ashi certified ct connecticut home inspections: Higher Cooking - 08/04/09 08:43 AM
Home appliances are components that most inspectors will check during a home inspection, but are often not a required part of the inspection. Most Standards of Practice do not mention house hold appliances or exclude them from the inspection.
I do check the kitchen appliances during the inspection. The cook top … (15 comments)
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ashi certified ct connecticut home inspections: Be Careful, He Might Bite - 07/12/09 09:18 AM
Have you ever have gone into a house and the owners have a dog? You walk in and the dog comes charging up to you tail wagging. Just as you're reaching out your hand the owner warns you off with, "careful sometimes he bites". WHOA!
Now you're thinking, can't you put … (16 comments)
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ashi certified ct connecticut home inspections: Starve a Flue - 06/26/09 07:37 AM
I make it a point if at all possible to check the inside of the chimney flues. You just never know what may be lurking inside that long dark shaft.
The digital camera is a great device for checking out flues. It's like having your eyes on a periscope. I can … (8 comments)
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ashi certified ct connecticut home inspections: Switch the Switch - 12/11/08 09:22 AM
Air conditioning components are not something the average person thinks about unless they stop working. Like everything installed in a house there are specific requirements for their installation.
Air conditioning compressors which are located outdoors require a service switch near the unit. The words "service switch" mean it is readily accessible … (7 comments)
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ashi certified ct connecticut home inspections: Infrared Duality - 12/10/08 03:43 PM
With the growing number of companies offering infrared services this technology has become more common place. The infrared camera is a remarkable tool that can discover problems non-invasively in a wide array of applications. Since the camera is effectively a diverse instrument the operator too must be diverse in knowledge. There … (20 comments)
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ashi certified ct connecticut home inspections: Flashing That Won't Get You Arrested - 11/26/08 09:12 AM
Flashing on a home is an important component in water proofing the structure. The most common and visible flashings are usually found on the roof. Chimney flashings are frequently the most problematic since the chimney surface is difficult to adhere the flashing to in a weather tight fashion. Add in the … (9 comments)
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ashi certified ct connecticut home inspections: This Joe Isn't No Plumber - 11/19/08 03:40 PM
Joe the Plumber made famous during the recent Presidential election was as near as we can tell was a real honest goodness licensed plumber. But what happens when Joes wanna be plumber cousin, Rufus, decides to get into business for himself. After all he's helped Joe on a few jobs and … (6 comments)
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ashi certified ct connecticut home inspections: What Background Qualifies a Home Inspector? - 11/19/08 08:59 AM
Home inspection requires certain skills and knowledge exclusive to the profession. Yet a large amount of this background crosses over with other home and building related occupations. Because of this cross over it is often assumed that an engineer for example will be an exemplary home inspector. The operative word here … (29 comments)
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ashi certified ct connecticut home inspections: Sometimes a Home Needs a Blanket - 11/18/08 10:09 AM
I have recently been discussing the use of facts while interpreting and writing inspection information. One of the non desirable actions in composing reports is using blanket recommendations. But sometimes it works for a particular house.
I inspected a small bungalow style home a few days ago where the electrical deficiencies … (7 comments)
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ashi certified ct connecticut home inspections: When There's No Training, It Shows - 11/15/08 11:33 AM
When we are children we go to school to learn how to read and write and use math. As we get older we begin to focus on learning a specific trade or occupation, but maybe not always.
During a recent job I found deficiencies to the basic structure of a newer … (18 comments)
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ashi certified ct connecticut home inspections: Infrared Cameras and Other Home Inspection Gadgets - 11/12/08 02:46 PM
Home inspectors are known for using all manner of tools and nifty gadgets. I myself have a few. Tools are a great addition to your main arsenal of tools, your five senses. Most everyone is blessed with these basic senses and they are fantastic for doing most anything we need to … (20 comments)
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ashi certified ct connecticut home inspections: How Important is the Report? - 11/11/08 02:10 PM
Home inspections are basically about gathering information and reporting on what is found. The information is then put into some type of written report. There are all manner of home inspection reports available and being used every day by inspectors. The computer generated variety is by far and away the most … (35 comments)
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ashi certified ct connecticut home inspections: Don't Forget to Turn Everything On - 11/10/08 03:19 PM
With the prevalence of foreclosures these days' home inspectors are inspecting many more of these kinds of properties. Usually what happens with bank owned properties is all the utilities get turn off and the home is winterized. This presents some what of a dilemma for the home inspector. You can not … (10 comments)
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ashi certified ct connecticut home inspections: High and Dry - 11/09/08 08:00 AM
Many homeowners dislike forced air heating because it's dry. The alternative is hydronic heat which is another way of saying heat supplied by hot water. This type of system incorporates a boiler, not a furnace, to heat the water that will either be circulated by a pump or turned to steam … (12 comments)
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ashi certified ct connecticut home inspections: Electricity in the Great Outdoors - 11/05/08 01:29 PM
Having wiring and other wire related electrical components outdoors is a fact of life. It has to be that way in order for us to have electricity in our homes. Even some of our electrical appliances are located outdoors such as an air conditioning compressor.
For outdoor wiring to happen and … (7 comments)
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ashi certified ct connecticut home inspections: Baby Steps - 11/04/08 03:10 PM
When we first learn to walk we take small uneven steps and as a result we fall down a lot. But as practice makes perfect we master walking and take longer, evener strides moving along without much thought.
When walking up and down stairs the same even stepping is critical to … (2 comments)
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ashi certified ct connecticut home inspections: Stratification is Not About Flying - 10/11/08 12:21 PM
When flying we'll usually hear the Captain speak about the stratosphere. It's a layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere. What is happening in our atmosphere is stratification, the layering of varying temperatures and densities of air. This same physical principle is applicable to our homes, except it is undesirable when … (11 comments)
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ashi certified ct connecticut home inspections: A Better Mold Sampling Method - 09/24/08 03:28 PM
During a home inspection a couple of days ago I had the unusual experience of my client conducting his own mold sampling. Now normally this would give me pause and it did initially. It turns out this gentleman is an industrial hygienist for the State of Connecticut. He samples for mold, … (4 comments)
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ashi certified ct connecticut home inspections: Does Your Uncle Understand The Subtleties of Home Inspection? - 08/21/08 07:25 AM
Usually about once a week I have someone call me inquiring about whether they need a home inspection. You see their Uncle Bob, who was a ______ for 30 years, walked through the house and he said everything looks fine structurally. They trust and love their Uncle Bob and really are … (8 comments)
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ashi certified ct connecticut home inspections: A Stairway to Heaven? - 08/13/08 11:52 AM
Yes believe it or not that stairway could get you to heaven. The underside of these stairs is not covered by wall board. The under side of a stairway must be covered as fire protection. If a fire were to start, the stairway acts as an easy pathway for the flames … (6 comments)
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