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new construction inspections: Hurricane Straps - 02/13/12 03:45 AM
One very important thing to look for on new construction, pre-drywall inspections are hurricane straps. Also called "hurricane ties" or "twist straps," let's keep it simple for the post and call them hurricane straps.
A simple piece of engineering, a hurricane strap is a single piece of metal with a half twist.
There are pre-drilled holes for nails to anchor the straps to roof rafter ends.
In modern construction, every roof truss rafter that rests on an exterior wall is to be strapped. The only exception is the truss rafter at the very edge of a townhouse, which is itself anchored … (13 comments)
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new construction inspections: When Appliances Don't Sound Right - 01/25/12 04:57 AM
During a new construction inspection, what should I do when appliances don't sound right?
One of the goals on a new construction inspection is to test things. Unless the builder makes it clear some appliance is not completely installed and should not be tested, I test them all. That's why we're there!
Turning on what is billed as "Gourmet Kitchen - Upgraded Exhaust Hood," it just didn't sound right.
I did the old take-a-piece-of-paper-from-my-pocket test and the paper stuck very well.
That's a sign the fan is actually working!
It's always good when the fan is working...
But still, it didn't … (29 comments)
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new construction inspections: Moisture Isolation - 01/16/12 06:09 AM
One thing wood does not like is continually touching something wetter, so moisture isolation is necessary when it does.
That is why there are many things for separating wood and water. Deck posts rest on metal stools or feet. Wood beams are separated from foundation walls 1/2" with metal shims. The trim around exterior doors and garage doors should be cut and separated from concrete stoops and driveways. This goes on and on.
IT IS COMMON SENSE. Why?
Concrete holds moisture after a rain and can draw moisture from the soil via capillary action.
And concrete by itself stays wet for … (34 comments)
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new construction inspections: Builder Buries Downspouts To Aid Parched Mongolia - 01/13/12 05:29 AM
Dateline Northern Virginia: In a move unprecedented in building history, a Northern Virginia builder, too humble to be named, has decided to bury one downspout on every new house built.
This one fabulous yet ordinary downspout will be dedicated to providing water to a parched region of the world, Mongolia. It will discharge its water into a tube sent directly there. Such a thing has never been attempted before.
When reached for comment, Lead Supervisor, "Skate," said: "Like, yeah, you know, um dude, I mean they are like thirsty there. We wanna like give back y'know."
When asked what part … (94 comments)
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new construction inspections: Kitchen Cabinet Installation - I Am Looking Down The Road - 12/16/11 03:57 AM
On new construction, kitchen cabinets can often get overlooked. When I look at kitchen cabinet installation I am looking down the road.
Kitchens are essential. They are where everybody ends up - the family, guests, the party, whatever!
Designers of new homes take this into account as they know people demand a kitchen that is the heart and social center of the home.
The cabinetry is very important.
If it wasn't there wouldn't be so many styles, woods, designs and colors to choose from!
This kitchen is gorgeous.
The buyers spent a lot of time choosing everything from layout to final … (31 comments)
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new construction inspections: PVC Trim - Best Practices - 12/15/11 07:42 AM
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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new construction inspections: Space, The Final Frontier - 12/09/11 05:16 AM
One of my big beefs with Flippers, and homeowners who do their own work, is the bathroom that is placed with the shower/tub hardware against a wall.
They pick out these fiberglass shower surrounds and then make it impossible to get to any hardware because of a foundation wall right behind.
Well, fortunately this builder has heard my complaints.
Here is a bathroom with the hardware side NOT right against the foundation wall.
From this photo it looks like there is great access to the shower hardware.
That gap is only 8".
I could barely extend my (big gun) arm back … (58 comments)
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new construction inspections: Seven Things I Don't Understand - 12/08/11 05:15 AM
First thing I don't understand: if these folks want to put a deck on the back of the house, the ledger beam (the main support for the deck, a 2x12 that bolts to the house onto which the deck joists are attached) is interfered with by four appurtenances.
Home inspectors call objects that pass through walls that service other things, like the furnace vent, hose bib and two vent covers above APPURTENANCES.
There is only one place to put that ledger beam. It must be attached in a way that meets codes, meaning many through bolts into the house, in a … (47 comments)
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new construction inspections: In New Construction, This Is Not A Good Sign - 12/05/11 07:00 AM
When you see water in the basement in new construction, this is not a good sign. It is very, very important that on new construction water is not encouraged into the house. Proper placement and grading of soil should encourage water AWAY from the house.
Obviously this water is not coming in through the door. It is getting in between the foundation wall and and slab BESIDE the stairwell retaining wall.
Had we done this inspection the day before, since it had not rained in some time, we likely would not have seen this problem!
Why is it happening?
The … (89 comments)
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new construction inspections: Don't Make Your House A Mouse House! - 11/16/11 06:08 AM
Builders are trying hard. I agree that the connection where the AC lines enter the house, the spot that gets filled with a big glop of putty, is a pretty ugly sight. So the builders are trying to dress it up.
But in doing that, care needs to be taken to prevent rodentia from getting inside! Don't make your house a mouse house!
This is new construction and a pretty setting.
Eventually those plantings will get too big and be bothersome to the compressor's ability to breath, but that is a different issue altogether.
Can you see the prettied up AC … (42 comments)
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new construction inspections: Best Practices - Shower Stall Waterproofing - 10/16/11 06:11 AM
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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new construction inspections: Best Practice - Window And Door Insulation - 10/12/11 05:23 AM
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 … (19 comments)
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new construction inspections: "We Won't Fix Anything Unless It's A Code Violation" - 08/13/11 06:07 AM
More new construction fun! And guess who it's with ... again? And the same tricks - late afternoon phone call, the inspection needed to be done the next day, enormous amounts of insurance information - same old, same old.
The buyer called me in a panic. We had previously corresponded many times, but she did had not been told the requirements the builder has pertaining to inspectors and inspections not realizing things were far enough along to have the inspection. Even though I had warned her, she did not believe me (they seldom do). I told her to call the lady … (91 comments)
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new construction inspections: New Construction With A Basement Bathroom Rough In - 07/29/11 06:46 AM
Many people are buying new construction these days and not finishing the basement. They think they can do it better, cheaper or with more flair than the builder will deliver. Here is an example of new construction with a basement bathroom rough in.
This is a final inspection just prior to the buyer taking occupancy.
I did not do a pre-drywall inspection.
This is the "rough in" left for this buyer to finish into a bathroom.
What impresses me is this:
1. There is no third drain for a sink or tub. Only two drains were placed in the floor.
2. … (49 comments)
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new construction inspections: HA! Builder Tricks Foiled Again! - 07/09/11 06:53 AM
Pretty familiar call. It's 4:40 or so and I'm on my way to my last appointment. "Jay, our builder called just now and tomorrow is the final walk through on my new condo. The sales lady says she is sorry but if I want a home inspection we need to have it before the walk through at 10am! My Realtor said to call you."
I laughed, as I always do, because this is so consistent. This aspect of new construction inspection is not a trend, it is the NEW NORMAL. But, fortunately, I had a cancellation the next morning and was … (61 comments)
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new construction inspections: Dangerous Receptacle Installation - "That's How They're Doing It Now." - 07/08/11 07:33 AM
If something has always been done a certain way for decades, either through common sense, best practice or because of codes, and suddenly it changes because someone thinks "that's how they're doing it now," then we need to rethink sanity. Who makes these changes?!
This is new construction, again (!), and here is the view under the kitchen sink.
Something might spring out at you. Yes, the disposal receptacle.
Is that under the drain and disposal? Yes!Is it facing up and ready to receive a drippy leak? Yes!Is the box metal? Yes!Was this intentional? Yes!How do I know - because the … (31 comments)
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new construction inspections: On New Construction The Finish Work Is Crucial - Remember The Golden Rule? - 07/02/11 07:23 AM
When good money is spent for a new home everything should be pleasing to the eye. Materials selection, fixtures, finish carpentry, the final product - all should demonstrate pride in workmanship which leads to pride in ownership. The final walk through with the client should be a REVEAL - look what we have done for you!
Unfortunately with so much modern, new construction, this is not the case.
A large, covered porch outside the master bedroom is a feature most of us would drool over. A nice retreat, private, comfortable furniture and it can be enjoyed in any weather. What could … (46 comments)
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new construction inspections: Am I Sensing A Disturbing Trend? - 07/01/11 06:09 AM
Over the years I have noticed tricks builders play with their clients when it comes time to get inspections. For example, they will call at 4:55pm and say they forgot that the schedule had changed and are sorry for the mix up but if the client wants that inspection they were considering they need to have it the next day between 9 and 11am. Or they will apologetically call and say there was a snafu and the inspection needs to be postponed one day after having been scheduled for a week. There are many such tricks. When people call me to … (218 comments)
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new construction inspections: There MUST Be Continuity For Load Transfer - Danger, Danger, Danger! - 06/30/11 08:23 AM
There is almost never an inspection on new construction that does not stir up a bees hive! So often I run into things that I KNOW an architect did not design. It is the supervisor and subcontractors on site that are very, very relevant to the final product people buy and end up living in.
Nice house. Pretty porch arrangement. That upper veranda comes off of the master bedroom. Very nice porch.
Very unusually, I could see the underside of the upper porch from the front stoop. There was no covering.
And in that underside I could see how two of … (15 comments)
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new construction inspections: "DAMMIT!! That's Not Your Job." - 06/29/11 06:18 AM
I wasn't there long. And it began easy enough.
Some clients that I had done a new construction inspection for had been having enough communication problems with their builder that they asked me to go back to check just a few things from my report that were to be fixed. They weren't confident that it had been done.
The supervisor met me at the door and was very friendly.
The more I did though, the more adversarial he became.
One problem was very erratic air flow from the HVAC ducts on every level, ranging from 25 cubic feet per minute to … (30 comments)
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Jay Markanich - Northern VA Home Inspector
Bristow,
VA
More about me…
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC
Address: 12315 Sherborne Street, Bristow, VA, 20136
Office Phone: (703) 330-6388
Cell Phone: (703) 585-7560
Email Me
An experienced home inspector's look at current home inspection events and conditions along with his useful recommendations.
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