safety: Would you like a Waterfall in your kitchen? - 01/31/08 05:24 PM
I am sure most of you have noticed the little (usually) chrome cap mounted on the kitchen sink or counter-top----the dishwasher air gap device. This device is designed to prevent dirty water from being sucked back into the dishwasher which would obviously create an "unhealthy" condition. While some of the … (4 comments)
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safety: Don't need no stinkin support post! - 01/29/08 10:39 AM
How often have you been in basements with your buyers discussing all the possible ways it could be divided into rooms, only to be thwarted by the unfortunate location of some of the support posts? The beam you see in this picture is interesting to me as a former builder … (4 comments)
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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)
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safety: Handrail Safety - 01/16/08 08:29 AM
Stairs with more than four risers require a handrail. There are a lot of requirements that the handrail must meet to be considered safe and meet code requirements. Some general requirements (without getting into the exceptions to the rules) include:
1. There has to be a handrail on at … (1 comments)
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safety: Watch out for the Milkman! - 01/08/08 11:05 AM
On an inspection a while back I found an interesting security issue in a Condo. The building had originally been apartments. These 1920's apartment buildings had little doors at each unit where the milkman could leave the milk/eggs; and then there was another door inside the unit where the owner … (11 comments)
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safety: Can you lock your garage overhead door? - 01/06/08 11:02 AM
Overhead garage-door-opener installation is another one of those items that homeowners frequently think they can install themselves. I suppose if the installation instructions are followed very carefully they can, but very often I find the door's manual locking mechanism still functional----sometimes locked when I am about to test it. These … (7 comments)
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safety: Let sleeping dogs lie. - 01/03/08 06:51 PM
Vermiculite insulation is one of those materials commonly found in the home that can contain Asbestos----depending on where it was mined. While the only way to know for sure is to have it tested, that is no longer the "current recommendation." This insulation has about a 50/50 chance of having … (3 comments)
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safety: More SNAKES! - 01/03/08 01:59 AM
Crawl spaces can be pretty inhospitable places. There is all too often the possibility of electrocution, raw sewage, rats, raccoons, dust laden with asbestos and harmful pathogens, flooding, collapsing wells and septic tanks, chemicals from Pest Control Operators, collapsing structural elements, and in some areas----SNAKES. I was glad this python/boa … (6 comments)
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safety: What is that coming out of those JETS? - 01/02/08 09:01 AM
While this would not slip my most agents, I am still surprised how often the Whirlbath tub jets have NOT been cleaned prior to inspection of the home. These tubs can be a serious health hazard if not properly maintained. There is nothing more embarrassing than to fill up the … (11 comments)
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safety: I HATE bees! - 01/01/08 10:49 AM
Like the dryer vent caps, other exhaust fan vent caps need to be properly maintained. These caps can suffer from mechanical damage and can be points of entry to the structure for vermin---birds, bees, squirrels and rats. The single biggest issue I find with these vents is that bees loveto … (5 comments)
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safety: Are your outside faucets freeze protected? - 12/30/07 01:57 PM
Many homes have what are called "frost-free" outside faucets. The design of these faucets is such that the water is actually shut-off at the interior of the home where is more likely to be warmer thus preventing freezing of the water near the valve outdoors. When you shut off the valve, … (2 comments)
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safety: Test your GFCI's - 12/30/07 12:20 PM
When was the last time you tested your GFCI protected receptacles----you know those receptacles around the home that have the little test buttons on them (some are red & black)? These receptacles are required in New Construction at many locations including the Garage, outdoors, kitchen, bathrooms etc. In older homes it … (11 comments)
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safety: A different movie: "Snakes on a roof" - 12/29/07 02:08 PM
Condo inspections represent an interesting dilemma for inspectors. There is so much that is "typically" deferred to the Condo Association: exterior, roof, common areas etc. Even while "excluding" these areas I am still inclined to look at these areas and note concerns I might see so that they can be … (8 comments)
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