middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: New Construction Defects... - 08/16/08 08:09 PM
Throughout my many years of inspecting houses, the main argument that I hear for not getting new properties inspected is, "Oh, it was inspected by the Codes Department, there should be nothing to worry about." Yeah Right! To date, I have never seen a codes official enter a crawl space, unless … (11 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Following All the Clues... - 08/15/08 05:28 AM
One of the more challenging aspects that I find with the home inspection industry is the lack of mentoring. I know that when I got started several years ago, it was almost impossible to get any home inspector in this area to mentor me when I had questions. I will be … (14 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Tradesmen Are Not Home Inspectors… Home Inspectors Are Not Tradesmen… - 08/09/08 03:13 PM
Yesterday, I got a call from a real estate agent on one of our inspections. They were all in a tizzy, the customer was all upset because they had just moved in and the water heater needed to be replaced. The plumber that was representing the home warranty company said that … (34 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Should Family be Treated Any Different than Any Other Customer? - 07/21/08 07:15 PM
Today, while inspecting a new property for a former client, I recognized a real estate agent that I had not seen for some time. After a few minutes of small talk and chit chat, I asked how here business was doing and was she busy. She said that she was very … (25 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Down the Ladder He Came with a Bound… - 07/18/08 04:29 PM
Unlike the as in the famous poem, The Night Before Christmas, sometimes the prancing and pawing that you hear above your head is not the little, fat, jolly, present leaving elf and his 8 tiny reindeer that we love to have visit us every year. More often than not, it is … (9 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Photo of the Day... - 07/18/08 07:15 AM
I love the older, more experienced properties. Like many of our more ‘experienced’ citizens, there are certainly stories to tell, and a journal of what has historically happened in its life.
Yesterday while inspecting a property not too far from the world famous Opryland Hotel, I ran across this unusual repair … (18 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Home Inspecting Is Not Rocket Science... - 07/17/08 09:09 AM
Home inspecting is not rocket science… Most of it is just plain, common, simple horse sense. Generally, if an item does not look right or isn’t functioning correctly something is wrong which needs to be looked into a little further. The two major problematic areas are generally plumbing and electrical. Unhandy … (10 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Photo of the Day... - 07/14/08 04:42 PM
As most of you know by now, flexible plastic venting for clothes dryer venting has been banned for use in residential properties for many years because it is considered a fire hazard. But I guess that our 'ol buddy Bubba just hasn't read the latest and greatest on this regulation. Maybe … (19 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Photo of the Day... - 07/12/08 07:40 AM
While inspecting a property in the upscale ‘Green Hills’ section of Nashville, I find that there isn’t any section of town where our ‘ol friend Bubba, the unhandy handyman, has not had some type of misadventure. Yeah Buddy…
We can certainly see why ‘ol Bubba buys duct tape by the … (14 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Bitterness... - 07/11/08 06:09 AM
It is not unusual for clients in this area to "price shop" home inspections or other services as part of the property transaction process. I used to waste a lot of time trying to "convince" them that ours was the best company to use... Why not? We feel that we do … (11 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Photo of the Day... - 07/08/08 06:46 AM
While inspecting yet another rehab in east Nashville, TN, I could not help but notice our 'ol buddy Bubba's latest misadventure at playing electrician. Yeah Buddy...
I guess that 'ol Bubba just flat ran out of conduit (or did not know how to glue it together) for this run … (14 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Are Your Plumbing Lines Prime for a Heart Attack? - 07/07/08 07:38 PM
It is not unusual to see cast iron waste pipes in properties built before 1973. From that date onward, the more modern products such as PVC or ABS started taking over iron piping as the 'product of choice' by many builders and plumbers. Iron products have a short life expectancy of … (10 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Photo of the Day... - 07/05/08 02:29 PM
I have inspected several thousand properties over my 8 year career, and just about the time you think that you have ‘seen it all’, it seems as if our ‘ol buddy Bubba comes up with a new twist on things. Yeah Buddy…
While inspecting a property in the Antioch section of … (14 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Photo of the Day... Another one of Bubba's Misadventures - 06/28/08 05:16 AM
Well, it looks as if our ‘ol buddy ‘Bubba’ has been hard at it playing plumber again once again. Yeah buddy! While inspecting a “flipper” in Nashville, TN, I could not help but laugh and shake my head at another one of his ongoing misadventures. The picture below shows how installing … (18 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Photo of the Day... - 06/20/08 07:56 PM
It seems as if our 'ol buddy Bubba has been having a rough week this week. No sooner does he have one botched misadventure playing carpenter on this rehab project in the Hillsboro Village section of Nashville, TN than he decides to try his hand at plumbing again. Yeah Buddy! I … (7 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Photo of the Day... - 06/19/08 04:09 PM
While inspecting a newly rehabbed property in Nashville, TN’s Hillsboro Village section, I ran across another misadventure of Bubba, our unhandy handyman… Yeah Buddy! Well, either 'ol our buddy Bubba uncorked one too many brewskies or the bubble was off in his level. Maybe his bubble is off period! Who … (7 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Photo of the Day... - 06/13/08 06:10 AM
It never ceases to amaze me as to what people will do to find better ways to cut corners just to save a buck. While inspecting a rehab yesterday in the Nashville, TN area, I came across this not so smart way to connect the disposal. The non-metallic wire needs to … (14 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Photo of The Day - The Hidden Bomb in Your Home . . . - 06/07/08 05:44 AM
Yes! Every home has a bomb tucked away somewhere. It may be in your garage, attic, basement or under your stairwell. As innocent as it may seem, the bomb is your water heater. Should the heating elements within this pressure vessel fail to turn off for one reason or another, there … (9 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Don't Get Caught in This Trap . . . - 06/02/08 06:57 PM
Remember when you were a kid and sang songs like "Here we go loop de do, Here we go loop de lie . . ." Nothing wrong with happy songs and a happy plumbers. I guess that we could all use a little more happiness in our lives. But, all I … (12 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Does Your Home Inspector Look for Safety Recalls? - 06/01/08 01:43 PM
At least once a week, I run across an appliance that is on a recall list from some major appliance manufacturer. This week, I ran across 2 GE dishwashers that are on the Consumer Product Safety Commissions (CPSC) list of recalled appliances. With about 2.5 million of these manufactured, there are … (6 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Photo of the Day . . . - 05/31/08 07:40 PM
It never ceases to amaze me the workmanship that I see in some of the houses that I see built today. This menagerie was used to support a support column for a set of arched load bearing walls in a high end house in Brentwood. The sellers did not get a … (11 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Funny Photo of the Day . . . - 05/30/08 06:04 PM
The other day while inspecting a property on Nashville, Tennessee’s’ east side, I ran across this interesting installation of a light switch. Looks like Bubba and his buddies really thought long and hard about this one. I do have to give them “I” for ingenuity at least they didn’t use duct … (11 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Funny Photo of the Day . . . - 05/23/08 07:11 AM
This is one that you don't see every day thank Goodness! While inspecting a house in the Nashville, TN area I could not help but admire Bubba's quality craftsmanship on this outlet installation. I do like someone who is detail oriented don't you? I do have to give him E for … (8 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Color Coordination Is More Important Than You Think! - 05/22/08 08:22 PM
We hear the latest and greatest on HGTV and similar programs about color coordinating your house with your accessories to bring out all the pizzazz a oomph to your home. But, you knew that this was coming, color coordination is also important in electrical wiring.
Having been a licensed electrician and … (12 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: The builder said, "That was one of the earlier attempts.” - 05/16/08 05:39 PM
The other day I was inspecting a $1.2M, 5 year old property in a gated community in Franklin, TN where most of the properties range from $850K - $3M. I told the man I was training to be a home inspector, that structurally, there was something dreadfully wrong with the property. … (16 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Photo of the Day . . . - 05/15/08 04:35 PM
It looks as if our ‘ol buddy Bubba has been hard at it again. While I was inspecting a house in the north east section of Nashville, TN today, I happened to notice this gas appliance venting on the house across the street that was also for sale. Yeah Buddy, with … (8 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Photo of the Day . . . - 05/15/08 05:28 AM
In my line of work I get an opportunity to see a lot of interesting things. While inspecting a property in the Brentwood, TN area the other day, I came across this unique installation for a pair of water heaters. As these are natural vent water heaters, the stacks are supposed … (8 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: What Part Of The House Don’t You Want Me To Inspect? - 05/12/08 10:18 AM
I got a call from a real estate agent, whom I did not know, over the weekend asking if we can do an inspection for her clients next week. I said sure, I’m booked for the next few days and the earliest available would be Wednesday afternoon. After going through some … (53 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Photo of the Day . . . - 05/09/08 07:19 AM
There is never a dull moment in my business. I ran across this redneck installation for a smoke alarm the other day. Yeah Buddy! We jes gott have them’er smoking alarm thingies properly installed. This one was about 4 feet off the floor. Oye Vay! I can’t wait to see what … (16 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Photo of the Day . . . - 05/08/08 05:01 AM
People do things a little differently here in Tennessee as compared to other parts of the country. We have even been chided as being “One of those Redneck States”. Well, I’m here to tell you that rednecks are alive and well in this State as this installation of the garbage disposal … (19 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Photo of the Day - 05/06/08 06:48 PM
Common sense. Is it something that some are born with while others lack what God gave a common goose? Or, is it really the change pot that sets next to the cash register in the local jiffy mart – give a penny take a penny? Heck, I don’t know any more. … (9 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Bats in Your Belfry? - 05/03/08 03:48 AM
Ah, tis the time of season when young couples build a house and raise a family. Before you know it, there is the twittering and twattering of little feet prancing around. This time of year, birds start nesting and start raising broods. Open venting in the sides of your home are … (6 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Photo of the Day . . . - 05/02/08 05:54 AM
Framing failures do not just occur in newer properties. While inspecting an older property in the eastern section of Nashville, the builder improperly spliced a hip rafter which is leading to a structural failure in the roof. The spliced ends are starting to open up and the upper side of the … (10 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Photo of the Day . . . - 05/01/08 06:00 AM
I really do my best to keep up on the latest and greatest technology especially when it comes to new construction. The other day while doing a framing inspection at a new subdivision that they are building in the Brentwood, TN area, I came across the latest and greatest in window … (13 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Photo of the Day . . . - 04/30/08 05:41 AM
How to Burn Your House Down With Out Really Trying . . .
Much as been written and posted on the Internet and here in Active Rain about dryers and dryer venting and why proper venting for these appliances is so very important. A friend of mine, Charles Buell an inspector … (9 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Running Out of Hot Water? This May Be Why . . . - 04/28/08 04:31 AM
It seems as if here lately I have been running into many 40 gallon electric water heaters in my inspections, especially in new construction and rehabs. Depending upon the application, I write these up as being improperly sized. Here’s why.
The selection of a particular type hot water supply system … (4 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Earth Day - Should It Only Be for One Day a Year? - 04/26/08 04:26 AM
This week, Active Rain was all abuzz with postings about Earth Day as there must have been at least 2 zillion posts about it. And, I think that is great because we only have one planet, and once this one gets screwed up, there ain't no going to another. Being good … (10 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Photo of the Day . . . - 04/25/08 05:24 AM
While inspecting a two year old townhouse in Nashville, TN's west side, I saw this unusual installation for the water heater. The fan unit is not what is unusual, as it is not uncommon to see this forced systems on gas water heaters in this area. What is unusual, is that … (13 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Photo of the Day . . . - 04/23/08 05:09 AM
As a member of The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) for the past five years and a licensed home inspector for the state of Tennessee for the past 2, there are certain guidelines that we must follow when inspecting a property. I cannot speak for other home inspectors in other … (6 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Photo of the Day . . . - 04/22/08 09:49 AM
The attached photo is a classic example why insurance companies classify extension cords as a fire safety hazard. The home owner used an extension cord that was designed and rated for light duty use such as lamps and other light duty appliances to run the air conditioner unit. Depending upon … (9 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Plastic Dryer Vents Are A Fire Safety Hazard in Your Home - Here's Picture Proof . . . - 04/17/08 05:59 PM
Plastic dryer venting has been banned from residential usage for several years now. This type of material is considered a fire safety hazard and should be replaced if you have this present in your home. While inspecting an older property in Brentwood, TN today I ran across sections of plastic … (5 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Photo of the Day . . . - 04/16/08 06:28 AM
I have seen mushrooms growing outside of a house as well as under a house. But, this is the first time that I've ever seen mushrooms growing inside a house! Obviously, the builders of this house from hell -- excuse me, I mean new construction property -- has a minor problem. … (16 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Photo of the day . . . - 03/21/08 05:49 AM
This seems to be my week for inspecting new construction properties. Part of the inspection process is to do the “obligatory” crawl through the area where codes inspectors, most home owners and real estate agents fear to tread.
When houses are designed by the architect, care is taken so … (14 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Crawlspaces and Radon Gas . . . - 03/18/08 07:08 AM
One of the biggest misconceptions about radon gas is that if the property has a crawl space, the crawl space venting will dissipate the gas to the outside. WRONG! I have been doing home inspections in the Nashville, TN area the past few days, and on two of the properties, … (10 comments)
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middle tennessee and williamson county home inspections: Midway Plantation - Brentwood Country Club - 02/28/08 04:16 AM
Traveling south out
of Brentwood, TN along one of Tennessee’s many
highways and byways, stands a historical marker at the entrance to Brentwood
Country Club Estates. The site was originally the site of Midway Plantation,
appropriately named because it was located midway between Franklin, TN and
Nashville, TN, was owned … (7 comments)
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