inspector: Nashville Tennessee Home Inspection - Water Heater Exhaust Pipe - What's Wrong With This Picture? (3/27/9) - 03/27/09 03:01 PM
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Now on to the article:  Nashville Home Inspection - Water Heater Exhaust Pipe - What is Wrong With this Picture? 
HINT:  Funnels work best if the stuff being funneled is flowing down, not up.
 
ANSWER:  So in this case, sure, some of the exhaust will enter the exhaust pipe.  But how much will miss?  And how much is too much?  This is a good reason why water heaters must be installed by a licensed plumber.
Thank you,
(3 comments)

inspector: Nashville Home Inspection - What's Wrong With This Picture? 10/6/08 - 10/07/08 08:33 AM
Hint:  When is the last time you saw a good stucco job?


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Answer:  Hopefully you can see the many openings and exposed membrane around the EIFS stucco.  It is clear that any surface water will run behind the EIFS and do significant damage.  Another question is "How old do you think this house is?"  Answer:  Brand New!! 
Thank you,
Richard 

Comments in this blog posting are the intellectual property of Richard Acree, President, HABITEC Home and Building … (8 comments)

inspector: What's Wrong With This Picture? (6/27/08) - 06/27/08 12:59 AM
This is an excellent example of what can happen if a water management system component fails.  In this case, the siding was allowed to deteriorate and water penetrated the seams.  Once inside it soaked the insulation and from there the wood.  Obviously a major expense.


 
 
 
 
 
 
Richard

Comments in this blog posting are the intellectual property of Richard Acree, President, HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, and contributing members of the Active Rain Real Estate network, and are intended to educate and otherwise assist home owners, sellers and buyers, building owners, sellers and buyers, realtors, real … (2 comments)

inspector: What's Wrong With This Picture? - 6/8/08 - 06/08/08 05:05 AM
Notching, or cutting, a floor joist is allowed under very strict conditions.  In general, notching of a joist on the bottom (tension side) is not allowed.  This photo is where a joist was notched to allow space for a plumbing pipe.  Unfortunately the pipe is now abandoned and the notch is no longer required.  More important, the notch should have never been cut in the first place.  Mistakes like this lead to uneven and sagging flooring.  Also, in this case, as the floor/joist moves, the copper piping will start to move as well. 

Richard

Comments in this blog posting … (8 comments)

inspector: Water Management System Components - Condensate Drains - 03/24/08 01:06 AM
Experience at HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, has shown that Water Management Systems are a major source of issues in Home and Commercial Building Inspections.  Failures of these systems can lead to more serious problems such as mold and structural failure.  The purpose of this article is to discuss Condensate Drains.
Condensate drains are another source of water that may affect the foundation.  Shown in this picture is the typical PVC dual pipe drain for a split system where a furnace unit with evaporator coils is located in the attic and a condenser/compressor unit at the outside of the structure.  Notice … (4 comments)

inspector: The Home Inspectors Biggest Challenge? - 03/08/08 02:29 AM
Check out the house up for auction near Chattanooga.  Home Inspectors, how do you price this one?  Have you seen one more "interesting" than this?
Where's that stucco guy when you need him?  A special thanks to Realtor Ryan for passing this information along.
Richard
Comments in this blog posting are the intellectual property of Richard Acree, President, HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, and contributing members of the Active Rain Real Estate network, 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 … (3 comments)

inspector: Inspectors and Realtors - Working Together to Move Things Forward! - 02/29/08 07:48 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 … (2 comments)

inspector: HABITEC Featured in Williamson AM Real Estate - 02/21/08 11:31 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)

inspector: More Pix - Gusset Plates - Knife Blades in the Attic - 01/18/08 12:01 PM

This picture on the left is of a large gusset plate (about 6" tall and 12" long) in the attic of a new home.  The picture below and to the right shows where it is mounted at the top of the attic staircase.  The problem with this mount is that this is also where people access the attic and they can easily grab these plates as they enter or exit the attic.  Gusset plates are very sharp, especially on the corners.  Builders need to be more aware of these issues and use common sense to protect homeowners from these plates. So if your home … (2 comments)

inspector: Question: How do I know if the Home Inspector will do a good job? - 01/18/08 05:25 AM
Answer:  Ask the Home Inspector for references.  A good Home Inspector should be able to offer at least 6 names of Clients or Realtors they have worked with who will speak on their behalf.  Also, a Home Inspector should offer testimonials from previous Clients. 
A Home Inspector proud of his/her work and with nothing to hide will make this information readily available.  If they have a website (and they should!), they should have their references and testimonials posted there to make it easier for Clients to find them.  Some people are not comfortable asking for references because it indicates suspicion or … (3 comments)

inspector: Question: If I have questions after seeing the Home Inspection Report can I call the Home Inspector to get answers. - 01/18/08 05:13 AM
Answer:  YES!  Reputable Home Inspection companies offer this service.  A good Home Inspection Report will leave few questions for the home buyer but it is virtually impossible to eliminate all questions.  A few minutes on the telephone can clear the air quickly.
(0 comments)

inspector: Question: How will the results of the Home Inspection be presented? - 01/18/08 05:05 AM
Answer:  Most Home Inspectors offer a computer generated Home Inspection Report to present their findings.  The best companies offer reports that include digital pictures embedded in the report to add clarity to the discussion.  There should also be a summary section at the end of the report.  However, buyers are encouraged to read the entire report. 
With the age of electronic communications, a quality Home Inspector will email your Home Inspection Report to you later the same day of the Inspection.  With the Client's permission, a copy is also sent to the buyer's real estate agent.  That speeds things up since … (6 comments)

inspector: Question: Should the Buyer be present for the Home Inspection? - 01/18/08 04:47 AM
Answer:  A home buyer is not required to be present for the Home Inspection.  However, it is recommended that at least one of the buyers attend all or some of the Home Inspection.  A great deal can be learned by talking to the Home Inspector about the house you are trying to purchase.  A good Home Inspector will offer and take the time to walk around and through the house with you to discuss his findings and answer your questions.  This is usually done at the end of the Inspection after the Inspector has the opportunity to get the "big picture".  … (11 comments)

inspector: Question: What guidelines should a Home Inspector follow when completing a Home Inspection? - 01/18/08 04:25 AM
Answer:  Most states have adopted licensing for Home Inspectors.  If that is the case where you live, then the State also provides rules for conducting a Home Inspection.  Your Home Inspector is obligated to follow those rules to the best of his/her ability. 
Some agencies offer guidelines as well.  The best known is ASHI, or American Society of Home Inspectors.  Many state guidelines are taken in most part from the ASHI guidelines, with minor adjustments.  Other groups offer copy-cat guidelines that are similar to ASHI but the truth is that ASHI is the most widely recognized and accepted standard.  In the … (3 comments)

inspector: Question: How Long Should a Home Inspection Take? - 01/18/08 04:11 AM
Answer:  A well conducted Home Inspection should take approximately 1 hour per thousand square feet.  This time can vary depending on what the Home Inspector is asked to do.  If a Home Inspector is also contracted to complete a radon test, mold evaluation or property inspection then the total time at the site will increase. 
Older homes take longer than newer homes because of the effects of aging and the tendencies of home owners to modify homes over time.  Occupied homes take longer to inspect than vacant homes.  A crawl space generally takes longer to inspect than a basement or a … (12 comments)

inspector: Question: How much should a Home Inspection Cost? - 01/18/08 04:01 AM
Answer:  The cost of a Home Inspection varies depending on several issues.  The size of the home, the age, the foundation and the complexity all can factor in to the cost of a Home Inspection.
Some Home Inspectors offer a variety of services in addition to the basic Home Inspection.  These can include a Property Inspection, Environmental Services (mold, radon, water quality, lead in paint, asbestos, etc.), expert testimony and coordination for estimates to repair or improve.  These services will be charged in addition to the cost of  basic Home Inspection.
(6 comments)

inspector: Home Inspector Tips - Whole-House Water Shutoff - 01/10/08 02:06 AM
UTILITY SHUTOFFS - WATER
By Richard A. Acree
President, HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC
It's 4 AM in January.  It's dark in the house and outside.  Outside it's windy and cold, real cold, like 10 degrees F.  You wake up to the sound of running water.  Lots of running water.  The sounds are coming from the kitchen.   Do you know where your whole-house water shutoff is located?
This scenario has played itself out many times before.  It is funny how plumbing problems like this seldom show up on a warm and sunny day.  They seem to save themselves for a time when it is … (0 comments)

inspector: Selling A Home in a Down Market (HINT: Hire A Home Inspector) - 12/30/07 03:16 AM
 
THE HOME INSPECTOR'S REVIEW 
Everyone knows 2007 was a tough year to sell a home and 2008 may be just as tough.  With thousands more homes on the market than usual it is harder than ever to make a home that is for sale stand out.  And it is really hard to get your asking price!  There are plenty of reminders of what to do to get your home ready for sale.  The list usually looks as follows:
De-Clutter
De-Personalize
Spruce up the Front Entry
Paint and Caulk Where Necessary
Clean, Clean, Clean!
Listen to Your Realtor
The previous list usually can be completed by the average homeowner.  Yet … (4 comments)

 
Robert Dirienzo, Home Inspections - Nashville TN (HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC)

Robert Dirienzo

Home Inspections - Nashville TN

Franklin, TN

More about me…

HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC

Address: PO Box 413, Brentwood, TN, 37024

Office: (615) 376-2753

Fax: (866) 290-7405

Home and Commercial building inspections, mold assessments including inspections and mold sampling, radon testing and water quality analysis in Nashville and Middle Tennessee.


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