new masonry walls. Overall, the quality of the construction detailing installed by masons and roofers is very poor and usually without regard for primary components that keep water out of masonry buildings such Read More
Free Seminar Series: Basics of Property Inspection Work
Come Hear a 20-year Property Inspection Professional Discuss the Business and Find Out How You Can Start Earning an Extra Income Part-Time. SEMINAR I: DECEMBER 3, 2008, 7PM–9PM Business Opportunities in Home Inspection SEMINAR II: DECEMBER 18, 2008, 7PM–9PM How-To Conduct an Inspection and Keep Clients Coming Back SEMINAR III JANUARY 15, 2008, 7PM–9PM Extras: Legal and and Consulting Work RSVP Required — Contact (312) 475-0835 or email Inspection@Tomacor.com! Read More
Winter Inspector Training Courses
Become a Home Inspection Professional With the pre-licensing home inspector course from the Illinois Inspector Training Institute. Earn a full-time income working part-time! Top Construction Job Applicants Want This Credential! Popular amongst skilled trade workers, police and fire fighters, attorneys, and contractors. 10-Day Intensive Pre-Licensing Course (Prepares you to sit for the State Exam). February 2 - 13, 2009, Read More
Tomacor is The Industry Training Leader
Come to one of our “Open House” trainings and learn the secrets of pre-purchase inspecting; held on the first Saturday of the month on most months. “Come on down” and learn to pre-qualify a home before your offer. Read More
Common Problems in New Construction Projects
Here are just a sampling of the common problems that we discover in new home construction. These are not the limits by any means, but these should provide a glimpse of common issues that arise during new construction projects. 1. Poor heating and air conditioning distribution in multilevel units. 2. Over 80% of new construction projects fail Read More
