B.C. Home Inspections

Lake County CA Home Inspector

Blas Calvillo

Cold Weather, Warm Homes: How to Keep Moisture Out and Heat In

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When the temperature drops, your home starts working overtime. Between the rain, the cold mornings, and those foggy windows, it’s easy to forget that moisture doesn’t just appear — it sneaks in through tiny gaps, weak insulation, or poor ventilation. That’s where a little maintenance and a good inspection can save you from big headaches later.

1. Check Your Windows and Doors

If you feel a draft or notice condensation inside your windows, your seals might be failing. That means warm air is escaping and cold air is creeping in. Over time, this can lead to higher energy bills and even hidden moisture damage. Caulking and weather stripping are simple fixes that go a long way.

2. Keep an Eye on Your Attic and Insulation

Attics are like the lungs of your home — if they’re not breathing right, everything else suffers. Poor ventilation or missing insulation can cause condensation to build up, leading to mildew or even structural issues. During our inspections, we often find areas where heat is escaping straight through the attic. A thermal check can quickly show those weak spots.

3. Watch for Moisture in Crawlspaces

Winter moisture loves crawlspaces. When water sneaks under the house, it can cause wood rot, fungus growth, or damage insulation. A proper vapor barrier and good drainage keep the underside of your home dry and healthy. It’s not glamorous work, but it matters.

4. Don’t Forget Your Heating System

Before you flip that thermostat on, make sure your furnace and filters are ready. A quick inspection of your venting and carbon monoxide detectors can prevent serious safety issues. Heating systems that haven’t been serviced in years are one of the most common problems we see during cold months.

5. Schedule a Seasonal Inspection

A seasonal inspection helps catch small issues before they turn into expensive repairs. At B.C. Home Inspections, we look for signs of water intrusion, insulation gaps, and ventilation problems — all the things that quietly ruin homes while you’re just trying to stay warm.

Bottom line: winter is tough on houses. But with a few smart checks (and maybe a little help from your favorite inspection team), your home can stay cozy, dry, and efficient all season long.

 

 

 

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Protect Your Home with Professional Fungal & Mold Testing

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When it comes to your home, what you can’t see can still affect your health.

At BC Home Inspections, we now offer fungal and mold testing to help homeowners understand what might be lingering in their air. Sometimes, a home can look perfectly clean—no visible signs of mold—but hidden moisture behind walls or near water heaters can allow fungal spores to grow unnoticed.

Because we aren’t a remediation company, our role is to identify potential concerns—not to diagnose or confirm visible mold. Instead, we collect air or surface samples that are analyzed by a certified lab to determine whether fungal spores are present and at what levels.

Testing can be especially important if:

  • You’ve experienced water damage or high humidity.
  • Someone in your home suffers from allergies, asthma, or frequent headaches.
  • You notice musty odors or unexplained discoloration near plumbing or HVAC systems.

Our goal is simple: to give you accurate information about your home’s air quality so you can take the right next steps with confidence.

We’re proud to provide professional, reliable testing that helps families protect their health and homes.

Call us today to schedule your Mold Inspection

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