home inspection common defects: It's a $5 repair job.... - 05/19/11 08:47 AM
This entry falls under the Common Inspection Issues category from a previous blog. It's also one of those issues that, if taken care of early on, costs less than a large coffee at your favorite coffee shop. If left alone however it could cost you as much as a truckload of wax rings.
Part of my bathroom inspection is checking the toilet to ensure it flushes, doesn't run continually and is tightly secured to the floor. While flushing it I place my knee against the side and push gently to see if it moves at all. If it does, I … (7 comments)
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home inspection common defects: It's a trap! - 01/28/10 07:37 AM
Something is missing on this 90 ° drain. The generous amount of silicone caulk ensured the drain would no longer leak. And that pesky rusted out metal P type trap was worthless anyway.
The strange smell coming from the sink is only a minor nuisance compared to the constant leaking onto the basement floor. To the installers credit they did in fact stop the leaking as this drain was no doubt bone dry.
A plumbing trap is a device used in a waste system to prevent the passage of sewage gas into the living space.
… (11 comments)
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home inspection common defects: Plumbing Installation - 01/27/10 05:51 AM
Finding areas where one contractor installed their systems without regards to other areas is fairly common for all of us. Looking for these areas is part of our job. Most of the time it's a minor issue like a notched drawer to make room for a plumbing trap. Sometimes it can be a big no no like a notched joist to make room for an air return or cut trusses to make room for the whole house fan.
Recently during a Canton Michigan Home Inspection I noticed the builder was nice enough to make provisions in the basement for … (6 comments)
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home inspection common defects: It's Properly Installed But Is It Safe? - 12/22/09 09:22 AM
Being interviewed by a prospective client I'm often asked whether or not I will be able to tell them if they home they are buying is safe to live in. The most important purpose of a Metro Detroit Home Inspection is in fact to determine whether or not various components are properly installed and safe. Of course properly installed and safe do not always go hand in hand. Outside of building your home inside a protective bubble there are general safety tips every homeowner should follow. Information on home safety tips can typically be found on your insurance provider website. … (13 comments)
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home inspection common defects: Proof Is In The Packaging (Environmental Concerns) - 12/10/09 08:15 AM
The Ancient Greeks named the mineral asbestos, meaning inextinguishable. Apparently even the Greeks were aware of the harmful properties in asbestos and the effects of breathing asbestos dust. The Greek geographer Strabo and the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder mentioned a sickness common with slaves who created cloths using asbestos fibers. Although they noticed this sickness in those who worked with asbestos, they were in such awe of asbestos's magical properties that they ignored this. Used extensively during this time it was seen as a sort of naturally occurring miracle mineral that was used for wicks, table cloths, napkins and a … (9 comments)
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home inspection common defects: Where do these go anyway? - 11/04/09 12:26 PM
Believe it or not this is a "not so uncommon" installation. Either the installer put them their to.... well I don't know. I tried to come up with an excuse for this install but I have nothing.
Photo eye / safety beams, electric eye or whatever you want to call them do have a proper installation procedure. The ceiling isn't part of that procedure as far as I know. Photo sensors are installed to prevent the vehicle door from closing on a vehicle or worse, a child who happens to be playing in the path of the door when it … (2 comments)
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home inspection common defects: Fix it and flip it - 08/11/09 10:24 AM
Right now is a great time to pick up one of those little bank owned homes that are in disrepair and going for less than the price of a Ford Focus. I've even thought about buying a couple and fixing them up but I've put away my days or framing walls etc. The investor buys the home, hires a few guys to fix it up, and then turns it over for a profit. To their credit most of these, in my area, are actually well done. Sometimes they spare no expense with installing beautiful hard wood floors, granite counter tops, new … (5 comments)
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home inspection common defects: Bad dog - 07/30/09 11:38 AM
Condensing units require some homeowner maintenance such as keeping vegetation off sides, cleaning fins periodically, and ensuring the unit is placed on a solid level pad. Sometimes though you need to take extra steps to protect the unit from pets.
This photo shows a unit with excessive damage probably the result of a dog using it as a urinal. Another possibility is spray fertilizer. I've seen chicken wire placed around these units to keep pets away which is alright with me.
Typically a well maintained unit will last between 10-15 years but I've seen them much older in … (3 comments)
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home inspection common defects: What's missing? - 07/29/09 07:20 AM
When selling a home the kitchen is likely the selling point followed closely by the bathroom/s.
But when updating that bathroom it's important to pay attention to details.
There's something missing here.
… (5 comments)
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home inspection common defects: Use the back door. - 06/14/09 03:52 PM
The only time I get a little nervous at a home inspection is while up on the roof. Being afraid of heights I don't particularly care for that part of the job. Outside of that I guess you could say I'm a fearless home inspector.
Yesterday however I was afraid to even walk in the front door. Supporting this bridge was a pile of eroding soil at one end and temporary supports in the middle. Walking on it reminded me of being in the middle of a jungle inching across a suspension bridge wondering if the next step will be … (5 comments)
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home inspection common defects: You can stuff just about anything but.... - 06/09/09 04:37 PM
Suffing can be added to just about any fowl and I'm partial to the Thanksgiving variety. Stuffing various home components however is not recommended.
Home Inspectors see just about every imaginable homeowner fix. This B type vent shows an interesting configuration with a "handyman" remedy as to what to do with that open end and extra insulation.
… (3 comments)
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home inspection common defects: A little fresh paint outta do it! - 06/02/09 02:36 PM
Often times I come across poorly maintained exteriors particularly where there are wood applications. Something I learned early on is to tap each log end with the handle of a screwdriver. If you hear a hollow thud there is probably water damage. When damage is found a little probing is in order.
3.1 The inspector shall
A. Inspect
1. the structural components including the foundation and framing.
2. by probing a representative number of structural components where deterioration is suspected or where clear indications of possible deterioration exist. Probing is NOT required when probing would damage any finished surface or … (2 comments)
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home inspection common defects: Decorative Plumbing Fixture - 04/24/09 10:59 AM
Yesterday I came across something interesting. During the exterior portion of this recently rehabbed property I noticed the bibs were sticking out a little further than they should. I always start with the exterior so I had yet to enter the crawlspace. When I grabbed the bib it was loose and felt like it might be cut. Sure enough when I pulled it just came completely out and was cut.
I found it somewhat amusing that one other bib looked like the gate valve has been recently replaced and it appeared to be in great shape but one again it was … (0 comments)
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home inspection common defects: Galvanized - 04/01/09 03:12 PM
Performing a pressure test this week I was immediately aware of breaks and/or separations. As soon as I released the pressure tank valve I went from 47PSI down to 4PSI before I could even stand up. Unfortunately for my client that was the beginning of a timely and costly repair. Approximately six hours after my pressure test the plumber called me with the rundown of what took place. There were three breaks and one separation all hidden behind walls. Fortunately most of the plumbing was copper but some galvanized remained in the utility room. Interestingly the breaks were not at … (4 comments)
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home inspection common defects: 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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home inspection common defects: Tastes great on toast AND catches leaks - 03/05/09 01:17 PM
For a home inspector this is mild compared to some of the "homeowner repairs" we see. Actually this one surprised me considering the property was fairly well maintained throughout. Simply empty the bucket once or twice a day and wait for the rust to create a seal.
… (2 comments)
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home inspection common defects: 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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home inspection common defects: Home Inspection - Attic Storage - 12/09/08 01:20 PM
Client: "Can I store things in my attic?
Me; *show them a photo of a sign in their attic*
While I admit my garage attic is well packed with various objects, not temperature sensitive objects, the attic over my home has only insulation. Have any of you seen a sign like this in an attic? It was a first for me but I like the idea of it.
… (10 comments)
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home inspection common defects: Safely walking the roof. - 11/23/08 03:16 PM
Being afraid of heights, I never enjoy the roof part of the inspection but I know if walking the roof is "safe" it's the only way to get a good look. The following photos were taken on the upper level of a two story home showing three defects not easily spotted from the ground.
Nail lifting vent pipe flashing.
Shigles at ridge.
Deteriorated rubber boot/flashing.
… (10 comments)
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home inspection common defects: Inspect before listing - 10/29/08 07:06 PM
If I had a dollar for every time I came across a missing cover plate....
Sure it's a simple fix but for an inspector it gets written up as a safety concern and nothing stands out in an inspection report like a safety concern. They have the potential to scare a client depending on how you word you findings. The below defect is in fact a safety issue and not to be minimized in the inspection report.
I report on the above as follows:
Wire splices are exposed due to not being contained in a covered junction box. This is … (6 comments)
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