prelist home inspection: Plumbing Installation - 01/26/10 09:51 PM
  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)

prelist home inspection: Bank Owned (Am I Missing Something) - 01/17/10 01:10 AM
There used to be a time when I knew what to expect when I inspected a bank owned home. A couple years ago when I was interviewing a potential client for a Metro Detroit Home Inspection  I would schedule extra time if they told me the home was bank owned. Often times these properties were in excessive disrepair so I knew it would take time to document the condition. Most of the time the buyer would tell me right off that they knew the home needed a good amount of work but they just want to be sure there are no … (17 comments)

prelist home inspection: Plumbing Vent - 01/05/10 07:52 AM
 Once in a while I see something that sort of jumps out at me. In this case I had to do a double take as I caught this out of the corner of my eye. The photograph to the left was taken in a recently finished basement during a Lambertville Michigan Home Inspection so I know the original builder more than likely had nothing to do with it. The basement was beautiful and obviously finished by a professional. I'm rarely surprised anymore by contractor ingenuity but I have to admit this one caught me off guard.
The photo shows an Air … (11 comments)

prelist home inspection: Proof Is In The Packaging (Environmental Concerns) - 12/10/09 12:15 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)

prelist home inspection: Where do these go anyway? - 11/04/09 04:26 AM
 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)

prelist home inspection: Watch your step - 11/01/09 11:18 PM
I'm thinking this was not an issue prior to the installation of the storm door. And why does one need a storm door in the garage anyway?
Actually it wasn't until I walked up the steps while holding the railing that it literally hit me.

 
A day in the life of a metro Detroit home inspector.
 
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prelist home inspection: Structural Inspection - 08/18/09 02:36 AM
 During a recent Metro Detroit Home inspection my client was humored by the obvious slope around doors. I was amused at the way the previous owners patched up the cracks, painted, and framed the doors to make up for it. An out of square door here and there is common but I don't think any doors in this home were even close to square.
The primary function of a home inspection is to determine whether or not systems are functioning as intended. It's also an opportunity for the buyer to learn about the maintenance required to keep a home in good … (6 comments)

prelist home inspection: Fix it and flip it - 08/11/09 03:24 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)

prelist home inspection: What's missing? - 07/29/09 12:20 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.
 


 
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prelist home inspection: steel drum? - 06/15/09 08:53 AM
   Yesterday I noticed a bulge in the carpet of a basement floor. The carpet section appeared to have been installed in that area for reasons other than comfort. When I lifted the carpet I saw a musical instrument, or a metal bucket depending on how you look at it.
I'm still not sure what the purpose of this burried bucket is. Any ideas?
 

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prelist home inspection: Use the back door. - 06/14/09 08:52 AM
  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)

prelist home inspection: You can stuff just about anything but.... - 06/09/09 09:37 AM
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.
 

 
 
 
 
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prelist home inspection: Decorative Plumbing Fixture - 04/24/09 03:59 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)

prelist home inspection: Tastes great on toast AND catches leaks - 03/05/09 05:17 AM
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.

 
 
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prelist home inspection: Homeowner Type Repairs - 01/14/09 03:12 AM
We all see them and some leave us scratching our head wondering, "what were they thinking?"
The most common repairs I see are electric related and I can't help but wonder if all those online "do it yourself" sites are a good idea after all. Looking over a few diagrams doesn't automatically make one a qualified (insert trade here). Fortunately just about all do it yourself jobs are repairable with a little help from a qualified contractor.
 
Here are a few images from an inspection showing repairs by a self proclaimed handyman.


 
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prelist home inspection: Inspect before listing - 10/29/08 12:06 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)