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blaine wa home inspection: Subtle Issue -- High Humidity Inside - 04/03/11 12:18 PM
Sometimes, in the course of performing a home inspection, the inspector will notice inside the house signs of higher than normal, or acceptable, moisture or humidity. Clues to the issue can vary -- fungal staining on windows or sills, heavy condensation on windows, fungus on ceilings, walls or in attics. One potential clue is a house with a de-humidifier operating. Not always, but this is a tip to the inspector that residents are not happy with the indoor air quality.
The thing to remember with relative humidity is that moisture evaporates up. What is visible above in the house is not only related to the … (8 comments)
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blaine wa home inspection: What Comes From Down Below, Must Go Up - 04/01/11 02:23 PM
We have all heard the expression about water, and sewage, always running down hill. When dealing with water, that is true except, of course, in those instances where it is not true. For example, if wind or some other force is overriding gravity.
In the case of fireplaces or wood stoves and chimneys, when the fireplace or stove down below is full of ash, soot and creosote, you can figure that the chimney above is going to show the some characteristics. When people use the fireplace or stove to burn all the trash, now that can really make a mess in … (3 comments)
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blaine wa home inspection: Birch Bay Home Inspector (King of the House): Pyrolysis and Physics - 01/25/08 11:14 PM
Pyrolysis. That is a word you should take note of. If you analyze it and think "gee, might have the same root as pyromaniac", then you are correct. The catch is, the pyromaniac is out trying to cause trouble. Pyrolysis, and how it would affect you or a friend, is purely the result of an error or mistake in workmanship and the rules of physics. What is it all about? It involves things like metal chimneys that are too close to wood, such as the rafters in the attic. Or it might involve a wood stove, an insert or a fireplace with an improper … (5 comments)
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blaine wa home inspection: Whatcom County Home Inspection (King of the House): Settling At Your Home - 10/02/07 02:46 PM
One of the things a home inspector sees a lot of, on the older homes we hope, is settling. We are talking about settling sidewalks, settling steps or even foundations that have settled. When sidewalks settle, it seems that the lower side (unfortunately) ends up next to the home -- so that can lead to runoff water being diverted against the foundation. A foundation settling can be a serious concern. As for the steps, the photo below is a classic example. Granted, you do not need the level to see that they are way lower on the left side but … (0 comments)
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blaine wa home inspection: Anacortes Home Inspection (King of the House): Unsafe Light Bulbs - 10/02/07 02:41 PM
Closets and storage areas should not have exposed light bulbs. These incandescent bulbs get very hot and can start a fire. They should be in covered fixtures. I saw an older gentleman almost set his house on fire. He had a closet with a bare bulb. He hung his hat on it and he knew not to turn on the light. A visitor got a coat from the dark closet, left the light on, the hat caught on fire and the smoke detectors went off - luckily so. This area below, where the homeowner might store paper towels, and who … (2 comments)
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Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector
Bellingham,
WA
More about me…
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc
Address: Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, Sumas, Nooksack, Lake Whatcom, Lake Samish, Anacortes, Mount Vernon, Whatcom County, Bellingham, WA, 98225
Office Phone: (360) 676-6908
Cell Phone: (360) 319-0038
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