You might be forgiven for thinking that this inspector was inspecting a WWII submarine, it looks like a moment from Red October. Down in the basement of an old school in Dayton that has been repurposed into a lovely apartment building are a series of old abandoned distribution panels behind huge three inch thick steel […]Read More about Submarine in Dayton
Case of the Low Flow Woes
One of the primary functions of our homes is to provide us with an adequate supply of fresh water for all of life’s necessities. From doing dishes and laundry to flushing toilets and taking showers, we use a lot of water. So naturally, it can be very distressing to turn on a faucet only to […]Read More about Case of the Low Flow Woes
Neighbors, make a difference!
You are looking at a house, it’s gorgeous from the street, it’s possibly the one. The interior has been remodeled, the mechanicals updated, the bedrooms perfect for the kids, you feel this is the end of the search for a new home. Your Realtor is excited for you and has a contract ready for your […]Read More about Neighbors, make a difference!
A Long Forgotten Company
Inspecting an older home recently I noticed a stamp on most of the floor joists, they were all faded or blurred and illegible which made me more curious. It was obviously something to do with Xenia, but what? It turns out that there was a lumber yard there in the 1940’s, The McDonald & Torrence […]Read More about A Long Forgotten Company
How Houses Age Like Fine Wine:
How do homes age? When a home is 100 years old or even 200 years old, home inspectors must apply a different set of standards to evaluate the house. For example, building codes were not in effect 100 years ago and the quality of construction was often left up to the integrity and expertise of […]Read More about How Houses Age Like Fine Wine:
Lead Water Main is Hazardous
In the basement of a home from the mid 1800’s there was a heath hazard that no one noticed. Buyers, the current owner who had purchased that home six months ago, real estate agents and our clients all walked past this piece of pipe as they anxiously looked for potential issues with the house. The […]Read More about Lead Water Main is Hazardous
Telephone (What’s It?)
These blocks are often found in basements and can still be in use, but never in newer homes. Most newer homes have two plastic boxes outside with wires coming out of them. One for the cable TV wiring and the other for the incoming phone line. The phone “box“ is called a telephone interface which […]Read More about Telephone (What’s It?)
Asbestos Pipe Insulation
Video of asbestos pipe insulation on a hydroponic (water) or steam boiler heating system. Asbestos can be dangerous to your health if fibers are disturbed, often found in buildings buildings from the fifty’s and older on heating and hot water plumbing pipes.
Granules in Attic (What’s It?)
Looking at the “floor” of an attic in an older house that was insulated between 1919 and the late 50’s you might see a granular material with a silver/ whitish colors where you expected to see fiberglass insulation. If you are looking at buying or are living in a home with this stuff you need […]Read More about Granules in Attic (What’s It?)
Garage Door Safety Spring
Video of garage doors with the old style springs to the side of the tracks. These pose a danger if they fail and snap. A safety wire must be inserted into the center of the spring to hold it in place. These inexpensive safety wires are available at any store that sells overhead doors for […]Read More about Garage Door Safety Spring
Who Will Keep the Dog In?
It never ceases to amaze me how many homes have chain link fences around the back garden proudly displaying the iconic Sears brand on the gate. In fact It’s hard to believe that Sears has closed down and the dishwashers, refrigerators and garage door openers that are in so many of the homes we inspect […]Read More about Who Will Keep the Dog In?
Leaking Vent Pipe Boot
Where the plumbing vent pipe exits through the roof shingles, there is a metal plate with a rubber gasket (boot) that stops water leaking into the attic. The flashing boot will generally deteriorate and start leaking water into the attic after about twelve years, that’s long before it’s time to re-roof. The boot needs to […]Read More about Leaking Vent Pipe Boot
Old Cast Iron Drains
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 Old Cast Iron Drains
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.
