Watch what you say! - 08/21/07 05:06 PM
Freedom of speech, you have to love this country.
Where else in the world can you offend someone and not be shot or put in jail.
We do not have censorship here yet (in this country).
This is one of the reasons that I like the Internet. No matter what you post it is out there forever. And do not believe that what you deleted is gone forever, then check your own website : http://www.archive.org/index.php
As is in life there are those who can shout louder than you and drown you out but you can still speak your mind.
How many of you knew that what … (10 comments)

Poop on your feet! - 08/15/07 06:56 PM
Yesterday I was looking at a short sale with my Realtor. The home was sh**y to say the least. But I am telling the rest of the story to early.
We, I mean me, decided to go down stairs first. Always the best place to start.
This is a split with the garage on the side. OK.
I open the door to the garage and begin to look at the electrical panel.
"OH MY GOD" was the first thing that I heard. The dog came in and "crapped" in front of her. At least I will not have to replace the carpet.
She has been in … (22 comments)

How hard is your job? - 08/15/07 06:13 PM
Next time that you say "my job is so tough that no one could do it" check these guys out. They are the ones who keep your beer cold. Your wife's hair dry. Your kids cell phones charged.
I doubt if many of us could perform these tasks. Or would chose to do so.
What was you most difficult job?
Some things we take for granted?
Sorry for my short post. Most tell me to add pictures and the such. I use the KISS principal.
http://www.mikeholt.com/HighPowerJobVideo.php
… (6 comments)

Hello Hello - 08/15/07 04:36 PM
You are not going to believe this.
My wife just came home (I not talking about her coming home) and told me a story. I thought that she that was drinking on the job. Just kidding.
She work for the gas co. and was in a back yard today when she heard "Hello Hello". She looked around and still "Hello Hello". No one was around. About this time she saw a McCall in a bird cage talking to her.
Then it said how are you doing.
I'm doing fine.
NOT that she comes unhappy but she was smiling from ear to ear. I thought it was … (4 comments)

Writing Contracts - 08/15/07 03:25 PM
Please read this blog carefully. Nothing contained here is meant to give anyone legal advice.
Electrical and electrical systems are some of the most misdiagnosed and misunderstood systems in a home.
How you write your requests to remedy and/or how you accept that request is very important. What I mean is the wording.
Did you agree to have the ‘entire' electrical system examined or was the panel the item in question? Some inspectors cover their backside this way.
Did you agree to have a licensed electrician, in Ohio there is no residential license, make ‘all' necessary repairs? What is necessary? We do have a state … (3 comments)

My Buckeyes are dropping! - 08/14/07 02:49 PM
No this is not about Ohio State Football. I noticed today that my buckeye trees are dropping their nuts.
While I do not know the exact time that they drop every year it seems early to me this year.
I was wondering how the weather has effect trees or plants in your area. We have had a dry summer here.
I was going to take my camera out front and take a picture of my nuts but did not fell like walking out their. I will wait until I have enough for a good picture. I will post it later.
… (6 comments)

Attn. Builders - 08/08/07 06:48 PM
This is what happened to me last week on the start of a new construction home.
I stopped by and introduced myself to the superintendent running the job.
First I think that I caught him off guard. I guess no one hires an inspector to inspect new construction.
He was polite and I have no problem with him.
MY problem is that when I asked to be informed when the home was under roof so I could walk my client through the home to determine the electrical layout I was told that NO changes were allowed. Not even adding one outlet.
Now I understand if uncle … (7 comments)

ServiceMagic - 08/07/07 03:22 PM
What once was a great place for me to get leads has now become a money pit for me.
http://www.servicemagic.com/
I have received a lot of 'bad' leads recently and choose to stick around. May I say at one time I loved this service.
But the individual that I spoke to today REALLY peed me off.
Here is the Internet conversation that I had. This was better than the phone conversation.
I left my misspellings intact.
Please wait for a site operator to respond. While you are waiting for an operator, you may wish to review some of our frequently asked questions. Click on 'About Us' … (13 comments)

Positive or Negative - 08/06/07 02:30 PM
If your are tired of your local media and the national press telling everyone in shouting distance how bad things are in the Real Estate market post some of the positive things that you are aware of here.
This is from The Columbus Board of Realtors:
"(June 21, 2007) Central Ohio home sales in May were lower than sales during the same month in 2006 and 2005, but still the third highest number of sales for the month of May on record. The 2,492 homes sold last month was 3.4 percent lower than the number sold in 2006 and 6.1 percent less than … (5 comments)

Meme'd - 08/06/07 05:11 AM
I got Meme'd so what to      
about?
I have been in construction related fields since 1972. This is a projected I did three years ago to fit in a 50's ranch to make it look original.
 The final staining is not complete but you get the idea.
I  have a state plumbing license.
I have a state elctrical license. This is a light that I made to cover drywall damage from removing a exsisting light. 
I am an electrical inspector. I make my own testers. (This is a joke do not make this).
And I am a residential building inspector.
Wait thats a dog not a home.
Thanx … (3 comments)

My 20,000 point post - 08/05/07 11:48 AM
What to write for my blog post that will put me over 20,000 point.
As with most of my posts I wanted it to be informative.
Here is a topic that we forget about, unless you are in the inspection business.
Garage door opener safety, also know as a GDO. Here is a simple explanation of why we as inspectors check and report on the operation of garage door openers:
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/523.html
If a GDO is not safe it is one of the easiest repairs that can be made.
Maybe you should add this to your lists of things to check when you check the batteries in … (9 comments)

Flip 'what' house? - 08/04/07 03:59 PM
Flip 'what' house? Flip 'my' house.
I was wondering your thoughts on all the new expert flipping programs.
Are these shows harming want-to-be's?
Are they making it look to easy?
I have all the licenses and money to 'flip' homes and I do not find that many 'easy' flips (deals).
Let us share some experiences so that new investors do not lose their @$$.
Or should we continue to sell to uninformed buyers?
… (14 comments)

I buy homes in Columbus Ohio - 08/04/07 03:40 PM
I (we) will but your home for cash in the central Ohio area. Franklin county, Union County, Delaware County, Pickaway County, Madison County or maybe some where else.
Rehabs.
Forclouseres.
Rentals.
It does not matter to us the condition of your home or its location.
We are looking for win-win deals.
I mean we are not trying to steal your property.
… (1 comments)

Grounded - 08/04/07 07:48 AM
Grounded, ground, grounding, bond, bonded, and bonding.
These are some of the most misunderstood words in the electrical field.
I did not want to put all the definitions here because it may be copywritten.
Here are some terms:
Bonded (Bonding).
Bonded (Bonding). Connected to establish electrical continuity
and conductivity. 2008?
Bonding Jumper.
Bonding Jumper, Equipment.
Bonding Jumper, Main.
Bonding Jumper, System. May be missing in 2008?  
Ground.
Ground. The earth. [ROP 5-8]  
Grounded (Grounding). ROP 5-9]
[ROP 5-12]
Grounded, Effectively. May be missing 2008?
Grounded, Solidly. New 2005  
Grounded Conductor.  
Ground Fault Circuit Interruptor (GFCI).  
Grounded-Fault Protection of Equipment.  
Grounding Conductor.
Grounding Conductor, Equipment (EGC).
Grounding Electrode.
Grounding Electrode Conductor.
 
  
 
 
… (3 comments)

Do you have a sense of humor? - 08/03/07 03:29 PM
Do you have a sense of humor?
Here is part of an email that I received yesterday.
"Mike,
Hi.  I hope you're not alarmed by getting email from an attorney.  I'm actually writing to inquire about a condo inspection.  My fiancée and I are in the process of obtaining financing to buy a condo in the (XXXXX) area." -----
This message was a page long so I responded to each line individually.
Here is how I answered. Remember that this is not the entire email:
"Mike,
Hi. I hope you're not alarmed by getting email from an attorney.No, I am not. It is common for me.I'm actually writing … (8 comments)

The best corn in the land - 08/03/07 03:02 PM
Here in central Ohio, Dublin Ohio, we can say that we have the biggest ears of corn in the land.
No this is not sweet corn and no it is not Indian corn.
This corn has a shelf live of over 200 years. No refrigeration needed. And it is to big to be canned.
It is cement corn! This how we spend our money In Ohio.
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/OHDUBcorn.html
… (1 comments)

Smoke Detectors - 08/01/07 05:37 PM
Smoke detectors are not only required but are a very wise investment.
BUT today I saw something that disturbed me and may disturb you too.
They are not fool proof. What I mean is that we go to bed every evening and think that the kids are safe.
GUESS how wrong we are!
Here is a video that you should see and past it on to everyone that you know.
http://www.mikeholt.com/newsletters.php?action=display&letterID=423
… (7 comments)

 

Inspector Mike Parks

Circleville, OH

More about me…

Residential Building Inspectors

Address: Oh

Office Phone: (614) 214-1487

Cell Phone: (614) 214-1487

Email Me

As a Residential Building Official and a Electrical Safety Inspector I receive information on home related issues before the public is made aware of these changes and will share them here as they develop.While I am based out of Columbus Ohio I can help you in other areas of Ohio.



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