Washington Township, house built in the 1970’s. Walking down to the finished basement with my 6’2″ client in front of me, there appeared to be a clearance issue. First question has to be who built these stairs, what building inspector passed it when the house was built and what does the purchaser of this new […]Read More about Basement Stair Headroom Requirements
Special Moments in Life to Enjoy…..
During a busy day there are things that make you stop for a moment and think about life. Climbing the ladder to walk a roof I spotted these lovely young chicks cozy in their nest, beaks open waiting for their mother to return to them with more food. Don’t we all sometimes wish we had […]Read More about Special Moments in Life to Enjoy…..
“DIY Renovations” are a Gorgeous Disaster
Just arrived to inspect this home and as I start in the remodeled kitchen, I look at the lovely large skylight and wonder. Alarm bells start to ring in my brain…. To make the big open area seen in the photo the bottom chords were removed from two roof trusses weakening the complete roof system. […]Read More about “DIY Renovations” are a Gorgeous Disaster
We Inspect Just About Any Commercial Business
We inspect more houses than any other type of building. When we inspect commercial buildings it is usually apartments, offices or retail units so last week it was exciting to inspect something we have never inspected before, a laundromat! We have inspected a school in Troy, a beer drive thru in Dayton, a muffler shop […]Read More about We Inspect Just About Any Commercial Business
It’s Hard to Find Good Storage
Inspecting a doctors office gave our inspector a good laugh when he pulled back the shower curtain in the bathroom used by the patients. It goes to show that office rents are getting so high that every square inch must be used to its max.
Roof Inspections Dangerous for other reasons?
The question after this inspection was finished would have to be, “are roof inspections getting too dangerous”? When inspecting roofs it can be dangerous, we all know that, there is always the risk of slipping and falling off the roof. This was a risk we never thought about as we looked at a bullet lodged […]Read More about Roof Inspections Dangerous for other reasons?
American Ingenuity!
This novel way to drain a laundry sink with a sump pump, who says America has lost its innovative flair! The washing machine dumped into the laundry sink and the pedestal pump designed for use in a sump, then pumped the water up to the sewer pipe.
They Had Their Drains Cleaned in 1948
“Motor Mole Sewer Service” a Dayton drain cleaning company was busy on Sunday 6 June 1948. When they finished unblocking the drain of a home in Belmont, they attached marketing material to a floor joist in the basement, where it has remained intact. Every time they returned for another blockage they noted it on the […]Read More about They Had Their Drains Cleaned in 1948
Residential Incinerators Were Once Common
An amazing find in a beautiful large hundred year old house in Oakwood was a real piece of history and in good condition. Down in the basement was what appeared to be a fully functional incinerator. It would have been used for disposing of household garbage by burning it at high temperature in the days […]Read More about Residential Incinerators Were Once Common
North American Van Lines Box
In the attic this box from a nineteen fifty six, North American Van Lines promotion was still in perfect condition. Stamped on the top corner is “Wife Approved Move” how times have changed! The wife approved move must have been successful because it was still advertised up thru the early sixties in newspaper adverts. North […]Read More about North American Van Lines Box
Roof Truss Correctly Installed at Chimney
When the chimney was installed the mason correctly built around the roof trusses (framing) instead of cutting a section out of the truss, which appears to be rather common solution to one problem and the creation of another. Trusses are all too often modified, removing parts that get in the way of attic access ladders, […]Read More about Roof Truss Correctly Installed at Chimney
Is Your Water Heater Safe ?
Every water heater gas or electric, tank type or demand all have one thing in common, a temperature pressure relief (TPR) safety valve to prevent the unit from possibly exploding or injuring a user. As water is heated it expands in volume (size), normal hot water temperatures of 120 degrees do not expand the water […]Read More about Is Your Water Heater Safe ?
“Water Softeners can Sicken Family”
What do all these pipes have in common? They come from water softeners that are incorrectly and dangerously installed. They could contaminate the drinking water in the home they are in and possibly the whole subdivision. Water softeners have a pipe coming out of the control unit at the top of the softener (there is […]Read More about “Water Softeners can Sicken Family”
Recycling at its best!
Would we “call” this “disadvantage home team”, found in an attic last week, quirky reuse of a tennis ball container as an electrical junction box. Yes it works, No its not permitted!
