While inspectors focus most of their attention on the structure and components of a house, they also pay close attention to other things that may adversely affect or actively be affecting the building. Grading is one of those key areas of focus. Grading refers to the slope and contour of the ground in relationship to […]Read More about Grading Around House: “Correct Grading 101”
Archives for 2021
“A First for Us” Beauty Salon
It was bound to happen after twenty one years we inspected our first beauty salon. Retail stores and strip centers, doctors and dentists offices, restaurants, bars and drive thru’s, motels, schools, churches and industrial buildings, but never a beauty salon until now. You got to wonder, business must be so good they just don’t sell […]Read More about “A First for Us” Beauty Salon
Air Conditioning Not Cooling Bedrooms
As warmer weather approaches thermostats are being switched from Heat to Cool in homes across the country. The satisfaction of knowing your system is ready and will be there to cool your house down to a comfortable temperature when it gets unbearable outside. These desires for a comfortable house is not necessarily the same in […]Read More about Air Conditioning Not Cooling Bedrooms
Asbestos Covered Boiler in Old House
In the basement of a 1920s home the original cast iron boiler was still sitting in the middle of the room. It appeared everyone who passed it they rubbed against it, put their hands on it and marveled at its size without thinking about its consequences. This beast of a boiler had been replaced ten […]Read More about Asbestos Covered Boiler in Old House
Keyed Lock Not Permitted on Interior Deadbolt
A dead bolt with a keyed lock on the inside of an exterior residential door is prohibited. Yes it was permitted years ago and those older locks should be replaced. The locked door could pose a safety issue in an emergency. If the lock is locked and the key is removed there is no way […]Read More about Keyed Lock Not Permitted on Interior Deadbolt
Furnace & Water Heater Space too Small
Opening the door to the utility closet was like opening a door into a land of make believe, an installation by Walter Mitty! The first person who should take blame for the situation is the architect who designed a closet too small to put a furnace and a water heater into. The furnace requires three […]Read More about Furnace & Water Heater Space too Small
Check The Weather Before Starting a Project!
If you are going to do an outside project like painting or concrete work it’s best to check the weather forecast before you start. One contractor working on a new construction house failed to do that and poured a huge three car wide concrete driveway. It started to harden up when the anticipated thunder storm […]Read More about Check The Weather Before Starting a Project!
Magnificent Bathroom, Dangerous Light Fixtures
Inspecting a beautiful home in Centerville, the buyer was impressed with all the updates. The house while not being old had been recently remodeled and a deep soaking bathtub installed. The scene was like something in a magazine, the bath, the view, the chandelier lights….. Chandelier lights? This is fine and looks great in the […]Read More about Magnificent Bathroom, Dangerous Light Fixtures
Gas Leak Found During the Inspection
When people think of leaks, it’s water leaks they think of. During inspections our buyers are concerned about every stain on the ceilings and walls and never think that there may be a leak that could have more serious consequences. It never ceases to amaze us how many gas leaks we find in the course […]Read More about Gas Leak Found During the Inspection
Unusual House Warming Gift?
The “only thing” left in the house was the toilet brush! Did they mean to leave it as a housewarming gift for the new owners, a kind thought but a used toilet brush would not be high on anyone’s points list. But if you leave gift where is the best place you leave it? Usually […]Read More about Unusual House Warming Gift?
The Air In Your Home Affects Your Health
Even the most fastidious homeowner cleaning the bathroom, kitchen and floors never gives a thought to the duct work in the home. All sorts of chemicals are used to disinfect and sanitize every part of the home except the part that is most likely to affect your health, your duct work. The air in your […]Read More about The Air In Your Home Affects Your Health
Unsecured Propane Tanks Could Be Deadly
Large propane cylinders weight approximately one hundred and seventy pounds when full. If they are not secured with a chain or other device to prevent them falling over by accident, they pose a safety issue. These large cylinders are generally installed as a pair and their combined weight should they topple and crash to the […]Read More about Unsecured Propane Tanks Could Be Deadly
New Construction Framing Hazardous
At a recent pre drywall inspection the first thing we observed was that the floor joists were not secured in the joist hangers. This is a basic framing requirement so the work you are doing stays in place and square, a must! Worse yet it meant that the outside walls that are supporting the roof […]Read More about New Construction Framing Hazardous
Loose Wire Connections Cause Fires
Electricity is strange, when we look at it there is nothing there, but it can do so much. We just know that it can make things work, why and how is beyond us. Electricity is an energy form, energy just like friction creates heat that is generally minimal and controlled by the circuit breakers in […]Read More about Loose Wire Connections Cause Fires