edmonds wa home inspector: It is alright if you can fly! - 01/30/09 10:49 AM
Awhile back I inspected a 3 story condo that had a flat roof that was also a walking surface/deck. Originally this roof deck had nice barrier walls all around the roof.
At some point a previous homeowner decided that a hot tub would be a cool addition to the property. There were many problems with the installation of this tub including improper installation of the electrical hook-up. Other “questions” include the questionable stairs to the deck, missing hand rail and whether the roof structure was adequate to support the massive weight of this tub.
I think the … (20 comments)
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edmonds wa home inspector: Don't forget the Handi Wipes! - 10/23/08 02:13 PM
I wish someone would start "STAGING" crawl spaces.
Why does my flashlight always have to look like the Biggest Ball of Twine from all the spider webs?
Why should my coveralls be "off limits" to my sweetie on laundry day?
Wouldn't it be nice to enter a crawl space and see a nice throw rug at the entrance, or a few lights here and there----AND A NICE NEW PLASTIC GROUND COVER EVERYWHERE!!!
All the cobwebs would be vacuumed up along with all the rat turds, cat turds, and raccoon turds----and other "unknown" but unpleasant looking substances. … (37 comments)
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edmonds wa home inspector: Got the Blues seeing Red in the White shower. - 10/20/08 11:21 AM
This house had great "curb appeal," and had an 8 page glossy full color brochure to go with it. The neighborhood supported the curb appeal with incredible views of Mt Rainier and Lake Washington. The yard was meticulously manicured.
I would have expected the interior of the home to reflect the sales pitch.
On first glance it did----
----but it did not take long for the gloss----and the color----to go out of the picture.
The main upstairs bathroom looked "sparkling" with bright white tiles and shiny brown border tiles that seemed inconsistent with the age … (19 comments)
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edmonds wa home inspector: How much water in a crawl space is enough? - 10/11/08 11:13 AM
Some would say that any amount is too much.
I would argue that most have some amount of water----even if it is condensation trapped under the ground cover----where the effect it could otherwise have on the house structure is minimized. Many crawl spaces show signs of past moisture----with high water marks on the foundation and other structures, while others have actual standing water in them----sometimes even on top of the ground cover.
It is very important to the health of the home to control these moisture levels. The high water line in this crawl space is pretty obvious----and … (20 comments)
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edmonds wa home inspector: Who says there is nothing good on TV? - 09/27/08 04:52 PM
Some parents are more concerned about what their children watch on TV than other parents are. Some want to create a really great experience for the little rug rats by getting the TV right down to their level. Of course this could just as well be Nutsy the Squirrel's house.
I have known people that leave the TV on for their pets while they are away---so what is wrong with Steve leaving it on for Nutsy.
In this case the children are well served by their parents because, while there isn't anything worth watching on the 360 available … (15 comments)
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edmonds wa home inspector: "Near death experience"----taking out the garbage! - 09/23/08 08:29 AM
The worst words a man can here his sweetie say is, "We have to talk"-----sends a guy right to his cave.
Believe it or not I got thinking about this when I took out the garbage this morning. I wasn't taking the garbage out because I was in the dog-house or anything----in fact she usually takes it out. But this morning she asked me to take it out----so she could sleep in.
It seems that every-other house on our street is for sale right now----not an indication of anything----just the luck of the draw for some reason. It is … (56 comments)
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edmonds wa home inspector: I think I need a shower now! - 09/18/08 05:34 PM
Distressed properties are not fun to inspect on so many different levels.
Once you get past the initial curiosity, one must face the reality that the condition of the house somehow reflects how messed up we can make our lives. Behind all the "theories" of failed mortgages in the media, is the harsh reality of the people's actual lives----making the "reasons" seem kind of shallow----and in themselves a sort of emotional/cultural bankruptcy.
Sometimes when I am wading through the debris of a severely distressed property I can't help but think about whether I should be dressed in "hazmat" … (33 comments)
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edmonds wa home inspector: I'm feeling in the pink! - 09/13/08 11:41 PM
For new construction one would think that the seller/builder would want to be showing off his work in the best possible light. Unfortunately if they were off skiing in New Zealand, instead of keeping track of the work being done, you end up with the inspector, the agent, and their buyer at the new condo with conditions like this nice kitchen sink.
The odd thing is that there was absolutely nothing in the unit even remotely close to this color. When I filled the sink and it wouldn't drain I realized that it had backed up into this … (40 comments)
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edmonds wa home inspector: Half baked----or---Fully baked? - 09/09/08 06:14 PM
I am sure that everyone has heard the, "Is the glass half full or half empty?" question. It is a way to differentiate between whether one has a basically "Optimistic" attitude or a basically "Pessimistic" attitude.
I am equally sure that there are many people that don't understand the difference----perhaps they are pessimistic or optimistic on a case by case basis-----or perhaps "selectively" optimistic or pessimistic depending on the "assault." In all honesty it can be very difficult at times to tell which is true. Sometimes (usually) it is a matter of perspective. For example, take this pair of … (35 comments)
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edmonds wa home inspector: Does "Air Gap" refer to the space under a Bungee Jumper? - 09/09/08 04:39 PM
While it is most likely an excellent idea for the Bungee Jumper to have a proper Air Gap----that is not the kind of air gap I am talking about here. I am sure most of you recognize the little chrome shape cap located on the back of your Kitchen sink----or sometimes located on the countertop. This "thingy" is called an Air Gap Device and assists in proper drainage of the dishwasher. Most jurisdictions require them nowadays. Water coming out of the cap during operation of the washer is signaling a plugged drain----and cleaning is necessary.
But this post … (15 comments)
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edmonds wa home inspector: I put the key in but it wouldn't start. - 09/03/08 08:52 AM
Sometimes there is "obvious" and then there is "not-so-obvious."
While the corner is "obviously" damaged, what was "not-so-obvious" was that behind all that nice new paint there was considerable decay in much of the trim up the side of the window. As you can see by the length of the key, the decay is quite deep, involving not only the trim board but the sheathing behind it as well. So while the key isn't going to "start" anything (except hopefully my car when it is time to go home)----it is likely (hopefully) to result in repairs to this … (25 comments)
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edmonds wa home inspector: For Inspectors only!----no one else allowed:) - 08/28/08 06:47 PM
While most of the AR community may find this topic boring,
too technical,
unrelated to what AR is all about,
downright dangerous,
and/or "over-the-top,"----I want to do it anyway. It is primarily for all the Inspectors in the AR community. This is not one of those, "go-out-and-buy-some-test-equipment-and-try-this-at-home-type-blogs."
It has to do with un-grounded wiring in homes.
Sometimes homes have grounded-type wires run throughout the home, but the ground wire is either not connected to the devices (receptacles, switches, light fixtures etc), or the wire just simply isn't used---or even possibly disconnected somewhere. Homes wired in the early 60's … (19 comments)
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edmonds wa home inspector: "Close" to an Olympic Blog! - 08/20/08 08:32 AM
People's names often were originally derived from the jobs their ancestors used to do. For example my old friend Steve Smith would have fooled around with horse's feet and hot irons a lot. Now the closest he gets to hot irons is doing his laundry.
The Baker clan made a lot of bread----they probably needed it.
The Miller clan ground the flour for that bread.
Long before the musical group called the Carpenters, the Carpenters had ancestors that were house or ship builders. An off-shoot of the Carpenter Clan was the Cooper Clan that made the barrels to … (14 comments)
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edmonds wa home inspector: Big Brother----is watching! - 08/08/08 12:59 PM
I think most inspectors are used to having someone look over their shoulder during the inspection. I know that in some areas the buyer isn't around until the end of the inspection, but in my area it is common for the buyer to be at the inspection the whole time. I actually encourage them to be there the whole time. It is certainly "easier" to do the inspection without anyone there, but in terms of better understanding the needs of the buyer and to establish a "relationship" with the buyer it is better in my opinion to have them around … (25 comments)
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edmonds wa home inspector: Its time for amother contest! - 07/31/08 04:06 PM
After my last SUPER SUCESSFUL contest blog, "It is NO Contest," I have succumbed to the intense pressure (well maybe not) from fellow bloggers, Steve, Kara, Sean, Kevin, Kathy, and others----too numerous to list----to run another contest.
I promise no "misspeled" anagrams this time in this much easier contest.
Prizes?
Kathy wants to know about prizes?
Same as last time-----that damn personalized License Plate. Get your very own "I So-and-So's Blog" Subscription license plate. If you already have one----perhaps a loved one could use one? Perhaps one for an ex-husband/ wife? Or---how about just playing for FUN? I know that … (51 comments)
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edmonds wa home inspector: Home Inspections Save Marriages! - 07/30/08 08:58 AM
Steve?
(Any resemblance or similarity to Bellingham Steve are purely coincidental)
StaEEEveeeee?
What?
I know I was mad at you last week for running over the cat, but I have a favor to ask.
What?
Well, I realize this is the first time it has happened in our "new house"---but could you fish my wedding ring out of the drain?
The drain? AGAIN?
Sorry.
This is going to cost you.
But, YOU are the one that ran over the cat!
Sorry.
(As I went to fish the ring out of the drain I discovered that I was about to be in … (21 comments)
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edmonds wa home inspector: It just didn't quite pan out AGAIN. - 07/29/08 08:57 AM
In my Don Quixote blog the other day I talked about his amazing, rare, and small (but worthwhile) Victory.
Today I want to discuss another issue at the windmill that deserves a blog all to itself (and unfortunately makes his victory all the more hollow).
The Laundry.
Do all Windmills have Laundries?----apparently some do. Perhaps someone thought this "dragon" would be outside the Don's training and it would go un-noticed and unchallenged.
In the first windmill the tray for the washing machine had been installed "sideways." These trays are approximately 32" by 30"----they are NOT square. … (11 comments)
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edmonds wa home inspector: A big ThemThem to KEXP! - 07/28/08 10:49 AM
Nine years before I came to Seattle to live (the first time), KCMU was cranking out cutting edge music. Music has always been very important to me. Gary Woltal's recent blog about the importance of music and all of Steve Smith's, blogs about musicians of the NW got me thinking about this radio station and what it has meant to the music scene in Seattle since 1972 (and to me as well).
I credit this radio station with keeping me up to date with all the newest "important" sounds from around the country and the world. This is where … (20 comments)
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edmonds wa home inspector: Don Quixote wins one? - 07/27/08 11:47 AM
It doesn't seem possible that the infamous "tilter-of-windmills" could actually win a battle. But a year ago he did an inspection of a brand new windmill in a very nice little hamlet in the frontiers of Seattle; and, had the good fortune, on a recent campaign to come up against another windmill in the same hamlet. I was curious to see how many of the mistakes that were found in the first windmill would be repeated in the second.
The houses were virtually identical----with reversed floor plans. I felt like I was walking through a déjà vu backwards-----or sideways----or something.
… (13 comments)
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edmonds wa home inspector: It is NO contest! - 07/25/08 08:42 AM
WARNING-----it would be a stretch to say this blog has much to do with real estate or home inspection!
Barbara Duncan and her old pictures of Searcy, Arkansas got me thinking about some old stuff I have lying around, and gave me the idea of running a little contest. One of these things----perhaps one of the oldest things I have from times gone by----is:
......well you tell me.
WHAT IS IT?
The "item" is 4" long.
As a reward, to the first person that responds with the correct answer......your very own personalized blog subscription number plate … (127 comments)
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