Brian Wetzel's (bwetzel1) Blog

Q. If my basement was flooded, do I need to replace my gas-fired water heater? It appears to be working fine. According to the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA) most heating, cooling and electrical appliances should be replaced, rather than repaired, when exposed to flooding. The GA...

  What is Carbon Monoxide? Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, tasteless poisonous gas. When inhaled, it readily enters the bloodstream ultimately depriving the heart and brain of oxygen. Signs of CO poisoning include fatigue, headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion and irritability....

A steady, reliable supply of hot water in our homes is an important part of living comfortably. With proper maintenance, hot water heaters can last for 12 years or more. Fortunately, most water heaters (whether run by electricity, oil or gas) experience few mechanical failures, They do, however, ...

Question: A serviceman told me the reason my clothes don't dry fully is because my clothes-dryer vent is clogged with lint. He wants to open the wall to replace the estimated 15 feet of duct in the wall, which he claims will be a major job in my house. Do you think I'm getting a straight story? A...

This information has been compiled to assist homebuyers and home owners in their understanding of the issues common to residential electric systems. All electric work should be performed by a qualified licensed electrician. In some cases, the presence of electric defects, problematic components,...

Most residential air conditioning systems are electric compressor-cycle systems. This type system includes the basic window or through-the-wall unit, as well as central (whole house) air conditioning systems. Central air conditioning systems are typically either packaged units, which have all ma...

Termites can take a bite out of your home's value unless you get them where they live. Insects can cause more damage than moisture problems. Fortunately, you can perform a thorough inspection in less than an hour. The secret is knowing where to look. Termites don't live in your floors or framing...

Radon is an odorless, colorless radioactive gas, which is formed by the natural breakdown of uranium. Radon can be found in high concentrations in rock and soil that contains granite, shale, phosphate and uranium, or even fill soil containing industrial waste. Radon can be present in any area, bu...

A professional home inspection helps consumers learn about the condition of a home before making a purchase, but not all home inspectors are created equal. According to HouseMaster, the oldest and most experienced name in home inspections, consumers often only ask for information about fees, but...

Price negotiations are a part of most real estate deals. Sellers usually brace themselves as the buyer's home inspector combs through the house, but sellers do not need to feel powerless and anxious. Sellers are better positioned to fend off unrealistic price negotiations by getting a pre-listing...