Barry Stone
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Owner, inspector disagree over water heater safetyFeb 20, 2022 5:00 am - Q: We just replaced the water heater in our garage. Unfortunately, the building inspector will not approve the installation. The raised platform under the water heater i...
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Blanket indictment of home inspectors is unfairFeb 13, 2022 5:00 am - Q: I'm not particularly impressed with the quality or integrity of the home inspection profession and would like to express my dissatisfaction in two particular areas: •...
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Stubborn garage door closerFeb 06, 2022 5:00 am - Q: My garage door closer only works if I press the button continuously until the door is fully closed. If I remove my finger from the button while the door is closing, t...
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Excessive moisture in home caused by buried air ductsJan 30, 2022 5:00 am - Q: I bought my house over three years ago and have had seasonal problems with wet ceilings since. After replacing the roof and rain gutters, I learned the problem was mo...
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Homeowner frustrated with door leaksJan 23, 2022 5:00 am - Q: Every time it rains, our sliding glass door leaks. Water seeps in at the corners of the threshold, soaking the carpet and rotting the subfloor. We've caulked the thre...
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Buyer afraid to trust agent's home inspectorJan 16, 2022 5:00 am - Q: My real estate agent advised me to hire a particular home inspector, but I'm suspicious. The source of my concern is a magazine article that encouraged homebuyers not...
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Reader demands honest clarityJan 09, 2022 5:00 am - Q: Do you research the issues you write about before answering people's questions, or do you simply shoot from the hip? Here's why I ask. In a recent column, you spoke a...
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Rules for smoke alarms now 20 years oldDec 26, 2021 5:00 am - Q: Are smoke alarms required to be hardwired and networked together throughout a home? If so, when did these standards take effect? A: Smoke alarms in dwellings must be ...
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Homebuyer has roof dilemmaDec 19, 2021 5:00 am - Q: The home I'm buying has an old shingle roof. There are no signs of leakage in the house, but my home inspector said the roof will probably need replacement in about t...
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Waste water from neighbor's laundryDec 05, 2021 5:00 am - Q: We live in a rural neighborhood, with septic systems rather than sewers. Nearly everyone here drains their laundry into a backyard sump pit to prevent detergents from...