A-Train Blog

Every single US state and their requirements to become a home inspector! Requirements for a Home Inspector License in Alabama State Requirements Home inspectors are regulated in Alabama and must renew their license annually. No continuing education is required. The Division of Construction Management is the regulating body. To become

Winterizing Your Home Tips for Winterizing your home: Check exterior caulking around windows and doors to insure there are no gaps.  This will help prevent air and moisture intrusion. Check weather stripping around exterior doors and repair or replace as necessary. Treat fire ant mounds in the yard.  Often they

Proper Site Drainage for Residential Buildings Many homeowners are unaware of how much slope (grade) is needed around a house foundation. This is an important issue, because if land grading is not done properly, runoff can be directed toward your foundation. This unwanted water can eventually compromise its integrity. If the ground

Indications You Have a Foundation Problem How can you determine if you have a foundation problem?   It’s not as big a mystery as many might think.  If the structure of your house appears to be moving, you should get your foundation checked by a qualified contractor or licensed professional engineer. 

What is an Arc Fault? Most people are familiar with the term arcing. Arcing may be intended, such as with an arc welder or unintended, such as when a tree falls on a power line during a storm creating a current discharge between conductors or to the ground. An arc

What is a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter? A ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is there to protect people from electrical shock, so it is completely different from a fuse. This is different from a circuit breaker or fuse. The idea behind a fuse is to protect a house from an electrical fire. If the

Why Bond Gas Piping? Bonding is provided primarily to prevent a possible electric shock hazard for persons coming into contact with the gas piping and other metal objects that are connected to the grounding system, but which may be energized at a different level of electrical potential.  Gas piping can

Air Duct Maintenance Do you really need to pay good money to have your air ducts cleaned? The short answer is “probably not.” But before you call up dad to chant “I told you so,” it’s important to understand why you probably don’t need to do it — and why we just italicized “probably.” (Because