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Lighted Picture Rail: Just like the MOMA!
Just did a basement condo with a long hallway covered in fabric wallpaper. Client wanted to hang a bunch of photos. Putting a bunch of...

Paul Cummins
Jun 13, 20201 min read


LEDS Come of Age: Warm Light 50 Watt Equivalent
Click on above image for link. The far light is the new LED 3 watt bulb. Same color as the 50 watt nearby. These are not really...

Paul Cummins
Jun 7, 20201 min read


Sign of the times: COVID summer gear
Yes that's sweat on my bald pate and the shirt is soaked through for the second time that day!

Paul Cummins
Jun 5, 20201 min read


Green walls!
So, you bought that perfect basement condo but you have a lot of concrete wall outside your unit. You can green it up with artificial...

Paul Cummins
May 21, 20201 min read


A Heck of a Deck!
This is a 16-year-old deck with one inch wood decking and wood railings. Never seen anything like it! At 15 years the one-inch boards...

Paul Cummins
May 19, 20201 min read


Butt Gaps: Not good for any of us.
The more I inspect, the more I respect the challenge of constructing a home. Products, codes and best practices are constantly changing....

Paul Cummins
May 2, 20202 min read


COVID RELIEF LOANS VS. PAYCHECK PROTECTION GRANTS
https://scalefactor.com/scaleblog/sba-coronavirus-emergency-loans/ Paycheck Protection turns out to be a grant for 2.5 months of salary. ...

Paul Cummins
Apr 6, 20201 min read


If I had a hammer...
In my water pipes I would attach these to my washing machine supplies. Finally gave up on my front opening washing machine with a bum...

Paul Cummins
Mar 26, 20201 min read



Paul Cummins
Mar 22, 20200 min read


Hot and Bollard 'Cause My Door is Dented
Click on image to buy covers for these nasty door dingers!

Paul Cummins
Mar 12, 20201 min read


Uphill of Egress Windows
This house is still under construction and will therefore get better grading, yet it shows what happens when there is no sealant around...

Paul Cummins
Mar 12, 20201 min read


Building new the old way at Mount Vernon
Note the overlap of shingles on the ridge. Today we would cover the ridge with cut flaps from asphalt shingles or with metal flashing. ...

Paul Cummins
Feb 24, 20201 min read


Windows of opportunity!
How to keep your old wood windows in style. These storm windows have hidden attachments on a window in Old Town Alexandria. Click on...

Paul Cummins
Feb 13, 20201 min read


100 Years Of Kitchen Appliances
Back to color in appliances. Please, no avocado, harvest gold or dusty rose! The retro look in this new kitchen hides lots of advances...

Paul Cummins
Jan 31, 20201 min read


Museums Need Home Inspectors Too!
Here is a Rodin sculpture in the Kreeger Museum (we have him to thank for GEICO) with failed seals in the windows behind.

Paul Cummins
Jan 28, 20201 min read


Old Joists Meet New Joists in Old Town Alexandria
Same strategy hundreds of years apart.

Paul Cummins
Jan 28, 20201 min read


Dystopian Flamingoes
Inspected 1847 house in background. This display captured the feeling of a grander time for this neighborhood. Hard not to take in the...

Paul Cummins
Jan 28, 20201 min read


When more humidity is desirable...
Too much moisture in the wrong place means mold! Not enough in the winter means dry skin and mucus membranes. I recommend individual...

Paul Cummins
Nov 27, 20191 min read


Dark Closet Floor No More!
Warm light turns on when you get near. Rechargable with USB. I have this plugged in to nearby receptacle. But works with regular...

Paul Cummins
Nov 16, 20191 min read


Beautifying Your Gas Meter
The gas company is supposed to come by and paint your meter. My experience is they won't come out unless your meter is leaking and might...

Paul Cummins
Nov 2, 20191 min read
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