Inspecting a house in Xenia, I got to question the thought process of architects who design houses. A nice small 900 square foot ranch did not have much space for the furnace, so the architect put it in the crawl space (under the house). This is not a problem so as long as it works, […]Read More about Do Architects Think of Future Problems?
Fuse Box From “Times Less Safe & Long Gone”
These old fuse boxes in a beautifully built asbestos lined oak cabinet were a big step up from the single exposed wall mounted fuse. These boxes were the forerunner to the breaker panels of today. The asbestos lining was used to contain any sparks or fire in the fuse box. Those were the days before […]Read More about Fuse Box From “Times Less Safe & Long Gone”
How Times and Drains Have Changed
This month has been the month for old drain cleaning signs from the 50’s still attached to basement ceiling rafters. Drains have had issues for years, older cast iron pipes were easily damaged by tree roots, while newer PVC pipes are rarely damaged by tree roots but often blocked by disposable diapers, feminine sanitary products […]Read More about How Times and Drains Have Changed
Flue Pipe Clearance Issues After Remodeling
Video of: Remodeling around the furnace or water heater can cause all sorts of problems for someone who is not familiar with the instillation and operation of the equipment in their home.
Cast Iron Drains Had a Lot of Problems
Modern PVC drain pipes have reduced the number of blocked drains substantially. This old house in downtown Dayton was built in the early ‘50’s had a sixty foot run to where the blockage was in 58, again in ‘66, ‘03 and ‘06. These were all bad years for this houses main drain according to the […]Read More about Cast Iron Drains Had a Lot of Problems
It’s New Construction, But They Forgot The…..
If defects in a new home are not found before it is purchased from the builder, they become the problem of the new owners after they moved into their new home. Making repairs can be very disruptive for all the family as they have to live with drywall dust on their furnishing and possessions as […]Read More about It’s New Construction, But They Forgot The…..
Home Safety “Costs Less Than You Think”
Why do we as a society ignore the most basic safety issues until its too late. Manufacturers of everything from kitchen stoves and garage door openers, to smoke alarms package their equipment with owners manuals that address how it should be installed and what maintenance will be needed. These manuals are rarely read and their […]Read More about Home Safety “Costs Less Than You Think”
Trees and Drains do not go well together.
Video of a very standard front yard: Take a look where the sewage clean out is located; in the basement or outside along the side of the foundation. This will tell you where the sewer line from the home is. Now look around for trees and see if there are any near the sewer line. […]Read More about Trees and Drains do not go well together.
Adding a Receptacle, What You Need to Know
Do You Have Space on Your Circuit for Adding a Receptacle? Wiring is basically simple if you are adding a receptacle. First, look at the circuit you want to add the receptacle to. There can only be a total of 10 receptacles on a 20 amp circuit that uses 12 gauge wire or 8 receptacles […]Read More about Adding a Receptacle, What You Need to Know
Buying a Pre-Inspected Home? Beware
We arrived to inspect a pre-inspected home. This home had a “Pre-Inspected, Seller-Certified” sign right in the front yard. This would suggest to any reasonable buyer that there is nothing significant for another inspector to find wrong with the home. It suggests that the sellers wanted to be aware of every issue so they could […]Read More about Buying a Pre-Inspected Home? Beware
Water Heater TPR (Pressure) Valve
On the top or side of every water heater, there is a “TPR” Valve. This abbreviation stands for Temperature & Pressure Relief. It is a simple device that releases water from the tank and plumbing system to prevent the tank from bursting or exploding if the temperature in the water heater reaches or exceeds 200 […]Read More about Water Heater TPR (Pressure) Valve
Garage Doors Pose a Danger to Children
Garage doors are considered by most home owners as a necessary part of the home and they are given no further thought. Yet every year ten thousand Americans are injured by garage doors mishaps. Most doors are installed correctly and the openers operate according to specification, but as time goes by there is wear and […]Read More about Garage Doors Pose a Danger to Children
Contamination Could Cost Millions $$
Is there a hidden or undisclosed problem with hazardous contamination on the property you are buying? If you are buying a property and there is one of these monitoring wells, you may have a serious and invisible problem with the property. They are most often found in commercial properties that have had a business that […]Read More about Contamination Could Cost Millions $$
Unrealistic Commercial Inspection Expectations
Climbing up on the roof of a large commercial building and looking at the HVAC units lined up there, it struck me how unrealistic some buyers are when they hire us to inspect commercial properties. This client only hired us for a half day despite our office suggesting that it would not be nearly enough […]Read More about Unrealistic Commercial Inspection Expectations
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- Next Page »
