columbus ohio home inspection: Walking in attics ??? - 08/28/09 01:06 PM
How many of you walk in attics?
Do you go in only if something grabs your attention?
Do you hunt for the bathroom vents if they are covered by insulation and not visible?
Wouldn't it be great if builders started adding walk ways that are high enough up to allow for proper insulation so that homeowners and inspectors could access easily?
I've walked across many of joists hunting for them in the insulation. Many times finding something I would not have seen unless I did get in there. Is the possibilty of stepping through a ceiling worth it?
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columbus ohio home inspection: Energy Efficient Homes - how important are they in your area - 02/02/09 06:21 AM
I recently attended a great gathering organized by a group of engineers at the Ohio State University that focused on Energy Efficient homes and energy efficiency.
The goal was 2 fold. What obstacles were in front of us that was keeping home buyers and home owners from having the efficiency of the home important to them and what can be done to get the word out across the industry.
Some of the items that came out of the great discussions was to have
1) A standard rating that can be applied to a home and eventually every one would know a good … (6 comments)
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columbus ohio home inspection: Helpful hint - prefab fireplaces and cold air infiltration - 01/13/09 01:48 PM
This can also apply to bay windows and cantilevered sections of homes.
In the picture below notice the prefab fireplace enclosure on the rear center of the house. Left of the wood stairs. In this instance the board under the enclosure is not completely sealed.
In the below picture the yellow flexible CSST gas line is coming through a pipe and is not sealed. Many times the pipe is not there and the gas line is extended through a larger hole. The air infiltration at this point is felt very easy and due to the low temperature outside this … (1 comments)
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columbus ohio home inspection: Helpful hint - air infiltration at window panels NEXT to the door - 01/10/09 01:11 PM
While performing Thermal Scans with infrared camera here in the Central Ohio area, (it is cold right now) clients are complaining of cold areas at the front door.
What I have been finding on a regular basis is that these nice panels next to the doors are the problem, not the door and weather strippling.
It's not the window or glass either, it's actually the frames have not been properly sealed and/or insulated.
Sorry the image is poor but had to reduce.
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columbus ohio home inspection: Wishing everyone a Happy and Properous New Year - 01/08/09 12:50 PM
Let's all remain positive and keep working at what we do. Hopefully this will turn around and we all can get back to the way things were or close to it.
Here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year in 2009 !!!
I have every confidence that we can all succeed if we surround ourselves with good people.
Good Luck.
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columbus ohio home inspection: My newest toy...inspectors love their "toys" - 01/01/09 04:02 PM
My wife is always saying that the reason I like being a home inspector is that I like the toys that come with the job. I can't disagree with her.
Well, here in Columbus and Central Ohio, there is a bit of snow and ice and some 3 story old homes that are difficult to reach and see the roof and chimney's.
So, I combined some of my advertising budget and this is what I've come up with. I know it's a bit loud but I want to be seen.
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columbus ohio home inspection: I just joined group # 1 --- not a good thing !!1 - 12/23/08 05:43 AM
I do some instruction for home inspections in the Central Ohio area and I always tell the class that there are 2 types of home inspectors,
Group 1) those that have stepped through ceilings and
Group 2) those that are going to.
I joined group 1 last weekend. The home owner insisted that the attic decking was ok to walk on and proceeded to walk around. I then started inspecting and about 10 minutes into the inspection the decking under my left foot gave way and went through the ceiling below.
I finished the inspection and let them know that I would … (4 comments)
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columbus ohio home inspection: Is your crawl space costing you $$$$$$$$ - 12/23/08 05:32 AM
A great deal of my inspections of late have been for heat loss or cold rooms here in the Columbus, Ohio area. What I have been finding the biggest issue is the misunderstanding of how to treat the crawl space.
If you have vented your crawl space to the exterior then all walls and floors contacting living space must be insulated and all heat ducts and water pipes in that crawl space must be insulated. The opening must be closed with insulation on the door or panel.
This method should also be used if you don't have a vent to the … (7 comments)
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columbus ohio home inspection: The ups and downs of inspections. - 08/04/08 09:52 PM
Last week I did an inspection for a person that found their dream home and had been so excited that this was the one. A house in their budget that suited all their needs.
As I was inspecting and explaining the issues as we walked the client said that the repairs needed were far over the budget they had.
I was feeling terrible about bursting the bubble and apologized for all information that led to the cancellation of the contract.
Now, I'm thinking so long to this client and the realtor for referrals and think.... I've done my job to … (15 comments)
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columbus ohio home inspection: Helpful hint - is there a good time of day to run the dryer? - 08/04/08 09:28 PM
Short answer is yes....
The dryer when running can exhaust about 200 Cubic Feet of air per Minute to the exterior of the house.
Where does it get this air? Inside the house. The house will need to equalize the pressure inside to outside so air is drawn in from the outside to make up the air that the dryer is sending outside.
If it's 72 degrees in the house and 92 degrees outside.... what is going to happen? Hot air is being drawn into the house. or vice versa... if it's 72 inside and 32 outside then the cold air … (5 comments)
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columbus ohio home inspection: Helpful Hint - It's going to get cold soon.... time to save some money on energy - 08/04/08 09:19 PM
Winter is just around the corner and all the utilities are raising their prices far faster than we are raising our income.
What can we do about that... a number of thing come to mind but what we all need is the BIGGEST return on investment.
The 2 biggest things are to keep you furnace clean and make sure you are insulated properly for the area you live in.
This can be the most inexpensive way to save those energy dollars.
Have your furnace cleaned --- really cleaned. 1/8 inch of dirt on the fan can reduce the efficiency of the … (2 comments)
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columbus ohio home inspection: What does Thermal Image Scanning do for you??? - 04/20/08 09:07 AM
This client complained that they would have a negative reation when working out and thought there was mold somewhere in the home.
I was contacted to do an Indoor Air Quaility test.
I also used my Thermal camera to check for suspect areas.
This is what I found.
What appeared to be a normal wall was very high in moisture content that was not visible to the naked eye. The IAQ test only indicated minor issues at this point.
Look for yourself. Top picture is area with moisture meter.... the streaks on the wall were dry. The bottom picture is of the same area … (9 comments)
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columbus ohio home inspection: Hope this finds everyone getting busier !!!! I am in Central Ohio !! - 04/11/08 10:06 AM
Hopefully everyone is starting to get more business as the people escape from their winter hibernation !!!
I'm doing well and having fun. There are a few inspectors in my area cutting their fees to get the business and I can't or won't do an inspection for $175.00.
But, on a positive note.... let's hear from everyone on here to see how things are going.
Hopefully the agents in your area will see you here on Active Rain and send some business your way.
The Columbus and Central Ohio market seems to be doing well in higher end homes and rehab properties and I've … (12 comments)
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columbus ohio home inspection: How do you inspect roofs and chimney tops? - 04/11/08 08:32 AM
I'm looking to get a better vantage point of roofs and chimney tops. As you can see in the picture below most of us would not get to see this. An affordable - reliable way to do this. Single story are generally no problem but I want to see the 2 story chimney top and better view of the roof.
I've seen the InterNACHI's Spectoscope on NACHI but not seen details on how it works of if it's even available. I've thought about selling my pick up truck and investing in a bucket truck to raise myself up... (what kind of … (9 comments)
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columbus ohio home inspection: Think Positive -- 2008 can be great. - 03/23/08 11:18 AM
I've heard a lot of different opinions about how this year is shaping up. From GREAT to I'm looking for another profession.
I've sat in on a number of motivational speakers just by chance and have enjoyed their enthusiasm and understand where they are coming from. (thanks to ReMax and Toastmasters for the invites)
A good friend gave me the book by Jack Canfield - The Success Principle.
I took all these coincidences as a good sign and a sign to stay positive and go for the gold. They each sent a message a little different but in a way the same. … (8 comments)
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columbus ohio home inspection: Helpful hint - settlement of grading around the house - Columbus Ohio Home Inspector - 03/23/08 10:59 AM
If you have a home built within the last 10 years you may want to look at the grading around your home. This year we had a lot of snow and rain that may have lead to the settlement of your grading around your home.
The suggested grading around your home should be 1" drop for every linear foot away from the home up to 6 feet. This will direct the ground water away from the foundation.
If you house has been built in the last 10 years you may be experiencing common settlement as the backfill that is used to … (2 comments)
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columbus ohio home inspection: Assistance viewing a roof or chimney in Central Ohio - 03/23/08 10:23 AM
I have read on the NACHI board about the Spectoscope that can reach up with a camera attached and view a roof or chimney.
Does anyone here have a device (fabricated or purchased) or have heard of one that most inspectors could afford that can have a camera attached and take photos of the roof and chimneys?
I'm looking to start doing this to provide a better inspection of those areas that are readily not accessible if the equipment is available, easy to use and can be done quickly.
Thanks,
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columbus ohio home inspection: Flashlight helper !! - 02/27/08 08:14 AM
I've been trying to get this off the ground for a while by contacting large tape/adhesive companies and they don't seem to want to help or have a hard time getting things done overseas and only sell stock items.But during a recent meeting with a fellow inspector (Thanks, Mark) he suggested using a Brother P-Touch machine to print the marked labels.I have added to my flashlights a mark every 2 inches so that I can quickly take a picture to verify and remind me of the size of rafters, trusses, joists or just to use as a reference. Some of you … (19 comments)
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columbus ohio home inspection: Air infiltration - at gas supply line of prefab fireplace insert. - 02/04/08 04:19 PM
During a recent home evaluation in the Columbus, Ohio area I ran across this issue under a prefab fireplace. The client was complaining about cool air coming in around the fireplace. I pulled down the access panel and found that the hole used to bring in the gas supply line was not sealed. There was a cold air flow that spread throughout the fireplace insert.
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columbus ohio home inspection: Thermal imaging - make mole hills out of moutains - 01/30/08 04:03 PM
I perform thermal imaging in the Central Ohio area with home inspections. What I am finding out and spreading the word is that thermal imaging is not only allowing us to see issues but also direct us to the cause of the issue. This in turn helps the client and the seller know what to correct and know that they have the issue at bay. Instead of recommending that a specialist be called in to determine the issue, most of the time I can state what and where the issue is.
I'm finding that a great deal of people in the … (6 comments)
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