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attic inspection: Environmental Concerns - Vermiculite Insulation - 05/17/11 08:46 AM
A while back I posted a blog on Environmental Concerns and gave a brief history on the use of asbestos in various products over the years. In the examples given, asbestos was purposely used to improve product performance. We all know the consequences of prolonged asbestos exposure. If you are unaware of the health concerns please visit Asbestos Exposure and Cancer.
During a recent inspection I saw what I believe to be Vermiculite insulation in an attic. I've inspected a few homes with this type of insulation before so I wasn't surprised to find it but I do know it's … (2 comments)
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attic inspection: Step By Step Inspection Process - 03/12/10 06:35 AM
Home inspectors all have their own way of performing the inspection based on what they feel is efficient. My procedure has always been to start on the roof, complete the exterior, move to the interior, basement and lastly the attic. Unless there's a crawlspace, I always do that last. Following this step by step process allows me to keep track of where I've been so I don't forget to inspect anything.
That step by step process has been my way of inspecting for years but I still find myself going over the inspection in my head as I pull … (8 comments)
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attic inspection: Wet Attic - 12/20/09 05:26 PM
Yesterday presented an unusual find during a Southeast Michigan home inspection. Attic inspections are always performed last as part of my Step-By-Step process of inspecting a home unless the home has a raised foundation.
The first picture shows a B-Type Vent used for gas-fired equipment (Furnace/Water Heater) and is intended to carry combustion products to the exterior.
Climbing into the attic I noticed water stains on a truss web member but the stain looked dry so I thought it might be from an old leak. The roof was obstructed by snow so I couldn't evaluate it but with … (10 comments)
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attic inspection: Inspector Tools (for the crawlspace) - 08/15/09 01:47 PM
Raised foundations are common in my area and my least favorite area to inspect. The heat of an attic is one thing but at least I know, for the most part, what to expect. Fortunately Southeast Michigan Home Inspectors don't have to worry much about poisonous spiders, other than the Brown Recluse, or poisonous snakes.
Once in a while I get lucky and enter a clean crawl with plenty of headroom but that tends to be the exception. Most of the time the area is full of construction debris and of course more than enough insects and spider webs. It's hard … (12 comments)
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attic inspection: HOT HOT HOT!! - 06/17/09 03:20 PM
It's that time of year again here in Michigan when attic temperatures can be dangerously hot. Often times I enter attics at temperatures of 120° F or more which for those of you down south is probably on the cool side. Staying in an environment like that with an extra layer of clothing and respirator is just torture. One of my early investments was in a cool vest which I put on under my attic clothes. It lowers my core temperature allowing me to work in an attic longer and will less danger of heat exhaustion.
Another important purchase was in … (5 comments)
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attic inspection: Trainmaster - 03/19/09 07:44 AM
Popping my head up in the attic I heard the buzzing sound first. This left me scratching my head as to what this Lionel transformer is being used for. Perhaps doorbell transformer? The doorbell didn't work so I don't know.
I'm guessing this is from the 60's or early 70's. As you can see it's actually in really good shape other than the power cord having several splits. A good portion of the power cord was buried under the insulation with smaller, green and white, wires connected to the back of the 115v transformer.The smaller wires are what make … (5 comments)
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attic inspection: Downspout Extensions - 02/19/09 07:00 AM
This should have been added to my Common Issues Blog being one of the most common installations. While installing downspouts so they terminate above the roof surface isn't a "defect" I always recommend routing downspouts to the gutter below. In this application there is about three fee between the downspout and gutter. Adding an extension here would have been simple.
The below images show an extreme example of what could happen. When I walked up to this house the first photograph I took was an image of the entire front of the home. Next I photographed the downspout terminating on the … (8 comments)
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attic inspection: Bats in the attic. - 07/23/08 05:31 PM
Bat guano can build up in attics and eaves that have been used by bats, and even if the human occupants of the building are not aware of the dung, they may be harmed by it. After guano has accumulated and been around for a couple of years, a fungus can grow in it, releasing spores into the air that might cause histoplasmosis in humans.
Histoplasmosis can cause serious respiratory disease in humans, causing fever and chest pains. If left untreated histoplsmosis can turn into a chronic lung disease that resembles tuburculosis. In the very young and elderly, or people who already have weakened immune systems, histoplasmosis … (11 comments)
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attic inspection: Respirators - 06/24/08 11:57 AM
Great video on wearing a respirator. The video repeats with the second half in Spanish. … (7 comments)
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Vince Santos Southeast Michigan Home Inspector
Canton,
MI
More about me…
StepByStep Home Services LC
Address: Canton, MI, 48187
Office Phone: (734) 748-9584
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