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rotting wood: Beauty And The Beasts - 03/12/11 06:56 AM
Once in a while you can walk around a house and see something really beautiful, and hope isn't the problem you think it might be. But try not to think out loud, something like, "We'll have to check that when we get inside."
This patio is a beauty. It is solid. No gaps. No moving bricks. No mortar deterioration. Angled slightly away from the house.
It is a beauty.
So why was I thinking out loud?
Because I am not a termite guy! But I talk to them. And they tell me that around here 90% of the time, when termites … (92 comments)
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rotting wood: Built In Termite Invite - 12/05/10 07:47 AM
When first walking around the rear of a house, I saw a shed. At first glance it looked home made but okay!
Well, so then I noticed the collapsing roof.
... And the wood siding that is right on the ground, a big no no.
... And that it wasn't touching the house so lots of water would be getting inside.
... And that the door doesn't close properly, or even open very well.
But ASIDE from all that, hey, we have a shed!
I'm thinking garden tools, lawn mower, weed whacker, that sort of thing!
So I looked … (36 comments)
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rotting wood: Past Is Prologue - 09/01/10 05:10 AM
An interesting email came the other day. It was from a former client, for whom I had done an inspection four years ago. His house at that time was only two years old. All the window trim on the house was beginning to rot.
My comment at that time was that this was a lot of rot developing in only two years, and that it would get worse. I also suggested that since it was on nearly window that the problem was likely due to improper installation. At that time I was unable to see what could have caused it, but … (41 comments)
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rotting wood: Replace Your Air Filter Regularly! OR The Mystery Of the Rotting Door Trim - 08/04/10 05:04 AM
Sometimes things are found during home inspections that should not be there. And the reason has to be investigated. This can be a regular Hardy Boys mystery sometimes and can be a lot of fun!
It has been dry and on a patio not otherwise wet I saw the water you see here and the rotting wood. Whatever this problem was, it had been happening for some time. This part of the house is on a slab. It would be unusual, but not impossible, for water to be coming from under the door. There was no water source nearby. So what … (79 comments)
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rotting wood: We Don't Need No Stinkin' Flashing! - 07/20/10 06:27 AM
Apparently the roof was leaking. So two things were done to "solve" the problem. A new layer of shingles was laid over the first (not always the best solution). And instead of placing flashing where it was needed, a few tubes of caulking were expended to stop any leaking!
Note: CAULKING IS NOT FLASHING!
This is what I saw from behind this house. Before I went inside I knew what we would be dealing with. This is a big red flag!
It is obvious that the roof sheathing is rotting. And from repairs on the siding it was obvious that … (31 comments)
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rotting wood: "I'm Calling To Say You're An Idiot" - 03/02/10 06:43 AM
On inspections, I often leave my card and write something on it.
Sometimes it says, "The ice in the bin was not made by your ice maker, shame on you." But that was another story in another post.
Usually it just says, "Please call me with any questions." Not all home inspectors would invite this. I do.
This practice has gotten me other inspections in the past with either the sellers or agent of the property I inspected.
This time it got me a call.
"Is this the inspector?" "Yes. This is Jay." "I'm calling to say you're an idiot!"
This … (28 comments)
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rotting wood: The Long Arm Of The Law - 01/29/10 02:32 AM
Arriving early at a home inspection in a condo development, just after sun up, I did my usual walk around to check out the general upkeep of the units. It was very cold.
This gives me information about the condo association and how on top of maintenance it is generally.
I was met by a lady standing on her lower-level patio. She saw the sign on my car and thought to take advantage. She said her column was rotting at the bottom and would I mind looking at it.
"Why is it rotting? My neighbor's column on the balcony above … (14 comments)
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rotting wood: Flat Roof, Snow Cover, Lots Of Rot - 01/02/10 06:58 AM
A roof is best looked at from the roof. There are times when binoculars are the best alternative to that. But for the most part being up on the roof is the best way to assess it.
But only when it's safe!
I ended the year with a late afternoon, New Year's Eve inspection of a country store with an attached warehouse.
The roof was flat and not that high, 20' or so.
It was easily accessible.
There were two problems:
From underneath I could see many areas of rotting, broken wood, with various holes through the under layment. It had … (10 comments)
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rotting wood: Going Postal - 10/06/09 04:54 PM
Not often does do I have the opportunity to go back to a house following a home inspection. I inspected this particular house just a couple of weeks ago. And, in addition to its problems, it had high radon, requiring remediation, which the sellers had to accomplish. So my clients asked me back to do a follow-up radon test.
When I arrived the front porch, which had many problems noted on the inspection report, presented itself!
So I looked around!
First, I looked at the newel posts on the front guardrail. Both had been rotting, high and low, and one … (11 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
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An experienced home inspector's look at current home inspection events and conditions along with his useful recommendations.
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