Resources & Links
Useful websites for all your home needs and improvements. Items that are underlined can be clicked
on to go directly to websites.
Air Filters - This site has filters for just about everything. They have the largest selection of Filtrete
filters by 3M at excellent prices for your home HVAC air returns. Also check out their own in-house
filter that they manufacture called the Accumulair. I’ve been buying the Accumulair Merv 11 rating
(24 X 24 X 1) at $9.99 and save $9.00 per filter compared to the national brand. You also can sign
up for their free E-mail Reminder Program where they will email you when it’s time to change your
house filter.
Concrete Leveling - There is a company here in Richmond called A1 Concrete that has the ability
to level up sunken concrete. Whether it be a sidewalk, a patio, a garage floor, any concrete slab
that has sunk...there's a good chance that it can be repaired by A1 Concrete.
Crawlspaces. This is the one area of the house where most Homeowners have no idea of what's
going on. During a typical week of doing home inspections, the crawlspace is where many defects /
issues are found. Many of these issues deals with moisture problems (caused from the exterior) and
many issues are related to the lack of proper crawlspace ventilation.
There are some new thoughts on the subject of crawlspace ventilation. Two new methods that are
now being used in Richmond and have shown some positive results are the "unvented crawlspace"
and the "conditioned crawlspace." The "unvented crawlspace" would be more of a retrofit for
existing houses, where as the "conditioned crawlspace" is more for new construction. Here's a
great article (with diagrams) written by Dominion Virginia Power, click crawlspaces.
Easy Closets - This is a great website, an excellent company, and some awesome products.
Whatever your closet needs might be, your solution is close at hand. Design your own closet on
their website, see the actual price quote as you are making changes to your design, and real live
people to call if you have questions. Quick delivery (3 days to Richmond) and very easy to install.
My wife and I installed our large walk-in closet with no problems, all the pieces went together just
perfect. We saved $2,500 when compared to other installed quotes from the local franchise closet
companies.
Energy Saving Items - Here are some great items that offer very fast payback and significant
energy savings each and every year.
Attic pull-down stairs. This is an excellent insulated attic stair for new construction. High
quality, reasonably priced.
Attic hatch or pull-down stair, insulated covers. This is a fantastic item that cuts off the
tremendous heat loss (in winter) or heat gain (in summer) that occurs around the attic
hatch or pull-down stairs. This is an R-39 insulated cover that sits up in the attic, right
above the attic hatch or pull-down stairs.
Hot Water Heater Timer. The average electric hot water heater is working 24 / 7. Why use
electricity to heat your hot water while you're at work 8 hours each day or even when you
are sleeping? With the Little Gray Box timer you are able to control when you want hot
water available. This is a no-brainer, pay back time for this little item is a matter of months.
Available at Lowe's, Home Depot, Amazon, and many places.
Attic Exhaust Fans. The attics here in Richmond can reach 140°. Electronic attic fans are a
must to reduce the amount of hot attic air that is radiating back into the house. Cooler
attics mean lower cooling bills.
"Green" Websites - This is a great resource for all things "green."
Hardboard Siding - This is an excellent paper that covers the entire hardboard siding industry. It
includes numerous pictures of al the different types of hardboard siding and information on the class
action law suits that occurred (and have now run out).
Home Depot
Landscape USA - Find all types of landscape tips and products to make your yard the talk of the
town.
Leaf Guard Gutters - The Leaf Guard Gutter system is without a doubt the best thing going. This
system is guaranteed to never clog (and it's the truth). It's amazing how this system works and it's
even designed to handle up to 22" of rain water per hour (without spilling over). I have the Leaf
Guard system on my house, many friends and associates have it on their houses, and we even
have it on our church. What an incredible feeling of never having to clean a gutter again.
Lowe's
Lomanco Ventilation Products - Residential ventilation of all types, all by one company and at
one website. Gable louvers, roof louvers, ridge vents, turbine attic ventilators, power attic ventilators,
foundations vents of all types and their specialty…a powered crawlspace vent. Lomanco makes
quality products that are designed for a multitude of purposes.
Virginia Dominion Power - There's a ton of useful information on this website. Check out the free
online energy calculator that will help you understand your energy use and suggest the best ways to
save.
Health & Safety Issues
Asbestos - Excellent information concerning asbestos.
Lead - This site offers information concerning the possibility of lead in a household.
Mold - This is a great source of information from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Useful websites for all your home needs and improvements. Items that are underlined can be clicked
on to go directly to websites.
Air Filters - This site has filters for just about everything. They have the largest selection of Filtrete
filters by 3M at excellent prices for your home HVAC air returns. Also check out their own in-house
filter that they manufacture called the Accumulair. I’ve been buying the Accumulair Merv 11 rating
(24 X 24 X 1) at $9.99 and save $9.00 per filter compared to the national brand. You also can sign
up for their free E-mail Reminder Program where they will email you when it’s time to change your
house filter.
Concrete Leveling - There is a company here in Richmond called A1 Concrete that has the ability
to level up sunken concrete. Whether it be a sidewalk, a patio, a garage floor, any concrete slab
that has sunk...there's a good chance that it can be repaired by A1 Concrete.
Crawlspaces. This is the one area of the house where most Homeowners have no idea of what's
going on. During a typical week of doing home inspections, the crawlspace is where many defects /
issues are found. Many of these issues deals with moisture problems (caused from the exterior) and
many issues are related to the lack of proper crawlspace ventilation.
There are some new thoughts on the subject of crawlspace ventilation. Two new methods that are
now being used in Richmond and have shown some positive results are the "unvented crawlspace"
and the "conditioned crawlspace." The "unvented crawlspace" would be more of a retrofit for
existing houses, where as the "conditioned crawlspace" is more for new construction. Here's a
great article (with diagrams) written by Dominion Virginia Power, click crawlspaces.
Easy Closets - This is a great website, an excellent company, and some awesome products.
Whatever your closet needs might be, your solution is close at hand. Design your own closet on
their website, see the actual price quote as you are making changes to your design, and real live
people to call if you have questions. Quick delivery (3 days to Richmond) and very easy to install.
My wife and I installed our large walk-in closet with no problems, all the pieces went together just
perfect. We saved $2,500 when compared to other installed quotes from the local franchise closet
companies.
Energy Saving Items - Here are some great items that offer very fast payback and significant
energy savings each and every year.
Attic pull-down stairs. This is an excellent insulated attic stair for new construction. High
quality, reasonably priced.
Attic hatch or pull-down stair, insulated covers. This is a fantastic item that cuts off the
tremendous heat loss (in winter) or heat gain (in summer) that occurs around the attic
hatch or pull-down stairs. This is an R-39 insulated cover that sits up in the attic, right
above the attic hatch or pull-down stairs.
Hot Water Heater Timer. The average electric hot water heater is working 24 / 7. Why use
electricity to heat your hot water while you're at work 8 hours each day or even when you
are sleeping? With the Little Gray Box timer you are able to control when you want hot
water available. This is a no-brainer, pay back time for this little item is a matter of months.
Available at Lowe's, Home Depot, Amazon, and many places.
Attic Exhaust Fans. The attics here in Richmond can reach 140°. Electronic attic fans are a
must to reduce the amount of hot attic air that is radiating back into the house. Cooler
attics mean lower cooling bills.
"Green" Websites - This is a great resource for all things "green."
Hardboard Siding - This is an excellent paper that covers the entire hardboard siding industry. It
includes numerous pictures of al the different types of hardboard siding and information on the class
action law suits that occurred (and have now run out).
Home Depot
Landscape USA - Find all types of landscape tips and products to make your yard the talk of the
town.
Leaf Guard Gutters - The Leaf Guard Gutter system is without a doubt the best thing going. This
system is guaranteed to never clog (and it's the truth). It's amazing how this system works and it's
even designed to handle up to 22" of rain water per hour (without spilling over). I have the Leaf
Guard system on my house, many friends and associates have it on their houses, and we even
have it on our church. What an incredible feeling of never having to clean a gutter again.
Lowe's
Lomanco Ventilation Products - Residential ventilation of all types, all by one company and at
one website. Gable louvers, roof louvers, ridge vents, turbine attic ventilators, power attic ventilators,
foundations vents of all types and their specialty…a powered crawlspace vent. Lomanco makes
quality products that are designed for a multitude of purposes.
Virginia Dominion Power - There's a ton of useful information on this website. Check out the free
online energy calculator that will help you understand your energy use and suggest the best ways to
save.
Health & Safety Issues
Asbestos - Excellent information concerning asbestos.
Lead - This site offers information concerning the possibility of lead in a household.
Mold - This is a great source of information from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Phone 804-334-3307
www.richmondinspections.com
www.richmondinspections.com