Steps prior to an infrared inspection When you do book an infrared inspection with me, I ask that you please have the home prepared in order to alleviate any problems during my thermal inspection. To achieve the maximum benefit of your infrared inspection, please follow these tips below prior to the inspection.
• Plan optimal times of day for your infrared inspection — dawn and dusk. Example...If I’m inspecting a flat roof, the added heat from the strong sunlight beaming onto any flat roof surface will reduce the effectiveness of my thermal scan. I absolutely do not mind early evening inspections, so planning accordingly (in this particular situation) will give you much better infrared results.
• Clear all of the outermost interior walls of any large pictures, furniture and appliances. Also, remove drapes if possible and open all your closet doors in order to condition the closet. Conditioning your closets will assist me in identifying any exterior wall defects. I am unable to move personal belongings due to liability reasons, so please make sure that the majority of your walls are clearly visible to the camera. Any blocked areas could conceal hidden issues.
• IMPORTANT: Please do not wait until I arrive at your house before you decide to move your furniture and bedding away from the walls. I'd like you to get every portion of your walls conditioned for at least one hour, in order locate any concealed defects. Having furniture up against the wall will not allow the entire wall to be conditioned and the infrared readings will be affected. Unconditioned portions of the walls (where your furniture was placed) will always appear to be defective. Conditioned air will not pass through furniture.
• Verify the indoor/outdoor temperature difference. Indoor and outdoor temperatures must vary by at least fifteen to twenty degrees Fahrenheit for optimum infrared results.
• It's crucial to obtain adequate temperature differentials between the outside and inside temperatures, in order to obtain a perfect environment for infrared imaging. I'd like you to make sure that every window and door is completely closed several hours before the infrared inspection takes place.
If the temperature differential is not adequate, this may require you to turn "UP" the heat (in the winter months) or to turn "ON" the A/C in the summer months. If you are unable to obtain an adequate temperature differential inside the building, we will need to re-schedule the infrared inspection accordingly.
Infrared imaging is an older technology, but has a new application that works wonders - In your home!
It's been around for ages and used in applications ranging from transportation, industrial, manufacturing, animal health care, military and building sciences. But now it's used to find defects that are not visible to the naked eye. Does that mean I see through walls? No, not even close. The short and dirty explanation of infrared is that it detects slight temperature differences in materials and gives the user a visual (photo) of the area focused on. Lets use insulation in your home as an example, specifically in your ceiling. In the summer months your attic is "steaming" with heat. Now from the inside of your home looking at the ceiling, you wouldn't even notice an issue. Using an infrared camera we would be able to see a temperature difference due to the heat of the attic, and the coolness of the indoor air. This is key in new home construction, many homes have cathedral ceilings or vaulted ceilings that cannot be seen from the attic. Now there is a way to tell if the builder really added adequate insulation. Below is a great example.
Infrared inspections will detect other defects as well. It will locate active moisture, defective electrical systems, plugged plumbing lines and even active pests in your home or business. We'll also be able to detect energy loss through windows/doors and poor weatherstripping installations. To wrap it up in a nutshell, infrared inspections are a non-invasive method of inspection. Our infrared services are also applied in commercial applications and manufacturing as well.
For your next inspection, get a certified Infrared inspector to investigate your home or business - it could save you thousands.
Below are the most recognized Home Inspector associations in no particular order:
INACHI – International Association of Certified Home Inspectors
ASHI- American Society of Home Inspectors
NAHI – National Association of Home Inspectors
HIF – Housing Inspection Foundation
There are many inspectors that belong to one or multiple associations. Is one association better than the other? The short answer is yes and no. It’s not about membership numbers, or who had the best media exposure, it’s about what it provides to the members. Not in just benefits, but most importantly education and member support.
As an inspector it’s extremely important to continually educate ourselves on new, existing and updated building practices. Building standards are different across the country and change all the time. Many associations have member message boards where inspectors can communicate with inspectors from across the country, some associations are around the world. An inspector in California may have a question about an unusual defect that he/she came across and would like other members input or comments. A simple post of the defect along with a picture will have a “reply” back within literally minutes. Now that is member support.
Many agents and brokers recommend one particular association over another. Not because one is better than the other, but mainly because that’s the only one they know of. Do some quick research and you’ll find which one excels, which one supports its members with many educational benefits.
What does my membership mean to me?
It’s all about education. The more I have, the better inspection I can perform for my clients. INACHI for example has many online courses and even 1-2 day courses throughout the nation. If members don’t take advantage of the education that is put in front of them, being a member is really a waste of time and money. With all the technology available to inspectors, they need to be trained properly. Handing an inexperienced inspector an expensive meter or camera could be costly to the client and yes, the inspector.
Member support is also a key factor in finding the right association. Nobody wants to belong to an association that makes them feel like an idiot for asking a simple question. Research and you’ll quickly learn which associations’ members offer a lending hand at almost any time of the day. Not just online, but many are just a phone call away and are willing to offer help.
So to wrap it up, don’t let association membership be a deciding factor in selecting a home inspector. Make sure to research and interview an inspector prior to signing that contract. Actually finding an inspector well before signing that contract is the best. This way you can take time and talk to several inspectors and not be in a rush to find the cheapest, fastest inspector.
INACHI members aren’t better than ASHI, nor ASHI members better than INACHI and so on. It’s the inspectors ethics, experience, education and best business practices that make the inspector.
Many consumers and home owners don't think it will ever happen to them. When you think about it, most decks aren't used on an everyday basis. But it only takes that one 4th of July gathering of friends and family to have the unfortunate happen to you. Deck construction is an extremely serious issue. Most decks aren't built to the local building codes, but they certainly should be.
This attachment is not adequate.
The most important is how the deck is attached to the structure (home). There are several methods. The best method is using lag bolts to physically attach the head joist to the homes rim joist. View our Deck Construction Guide to learn more about this method. Using nails just isn't enough to support a structure that could possibly weigh thousands of pounds when there is a load on it.
As a home inspector, I see many defects everyday and the majority of them deal with an attached deck.
That is a question I hear all too frequently. It never fails that a customer asks if they can accompany me on the inspection. My immediate response, "yes". Any inspector that tells you "no", I would strongly recommend interviewing a few other inspectors until you find the right one.
Think of it this way, purchasing a home is a HUGE investment. Wouldn't you want to see and learn everything about that investment before you sink your hard earned money into it? I know I would. If your a first time home buyer you need to be present at the inspection, even if you have to take vacation from work - be there when the inspector is combing through your investment. Sure you'll have a report to look at after the inspection, but nothing beats being onsite with the inspector. This way if you have any questions or concerns about the house, you can ask immediately.
Many people think an inspection passes or fails. That's so far from the truth it's not even funny. A professional inspection is designed to educate you about your new or existing home. Home inspectors complete continuing education classes each year, this keeps them abreast on new building technology and safety issues within the home. I'll use a simple water heater as an example: to many it's the big tank in the basement that supplies hot water to the entire house. To an inspector 9 out of 10 times it's a major safety issue that homeowners are not aware of. If it's a gas unit, is it vented properly? Is there a drip-leg installed on the gas line? Is it installed in a garage? If so, is it 18" off the floor? These along with many, many other safety guidelines are key in water heater safety.
So just think, that's only the water heater. What about all the other systems in a house? How much do you know about them? If you answered "not much", you need to make sure you attend your next home inspection. It could save you financially, and could also save your life. If your inspector isn't very talkative during the inspection, make him talk by asking questions.
With Colby Home Services my past clients can vouch that I encourage their questions during the inspections and long after the inspection. It's very common to answer a question 12 months after they have moved in, it's part of my customer satisfaction. "All my customers are returning customers"
Unfortunately meth is an increasing problem across the US. Here in Atlanta the trend continues to go up, it's the fastest growing drug problem in Atlanta. But on the upside, the "cooking" of meth locally is decreasing. You might think that most meth "labs" are in the inner city, nothing could be further from the truth. When in fact most labs are out in rural areas and yes in densely populated suburbs. In most cases meth labs are not producing large quantities for distribution, but for personal use. Don't let that fool you, it can still be just as dangerous in small quantities. Once meth has been cooked in a home, the damage can be extremely costly to remedy and if it's not properly "cleaned" from the home serious health concerns arise.
Even though the equipment used for cooking meth can be easily hidden and stored away, there are several warning signs to look for. If you notice that there are weird things going on at your neighbors house, check for these warning signs:
Large quantities of fertilizer at the home. Have you seen them bring bags into the home, garage or outbuilding?
Are people always coming and going from the house?
Can you smell heavy metals coming from the home? This is the most important tell tale sign.
Has the landscaping and upkeep of the property gone downhill? If their cooking meth, yard work usually is the last thing on their mind.
Are the neighbors very protective of their property? If they are cooking meth they usually don't want anyone on their property, at times they take actions by installing "booby traps" to prevent people from finding their lab.
So the next time your looking for a new home, consider that a "lab" just might be in the neighborhood. If you think the home your about to purchase may have been involved with the cooking of meth, make sure to inquire with the Realtor. If your Realtor can't give you a definite answer, contact the authorities.
Electrical safety is many times overlooked. When in fact it's one of the most important safety hazards in your home. With todays technology it seems as though everything needs power. If you own a computer you know what I'm talking about. Go ahead take a peak behind your computer desk and count the number of plugs. Chances are you've got about 6-10 plugs. That's a lot of juice!
Below are some good tips and guidelines to consider for electrical wiring.
Make sure outlets are not overloaded; don't keep adding more extension cords.
Look for the UL mark on the extension cords your using. This means they have been tested for foreseeable safety hazards.
Never, ever run electrical cords under carpet or heavy items.
Never cram or bunch extension cords behind a hot appliance.
Always use outlet plug covers to prevent children from insert objects into them.
Extension cords are really only meant for temporary use.
Do not use extension cords that are damaged or cut. This goes for cords that you might use outdoors as well. We all know how damaged those can get. If it's damaged, don't try to just cover it up, throw it out and get a new UL listed extension cord.
This is not the best idea. Obviously this has been around for awhile, not temporary at all.
Dewinterizing Your Home Guide By Brian K Doles of Colby Handyman Services & Inspections
Definitions:
Winterize – To prepare a homes plumbing system for colder winter months.
De-Winterize – To “charge” the plumbing system for everyday use.
Charge – To fill piping with water.
Many foreclosed homes that remain vacant will be most likely be “winterized”. This is to prevent damage due to freezing pipes in colder months. When the plumbing system is winterized it’s main purpose is to drain all the water from the system including the hot water heater. When you’re purchasing a foreclosed home or a home that has been winterized, it’s very important to have all the utilities turned on prior to a Home Inspection. More importantly the plumbing system should be active and working to inspect for leaks. To download my guide to "Dewinterizing Your Home" click the link below.
Reliable -that may be relied on; dependable in achievement, accuracy, honesty, etc.: reliable information.
Dependable -capable of being depended on; worthy of trust; reliable: a dependable employee.
It's amazing how many other services out there don't understand the above two definitions. My latest "beef" is with tree services. I have 3 dead pines that I need cut down. I can't even tell you how many tree service companies I have called just to come and give me a quote. Now you would think that would be simple. Some don't return calls or even emails. The ones I've called and actually got to talk to someone said they would send someone out to give me a quote. We arrange the time, and I wait, and wait. Wow, what a surprise a "no show". Not even a call saying "I'm lost and can't find your house", nothing.
It floors me how businesses stay competitive (or even stay in business) when they don't incorporate reliable and dependable into their business ethics. What a shame.
I operate a Home Inspection service as well as a Handyman service. Those two words above are the most important in my business. Knock on wood I have never even been late yet (of course that will change after I submit this), let alone not even show up for an appointment.
It's amazing how many of my handyman customers first comments are "your the only one that would return my call". I love hearing that from them everytime.
Every service minded business owner should most definetely include reliable and dependable in their business plan. For me and my business it's our "mission".
Oh and by the way. My 3 pine trees are still standing! :)
I'm very interested in knowing how realtors, appraisers, inspectors, lending agents, etc. feel about the comment below.
Our industry standards now warrant an inspection within weeks of the closing. Talk about a few stress filled weeks! I mean you'll need to bite nails till you get the report, then you have to bite them till the buyers make a decision based on the report. Then to top it off you're going to have to either make some negotiations for $$ off the asking price, or wait on the repairs to be made by a tradesmen within a few weeks. Now that's stressful alone!
Well how would it be less stressful? The day or days following a listing have the "sellers" schedule an inspection. Now the buyers have a platform to use to get needed repairs made, well in advance of closing. Plus, think about less liability when it comes to disclosure problems. This way the inspection report will be a "disclosure" of sorts.
To top it off, at Colby Inspections we'll come back out to note and photograph the repairs or updates made. Now the seller has a report that they can show to potential buyers at each showing or even at Open Houses. A quality inspection report should be used as a great marketing tool for a seller.
Now there is no bickering at closing about "why things weren't fixed" or "we agreed on a lesser price".
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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