building: Water Management Systems - Plumbing Boots - 03/11/08 10:26 AM
Experience at HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, has shown that Water Management Systems are a major source of problems in Home and Commercial Building Inspections.  Failures of these of systems can lead to more serious problems such as mold and structural failure.
The components of the Water Management System include the roof, gutter/downspout/extension subsystem, windows, doors and gradient of the landscaping.  All of these have in common the responsibility of moving water off and/or away from the building. 
The purpose of this article is to remind all home and building owners about a maintenance item that we each need to be aware of.  … (0 comments)

building: Which Candidate Would Help the Real Estate Market? - 03/02/08 03:06 AM
As we see the list of candidates for our next President narrow to 3 (Senator Clinton, Senator McCain and Senator Obama) and eventually 2, which candidate do you think would be best for the real estate market going forward?
I know there is a lot more to consider when choosing a President than just this issue; however, since the AR community is focused on real estate maybe we can look at this election in just that vein for a moment.  So which candidate do you think would help the real estate market, how do you think they would help, and why do you … (0 comments)

building: Inspectors and Realtors - Working Together to Move Things Forward! - 02/29/08 07:58 AM
At HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, it is the corporate philosophy that the Inspector can help facilitate the real estate transaction while still providing unbiased and clear Inspection results to the Client.  There are several ways we try to do this.
First, I think we can all agree that almost every home or building, new or existing, will probably have "issues" that need to be addressed.  The key word in that statement is issues.  Note that I do not use the word "problem".  We all have issues in our every day lives that need to be addressed.  Yet perhaps you will agree that … (3 comments)

building: Question: When Is A Crack in Brick Veneer Too Large? - 02/24/08 01:16 PM
Well, to some any crack is too big!  But to many Inspectors 1/8 inch is a key number.  If a crack in the brick veneer of a home or building exceeds 1/8" in opening, OR, shows differential movement, then the crack should be repaired.
In this picture on the right the vertical cracks are approaching 1/2" in width.  Clearly this is unacceptable as the potential for water and insect intrusion is readily apparent.  This veneer is on a home that is over 50 years old and the concrete mortar is breaking down.  Fortunately the veneer was not "moving" off the house due to a foundation or brick ledge failure.
Also, the … (5 comments)

building: Question: What's That Smell? - 02/24/08 11:52 AM
WHAT'S THAT SMELL?
I knew you'd look.  No, no gross pictures, just a discussion.  Have you ever been in a home or building and detected an "odd" smell that seems to be coming from a bathroom?  And no one has been in that bathroom for a long time, like weeks.  Sometimes it smells like sewage.  What can be causing that smell?  
Answer, it could be the trap.  The trap is the part of the drain system that has a U or J shaped bend in it.  A plumbing trap is not there to "trap" your wedding ring, earring, or other small item … (3 comments)

building: HABITEC Quoted in Tennessean Williamson AM Real Estate! - 02/21/08 11:36 PM
Please check out the front page article about Home Inspections and Home Inspector Reviews in today's (2/22/08) Tennessean Williamson AM Real Estate section.
Richard Acree, President of HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, was interviewed by Nancy Mueller of the Tennessean about Home Inspection services available at HABITEC and within the industry for new and existing homes.
The "home review" mentioned is actually the "Home Inspector Review" service discussed earlier on AR by HABITEC.  Like staging, a Home Inspector Review can help make a home that is for sale more appealing to buyers in this very competitive real estate market.  And it costs … (0 comments)

building: A HABITEC Milestone - 12 Music Circle South on Music Row!! - 02/20/08 01:50 PM
A HABITEC MILESTONE
HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, was recently selected to complete a Commercial Building Property Condition Assessment on 12 Music Circle South, Nashville, TN.  This unique, two story music recording studio located in Music Row was purchased by the Black River Music Group.  The building has a rich history and tradition in the recording industry as it was once owned by Ronnie Milsap.  Milsap recorded many of his greatest hits here making this site so much a part of Music City, USA. 
This is the first recording studio Inspected by HABITEC!  The building has a sophisticated 3-phase electrical system … (0 comments)

building: What's Wrong With This Picture? 2/17/8 - 02/17/08 12:31 PM
 
 This is obviously the crawl space of a house that is in a lot of trouble.  Rumor had it a buzzard once lived here.
               
 
 
 
 
 
 
The moisture content and subsequent mold buildup were very high.
Richard
 
 
Comments in this blog posting are the copyrighted property of Richard Acree, President, HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, and are intended to educate and otherwise assist home owners, sellers and buyers, building owners, sellers and buyers, realtors, real estate investors, property managers, and lenders in the process of owning, buying or selling homes or commercial buildings.  HABITEC is a residential (home) and commercial building inspection company serving Middle Tennessee … (1 comments)

building: What's Wrong With This Picture - 2/16/8 - 02/17/08 12:13 PM

 
 
A family experienced symptoms of poor health and asked HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, to assess for mold and complete a home inspection.  This is what we found behind the kitchen refrigerator.  This area tested positive for stachybotrys, a highly toxic mold.  The family has since moved out of the house.
Richard
 
 
Comments in this blog posting are the copyrighted property of Richard Acree, President, HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, and are intended to educate and otherwise assist home owners, sellers and buyers, building owners, sellers and buyers, realtors, real estate investors, property managers, and lenders in the process of owning, buying or selling … (5 comments)

building: What's Wrong With This Picture? - 02/14/08 03:00 PM
 
This is a HVAC condensate drain termination on the outside of a new house.  The issue here is where is all the condensate going to go?  The house sits on a crawl space so the water drains downs next to the foundation wall and follows the path of least resistance.  Some of that water will penetrate the foundation wall, or wick under the foundation and into the crawl space.  We encourage the drain to terminate at least 16" from the wall and onto a downward/negative sloped terrain to make sure the condensate drains away from the home.  This may pass code … (0 comments)

building: Mold Assessment Services - For or Against? - 02/09/08 04:25 AM
Some have suggested that mold services including testing and assessments are not necessary.  I disagree and here is why.
First let me say that mold services are not for everybody.  At HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, we have undergone training at two agencies and I can say that this is a complicated subject and a very serious service to offer.  It is not unreasonable for some to go through the training and find that they simply do not understand the material.  If you are poorly trained, or you just cannot understand the information, then you will not be able to offer a quality service.  … (2 comments)

building: STORMS - DAMAGE CONTROL and PRAYERS! - 02/06/08 04:48 AM
First, for those of you who know someone who lost their lives or were injured in this recent storm damage please accept our condolences and know that our prayers are with you at this time.
Second, when these major storm damage events come through there is much to be done to stabilize the situation if your home or the homes and buildings of neighbors, friends and relatives are damaged.  One of the most likely damages is to the roof.  It is critical to put in place temporary systems to prevent water from entering the building any more than already has.  Then take … (0 comments)

building: Question: How much does a Commercial Inspection cost? - 01/27/08 03:48 PM
Answer:  Costs vary depending on the services requested by the Client.  The services available for a Commercial Building Inspection are offered on an ala carte basis.  Costs are then computed based on either a square foot basis or an hourly basis.
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building: Question: What services are available for a Commercial Building Inspection? - 01/27/08 03:46 PM
ANSWER:  A reputable Commercial Building Inspector will offer the following services:  a visual walk-through survey, a document review, key personnel interviews, an opinion of probable costs (estimate) to repair or upgrade, an abbreviated Tier II ADA survey, and environmental services.
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building: Question: How long will a Commercial Building Inspection take? - 01/27/08 03:45 PM
Answer:  Again the 1 hour per thousand square foot rule is a reasonable estimate.  Like Home Inspections, the time to complete a Commercial Building Inspection will vary depending on the services requested, the age of the structure, occupancy, etc.
(0 comments)

building: Question: Are the rules and standards for a Home Inspection different than the rules and standards for a Commercial Inspection? - 01/27/08 03:42 PM
Answer:  Maybe.  In some states Home Inspectors and/or Commercial Building Inspectors are licensed by the State.  If licensed, Inspectors will be required to follow the standards set by the State.  It is frequently the case that these standards will be different for a Home Inspection versus a Commercial Building Inspection.  In Tennessee, Home Inspectors are licensed by the State and standards are set for Home Inspections.  Commercial Building Inspections are no longer regulated by the State of Tennessee.
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building: Question: What is the difference between a Home Inspection and a Commercial Building Inspection? - 01/27/08 03:40 PM
Answer:  Home Inspection rules apply to structures that have (or are intended to have) people living in them but have no more than 4 family dwelling units.  For instance, a 4 unit quad-home is a "home" that should be Inspected, individually or as a group, using the rules of a Home Inspection.  On the other hand, a 50 unit apartment building is a Commercial Building in the sense of an Inspection.  The gray area is something like a 10 unit townhouse complex.  Each townhouse is normally owned and occupied by an individual owner.  An Inspection of an individual townhouse unit is normally … (0 comments)

 

Ron Rittiner

Nashville, TN

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HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC

Office: (615) 376-2753



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