middle tennessee home inspections: Photo of the Day - 04/28/08 04:49 PM
Home inspectors are not just a pretty face in the crowd. They really have to know their craft especially when it comes to new homes and framing inspections. As part of the services we offer for our clients, framing inspections are imperative since far too often, major framing faults and structural … (7 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: How Old Is Your Heating & Cooling System? - 04/24/08 06:47 AM
This is the first in a series of posts that I am going to make on how to read the serial numbers for the more popular units in my area. I am going to start with Goodman heating and cooling products out of Houston, TX. These are very common to see … (5 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Not All Home Inspectors Are Created Equal . . . - 04/19/08 04:07 AM
Not all home inspectors are created equal. The truth to that statement became really apparent yesterday while inspecting a relatively new property in the Franklin Tennessee area. The owner agent for this property confidently told me that he had just had this property inspected by HIS inspector a few months … (16 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: House Bulldozer, Bulldozer House, Now That We Have Been Formally Introduced . . . - 04/17/08 05:59 AM
If any of you have been in the real estate business for any length of time like I have, I'm sure that like me you have fond memories of people or properties that you would not have rather seen or met. I know that I say that a little bit sarcastically, … (10 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Contunuous Radon Monitors v/s Charcoal Canisters - 04/14/08 06:48 AM
The middle Tennessee area is considered a high radon belt according to the EPA. There are several different types of radon monitoring equipment in the marketplace approved for real estate transactions. The most common are the charcoal canisters and the continuous monitoring equipment. Some home inspectors like to use the charcoal … (8 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Photo of the Day . . . - 04/11/08 06:08 AM
There is a right way and a wrong way to do things especially when it comes to installing a roof covering. The pictures in this post are a pictorial representation of how NOT to install rolled roofing or shingles for that matter. While inspecting a property in Franklin, TN, this 3 … (11 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Photo of the Day . . . - 04/03/08 06:59 AM
The other day while inspecting a property in Nashville TN, I ran across this unique way of stopping a leaking gate valve. As this property had been rehabbed, and the caulking was still soft, I really cannot blame this one on the home owner. Once again, just proving my case that … (6 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: These Bands Don't Play Cool Tunes! - 04/02/08 04:44 AM
Unlike the Fab Four, best known for their hit song, “I Wanna Hold Your Flashlight”, there are some bands out there that don’t play cool tunes. An example of this is the Carbon Fiber Band. Every time I see this group, it normally spells trouble.
Carbon fiber bands are generally … (11 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Photo of the Day . . . - 03/30/08 06:23 AM
This post was created by Windows Live and Picasa Web Album.
This posting and the contents written here are the intellectual property of Michael Thornton of Complete Home Inspections, Inc. providing home inspections for Brentwood, Nashville, Davidson and Williamson Counties of Middle Tennessee. The views and opinions expressed are … (11 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Photo of the day . . . - 03/29/08 04:15 AM
Home inspectors in the State of Tennessee do no have to be licensed for pest control like some other licensed states. However; when inspecting a property, I do keep an eye out for these little critters that can literally eat you out of house and home. While inspecting the crawl … (9 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Photo of the day . . . - 03/28/08 05:31 AM
Home inspectors have to know and look at more than the house they are evaluating. A classic example of this is happened yesterday while I was inspecting a property in Spring Hill, TN in southern Williamson County. Driving into the subdivision, I noticed that all the houses had new roofs … (10 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Photo of the day . . . - 03/27/08 06:06 AM
One of the services that I provide for my clients, are pre-drywall or framing inspections on new construction properties. While inspecting this new construction house on Nashville’s east side yesterday I came across this unusual foundation for the brick veneer siding. Apparently, when the block foundation stem wall was installed, … (8 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Photo of the day . . . - 03/25/08 05:21 AM
Every now and then I run across a home owner who likes to color coordinate their outlets to match the color of their walls. This is definitely not a good idea and especially when it comes to GFCI outlets. When these are painted over, the paint will often jam the … (8 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Photo of the day . . . - 03/22/08 05:26 AM
This seems to be my week for picking on plumbers. I don't know why, maybe it's just because I have seen too many things that have have done which does not make any sense. Yesterday, while inspecting a rehabbed property in a mature section of Nashville, TN, I came across … (20 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Photo of the day . . . - 03/20/08 07:06 AM
I was inspecting a new construction property in Nashville, TN yesterday and ran across this professional installation of an air handler and condensate pump. Professional contractors will install a bracket on the side of the air handler on which to mount the pump and an outlet for power. This contractor … (6 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Photo of the day . . . - 03/19/08 06:04 AM
While inspecting a new construction property in Nashville, TN yesterday, I came across this “unusual” venting system for the gas water heater. The water heater was located in the mechanical room off the finished basement and all that separated this room from the finished basement area was a louvered door … (12 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Photo of the Day . . . - 03/15/08 06:14 AM
It is often said that a picture is worth a thousand words plus or minus a few. I am sure that this driver pulling this mobile home had a few choice words to say, and I would bet you a "milyun" that the words weren't, "Rut Ro!" or "I knew that … (13 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Plumbers - Origin of the Word . . . - 03/04/08 06:12 AM
A plumber is a
tradesperson (questionable term at times) who installs and maintains the potable
(drinking) water and sewage systems in our homes. But, did you ever wonder
where the term plumber comes from or how it originated?
I have done
some research on this as I knew some … (7 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Another GE Appliance Recall . . . - 03/03/08 04:45 AM
General Electric has issued
another recall for some of their appliances. Back in December 2007, GE issued a
recall of some 92,000
Microwave Combo Wall Ovens Due to a Fire Hazard. The link to the Consumer
Products Safety Commission (CPSC ) regarding this recall is
HERE. These
appliances were sold at … (5 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Would You Take a Bath In This Water? - 02/23/08 06:10 AM
Part of the property inspection is to check
the plumbing fixtures and functionally test whirlpool tubs. I was surprised when
I came back in the bathroom to see the bath water looking like this. Yeech! Who
would want to take a bath in this?
It is not uncommon to … (16 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Electrical Codes Inspectors Miss More Than You Think . . . - 01/25/08 05:49 AM
Having
been an electrical engineer and a licensed electrician in a prior life, I am
critical on electrical issues especially when it comes to the safety of my
clients. Yesterday, I inspected a new construction property and one that was
about 4 years old that did not have an inspection … (14 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: GFCI Failures Can Be Fatal . . . When Did You Last Check Yours? - 01/24/08 05:25 AM
Ground
Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) devices have been in properties in varying
degrees since the early 1970's. Failures in these devices are the number one
common electrical issue that I comment on when doing property inspections. Like
most items in a home, not too much thought are given to items … (10 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Rusted Flues on Package Units - Things You and Your Customer Should Know - 01/16/08 05:55 AM
As
part of the inspection process, we are required
to evaluate and comment on the condition of package units, furnaces and
compressor units. Periodically, I come across an older package unit where there
is excessive rusting around the exhaust venting for the enclosed built-in
furnace. As a rule, I see … (5 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: How Hot is Your Water? - 01/12/08 05:40 AM
Hot water
systems must supply water at temperatures hot enough to meet cleaning demands
but not so hot as to risk injury to people. Children, the disabled, and the
elderly are most susceptible to hot water-related injuries. Currently, the
maximum
temperature criteria calls for temperatures to be in the … (5 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: s Mold Killing Your Deal? Part I of 3 . . . - 01/11/08 06:02 AM
Just
mention the “M” word during an inspection, and
it seems as if all parties involved in the property transaction freak out! I
really feel that the whole mold situation has been grossly blown out of
proportion. It seems as if all molds are bundled into the same category as … (3 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Do You Check the Dishwasher During Your Final Walk-Through? - 01/10/08 06:41 AM
While doing your final walk-through, do you or
your clients check the dishwasher? This is one mechanical device that can
cause some homeowners some unexpected grief or expense after the closing at
escrow. Having completed over 2500 property inspections over the past 7 years,
here are some tips:
Start the … (7 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Garage Water Heater Installations . . . Flammable Vapor Protection - 01/09/08 06:18 AM
A few times a month,
I run across gas water heaters that has been installed either on the floor, or a
few inches off the floor. Mechanical codes state that for fuel burring units
such as gas and oil, the combustion chamber and ignition source should be a
minimum of … (2 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Photos of the Day . . . - 01/09/08 05:12 AM
Well,
it seems as if our old buddy Unhandy Andy has
been hard at work again - this time as an electrician. After spending months
building a work shop out in the back of the house, it seems as if he wanted to
find ways to burn it down in … (4 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Beware of Mold in Attics . . . - 01/07/08 06:21 AM
More and more these days, as production houses
get built, I am seeing more signs of mold in the attics. Many building
contractor are just pooh-poohing this off as "A certain amount of water staining
is considered normal". Water staining maybe, but mold? No! What they
don't want to say is … (1 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: I Always Get Suspicious When ... - 01/05/08 08:39 AM
I
get a lot of comments from folks out there in AR
stating that I could probably write a book about all the things that I have
seen. There right! I never have to think what I need to write about. All I
have to do is go through my … (5 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: More work from Unhandy Andy . . . - 01/05/08 08:12 AM
Well,
it looks as if the infamous Unhandy Andy has been
hard at work again. You know him, the knot-headed nitwit of the construction
world whose motto must be "We Will Make It Work". This guy must be ambidextrous,
because he can take a job and screw it up with … (7 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Looks as if Unhandy Andy has been working here . . . - 01/05/08 07:38 AM
It
has been said, that a picture is worth 998 works +/- a few, and this picture
shows you how not to flash a chimney! It looks as if this is
the handy work of the infamous Unhandy-Andy who lurks around town demonstrating
his utter lack of building skills and … (2 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Keyed Entry Doorlocks - Potential Fire Safety Hazard... - 01/03/08 07:36 AM
Several
times a week, I see keyed entry locks on both sides of the deadbolt lock.
Generally, I will see these in older properties or in rough neighborhoods where
the home owner feels that they need … (4 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Dryer Venting - What You Don't Know Can Cost You - 01/03/08 06:11 AM
For
many
years, the material of choice for clothes dryer venting was the common
flexible
plastic vent hose.
Invariably, I run across this material in some homes several times a month. As a
courtesy to the new home buyer, I write this up as a potential fire safety
hazard. There … (4 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: When was the last time you changed your air filters? - 12/29/07 07:28 AM
… (8 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Protect Your Clients and Yourself - Take Pictures! - 12/29/07 06:16 AM
… (4 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: #1 Bathroom Problem Is . . . . - 12/29/07 04:55 AM
… (5 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Arc-Fault Circuits – A Few Things You Should Know - 12/16/07 06:41 AM
Because kids do the darndest things and most household fires start in bedrooms, arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCI) breakers have been required on all newly constructed residential properties as of 2002 and all residential properties where the wiring system and panel have been updated. These devices are required for the bedroom areas … (3 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Dangerous Situation Here - 12/15/07 04:43 AM
As part of the inspection process, we are required to inspect all readily accessible electric panels in a property. Several times a week, my inspector or I run into the situation where either unhandy Andy or some lazy electrician has used improper screws to hold the dead-front cover on the service … (3 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: The Hidden Danger in Your Home - 12/15/07 04:14 AM
The Hidden Danger in Your Home
If your home was built after 1990 to present date, there may be a safety hazard in your home which has the potential to injure you or your loved ones.
No, it is not Radon or the chemicals stored under your kitchen sink or closet where you … (7 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Realtors – Talk to Your Clients about Electrical Panels - 12/12/07 06:02 AM
About once a week one of my inspectors or I run into an electric panel somewhere in a garage or laundry area that is inaccessible due to personal storage. Often times, permanent shelving being placed over the panel face so that it cannot be removed or the door opened as on the … (1 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: I Wonder What They Were Thinking? - 12/11/07 03:54 AM
I was at a property that an addition was part of the rehab project. I could not help but notice the outlet placed on the outside of the guardrail next to the balcony. One would think that common sense would dictate that you would place the outlet on the inside of … (7 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Water Heaters – Facts and Common Violations - 12/07/07 07:05 AM
Water Heaters – Facts and Common Violations As a licensed home inspector for the State of Tennessee and an ASHI certified home inspector, the most common water heater violations I see with water heaters center around the Temperature, Pressure, Relief (TPR) valve. Water heaters are pressure vessels capable of exploding or causing … (1 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: I Wonder What They Were Thinking - 12/07/07 05:19 AM
As a licensed home inspector for the State of Tennessee and an ASHI certified home inspector, I am continually in and out of properties almost daily; some new - some old. Generally, it is the older properties that I find really fascinating.
I entered the master bath of an ‘80's style ranch … (5 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Crawl Spaces – The Final Frontier – Vapor Retarders and Mold - 12/07/07 04:28 AM
If you have one, when was the last time that YOU entered, inspected, or had your crawl space professionally inspected?
As a licensed home inspector for the State of Tennessee and an ASHI certified home inspector, I have seen a lot of damage in the under world that could have been … (1 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Chimney Crowns - 12/06/07 05:07 PM
Chimneys are basically very small structures. Just as your house needs a roof to keep water from entering, so does your chimney. Chimney crowns are simply chimney roofs. The crown should slope down from the flue liner at a minimum of 3 inches of fall per foot of run. Flat or improperly … (2 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: New Roof Issues - 12/04/07 06:07 AM
A roofing contractor had just installed a new roof on a property that had been rehabbed. Many property owners are not familiar enough with the trades to know when a job has been completed properly. Most take the word of the contractor.
I could not help but notice that the stack vents … (2 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: New Uses for Old Extension Cords - 12/04/07 05:49 AM
It never ceases to amaze me when I see the things that Un-handy Andy does with electricity. Improper use of electricity and improper wiring techniques are one of the few things that will kill you or burn your house down. But, nevertheless they keep tinkering. I guess that tinkering is their … (2 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: Maintenance Tip - Asphalt Drives - 11/30/07 07:12 AM
Maintenance Tip from
Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Brentwood, TN
We enjoy trying to make sure that your home stays one of your most valuable assets. The best way we know to help you with that is to pass along some simple maintenance tips that most people don't know that could save you thousands of … (1 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: 11 Month Warranty Inspections - 11/29/07 01:07 PM
Property inspections some time around the 11 month is a good idea especially if you did not do the home inspection prior to closing. Better builders will repair defects in material and workmanship during the first year that you own the property.
Depending upon the builder, some properties will have some … (2 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: One Year Warranty Inspections - 11/29/07 12:42 PM
Most good real estate professionals suggest that new construction properties get an independent inspection prior to closing or the final walk-through. Most don' citing money is tight, especially if they are first time buyers. Or, there may be other circumstances that prohibit the inspection process.
Most builders of track or spec … (0 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: New build properties need to be inspected too! - 11/28/07 06:30 AM
More often than not, when talking to friends in the real estate business, many people that purchase new properties forgo the inspection contingency because they buy into the line or lie that "It has been inspected by the codes department. There is nothing to worry about."
Well ... Kinda-sorta true but keep … (4 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: The True Measure of Our Thanksgiving... - 11/21/07 03:29 AM
"Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving."- W.T. Purkiser
I count every person that we do a home inspection for as a blessing - and I try to make sure that every home owner that works with you understands that … (3 comments)
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middle tennessee home inspections: How to avoid lawsuits by doing Re-Inspections - 11/18/07 07:48 PM
As a home inspector I am asked to go back and re-inspect repairs at a house where I had previously done an inspection. More often than not, I will do so, especially if it involves structural or roofing issues.
First of all, most insurance companies that carry the home inspectors E&O try to discourage … (0 comments)
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