Nikki's Blog

Hey Guys..... I hope all is well with everyone! Keeping busy I hope!!!! So here is my issue this week.... I have never seen this before and was hoping to get some insight from my fellow home inspectors out there. I have looked through my books and other information that I have on water heaters b...

Inside Dryer Venting... What are your thoughts on this?  I took the best photo I could with out moving this person's dryer....  I noticed all kinds of dust and debri in and around the area.  I am looking for comments on how one feels about "inside dryer venting, vs.  venting to the outside.  Nikk...

I thought this was a great photo to share with everyone.  Yesterday after an inspection I spotted these stairs out of the corner of my eye.  My thoughts were "what a great photo to add to my collection".  So I thought I would share it with all of you as my Photo of the Day!     Nikki Marlatt-Youn...

Water & Electric   Ok ..... I have always learned water and electric does not mix. We should all agree on that (I hope)!    So let's say a water pipe located directly above the main electrical panel freezes and bursts.   The main panel, the breakers, wires, light fixtures, outlets, etc.  have all...

Last night I was visiting family in PA.   I noticed the ceiling has this black soot type stains in the corners and following the truss line in the off room / sitting area, located near the front door and stairway.   There is no fireplace located in the area and the kitchen is located on the other...

Up coming event in Baltimore County   Baltimore County's 350th Year Anniversary Event  On Saturday, Feb. 14th 2009 at 1:00pm, Baltimore County will mark its 350th anniversary at the Benjamin Bannekar Park / Historical Museum.  The museum is located at 300 Oella Ave, Catonsville MD 21228.  This ev...

Where have all the good ROOFERS gone and where are all the gods?  Where's the street wise hercules to fight the rising odds?   Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery seed?  Late at night I toss and I turn and I dream of what I need......  I need a ROOFER    I'm holding out for a good ROOFER.  He...

  I always thought that "Alligatoring" is a characteristic of asphalt, and occurs with aging.  Can a rubber roof have alligatoring? One of my rental properties has a rubber roof... The renter called to say that the roof was leaking so, I called a roofer this afternoon to go check out the problem....

So I was sitting here looking at some past photos I have taken over time and thought... hmmm  wonder if anyone else has any really cool photos of shame they can share?  Here are some of my photos and a little  caption of what was going through my mind when I was taking the photo....  What Nikki w...

News Update from James T. Smith Jr., County Executive Rental Registration Program SuccessfulNearly 12,000 Addresses Now On File Towson, Md. (February 3, 2009) — Baltimore County officials released information today demonstrating significant compliance with the County's rental registration legisla...