All new construction in Middle Tennessee and in most areas with radon gas issues is required to incorporate a passive radon mitigation system into the home while it is being built. This is easy to see during a pre-drywall inspection. This is a short video of what this looks like inside the home's framed walls.

If you have a concern or have never had your home tested for radon, Trace Inspections can handle this for you. This simple 48-hour test uses state-of-the-art digital constant radon monitoring machines or CRMs.

When most homeowners think about keeping water out, they think about the roof shingles, siding, or caulking. But there’s an unsung hero that protects your home from leaks.
Flashing is the thin metal (or sometimes plastic) material that installers place around windows, doors, chimneys, roof valleys, and other spots where water loves to sneak in. You usually don’t see it—but it’s working hard behind the scenes.

This picture shows what a contractor used for flashing. It is called ZIP tape and is not designed for use as a permanent form of flashing! This had been in this home for about six months, and the homeowner had no idea it was wrong! 

What Does Flashing Do?
Think of flashing like a raincoat for your home’s most vulnerable joints and seams. Its job is simple:

• Direct water away from cracks and gaps.
• Seal tricky transitions where roofing or siding materials meet.
• Prevent leaks before they can ever start.

Why Is Flashing So Important?
✅ Keeps Water Out – Without flashing, rain can seep into walls, ceilings, and the roof deck.
✅ Prevents Damage – Moisture rots wood, rusts nails, and weakens the home’s structure.
✅ Stops Mold Growth – Trapped water inside walls creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew.
✅ Protects Your Investment – Flashing extends the life of your roof, siding, windows, and doors.
✅ Meets Code Requirements – Building codes require flashing in key locations because it works. But the codes do not instruct or describe how the flashing should be installed! Remember, the "Code" is the minimal requirement!

Where You’ll Find Flashing

• Around windows and doors
• Along roof valleys
• At the base of chimneys and skylights
• Where roofs meet walls
• At deck ledgers and exterior trim

The Bottom Line
Flashing might not be flashy, but it’s one of the most critical layers of protection your home has against water damage. If flashing is missing, damaged, or poorly installed, your home is at risk for leaks and expensive repairs.

That’s why a professional home inspection always checks flashing in the right places. Catching issues early can save you from headaches (and big bills) down the road. If you are having a home built, a pre-drywall inspection will often uncover flashing issues at an early stage of construction where they can easily be addressed.

Dezincification is a little-known but costly failure that plagued certain brass PEX fittings installed between the mid-1990s and the early 2010s. If your home was built or re-piped during this period, there’s a chance you have fittings at risk of premature failure. But even over the past few years, it has continued to occur in some brass fittings. 

What is Dezincification?
Dezincification is a type of corrosion where zinc is selectively leached out of yellow brass, leaving behind a weakened copper-rich metal. Over time, this process can weaken the fitting until it cracks or crumbles. Restrict water flow as corrosion products clog the passage. Cause leaks, often hidden until water damage has occurred. In the field, it shows up as chalky white crust, blue-green staining, or (if cut open) a redish tan , porous interior.
Why It Happens
The main triggers include aggressive water chemistry—chlorine/chloramine additives, low or high pH, high oxygen content, and stagnant water. Older yellow-brass alloys (high zinc content) were especially vulnerable. That’s why manufacturers shifted to dezincification-resistant (DZR) alloys or polymer (PPSU) fittings after repeated failures and lawsuits.
Known Brands and Markings Affected
The problem is tied to specific fittings and date ranges. Look for stamped markings on the body of the fittings: 

Zurn (QestPEX / “QPEX”), ASTM F1807 fittings (c. 1996–2010)
Markings: “QPEX,” “Q PEX,” or “Z PEX” (sometimes with F1807). These fittings were part of the ZurnPEX Products Liability Litigation. 

Kitec (IPEX), used with orange/blue PEX-AL-PEX (late 1990s–2007)
Markings: “Kitec” or “KTC,” often stamped with ASTM F1974 or CSA B137.9/10. Large class-action settlements addressed failures in these systems. 

NIBCO / CPI Dura-PEX, ASTM F1807 fittings (2000s–2012)
Markings: “NIBCO F 1807”. Covered under lawsuits that addressed premature failures and leaks.

Signs to Watch For
A white or green crust forms at PEX connection points. Leaks or dampness near fittings. Hot vs. cold water flow imbalance due to internal blockage. Powdery, pinkish metal if a fitting is removed.

Final Thoughts
Dezincification was a widespread problem that affected certain brands and alloys during a narrow window of time. If your home belongs to that era, don’t ignore the signs. A few failing fittings today can be a warning shot before a major plumbing failure tomorrow.  Below are a few examples from past inspections!

Trace Inspections can often locate hard-to-find issues like this by using infrared cameras, moisture meters, and even specially designed endoscopes to look inside wall cavities. 

​Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS):
Often called “synthetic stucco,” it became popular in the 1980s and 1990s as an attractive, energy-efficient siding. At first glance, it looks just like traditional stucco. But many homeowners have since learned that EIFS can create major problems if not installed or maintained correctly.

What is EIFS?
EIFS is made up of three layers:

1. Foam insulation board (usually expanded polystyrene)
2. A base coat with reinforcing mesh
3. Acrylic finish coat that mimics stucco

It’s lightweight, flexible, and energy-efficient. The problem? Early EIFS systems were designed as barriers to keep water out, trapping water rather than letting it escape.

The Big Problem:
Moisture Intrusion water gets behind EIFS through window flashing, roof connections, or wall penetrations; it has nowhere to go.
Unlike real stucco, EIFS does not “breathe.” This often leads to:

• Hidden wood rot in framing and sheathing
• Mold growth behind the walls
• Structural weakening that isn’t obvious until major damage occurs

Why It’s Hard to Spot?
Many homes with EIFS look perfectly fine on the outside. But beneath the surface, problems can be severe. In fact, the only way to know for sure is through specialized inspections using moisture scans and probes or infrared scans.

Common Installation Mistakes
Most EIFS failures come from poor installation, such as:

• No kick-out flashing at roof-wall intersections
• EIFS run down into the soil, allowing termites and moisture intrusion
• Improper caulking or missing sealants around windows and doors
• Lack of expansion joints for movement

Termite and Pest Issues
In termite-prone areas, EIFS can conceal termite activity because the foam board makes tunneling easy, and damage is hidden from view.

The Stigma Around EIFS Homes
Because of past lawsuits and widespread failures, many insurers refuse to issue new coverage on EIFS homes, and buyers are often wary due to the history of this material. This can reduce resale value and the length of time on the market compared to homes with brick, siding, or traditional stucco.

Can EIFS Be Fixed?
Yes — newer or second-generation EIFS systems include a drainage plane behind the foam to let water escape and tend to have less issues.
For older homes or first-generation homes:

• Professional inspection is a must
• Repairs may include replacing damaged sections, adding additional or missing flashing, and raising the EIFS off the roof lines and above the grade. Interior framing repairs from rotting substrates and framing
• In severe cases, full removal and re-cladding may be necessary

Final Thoughts
EIFS isn’t automatically bad — when installed correctly with proper drainage, it can perform well. But barrier EIFS homes (especially from the 1980s and 1990s) come with a high risk of hidden water damage. If you own or are considering buying one, schedule an impartial professional inspection to find out what’s behind the walls. Trace Inspections can provide this service.