Matt Saliga - Nashville’s Trusted Home Inspector

07/04/2026

06/30/2026

🚿🔥 Is Your Water Heater Set Too Hot?

One of the most overlooked safety and maintenance items in a home is the water heater temperature setting.

Many homeowners never check it.

Modern safety recommendations generally recognize approximately **120°F** as a practical balance between comfort, energy efficiency, and scald prevention for most households.

Why does this matter?

Water that is too hot can become a serious safety concern, especially for:

👶 Young children
👵 Older adults
♿ Individuals with reduced mobility or sensitivity

At higher temperatures, severe burns can occur surprisingly quickly. As water temperature increases, the time required to cause a serious scald injury decreases dramatically.

🏠 Benefits of maintaining a water heater near 120°F may include:

✅ Reduced risk of scalding injuries
✅ Lower energy consumption
✅ Reduced operating costs
✅ Less stress on water heater components
✅ Improved equipment longevity
✅ Reduced mineral buildup and sediment-related issues over time

Many homeowners are surprised to learn that excessively high water temperatures can also place additional wear on plumbing fixtures, shutoff valves, appliance components, and water heater systems.

During a home inspection, excessively hot water temperatures are often noted because they can represent both a safety concern and an indication that the water heater may require adjustment.

🔍 Modern plumbing and safety standards place significant emphasis on reducing preventable burn hazards within the home, particularly in bathrooms where occupants are often most vulnerable.

A simple temperature adjustment may improve safety, reduce energy costs, and help extend the service life of one of the hardest-working appliances in your home.

🏠 First-time homeowners: understanding your home's plumbing systems and performing basic maintenance checks can help prevent costly repairs and improve safety for your family.

06/27/2026

🔥🚨 Unsafe Gas Shutoff Location Found at a Ventless Fireplace

This is a great example of why even relatively small installation details can create significant safety concerns.

In this home, the gas shutoff valve serving the ventless fireplace was located directly behind the fireplace logs. While the valve was present, access to it was obstructed by the log set itself.

Why is this important?

The gas shutoff valve is intended to provide a readily accessible means of stopping the flow of gas to the appliance when maintenance, repairs, emergencies, or operational issues occur.

When shutoff valves are difficult to access, homeowners may not be able to quickly respond if:

🔥 A gas leak is suspected
🔥 The appliance malfunctions
🔥 Service or repairs are needed
🔥 An emergency situation develops

Modern installation practices generally call for appliance shutoff valves to be installed in locations that are accessible without requiring disassembly or removal of appliance components.

Many homeowners never think about the location of a gas shutoff valve until they actually need it.

🏠 Ventless fireplaces can provide supplemental heat and convenience, but proper installation, accessibility, and maintenance are critical for safe operation.

🔍 This is exactly the type of hidden issue that often goes unnoticed during a typical walkthrough but may be identified during a professional home inspection.

📘 First-time homebuyer? Understanding hidden safety concerns like this can help you avoid costly surprises after moving in. Download my Homebuyer Checklist using the link on my page.

06/26/2026

💨🚨 Disconnected Bathroom Exhaust Vent Found in the Attic

This is one of the more common issues found during home inspections—and many homeowners never realize it exists because it's hidden above the ceiling.

Bathroom exhaust fans are designed to remove warm, moisture-laden air from the bathroom and discharge it to the exterior of the home. When the vent becomes disconnected, damaged, or improperly terminated in the attic, that moisture is released directly into the attic space instead.

Why is this a concern?

💧 Excess moisture can contribute to:

• Mold and mildew growth
• Wood deterioration
• Insulation damage
• Condensation on framing and roof sheathing
• Reduced attic ventilation performance
• Premature building material deterioration

Over time, repeated exposure to moisture can create conditions that may lead to costly repairs and reduced performance of the home's attic system.

🏠 Modern building practices and manufacturer installation guidelines are designed to direct bathroom exhaust air completely outside the building envelope rather than into attic spaces.

One of the challenges with disconnected exhaust vents is that the problem is often completely hidden from view. The bathroom fan may appear to operate normally, while moisture is quietly accumulating in the attic above.

🔍 This is a great example of why attics are one of the most important areas evaluated during a home inspection.

🏠 First-time homebuyer? Hidden issues like this are often impossible to identify during a typical walkthrough. My Homebuyer Checklist can help you understand what to look for before closing on a home. Check out the link on my page.

06/23/2026

🐜🚨 Termite Shelter Tubes: One of the Most Important Warning Signs a Homeowner Can Find

These small mud tunnels may not look like much, but they can indicate active termite activity and should never be ignored.

Subterranean termites, the most common termite species found in many areas of the United States, construct shelter tubes to travel between the soil and a food source while protecting themselves from predators, temperature changes, and dehydration. These tubes serve as protected pathways that allow termites to move undetected while feeding on wood and other cellulose-based materials.

🏠 Why does this matter?

Termites cause billions of dollars in property damage each year. Unlike many other household issues, termite damage often occurs behind walls, beneath flooring, inside crawlspaces, or within structural framing where it may remain hidden for years.

Common locations where shelter tubes may be found include:

• Foundation walls
• Crawlspaces
• Basement walls
• Sill plates and floor framing
• Garage walls
• Structural supports and columns

🚩 Modern construction and pest management practices recognize that early detection is critical. Visible shelter tubes should be considered a significant warning sign requiring further evaluation by a licensed pest control professional.

Termite activity can potentially result in:

• Structural damage to framing components
• Deterioration of floor systems
• Damage to wall assemblies
• Damage to trim and wood finishes
• Costly repairs if left untreated

Many homeowners are surprised to learn that termite damage can exist even when there are no visible signs inside the home.

💧 Moisture also plays a major role.

Termites are attracted to environments that provide consistent moisture. Common contributing conditions may include:

• Poor drainage around the foundation
• Wood-to-soil contact
• Plumbing leaks
• Crawlspace moisture issues
• Improper grading

One reason modern home inspection standards place significant emphasis on moisture management is because moisture-related conditions often increase the likelihood of wood-destroying organism activity.

🔍 If you discover shelter tubes around your home, do not simply scrape them away and assume the problem is solved. The tubes are often only the visible evidence of a larger issue that may require professional evaluation and treatment.

🏠 Homeowners and first-time buyers: understanding the warning signs of termite activity can help prevent extensive damage and expensive repairs down the road.

06/20/2026

🚨🏠 Think New Construction Is Perfect? Think Again

One of the biggest misconceptions in real estate is that a brand-new home is automatically defect-free.

This video shows a main HVAC duct located in the crawlspace that had been severely crushed during construction. While the damage was hidden beneath the home and out of sight, it had the potential to significantly impact the performance of the heating and cooling system.

Why does this matter?

Your HVAC ductwork is designed to distribute conditioned air throughout the home. When a main duct becomes crushed, restricted, or damaged, it can reduce airflow and negatively affect the comfort and efficiency of the entire system.

Potential concerns may include:

❄️ Reduced heating and cooling performance
💨 Uneven room temperatures
⚡ Increased energy consumption
🏠 Reduced occupant comfort
🔧 Additional strain on HVAC equipment
💰 Higher operating costs over time

One of the most important takeaways from this inspection is that the defect was located in the crawlspace—an area most homeowners will never enter.

Modern construction practices have improved significantly over the years, but mistakes, oversights, and installation defects can still occur during the building process. New construction homes often have dozens of contractors and subcontractors working on the property, and issues can occasionally be missed before closing.

🔍 This is exactly why many buyers choose to have independent home inspections performed on new construction homes.

A home may be brand new, but that does not necessarily mean it is free from defects.

🏠 First-time homebuyer? New construction homes can have hidden issues just like older homes. My Homebuyer Checklist can help you understand what to look for before closing. Download it using the link on my page.

06/19/2026

🚨🏠 No Emergency Escape Window Found in This New Construction Bedroom

One of the most important safety features in a bedroom is often overlooked until an emergency occurs.

Modern safety standards generally require most bedrooms to have an emergency escape and rescue opening (commonly referred to as an egress window) that can provide a secondary means of escape if the primary exit becomes blocked by fire, smoke, or another emergency.

In this new construction home, a bedroom was found without a qualifying emergency escape opening.

Why does this matter?

In an emergency, occupants may only have seconds to react. An appropriately sized and accessible egress window can provide a critical alternate escape route while also allowing emergency responders access to the room if needed.

🚩 Common concerns with bedroom egress openings include:

• Windows that do not open
• Openings that are too small
• Excessive sill heights
• Fixed windows that provide no emergency escape capability
• Obstructions that limit accessibility

While newer homes are generally built to modern standards, defects and oversights can still occur during construction.

🏠 This is a great reminder that new construction does not automatically mean defect-free construction.

Home inspections help identify safety concerns, installation defects, and construction issues that may not be apparent during a typical walkthrough.

📘 First-time homebuyer? My Homebuyer Checklist can help you identify important items to evaluate before closing on a home. Check out the link on my page.

06/17/2026

🚨 Carbon Monoxide: The Invisible Danger Every Homeowner Should Take Seriously 🚨

Carbon monoxide (CO) is often called the "silent killer" because it is a colorless, odorless, and potentially deadly gas that cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted. Every year, thousands of people are treated for carbon monoxide exposure, and many incidents occur inside homes where occupants have no warning that dangerous levels are present.

Carbon monoxide is produced whenever fuel-burning appliances or equipment operate, including:

🔥 Furnaces
🔥 Gas water heaters
🔥 Fireplaces
🔥 Gas ranges and ovens
🔥 Generators
🔥 Wood-burning stoves
🔥 Vehicles operating in attached garages

Exposure to elevated levels of carbon monoxide can cause symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, confusion, and flu-like symptoms. Higher concentrations can quickly become life-threatening.

🏠 Modern safety standards recommend carbon monoxide alarms outside sleeping areas and on each level of the home. In many newer homes, carbon monoxide protection is required as part of the home's life-safety system.

During home inspections, common concerns that may increase the risk of carbon monoxide issues include:

• Older fuel-burning appliances nearing the end of their service life
• Improper venting or damaged vent connectors
• Blocked chimneys or flues
• Backdrafting appliances
• Poor combustion conditions
• Missing, outdated, or non-functional CO alarms
• Vehicles left running in attached garages

🔍 Homeowners should:

✅ Test carbon monoxide alarms regularly
✅ Replace alarm batteries as recommended
✅ Replace aging alarms according to manufacturer guidelines (typically every 7–10 years)
✅ Have fuel-burning appliances serviced and maintained regularly
✅ Keep chimneys and vents clear and in good condition
✅ Never operate generators inside a home, garage, crawlspace, or enclosed area
✅ Never leave a vehicle running inside an attached garage, even with the garage door open

Carbon monoxide incidents often occur without warning signs. Proper alarms, regular maintenance, and awareness remain the best defense against this hidden hazard.

🏠 First-time homeowners: carbon monoxide alarms are one of the most important and least expensive safety devices in your home.

06/13/2026

⚡🚨 Unsafe DIY Electrical Work Found During a Home Inspection

Not all home improvement projects are created equal.

While many homeowners enjoy tackling projects themselves, electrical work is one area where improper installation can create significant safety concerns that may not be immediately obvious.

This video shows an example of unsafe DIY electrical work discovered during an inspection.

Electrical systems are designed to work as a complete system, and even small installation errors can potentially contribute to:

⚡ Shock hazards
🔥 Fire hazards
⚡ Overloaded circuits
🔥 Overheated wiring connections
⚡ Equipment damage
🔥 Improper grounding and bonding conditions

One of the challenges with DIY electrical work is that it often appears functional at first glance. Lights may work, outlets may have power, and breakers may not trip. However, hidden defects can still exist behind walls, inside junction boxes, or within electrical panels.

🏠 Modern electrical safety standards have evolved significantly over the years to improve occupant safety and reduce the risk of electrical fires and injuries. When electrical modifications are performed improperly, those safety protections may be compromised.

Common concerns inspectors encounter include:

• Improper wiring connections
• Missing junction box covers
• Open splices
• Improperly secured wiring
• Overfilled electrical boxes
• Improper grounding and bonding
• Incorrect wire sizing
• Unapproved materials or installation methods

🔍 If unsafe electrical work is discovered, evaluation and correction by a licensed electrician is typically recommended.

🏠 First-time homebuyers: electrical issues are among the most common hidden concerns found during home inspections and are often impossible to identify during a standard walkthrough.

📘 Want to avoid costly surprises after moving in? Download my First-Time Homebuyer Checklist using the link on my page.

06/11/2026

🐜🚨 Active Termites Found During a Home Inspection

One of the biggest challenges with termite activity is that damage often occurs out of sight. Homeowners may never realize a problem exists until significant deterioration has already occurred.

In this video, active termites were observed during an inspection. Termites feed on wood and other cellulose-based materials and can cause extensive structural damage over time if left untreated.

Common conditions that may attract termites include:

💧 Excessive moisture around the home
🌱 Wood-to-soil contact
🚰 Plumbing leaks
🏠 Poor drainage or grading conditions
🌳 Mulch or vegetation placed against the structure

Modern pest management practices emphasize early detection and moisture control as key components of termite prevention.

🚩 Warning signs may include:
• Shelter tubes on foundation walls
• Soft or damaged wood
• Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
• Swarming termites
• Discarded wings near windows or doors

If active termites or evidence of termite activity are discovered, further evaluation by a licensed pest control professional is recommended.

🏠 First-time homebuyers: termite damage is one of the many hidden issues that may not be obvious during a typical walkthrough of a home.