home inspections clayton oh: It's 12:45 and Where is Your Downspout - 08/18/11 06:57 PM

 
 
When a Home Inspector writes a report or takes notes for a report he usually begins the same way each time.  I know I do.  I start outside with the roof and work my way down and around the house. Taking everything in stride no matter what you may find.  Oh, you might look at something and shake your head, snap a couple extra photos, and even write a cute (using the term loosely) little anecdote in the margins.  But all in all home inspectors that have been doing it for a while take most things in stride.
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home inspections clayton oh: Things to know about your home. 11 - 08/10/11 10:02 AM
Did you ever see a 3 pipe or 4 pipe water system?  Well, it is more common than you think.
Let's see 3 pipes.  What could they be hot, cold, and (hmmmm) warm?  Could it be hot, cold, and very cold?  That would be nice, wouldn't it.  Well, normally it isn't either of those things.  Then what about these third or even fourth pipes? Maybe the plumber had some left over pipe (yeah that's it)?
Actually, I find these real common in larger houses 40+ years old.  The third and fourth pipes could be several things, but most commonly they are … (3 comments)

home inspections clayton oh: Things to know about your home. 10 - 08/07/11 09:38 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. 
How many of us want beautiful ceramic tile in our bathrooms.  I know I do and have done it several times.  My better half wants me to do it again in the shared bath upstairs.  This bath is one that hasn't been touched yet and is in need of remodeling.  Since this was the kids bath I tried to stay away from it as if it were … (7 comments)

home inspections clayton oh: Inspectors Worst Roofs - 08/05/11 07:33 AM
August must be roof month, or this is roof week, or something like that.  Don't know what happened, maybe I missed the annoucement.  But not to be outdone I decided I'd throw my 2 cents in the pot.
 
My worst roof is a standout that has no competition in my history of inspections.  This is one that even the most hardy and fearless inspector wouldn't attempt.  It is only a one story house in the front, but in back (with the walkout basement) it is a full 3 stories tall.  
 

Here is the front of what seems … (6 comments)

home inspections clayton oh: It was there just a minute ago. - 07/29/11 07:02 AM

First time I've used this picture, at the insistance of my granddaughter. May not use it again.  She did put my glasses on and fix my hair for me.  Thanks Lexie.
 
 
When I did this inspection - the first time - I noted the information from the outside AC unit and actually checked wiring and coil.  Then since it was to cold to start the AC I moved on not knowing, or suspecting I would do another inspection on this house.
 
Recently, I was asked to do another inspection and this is the picture of the outside … (11 comments)

home inspections clayton oh: As I Prepare to Make the Leap, Again Part 2.5. - 07/21/11 06:00 AM
If your wondering why this is 2.5 and not 3, well, it means my bid wasn't accepted.  I was all ready to write the third in this series and all of a sudden my realtor says they want my highest and best offer.
To anyone that has been through this type of transaction, that means they have another offer.  Since the price was good and the potential profit was high, I decided to go ahead and up my offer.
Here I am doing an inspection for a client that is trying to do the same thing I am.
They are a … (7 comments)

home inspections clayton oh: As I Prepare to Make the Leap, Again Part 2. - 07/02/11 08:01 AM

In keeping with the way I normally look for homes to rehab, this morning I went cruising neighborhoods where several homes were listed. This is the first step and several factors come into play in the choice of the property.
 
 
 
1.  Is the neighborhood viable.  This means that, although depressed it isn't beyond recovery.  People still will want to live there.  Many times you can find homes that are priced right (in your price range), but the area will not support a home being repaired/rehabbed. Simply try not to have the most expensive house on the block … (6 comments)

home inspections clayton oh: As I Prepare to Make the Leap Again. - 07/01/11 08:44 AM
What is the first thing that pops into your mind?  Well, no, I'm not getting married. I'm looking for houses or small apartment buildings to rehab.
I passed up this bueaty, even though it presented the kind of challenge that I love.  I decided to spend a little more ($) and try to get one that is just a bit less work.
Let's think about the process of rehabilitating a house (I hate the term flipping).  I want to see that the home I make-over is one that will add to whatever neighborhood it ends up being in.  I want it … (8 comments)

home inspections clayton oh: Just throw it anywhere. - 06/16/11 08:51 AM
 

 I guess you can just throw that pink stuff anywhere.
 
Do you have batting in the attic?  Have you ever looked at it?  In the next few pictures I'll show you a house that has batting and it is just thrown in the attic.
 
 
I've seen some sloppy installations, but this one really takes the cake and maybe the whole bakery.
 
Show of hands time.  Who thinks this is the right way to do insulation?  Let's see, hmmm nobody.  
Just stand at the scuttle opening and pitch it in the general direction.  
 
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home inspections clayton oh: This is the Throne and This is the Throne Room - 05/17/11 07:28 AM
I am constantly amazed by the thinking of some homeowners.  Inspected this home Sunday and couldn't help be surprized to find what was called the 1/4 bath in the basement.  In all my many years I had never heard of anyone advertising a 1/4 bath.  Maybe I am just sheltered and there are thousands of them out there, maybe tens of thousands.

 
In case your interested the pipe behind the Throne is the drain for the washer.  Of course, there is no vent for this, so lets hope their clothes don't have lint. Lint is really good at stoppin … (16 comments)

home inspections clayton oh: I Leave My Card Everywhere. - 05/13/11 10:01 AM
I do, litterally everywhere. It is a practice that I began, what seems like, eons ago. 
I put it under the tip at restaurants, on the counter at stores, at the doctors office, at the barber shop, and well, you get the idea. This practice has netted me a number of clients and a few irate phone calls. 
Last month I left my card at a house where I had accompanied a friend.  The friend was in the market for a new house and asked me to go along to see if there were any major, glaring problems.  I don't do this on … (17 comments)

home inspections clayton oh: Changing the Report - Another opinion and finally a draft. - 05/09/11 08:40 AM
 
I recently enlisted the help of a couple of my customers to rearrange and reorganize my reports.  My goal is to make the report user friendly.  Who says you can't teach an old Dog new tricks.


So far the organization part is similar to the following:
 
1.  Cover sheet - includes client info, a picture of the front of the property and type of inspection.
1a. Contract
2.  Table of Contents.
3.  Summary of the MAJOR issues. 
4.  Issues with pictures.
5.  Standard explanation of what is inspected.
6.  Addendums - explanation of the issues and … (7 comments)

home inspections clayton oh: 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 clayton oh: Changing the Report - Do's and Don'ts - 05/03/11 10:31 AM
 

 
In my last blog I said I enlisted the help of a new and first time buyer to make my report pertinent to the real home buyer. Ok, I can hear you, "What does he mean by Real Home Buyer". I'm sure everyone that ever tried to explain anything has come across the person who knows nothing, but nods and smiles well and convincingly. I love the husband that shows off for the wife, he knows exactly what I'm talking about, right! Oh, and by the way, it isn't exclusive to husbands and wives. It also applies to … (4 comments)

home inspections clayton oh: Changing the Report - 05/03/11 06:55 AM
 

When a home inspector changes his report format it means he had nothing to do for weeks. But in this case it wasn't true.
Recently, I decided to change my report formats to make them more meaningful to the client.  I separated the report into several sections and arranged the form to be much more meaningful to the specific person I was serving at the time.  In truth, I made my residential report more like my commercial report.
I enlisted the help of a first time home buyer (one who readily admitted knowing nothing about home maintenance or real … (5 comments)

home inspections clayton oh: 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:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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home inspections clayton oh: 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 clayton oh: Happy Holidays activerain - 12/10/10 01:08 PM
Here's wishing you the Best of the Holidays.
May you prosper in all you do.
 
Jack Gilleland
Home Inspection Services, Clayton
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home inspections clayton oh: Terms Inspectors Use. - 12/09/10 07:36 AM
Now I don't mean the ones that he spouts when he trips over the last step in the basement, or the one that he says when he closes the dishwasher on his fingers.  The ones I mean are the ones that you can use in public without mothers covering their children's ears.
I'll start with the ones that are very basic.  These are the terms that cover some of the types of inspections we do.  Be careful though, most inspectors have their own terms for the different types of inspections.  Most of these terms can be interchanged with other inspectors, but … (8 comments)

home inspections clayton oh: Is This a Problem - 11/29/10 12:07 PM

 
There is a problem here and, although it doesn't jump out at you, it will turn into a problem that will eventually cost the new homeowner money.  My camera is level and I am shooting the picture at floor level to try to show the drop at the opposite end of the room.  The drop is 3/4 of an inch, but it is mostly apparent in the last 4' before you get to the outside wall. 
 
 
 
 

 
The problem isn't the floor itself, it is OSB sheeting and it was level at the time … (14 comments)