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The Shadow Loves Wordless Wednesday - 08/31/11 09:21 AM
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Like any good referee---even when they are wrong they are still right. - 08/29/11 09:09 AM
There seems to be a general lack of understanding about the building codes and the enforcement of codes. They are touted as the "final" word while at the same time they are known to be a "minimum standard" to which structures must conform.Home inspectors are often chastised for quoting codes and most Home Inspectors do not put code references in their actual reports. I refrain from doing so myself. However, when pressed by a builder, I have no problem resorting to" public information" to support my opinions---whether it is the Building Codes or Manufacturer's Instructions. With many builders, it is not … (37 comments)
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The original greasers left their mark! - 08/27/11 09:12 AM
People love to beautify their yards with trees and other plants.For some it is like some sort of "homeowner right" to plant whatever they want, wherever they want, without giving any consideration as to how big that plant or tree will get and how it might affect them or their neighbors.Some species of bamboo, if left to their own devices, can be a nightmare for a neighbor that doesn't love bamboo as much as you do. There are lots of trees with different growth profiles that make more sense to plant in some locations as opposed to others. For example planting … (16 comments)
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Why do so many professionals have so little bedside manner? It is FREE advertising! - 08/25/11 11:20 AM
Before I attempt to answer this question, I will take you on a little detour.
What do you consider new construction? As a Seattle Home Inspector, a home that has only been lived in a couple of years I would still consider "New Construction." Basically any house that was built under "current code requirements," I would consider New Construction. Once the home has had multiple owners or is older than a couple of code cycles, I would be less likely to see it as New Construction, and might refer to it as "Newer Construction."For agents, in the business of selling homes, … (13 comments)
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A pretty much wingless wordless Wednesday - 08/24/11 09:16 AM
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The Time Between Fall and Spring—a Turtle’s Journey—a Biker's Apology. - 08/23/11 08:29 AM
As most of you that follow my blog know, I occasionally crank out a short story and share it here in the rain. I know the story is a little long for a blog post--but I hope you will give it a chance. Most of these stories are in some way autobiographical---but as I like to say---perhaps closer to "truth" than actual "fact." This story I give you today was sparked by the memory of an incident that happened many, many years ago. Please enjoy!
The Time Between Fall and Spring--a Turtle's Journey--a Biker's Apology.
When Shelley started across the … (13 comments)
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A different kind of teen pregnancy! - 08/21/11 10:51 AM
One could argue that teens end up pregnant due to hormones, rebellion, religion---or even lack of religion. While I am sure these are factors in some cases, I think that another huge factor is "lack of information." Of course, even with the best information, "things can happen in the dark" that seem less pleasant in "the light of day." I will seemingly digress from the point of this post for a moment---but I promise it will all come back together soon enough.
Of course all of this discussion, so far, of teen pregnancy, ignores the fact that Evolution wants it that … (26 comments)
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Whipped cream makes almost everything yummy! - 08/19/11 10:17 AM
I would love to be able to appeal to "common sense" as the solution to several issues present in the picture below. Of course the picture is of one defect in particular, but also captures several other issues. I took the picture to document the cutting of the floor joist. It was cut to allow for running the duct from the down draft exhaust fan of the kitchen cook top.Once again this is "new construction." I would like to appeal to the installer's "common sense," in terms of the "other" issues present, but I think that anyone that would cut the … (68 comments)
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Boys will be boys cuz girls will be girls - 08/17/11 10:19 AM
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Kindergarten ain't just for kids! - 08/15/11 05:04 PM
Sending ones kids off to Kindergarten for the first time is another one of those first steps that signal the coming end of TOTAL parental influence over the kids (basically another illusion biting the dust). One can argue this is a bad thing, a good thing or a combination of the two, but that is not an argument I want to get into right now---perhaps another time.I would like for you, my reader, for a moment, to go back to Kindergarten, or at least to think about Kindergarten for a bit---about your own experience of Kindergarten---not your kid's experience of Kindergarten.Everything … (234 comments)
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There is always failure with trial and error---but almost nothing great happens without it. - 08/14/11 02:26 PM
In my house, we have a mostly full basement. There is one small area under the kitchen that has a crawl space. In this crawl space there are a bunch of rain barrels. I put them there maybe 10 years ago. Julie has been watering the garden with them ever since.A couple of years ago Julie got the idea of pumping this water to higher areas of the yard with a bicycle driven pump.At first she asked me if I would "help her" build one (code for will I build one?).My eyes rolled to the back of my head (code for … (20 comments)
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Pay attention to the details---or pay later. - 08/11/11 08:07 PM
If you want a very dark, Bukowskiesque and cynical look at modern day life, and perhaps reflect on ones own drinking habits, I highly recommend the movie Barfly. But be warned, this movie is not for the squeamish or easily offended. Even some of you that are NOT easily offended might find parts of this movie a little over the top. It is nonetheless very funny, sad, and poignant. One of the great lessons to be learned from the movie, and there are many, is when Henry (Mickey Rourke) talks about how one of the things he can't stand is "obviousness."The … (19 comments)
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A Night-Blooming Wordless Wednesday - 08/10/11 12:08 PM
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When was the last time you had your roof pressure washed---and was it the last time? - 08/08/11 10:44 AM
Just a little double entendre in the title to start you thinking.Every now and then roofs need cleaning.
A simple Google search of companies that pressure-wash roofs in the Seattle area, reveals that there are literally HUNDREDS of companies out there willing to "hose" your roof. While there are some roof coverings that hold up well under pressure-washing---like concrete tiles and metal---composition shingles and wood shingles/shakes do not hold up very well. Many years can be taken off a roof by pressure-washing, as the granular coating gets blasted away.The pressure-washer, in the hands of someone who does not know what they … (22 comments)
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It must just be the devil in me that likes to have fun with numbers. - 08/06/11 11:03 AM
Actually numbers have always kind of been my nemesis. I still have "fond" memories of spending tortuous hours indoors---during the nice summer days---working on math so that when I went back to school in the fall I would be able to keep up with the other students. All of whom I am sure went on to become astro-physicists and day traders. Well that is all ancient history now and of seemingly little importance in the big picture. In a couple of years I will be 66. I am still interested in numbers---especially in relation to my history of difficulties with them.Recently … (20 comments)
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Old as Methuselah----in other words----old as dirt! Eventually even Methuselah returned to the earth. - 08/05/11 09:03 AM
Take a look at this "pantry" built into a crawl space with access from the basement.This untreated wood structure has been buried three feet in the ground since 1924---with not the slightest sign of wood decay/rot or wood destroying insects. In this next picture I have done a color "overlay" of the area buried in dirt.Here is a picture of the dirt up against the structure from inside the crawl space.As a Washington State, Licensed Structural Pest Inspector I still have to mention the entire installation as being "conducive" to wood decay/rot and infestation by wood destroying insects.The fact that it … (31 comments)
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What the heck is an escutcheon plate? - 08/03/11 10:36 AM
The large circular plate around the control valve of a tub or shower fixture is called an escutcheon plate. In fact escutcheon plates are used all over the place in plumbing. They are sometimes merely decorative plates around pipe penetrations. They come in all shapes and sizes and depending on what purpose they are serving. For example, the one on a kitchen sink faucet is sometimes big enough to cover all three holes in the sink while providing a decorative seat and cover for the hot and cold water lines---as well as the spout. In some instances escutcheon plates might have … (52 comments)
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How hard-headed are you in life? - 08/01/11 10:10 AM
It is not so bad to be hard-headed when you have the right tools for the job.
I am quite sure this guy has the right tools, and I am equally sure that he can keep whatever he finds to eat. Just how do these woodpeckers keep their brains from rattling around in their skulls?
If you have ever run a jack-hammer you know that humans are not designed to be hard-headed---no matter how we act at times.
Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector
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Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector
Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector
Seattle,
WA
More about me…
Charles Buell Inspections.com
Address: Seattle, Shoreline, Everett, Lynnwood, Bothel, Kirkland, Bellevue, Mercer Island, Edmonds, Renton, King County, 17123 22nd Ave NE, Shoreline (Seattle), WA, 98155
Office Phone: (206) 478-7371
Cell Phone: (206) 478-7371
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