Whenever someone tells me that the municipal code inspectors have signed-off on a house, that does not mean that I let my defenses down when it comes to looking for problems. I think the code inspectors must have some good days and some bad days. One thing I know for sure is that they are likely to miss many things both large and small.

For example, I was at a newer home recently. The steps at the home, at four different locations, one being inside the others outside, do not conform to the basic safety guidelines. Steps varied from one another, in rise, by more than 3/8" and some steps were 9" high or higher. A step should be no higher than 7 3/4".

Now, don't get me wrong. We need code inspectors. Things would literally be falling apart all over without them. And we home inspectors miss things too. I think the fact is that the more eyes you have looking at a building -- municipal or state inspectors, home inspectors -- the better chance you have of getting more things right or as they should be.

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith

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6 Comments on Passing The Code Inspection Does Not Guarantee That Nothing Is Wrong

OCT
25
2009
452,806 Points 81 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Steven - And that's the very reason ALL homes should be inspected by a qualified home inspector. Just one more trained pair of eyes.
11:12am • #1
1,150,556 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Guru,

I cannot argue with that.
2:24pm • #2
965,776 Points 60 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Steven:  I am thinking that the difference in step heights that you mention can easily be enough to cause some people who have a hard time climbing or descending steps to make a miss-step... and fall.  Not a good plan.  Fall... is a "season"... not a way to go down the stairs... LOL.
4:22pm • #3
644,874 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Steven, I hate uneven steps!  I also hate the doorsteps where the builder or bricker made them one brick wide.  That's not big enough for a foot!  But what do you recommend with these situations.  They can't very easily be changed before a close takes place.
4:24pm • #4
1,150,556 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Barbara,

I point it out. In the case shown here, they could fit in a first step and divide the nearly ten inches by two. But when it is a concrete step, they pretty much have to live with it unless they want lots of expense.
4:53pm • #5
301,384 Points 55 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Steve - I currently have a transaction in the works where the code inspectors now have egg on their face for signing off on the CO.
11:19pm • #6

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Steven L. Smith, Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Bellingham, WA

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King of the House Home Inspection, Inc

Address: Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, Sumas, Nooksack, Lake Whatcom, Lake Samish, Anacortes, Mount Vernon, Whatcom County, Bellingham, WA, 98225

Office Phone: (360) 676-6908

Cell Phone: (360) 319-0038

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Steven L. Smith, King of the House Home Inspection, provides information for real estate buyers, sellers and real estate industry professionals. Blog posts emphasize issues commonly found in Bellingham, WA and Whatcom County. Smith is Washington State Licensed Home inspector #207, a state licensed structural pest inspector and one of the most experienced inspectors in the northwest corner of the Pacific Northwest. Steven L. Smith is lead instructor of home inspection at Bellingham Technical College and teaches classes for Washington State University and the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Steve was a two-term member of the state licensing board.


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