home inspections: Different kind of Horseshoe - 11/29/11 06:54 AM
I recently did an inspection for a couple in southern Ohio.  A beautiful home that fit there needs well.  The home had one interesting feature that turned me green with envy.
On the lower level it had the Horseshoe.  No not a horseshoe, "The Horseshoe".

This is the entry to the OSU room.  It isn't a mural, it is all hand painted.

Imagine someone sitting down and deciding to do a whole room like this.

I enjoyed the experience completely.  Even if you aren't an OSU fan you have to appreciate the determination.  It took 2 years to … (11 comments)

home inspections: DIY -Be Careful of This Project - 05/07/11 08:46 AM

 
Recently I have seen an increased use of tile on counter tops.  Don't get me wrong, done correctly, it is a good surface for that purpose.  You need to be careful though, This type of surface  has it's drawbacks.
Broken tile (the kind where there are few, if any, beveled surfaces) is attractive, but can be dangerous.  Tile that is broken at random, or chipped with hammer (or other metal object) is sharp.  Ceramic is dangerous when broken because of edge that is created when the tile is fired.  I have run my hand over a few tiled surfaces … (4 comments)

home inspections: New Owners Get Lucky, well, sort of. - 04/26/11 07:38 AM
 
I really have missed blogging.  Actually, I've missed a bunch of things lately and I'm  now getting back in the swing of things.  I want to say thanks to those that missed me and sent emails concerning my absence.  I'll just suffice to say that I'll be blogging again and both of you that read my blog can relax now.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
It amazes me that this only produced this:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
… (9 comments)

home inspections: Things to know about your home. 9 - 12/16/10 07:08 AM

What are the things that you don't know about your home? They are all the important things that you don't know are important until you need to know them.  Now is that clear to everyone. 
If you live in the North (north of what you ask, where it is cold) you have a more than even chance your driveway is cracked.  Why is that? Well, simple explanation covers most cracks, expansion and contraction.  Concrete (like my fingers when exposed to excessive temperatures) contracts when it is cold and expands when it is warm.  To make things worse water/moisture under your driveway … (8 comments)

home inspections: Things to know about your home 4. - 11/03/10 01:14 PM

 
What are the things that you don't know about your home? They are all the important things that you don't know are important until you need to know them.  Now is that clear to everyone. 
            I've talked about it and now we'll address it, the service panel.  Also called main breaker panel, breaker panel, (and if you have fuses not breakers) fuse box, breaker box, or just fuses or breakers.  I've heard them called a few other things when a breaker trips or a fuse blows in the middle of the night.  They are usually gray, but I have … (13 comments)

home inspections: Dr. Marvel's Magic Elixir - 09/22/10 10:56 AM

 
There have been a lot of posts about caulk lately (tis the season) and I didn't want to be left out. 
I've seen windows, doors, floors, brick, plumbing fixtures, concrete, and roofs caulked just to mention a few uses.  Not long ago I even saw some "silly cone" sealant used for wood glue.  As you can guess, just like Dr. Marvel's Magic Elixir, it didn't work very well.  There are different kinds of products for different applications and if used for something else they just don't work (or work in a very limited way). 
Just a few days ago … (6 comments)

home inspections: Sports in Dayton - Ohio State Buckeyes - 09/12/10 10:17 AM

Ohio State University 36     Miami University (of Florida) 24
Well, Saturday removed all doubts, they are for real.  Except for a few costly "ooops" on the part of special teams the Bucks beat a talented Miami (FL) opponent.  Of course, being partial to defense, I believe the outcome would have been much different if it wasn't for the outstanding play of the OSU D.  If they continue to play like this the rest of the year we have a real shot at the BCS Championship Game.
Ohio is now 2 wins and 0 losses on the season.
Go Bucks.
Jack … (4 comments)

home inspections: Inspect this. - 09/08/10 06:18 AM
So this isn't a cute picture of my grand daughter and my dog, but I thought it was interesting.

Most everyone has one in their home if it was built within the last 20 to 30 years. This one isn't different it is just a different view.
Jack Gilleland
Home Inspection Services, Clayton
see us on facebook
 
… (10 comments)

home inspections: What is an Investor's Survey Report - 08/23/10 08:56 AM
I was going to make this home part of the "Inspectors - Inspect This" series, but in every picture there were so many problems that I couldn't focus on just one thing. 

 
Investors look at so many homes/buildings I developed what I call an Investor's Survey Report to aid them in making a decision to pursue a purchase or not.  I don't charge a normal home inspection fee because this is supposed to take less time, less writing, less research and (all in all) less work.  This type of inspection gives the investor a general overview of the property … (12 comments)

home inspections: Sports in Dayton - The Reds - 08/22/10 06:01 PM

This year as I run down the list of division leaders I'm not really surprised until I get to the National League Central Division,  The Cincinnati Reds.  Living in Dayton just 60 miles north of Cincinnati you almost have to be a Reds fan, but being a Reds fan can have it's punishments more often than it's rewards.  Cincinnati isn't one of those high dollar teams (you know who they are).  They are the underdog in many ways.  So this year I am very pleasantly pleased to say the Reds are in first place in the Central Division.  They are … (9 comments)

home inspections: Sports in Dayton - 07/26/10 09:40 AM
 
For those of you that have been following the Reds here is the update I promised you.
They are now in second place with a record now of 55 wins and 45 losses.  Just 1.5 games in back of the division leader Cardinals. 
Here are some great individual stats that you may want to know. Brandon Phillips, the Reds 2nd baseman, is carrying a 284 average for the year.  Scot Rolen, at 3rd base, is also among the team leaders 287 average. Joey Votto, 1st baseman, has knocked the ball out of the park 25 times and is sporting a 315 average and  an amazing 67 RBI's. Bronson Arroyo is … (2 comments)

home inspections: Special Homes. A Uniquely Different House. - 07/03/10 11:30 AM

I've had my share of interesting homes lately.  They just seem to get better as time goes on.  I had one yesterday that seemed to a typical special home.  The house was 91 years old and of structural brick.  That in itself makes it different considering when it was constructed. 
As I walked around the building I did notice more and more that peaked my interest.  Its no secret that I love old homes and I am fascinated with the history of building in the US, but this one really got to me.  It is within yards of a neighborhood … (8 comments)

home inspections: Sports in Dayton - 06/26/10 06:36 AM
This is a great year for Reds fans.  We are almost half way through the season and The Reds are in first place in the National League Central Division having passed St. Louis.  They have a 5 game win streak going and seem to be getting stronger as the season progresses.
At 41 wins and 33 loses The Reds are playing great ball (win average of .554).  They are 5th in batting with a .275 team average. 
Rolen leads the team with 16 home runs and Phillips is presently carrying a .308 average. 
See all the Reds information at The Reds Official … (3 comments)

home inspections: Inspections - Inspections - Inspections - 06/21/10 12:45 PM

 
 
 
 
 
Times change and with time all things change.  With the market the way it is I change the type and names of inspections that I do.  Five years ago I could limit my inspections to just real estate transactions and I would have been satisfied with the number of inspections I was doing.  A one man shop has a limited amount of time and therefore can do a limited amount of inspections.
Unfortunately, the market changed and with it the number of real estate transaction inspections that were available.  Since the dogs like to eat … (9 comments)

home inspections: Misconceptions - Wood Burning Fireplace. - 05/17/10 09:08 AM
Just last week I was in a home with a wood burning fireplace (according to the listing). I took one look at it and decided that it would make a good photo for a blog.  There was a fireplace and at one time they had burned something in it.

All things considered I don't think I'd want to put a fire in there.  Of course, I included in my report that the fireplace should not be used until a qualified chimney expert inspected it.  Don't take for granted anything in your home. 
Jack Gilleland
Home Inspection Services, Clayton
… (15 comments)

home inspections: See this too often. - 05/12/10 09:14 AM
I do.  I see this much too often in one form or another.
 
It doesn't take long for this to happen.  All you need is a situation like the one above and Spring Rain. If the house isn't too old then you might need a few seasons without repair, but eventually you'll see it too.  Unfortunately, the damage in the above picture is severe enough that it isn't going to be an easy, cheap fix.  Unlike the fix the prevention is much cheaper and easier.  For every downspout one $10 purchase will do the job of redirecting the water away from … (11 comments)

home inspections: A home to amaze. - 04/25/10 05:07 AM
One of the most amazing things about Home Inspections is not "inspecting the home", but seeing all of the different homes and lives that went on in those houses.
I am often surprized by the way homes are decorated and/or cared for by the number of inhabitants the house has had over the years.  Some look ready to fall down on the outside and inside there well kept. On the other hand, there are the ones that look like a "gingerbread house" and on the inside.......
This old farm house was one that truly amazed me.
The home obviously has some issues, but looking … (8 comments)

home inspections: Reflection and Comment - 04/19/10 07:58 AM
Over the years (almost too many to count now, not enough fingers and toes) I have seen too many different problems to enumerate in any blog.  The ones that make me more angry than any other are the ones that take minimal effort to correct.  The minimal effort could save thousands of dollars for the home owner. 
I always end my reports with "Please read the entire report" and I've noticed that many other Home Inspectors do the same.  Many HI's are now putting in their report causes and effects of neglect of simple things that need addressed regularly. What can cause … (7 comments)

home inspections: There might be a leak. - 04/16/10 05:57 AM
"What leak" the realtor said.  "The one from the bathroom tub faucet", I responded.  "It isn't a really a big deal". I continued.  "Looks like just a little TLC from a qualified plumber will take care of it", starting to get irritated.  The rest of the conversation was about the same. This was a bank owned property that had some major problems that the investor/buyer knew she was going to have to repair (roof, water heater, and drywall), but the sellers realtor was focused on probably the least expensive repair there.
Of course, the buyer wanted the seller to pay for … (10 comments)

home inspections: Don't You Just Love It - 03/18/10 09:10 AM
I just want to scream when I walk into anotherwise normal home and find that more than half of the mechanicals, siding or anything else just gone.  When the thieves take the copper, duct, cabinets, water heater, furnace, or appliances they are not only stealing from the seller of the house, but from the community.  The home owner (bank or other) normally would have to repair the house to even get it on the market, let alone sell it.
The home where this picture was taken was, outwardly, in good condition. 
Being on a slab the new plumbing will have to … (9 comments)