Old Homes, New Problems: What Inspection Reveals

This week, Jamie explores the unique challenges of inspecting older homes. Drawing on his experience as a home inspection expert, he shares key insights for prospective homeowners, real estate agents, and investors considering the purchase of vintage properties.

He’ll explore what to look for before buying, everything from aging plumbing and outdated electrical systems to potential structural concerns and environmental hazards like asbestos and lead paint. He also explains why understanding a home’s history and conducting a thorough inspection are essential steps that help you avoid costly surprises.

Plant Life: Balancing Beauty and Health in Your Home

This week, Jamie dives into the many ways plants can transform our homes, for better and sometimes for worse. From boosting curb appeal and improving indoor air quality to lowering energy costs, greenery brings plenty of benefits to residential spaces. But without proper care, vegetation can also cause problems like foundation damage and water issues. 

Join Jamie as he explores how to strike the right balance, so you can enjoy the beauty and health perks of plants while avoiding the hidden risks.

Problems Lurking in the Attic

Your attic might be hiding more than just holiday decorations. From rodents and bats to outdated insulation and lurking mold, this often-overlooked space can pose serious health risks and damage your home’s structure. 

In this episode, Jamie breaks down how pests can destroy wiring and insulation, why asbestos and old materials are a danger, and the importance of routine inspections. Learn how proactive attic maintenance can save you from costly repairs and keep your home safe.

From Iceboxes to Smart Kitchens: The Convenience Paradox

How is our reliance on modern appliances shaping both our daily routines and our broader lifestyle?

This week, Jamie explores the history and impact of key kitchen appliances, highlighting how they’ve shaped modern home life. From the refrigerator and electric stove to the microwave and dishwasher, he traces their evolution from simple inventions to essential household tools. Along the way, he reflects on the paradox of convenience: despite all these technological advancements designed to save time, many of us feel busier than ever. 

LED Lighting: Bright Ideas for Energy Savings

This week on Thoughts from the Crawlspace, Jamie sheds light on the pros and cons of LED lighting, a technology that’s quickly becoming the go-to choice for modern homes. He breaks down why LEDs outperform traditional incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, from their long lifespan and energy savings to being safer for the environment.

But LEDs aren’t perfect. He also covers the downsides, like higher upfront costs and differences in light quality across brands. Plus, he offers practical tips for homeowners, including where LEDs are most effective and how to select the ideal brightness (in lumens) and color quality (CRI) for your space.

Healthy Air, Healthy Home

This week on Thoughts from the Crawlspace, Jamie discusses indoor air quality. More specifically, the hidden dangers of air fresheners. They’re marketed as quick fixes to make our homes smell better, but the reality is they may be doing more harm than good.

Instead of cleaning the air, many of these products actually release volatile organic compounds, VOCs, and other toxic substances that can negatively affect our health. He breaks down where these indoor pollutants come from, things like everyday household products, cleaning supplies, and certain building materials. From choosing safer, natural alternatives to understanding product labels, Jamie shares practical steps you can take to make your living space healthier.

How To Spot Foundation Failures Early

This week on Thoughts from the Crawlspace, Jamie tackles one of the most overlooked parts of your home: the foundation. You’ll learn the eleven key warning signs that could point to foundation problems, why spotting them early can save you from costly repairs, and how to protect your property from lasting damage.

He kicks things off by exploring famous examples of foundation failure, from the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa to a collapsed luxury high-rise in Texas, illustrating just how devastating these issues can be. From wall cracks to stubborn doors and windows, Jamie explains not only what to look for, but what might be causing it.

Must-Do Home Maintenance Tasks Before Summer Ends

As summer winds down, it’s the perfect time to tackle some essential home maintenance to get your property ready for fall and the colder months ahead. In this episode, Jamie breaks down 15 key tasks every homeowner should complete before the season changes.

From clearing out and servicing gutters to inspecting your roof for wear and tear, he’ll walk you through practical steps to protect your home from costly winter damage. He also covers important maintenance tips for critical systems like HVAC and plumbing to ensure everything runs safely and efficiently.

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Garage Door Maintenance 101

This week on Thoughts from the Crawlspace, Jamie dives into why garage door maintenance is more important than most people realize. From keeping your family safe to avoiding costly repairs, he breaks down the key steps every homeowner should take to keep their garage door running smoothly.

Jamie covers practical tips like how often to lubricate moving parts, why proper alignment matters, and how to spot warning signs of wear on springs and cables. You’ll also hear about the hidden risks of neglecting your garage door, especially when it comes to the safety of kids and pets.

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The Kitchen Checkup: Function, Safety, and Compliance

In this episode, Jamie takes a deep dive into one of the most important parts of any home inspection, the kitchen appliances. From dishwashers to ovens, fridges to garbage disposals, these everyday essentials play a huge role in how a home functions. But are they safe? Are they working the way they should?

Jamie breaks down what home inspectors really look for when they evaluate these appliances. He’s talking about everything from performance and energy efficiency to safety features and red flags you definitely don’t want to miss.

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Home Inspections Explained: What’s Covered, What’s Not, and Why It Matters

This week on Thoughts from the Crawlspace, Jamie breaks down the essential elements of a home inspection, especially the exterior features that deserve a closer look. He walks through what’s typically covered in an inspection and what’s not, including common exclusions like swimming pools and spas.

You’ll also learn the key differences between a home inspection and an appraisal, and why it’s important not to confuse the two. While appraisals estimate market value, inspections focus strictly on the condition of the property.

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What a Home Inspection Really Covers: Separating Fact from Fiction

This week on Thoughts from the Crawlspace, Jamie dives into what a home inspection is and what it isn’t. The main goal? To uncover hidden issues that could impact the safety, value, or function of a home, not to appraise its market worth or judge its style.

Jamie clears up common misconceptions about inspections and explains why a thorough check usually takes two to four hours to cover everything properly. You’ll learn about the key systems inspected, like plumbing and electrical, and what falls outside the scope of a typical inspection. 

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Common Inspection Questions

This week on Thoughts from the Crawlspace, Jamie unpacks the often-overlooked details of home inspections, answering common questions from both past and future clients. He shines a light on hidden issues inside a home, especially the frequent but hard-to-spot problem of water damage. From mold and moisture to concerns about structural integrity, Jamie covers the most common challenges and explains why a thorough inspection is critical to protecting your investment.

Whether you’re a homeowner, real estate agent, or investor, our goal is to equip you with practical knowledge to better understand and care for your property!

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Beyond the Inspection: Essential Home Safety Services You Need to Know

This week on Thoughts from the Crawlspace, Jamie goes beyond the standard home inspection to uncover the critical ancillary services every homeowner, buyer, and real estate professional should know. From radon testing (a top concern as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.) to wood-destroying insect inspections, sewer line scans, water quality checks, and more, he breaks down what each service is, why it matters, and when to use it.  

Whether you’re maintaining your current home or preparing for a purchase, this episode will help you make smarter, safer decisions.

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Navigating Home Inspections: FAQs and What You Need To Know

This week on Thoughts from the Crawlspace, Jamie breaks down the most common questions clients have about home inspections, helping you feel confident and informed throughout the process. Jamie starts by discussing inspection costs and what factors can affect the price, like property size and any extra services you might need. Then, he covers how long an inspection usually takes (around three hours for an average home) and why the age of the property can change that timeline.

He also explains why it’s valuable for clients to be present during the inspection so they get a full understanding of what’s found. 

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Attic Ventilation: Protecting Your Home from Moisture and Mold

This week on Thoughts from the Crawlspace, Jamie talks about the importance of attic ventilation, a topic that often eludes the attention it truly warrants until complications arise. As the summer heat intensifies, the efficacy of attic ventilation becomes critical, as it plays a pivotal role in preventing moisture accumulation, averting the development of mold, mildew, and structural rot. 

Listen as Jamie explores the ramifications of inadequate ventilation and shares how to assess your attic ventilation, as well as strategies to enhance it for the well-being of your home.

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