The Atchley Home Inspections Glossary

Amperage is the measure of the volume of electricity flowing through a home’s electrical system. Think of it like a water pipe: a larger pipe (higher amps) allows more water to flow at once.

Most modern homes in Middle Tennessee require 200-amp service to safely handle HVAC units, electric vehicle (EV) chargers, and high-end appliances. During an inspection, if we find an older 60-amp or 100-amp system, we may recommend a panel upgrade. Upgrading your electrical panel is a critical safety move to prevent circuit overloading and is often required by insurance companies before closing.

A specialized electrical outlet designed to shut off power instantly (in as little as 1/40th of a second) if it detects a "leak" to the ground, preventing lethal electrical shocks.

These are non-negotiable safety items in modern real estate transactions. During our inspections, we prioritize checking for GFCI protection in all "wet" or damp locations, including kitchens, bathrooms, garages, crawlspaces, and exterior outlets. In many of the charming older homes found in Lincoln and Giles Counties, missing or improperly wired GFCIs are among the most common safety citations in our reports. Upgrading these outlets is a low-cost, high-impact safety improvement often required by lenders and insurance providers before closing.

An acronym for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning—the "lungs" of your home.

In the sweltering humidity of a Middle Tennessee summer, a high-performing HVAC is your home's most important asset. We evaluate the "temperature split" to ensure the unit isn't just running, but actually cooling efficiently. For homes in Pulaski or Fayetteville, we also pay close attention to the age of the unit, as the local climate can be tough on outdoor condensers.

Areas of the home that can be reached quickly and safely for a visual inspection without the inspector having to move personal property, heavy furniture, debris, or use specialized tools (like a chainsaw or a 40-foot ladder). A thorough home inspection in Middle Tennessee depends on the inspector's ability to see the "bones" of the house. If a crawlspace hatch is blocked by heavy storage in a Pulaski garage, or an electrical panel is hidden behind a bookshelf in a Fayetteville home, those items may be marked as "Not Inspected" in your report. To get the most value out of your Atchley Home Inspection, we recommend that sellers in Lincoln and Giles Counties clear a 3-foot path to all major systems (water heaters, HVAC units, and electrical panels) and ensure all attic and crawlspace access points are unobstructed.

A process where we test indoor air quality (IAQ). Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, and high CO2 levels. These contribute to Sick Building Syndrome, headaches, and respiratory issues. Many homes in the Lincoln County area are older or have been tightly sealed for energy efficiency, which can trap pollutants. Our air sampling identifies Sick Building Syndrome triggers, ensuring that your new home in Middle TN is as healthy as it is beautiful.

A white, powdery mineral deposit often found on basement walls or crawl spaces. While it looks like mold, it’s actually salt left behind by evaporating water—a key sign of moisture intrusion. While it looks like mold, it’s actually a "red flag" for moisture intrusion. Because of the heavy clay soil common in Pulaski and Fayetteville, efflorescence is a frequent find in local basements and crawlspaces. It’s a signal that we need to look closer at your foundation's drainage.

The unwanted movement of water into the home's "envelope" (walls, attic, or crawl space), which can lead to structural rot and mold. Middle Tennessee receives significant annual rainfall. We specialize in finding where that water is "intruding," whether it’s a roof leak or ground-water seepage in a Fayetteville crawlspace, to prevent structural rot before it starts.

The amount of moisture in the air compared to what it can hold. Keeping this below 50% is critical for preventing mold growth in Tennessee. To prevent mold growth in Middle TN, we recommend keeping relative humidity below 50%. During our inspections, we use moisture meters to check if your home or crawlspace is at risk for organic growth.

VOCs are a group of carbon-based chemicals that "off-gas" or evaporate into the air at room temperature. They are commonly found in household items like fresh paint, new carpeting, chemical cleaners, and even some furniture adhesives. Many homeowners in Middle Tennessee are unaware that indoor air can be significantly more polluted than outdoor air. High concentrations of VOCs are a primary trigger for Sick Building Syndrome, causing headaches, dizziness, and respiratory irritation. If you are moving into a home in Lincoln or Giles County and have family members with asthma or allergies, our professional Air Sampling is an essential step to ensure your indoor environment is safe.

The slope of the ground around your foundation. Proper grading should move water away from the house to prevent basement leaks. This also is needed to keep water away from the foundation and crawlspace of a home. Proper grading is the #1 defense against wet crawlspaces in Giles and Lincoln Counties. We look for a "positive slope" that moves water away from the house. If the ground is flat or sloping toward the foundation, it’s a recipe for future basement leaks.

The physical separator between the conditioned (indoor) and unconditioned (outdoor) environment. This "skin" includes the roof, subfloor, exterior walls, windows, and doors. A compromised building envelope is the leading cause of high utility bills and uncomfortable drafts. During our inspections in Fayetteville and Pulaski, we evaluate the integrity of this barrier to ensure your home is keeping the Middle TN humidity out and your cooled air in. We look for gaps in attic insulation, failing window seals, and poorly weather-stripped doors. For buyers in Lincoln and Giles Counties, a "tight" building envelope isn't just about comfort—it’s about long-term savings on energy costs and preventing moisture-related structural issues.

A laboratory analysis checking for Lead, Arsenic, Nitrates, and Coliform bacteria. Many properties outside the city limits of Pulaski and Fayetteville rely on private wells. Our specific testing panel ensures that your Middle Tennessee homestead has water that meets safety standards for human consumption.