Dear Barry,

Our family has an ongoing problem with shower temperature. Whenever someone takes a shower, everyone else must avoid using the plumbing. Flushing toilets, turning on faucets, doing laundry or washing dishes will make the shower flow turn cold. As a family of six, we take a lot of showers, so the inconvenience occurs frequently. The house is less than 25 years old; not old enough to need repiping (I hope). What could be causing this, and what can be done to fix it? --Gerald

Dear Gerald,  more...

Dear Barry,

I have performed more than 30 residential home inspections during my first year in business but am concerned that my tone deafness may prevent me from providing adequate inspections for my customers. I'm uncertain about continuing this new career because I'm unable to hear squeaky floors, mechanical noises or the sounds of faulty plumbing, just to give a few examples. What is your advice? --Ben

Dear Ben,  more...

Dear Barry,  more...

Dear Barry,  more...

Dear Barry,  more...

Dear Barry,  more...

Dear Barry,  more...

Dear Barry,  more...

Dear Barry,

I'm considering the purchase of a home that was built in 1951, and I have two questions:

1. Are plumbing systems from that era consistent with today's standards? (I think the pipes are steel.)

2. Are electrical systems of that age safe, and are they capable of providing enough power for today's electrical needs? --David

Dear David,  more...

Dear Barry,

The neighbors who live behind us have three large, but dead, cottonwood trees that border our back fence. A few years ago, our insurance company informed us that they would no longer insure our roof because it has wood shingles. If our neighbors' trees should fall on our roof, who would be responsible for the repair costs? --Leslie

Dear Leslie,

The exclusion of the roof by your insurance company may only involve fire damage or rain leakage.  more...

Dear Barry,

Our home is very old but was renovated in 1977. The people who are buying it hired a home inspector. The inspector said that our gas furnace violates the building code because it is installed in a bedroom closet. We had the home inspected before we bought it, and we've had it serviced every year since. But no one has ever told us that you can't have a gas furnace in a bedroom closet. Is this really in violation of code? --Justine

Dear Justine,  more...

Dear Barry,

We are about to have a new roof installed and have a question about venting our attic. We currently have a ridge vent and a power exhaust fan on the roof. Our roofing contractor says it is not good to have both and recommends eliminating the ridge vent. Do you agree with this advice, and if not, what do you recommend for attic ventilation? --Jerry

Dear Jerry,  more...

Dear Barry,  more...

Dear Barry,

I recently purchased a brand-new home and hired a home inspector before closing the deal, but the inspector did not give me a written report. He just reviewed his findings verbally by phone and then sent a bill for $750. When I complained about not receiving a written report, he discounted the fee to $600. This doesn't seem right to me. What should I do? --Thomas

Dear Thomas,  more...

Dear Barry,

I'm a newly certified home inspector. I am very detail-oriented and am striving to learn as much as possible about my new profession. But I'm concerned as I begin this new career that many real estate agents will be reluctant to refer my services because I'm so new in the industry and have no official inspections under my belt. How should I approach the topic of "field experience" when I network with real estate agents? I want them to know that I am a continual learner, an overachiever, and someone whom they can count on for their clients. --Keith  more...