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everett home inspector: Bubble Skylights...Just as good as having a hole in your roof. - 03/16/10 11:10 AM
I don't know what compelled manufactured home builders to install these "water intrusion devices", .....but unfortunately they did. In fact., if I am going to find a leaking skylight it is often this design.
The problem is they run a bead of sealant around the back, and slap it into place. Sealants provide a few years of life (maybe) and then the water finds its' way in. Some of these will have tar slathered around the perimeter in an attempt to stop the water entry, but in this case they just allowed it to leak. Just as well, because the tar would not … (3 comments)
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everett home inspector: Everett Home Inspector - 02/24/10 12:15 PM
Are you looking for an Everett, Wa Home Inspector? Look no further.
Hi my name is Harold Miller, owner and operator of Miller Home Inspection since 1997. I started my home inspection business in Everett, WA and have performed thousands of home inspections throughout the Puget Sound Region. I travel to places like Seattle, Everett, Mt Vernon, and Bellingham.
I really enjoy providing the critical information needed by buyers in evaluation of the condition of a prospective home. I provide fast, friendly service. I take pride in providing a thorough inspection for my clients.
Computerized Inspection reports are provided the same day … (0 comments)
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everett home inspector: What are Kick Out Flashings? - 08/15/09 11:13 AM
Kick out flashings are important in diverting roof water from an adjacent exterior wall system. Kick out flashings are normally installed at the lower end of the step flashing run. These flashings divert water into the gutter system. Failure to repair may be conducive for water damage, and fungal wood rot decay, in exterior siding and structural elements.
Siding damage under a roof to wall intersection missing this critical flashing.
This is a common flaw I see routinely, and sometimes it results in serious damage.
A great website detailing this can be found here; http://www.thehomeinspector.com/Clients/Newsletter/Kickout/Kickout.html
Make … (3 comments)
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everett home inspector: New Washington State Home Inspection Law - 08/13/09 12:54 PM
A new Washington State law has been passed requiring the licensing of home inspectors. (RCW 18.280)
By Sept 1, 2009 All experienced home inspectors must be licensed
Must prove a minimum of 100 hundred inspections completed Must prove in business for two years (as of June 1, 2008) Must pass the National Home Inspectors Exam Must pass the Washington State Component of HI Exam By July 1, 2010 Newer inspectors that did not meet the experience and/or time requirements, and those experienced inspectors who failed to meet the Sept. 1 deadline.
Must complete a 120 hour course, and 40 … (0 comments)
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everett home inspector: Did last winter leave your home with distressed plumbing? - 05/17/09 10:28 AM
I have been finding alot more plumbing leaks in crawl spaces after last winters harsh conditions than usual. Seems that it was just too cold for too long. Old homes, new homes doesn't really matter. Alot of these I have found at hose faucets and their related supply line.
In this case it is a slow leak at the transition fitting from the PEX plumbing supply line to the "frost free" hose faucet.
The home in this example was new construction.....just another reason it is a sound choice to have even have new construction inspected.
… (0 comments)
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everett home inspector: Additions... Are they a bonus, or a headache? - 03/20/09 02:48 PM
The answer to this depends on how well the addition was contructed. I am routinely reminded of this when inspecting homes.
For instance a recent inspection of a homes' addition revealed that the structure had no foundation, but rather was constructed more like a deck structure that someone added walls and a roof to. Unfortunately the work was done without permits (non-conforming) and had inadequate clearances in the crawl space.
The wood structure, of the floor system, was in some cases sitting directly on the ground, and exhibited serious fungal wood rot decay, and wood boring beetle damage. There could have been … (3 comments)
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everett home inspector: Do You Know Where Your Dryer Exhaust Is? (Home Inspections Everett, WA) - 03/17/09 10:30 AM
In my business I see alot of dryer ducts. Some good, and some not so good. Due to the way homes are constructed these ducts sometimes are neglected because they are hard to get to. In out of the way places like your attic or in the crawl space under the home.
My favorite place for a dryer exhaust is along the outside wall where the duct run is short. However architects have other ideas, like installing the laundry room in the center of the home. This makes for very long runs, and many times this results in exhaust … (3 comments)
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everett home inspector: What is eating my house? - 11/18/07 12:12 PM
What is causing all these holes? Is it termites? Carpenter Bees? Some species of wood boring beetle?
Well there is no need to call the Pest Control Operators, or a repair contractor. These holes from Teredo Shipworm did not occur in the structure. However their evidence can be found in some older homes. The example in the photo below is from a 1950's structure.
The Teredo Shipworm can infest wood submerged in salt water. That is how this damage appeared in our subject structure. Trees are cut down and stored in the water before they are processed at a mill.
The … (4 comments)
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everett home inspector: Double trouble.....Test plugs, and vent flashings - 11/08/07 02:37 AM
I bet the plumber is wondering what keeps happening to all his test plugs. Well I found one of them.
For those that don't know..... test plugs are installed on each plumbing vent so that the drain, waste, vent (DWV) system can be pressurized with air. Any leaks will prevent the system from holding air. If it holds air, then it should not leak when water is introduced to the system. After this test is performed, the test plugs are removed, so that the vents can function.
OK so the vent plug is no problem to remove, but what were they … (11 comments)
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everett home inspector: When hot water tanks go wild......from an Everett Home Inspector - 11/08/07 12:49 AM
Defective safety equipment on your hot water tank can result in serious consequences. I was reminded of this tonight as I watched an episode of Mythbusters with Jamie and Adam.
They were testing out the "myth" that hot water tanks can rocket out of a home when safety devices fail. Well I already knew the answer to this, so I had to look up the news story where it did happen just a few years ago.
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/33094_boom28.shtml
Puget Sound Energy workers examine a water heater tank in a parking lot in Burien, a block away from Cuautla Video, where … (4 comments)
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everett home inspector: Faulty Vapor Barrier installation (Everett Home Inspector) - 11/07/07 12:07 AM
This structural support wall appears OK from a distance.
But fortunately the rodents had torn away the vapor retarder in places to reveal that it is sandwiched between a double bottom plate. The plate is not treated lumber... I can only wonder what this builder was thinking when they placed the barrier over conventional lumber. Did the builder not realize that the bottom plate would be pickled in a bath of moisture?
You can see that the bottom plate suffers from fungal wood rot decay. It was set up to fail.
The seller and the listing agent did not believe my report on these … (9 comments)
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everett home inspector: Blocking crawl space vents....Advice from an Everett Area Home Inspector - 11/06/07 11:32 PM
Blocking crawl space vents....
Being a northwest native, I am not sure what part of the country this practice is acceptable, but one thing I can tell you is that it is not OK here in Western Washington. Yet I see it done, and have no idea why people think it is OK.
I have heard all sorts of excuses from; it keeps the humidity out, to it keeps the pipes from freezing, it keeps my floors warmers, and that is what my dad did, so I thought I should.
Lets' dispell a few myths;
(A) It keeps the humidity out; In Western Washington we … (9 comments)
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everett home inspector: Don't wait to see if the buyer notices the failed siding. - 11/01/07 09:55 AM
Failed exterior Louisiana Pacific (LP), Inner Seal, siding is a defect that I run into frequently. The product is an oriented strand board product (OSB), which has been the subject of a class action lawsuit. The Inner Seal product was manufactured from about 1985 to 1996, and was produced in both lap and panels.
The main problem with this particular material is that it tends to absorb moisture, which leads to buckling, swelling, edge checking, and fungal wood rot decay. The material has a porous bottom edge (drip edge) that is conducive for water penetration. Add to this the fact that when homes … (8 comments)
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everett home inspector: Should new construction be inspected? - 10/21/07 08:22 AM
The answer is YES!
It amazes me how many home buyers ask that question. Or when I have a buyer call to inquire, and they tell me that their agent said that they did not need an inspection, because the new home was already inspected by the local building department. .....What?
Fortunately there are many experienced agents that are fully aware that waving the home inspection on new construction is risky. All of us who have spent years in this business have seen the resale homes that were never inspected when new, to find construction defects that are revealed during the home inspection … (3 comments)
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everett home inspector: My vFlyer for Craigslist posting - 10/16/07 11:31 AM
… (9 comments)
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Harold Miller - Everett Home Inspector
Camano Island,
WA
More about me…
Miller Home Inspection
Address: Everett, Mt Vernon, Seattle, Bellingham
Office Phone: (425) 501-2382
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