best practice: Electrical Wires Must Be Protected
- 01/09/17 02:45 AM
Electrical wires must be protected.
During a pre-drywall phase, which needs to be checked during inspections, there are many things that need protection - electrical wires, plumbing supply and drain tubes, gas lines, and such.
Looking on the left, this wall framed around to enclose a steel beam column in the basement. Notice how the electrical wire is run through the middle, not the edge, of the studs. But the wire was left on one side of the column.
The simple fix is to nail a protective metal plate over the wire to insure that no future nail accidentally punctures it and cause a … (10 comments)
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best practice: I Was Called To Figure Out A Single HVAC Problem The Builder Could Not
- 11/21/13 07:22 PM
This happens now and then - I was called to figure out a single HVAC problem the builder could not.
It's the end of the AC season. The builder suggested this homeowner call somebody to determine what the problem is so they can fix it permanently. The one-year warranty deadline is coming up.
What had been happening is that the drain pan under the basement HVAC unit had overflowed and flooded some of the basement.
The builder's HVAC subcontractor was called.
They determined there was a clog in the drain line, so they unclogged it.
But why didn't the electric float … (22 comments)
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best practice: Steel Beams With A Great Butt
- 10/17/13 07:53 PM
I love going into a pre-drywall inspection and find things that are excellently done - like, for instance, steel beams with a great butt.
What, you say? Steel beams have a butt?
Yes, when they are butted one up against another!
This is a large house, with two steel beams holding up the main level and the load-bearing walls resting above.
It is exceptionally important that when two meet somewhere along the span that they not only butt against each other flush and true, but securely.
It is OFTEN that I see them resting on top of a column with the … (55 comments)
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best practice: Generators
- 05/10/13 09:54 PM
One thing that is getting more and more popular, and I am seeing more and more of, especially on new construction, is the installation of generators.
And of all sizes!
One house not long ago had a generator large enough to light up a small town!
This house is in rural Virginia, on the edge of the mountains, across the gravel road from a Black Angus ranch, and has its own transformer on the leaning pole at the edge of the road.
It is also 2 miles from the main highway, where the electric poles are substantially larger and stronger.
Electricity … (23 comments)
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best practice: Lightning Rods
- 05/09/13 08:24 PM
You might think lightning rods are common, but on residences they are not so common, at least in Northern Virginia.
I see them more and more on schools and commercial buildings with metal roofs. And I see them on statues, and some Federal buildings. For example, when the Capitol Building was repainted and refurbished in the 90s, the statue (the image of Columbia) on top was left on the lawn for a while. When they put it back on top, they added "lightning points" to hopefully send any strike away from it and the building. There are also "lightning points" on the … (73 comments)
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best practice: With HVAC Vents, Do A Lot Of Small Holes Let Out Less Carbon Monoxide?
- 05/08/13 08:08 PM
So, the age-old question - with HVAC vents, do a lot of small holes let out less carbon monoxide?
This is a house with a brand new gas HVAC system and gas water heater. They were both high quality and in good shape. Their efficiencies and installation all met all the recent codes.
But the venting through the house, and their connections were original, and nearly 40 years old.
I was disappointed to see that the HVAC installation company paid no attention to the venting.
You can see that the main exhaust stack is rusting, corroded and has the infamous brown … (13 comments)
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best practice: New Construction Best Practice - And Here, Disposal Cable Protection
- 02/21/13 06:06 PM
It is always pleasing to run across a new construction best practice - and here, disposal cable protection.
A disposal cable is supposed to be attached to some structure, typically the drain line, within inches of the disposal.
The cable also needs to be clamped into the unit, with a connector clamp.
This installer has gone the extra mile.
And this installation is a
Best Practice
Truly it is a pleasure to see!
Not only is this cable attached to the structure, with three nylon straps here (!), but it is protected!
The cable is on the floor of the cabinet, … (35 comments)
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best practice: Best Practices With Insulation Installation
- 11/13/12 08:37 PM
It isn't often that I am able to write something about best practices with insulation installation. So here it is!
This is a new house, abandoned mid construction, then purchased and construction begun anew. The buyers are saavy enough to act as their own GCs. That is not recommended for most people. They seem to have a handle on it.
As GC, selecting the proper subcontractors is crucial to the process.
It could be said that the best (new) form of insulation is sprayed foam. It is, however, very, very expensive. Even when it is used minimally to seal air flow … (61 comments)
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best practice: Stopping Air Flow With Spray Foam - A Best Practice!
- 08/22/12 07:51 PM
I see this very seldom - stopping air flow with spray foam - a best practice!
Slowly builders are coming around to the idea that spray foam over the rim joist helps a whole lot toward controlling temperatures between floors. After all, the area between the floor and ceiling is a space that is typically not insulated. Rim joists are insulated, but, in my opinion, badly, with a small piece of fiberglass poorly fitted into the space. Air infiltration is common and poorly managed.
Since that area is so large, not controlling the temperatures in there will do a lot to … (20 comments)
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best practice: A Builder Anticipating Future Electrical Usage - As A Best Practice
- 08/21/12 06:28 PM
It is always good when I see a builder anticipating future electrical usage - as a best practice.
One thing home inspectors run into is under-powered electrical supply in a house. Older wiring often isn't sufficient for modern electrical needs. Codes have changed to reflect this, but what is in an older house is in an older house.
I do a lot of new construction inspections. Recently I did an inspection on a fairly large home that had one gas furnace, a gas cook top, and a gas fireplace. The rest was electric - water heater, dryer, double wall oven, lower-level … (28 comments)
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best practice: Foam Insulation - Especially As A Best Practice!
- 03/23/12 08:11 PM
Something I don't see often on new construction is foam insulation - especially as a Best Practice!
In contrast to yesterday's post, where new construction had entire exterior wall gaps that would not have received insulation, this house has its rim joist sealed against air passage, with insulation put on top of that.
This is so good to see!
I am hoping that this is the new wave in home construction around here.
Our area is one that experiences very low AND very high seasonal temperatures.
Rim joists are an area through which huge amounts of air, hot and cold, can … (26 comments)
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best practice: PVC Trim - Best Practices
- 12/14/11 11:42 PM
Something I am seeing more and more of during new construction inspections is PVC trim around windows and doors. And why not? It does not rot, warp, split, crack or fade. It accepts paint easily.
Why not!?
The windows all around this large sun room are very efficient.
They are insulated very well.
And the outside all around this room is surrounded by PVC trim.
Even looking at it up close it is hard to tell that it is PVC!
It looks just like wood.
However, the "carpenter," if I can call the contractor that, because carpentry is traditionally known as … (28 comments)
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best practice: Best Practices - The Beginning Of A Continuous Path
- 11/10/11 10:55 PM
On a recent foundation inspection I found something that impressed me - Best Practices - the beginning of a CONTINUOUS PATH.
I am not called on too often to do a foundation inspection. On this one, there was a lot to impress.
Good drainage around the sides of the house, both leading toward a creek behind the house.
And inside the basement all internal drainage was properly buried and protected, with the water main coming up into what will eventually be the furnace room.
But that is not what impressed me the most.
What impressed me the most was the beginnings … (21 comments)
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best practice: Best Practices - Disney Post And Beam Construction
- 11/08/11 10:38 PM
Even when on vacation I cannot help myself. I am looking at things, construction techniques, finding problems, and diagnosing whatever! This last week I had occasion to seem some Best Practices - Disney post and beam construction.
Certainly used more in the past, I still see post and beam construction today. And why not? It is stable, transfers loads very well, durable, and such construction can be done even without nails, as the Amish do with their barns.
On a recent visit to Disney's Big Thunder Railroad ride, in Frontier Land at the Magic Kingdom, I broke out my camera!
I … (27 comments)
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best practice: Kick Out Flashing - Always Best Practices
- 10/27/11 10:30 PM
Some roofers recently went through our neighborhood telling everyone they had hail damage on their houses and that this "company" would make the case for them with their insurance company and they would only pay a deductible for their roof.
It worked. A lot of people had their roofs replaced. I won't go into all the negative ramifications of companies that do stuff like that, or the people who fall for it.
But I knew I did not have any hail damage. But my roof is 14 years old.
So I had a good friend and roofer, Steve Gotschi, look at … (53 comments)
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best practice: Best Practices - Shower Stall Waterproofing
- 10/15/11 11:11 PM
On pre-drywall inspections it isn't often that you see best practices - shower stall waterproofing.
Shower stalls are one area where so many installation mistakes are made, or the wrong products used, you just know it is a problem waiting to happen. When it comes time to have to repair those problems, it is difficult, costly and you are without a shower for a long time!
This shower is a two-person stall beside a large master bath tub.
There will be a glass surround for the shower.
On the walls and around the bath tub, I was told, will be ceramic … (25 comments)
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best practice: Best Practices In Door Installation
- 10/13/11 11:27 PM
One thing builders have to do is install a lot of doors. It's always a good thing to see Best Practices in door installation! Particularly when it comes to entry doors!
One thing I see a lot of are entry doors installed with three shims on each side and finishing nails.
If I had to give that a title, I would call it Common Practice.
What's my beef with that?
According to the FBI there are 6,088 burglaries or home invasions every day. That is 5 homes per minute. And 67% of these involve forcible entry.
How much protection do three … (16 comments)
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best practice: Best Practice - Window And Door Insulation
- 10/11/11 10:23 PM
How often have we complained about cold air near and around windows and doors? It could be that upon installation, the Best Practice - window and door insulation was not employed.
On a new construction, pre-drywall inspection I ran across something that I really like to see. Proper insulation around the windows and doors!
This is how insulation around windows and doors has been done for a long time.
If properly done, it is, in a word, OK.
However, there is a trick to it.
Fiberglass insulation is intended to provide a thermal barrier by trapping air.
If it is crammed … (20 comments)
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best practice: Please Join My New Group - Best Practices
- 10/09/11 09:34 PM
Nobody has more fun than I with things that I see on home inspections that are not considered best practices. Sure, the line, "But I've always done it this way," comes up a lot. And some things that are not done professionally can be funny, and instructive. That's where Mr. Jay's Neighborhood and Billy Jays comes in.
But I thought that no matter what our profession, there are things out there that are done right. There are people giving their best shots. There are products that really work, and work well. And there are techniques that we can all learn from.
… (43 comments)
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best practice: History Mystery
- 10/08/11 11:26 PM
This History Mystery post is inspired by Lenn Harley having been inspired by Preston Sandlin! Boy, it gets incestuous around here!
The building industry changes so much. Mostly, and I say this from experience, MOSTLY it is changing in terms of building product and technique. Some things I like and some I don't!
And why are there so many changes? Money. What the industry is moving towards more and more, it seems to me, is CHEAPER AND QUICKER, all with the idea of the bottom line in the forefront.
Sure, some of the products are good! And some of the techniques … (33 comments)
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Electrical wires must be protected.
;)
;)
;)
