electrical safety: Cindy Crawford and Heidi Klum have nice panels! - 06/07/09 10:10 AM
When I find an electrical panel that has been professionally wired, and looks very neat and orderly----and the fact that the installer really cared about his/her work is obvious----it tends to stick out like a sore thumb or should I say like Heidi Klum or Cindy Crawford on a … (32 comments)
electrical safety: More Pyrolysis - 01/26/08 09:21 AM
I don't mean to hijack Steve's blog on Pyrolysis, but it is an issue that I wanted to address anyway. I know Steve is desperate to stay ahead of me in points so he can have these:) The following pictures are of perhaps the best example of Pyrolysis that I … (7 comments)
electrical safety: Inspecting Condos----special issues for home inspectors - 01/20/08 09:01 AM
Inspecting Condos and other multi-family dwellings represents different challenges for the inspector than single family homes. Because defects that are found in the unit I am inspecting may also exist in other units in the complex a different approach must be taken in communicating these findings. My buyer may decide … (2 comments)
electrical safety: I KNEW I could get it running! - 01/16/08 08:11 AM
One of my favorite "homeowner" wiring jobs was this disposal that was wired with phone wire. This demonstrates one of the problems with electrical installations in general----there are many ways to make things function and yet the wiring can be wrong and dangerous.
Many are not as obvious as this … (4 comments)
electrical safety: Painted receptacles - 01/14/08 12:47 PM
On yesterday's inspection I was reminded of a common electrical issue---painted receptacles. Receptacles should NOT be painted. When they are painted the surface of the receptacle from prong-to-prong can become "conductive" and internal components can be adversely affected by the paint. And, depending on the components in the paint, the paint … (3 comments)
electrical safety: Closet fire hazards - 01/12/08 11:28 AM
A lot of older homes still have porcelain bulb holders in them. Too often they are located such that stored items can come in contact with the bulb----creating a fire hazard. These old bulb holders should be replaced with fixtures approved for closet installation. Fixtures with florescent bulbs are common. … (9 comments)
electrical safety: When do I have to be careful? - 01/11/08 08:41 AM
This is a continuation of the theme started in the previous blog: "Electrocution hazard." It is very important that proper clearances be maintained for the electrical service wire coming to the home from the street. Trees need to be kept cut back and the service wires should not contact the … (7 comments)
electrical safety: Electrocution hazard. - 01/11/08 08:34 AM
Inspectors find all kinds of electrical issues during an inspection. Some can cause fires while others lead to electrical shocks. Few of these issues rival the shock hazard of uncovered utility company splices. In the picture below the splices are the silver colored connectors with all the little indentations. Normally … (2 comments)
electrical safety: Continuity of Electrial Bonding---shock hazards! - 01/10/08 08:56 AM
As previously discussed in the blog: Plumbers aren't Electricians, I mentioned that the continuity of the metal piping systems in the home is important and that replacement of sections of the pipe with plastic can result in loss of continuity. Examples of ways that continuity can be broken are: installation … (0 comments)
electrical safety: Plumbers are NOT electricians - 01/10/08 08:38 AM
One of the consequences of over specialization is that in areas where disciplines overlap things may be omitted. One example of this is the bonding of metal systems to the electrical grounding system in the home. Without getting overly technical regarding "grounding" and "bonding," every home has a grounding system … (9 comments)
electrical safety: Exposed Wiring----electical safety hazard. - 01/05/08 12:11 PM
Frequently as inspectors we find electrical wiring that is "subject to mechanical damage." This is wiring that because of the way it is installed or the type of wiring that is installed can be damaged by mechanical means. That includes: being "whacked" by vacuum cleaners and "chewed on" by pets. … (1 comments)
My blog is intended to provide information related to home inspections in Seattle, surrounding communities and anyone else interested. Sometimes I will provide information that has nothing to do with home inspections. Enjoy!
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When I find an electrical panel that has been professionally wired, and looks very neat and orderly----and the fact that the installer really cared about his/her work is obvious----it tends to stick out like a sore thumb or should I say like Heidi Klum or Cindy Crawford on a … (32 comments)
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