The other day I was at a home inspection. I was trying to determine if the earth grounding electrode to the main electric service panel was still intact. It is not uncommon to find these connections cut or loose.

First, we had a bit of earth to wood contact going on which, in this state, is a mandatory issue to report. That wood to soil contact was making it difficult to see if there was a wire there or not. In fact, it sure did not look like it. 

I carry a rot probe in my pocket that is perfect for this purpose of finding such a wire. I merely got it under the siding and scraped the metal probe along the foundation wall. Make sure that any probe or screwdriver you use for this purpose has an insulated handle for safety. Sure enough, at one point, I could no longer pull the probe any farther. I take a look and there was the elusive ground wire -- captured at last. Sometimes you have to do a bit of digging.

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith

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13 Comments on Sometimes You Have To Do A Little Digging

MAR
14
2010
834,596 Points Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thanks for the posting. We always learn a lot from Active Rain blogs.
10:41am • #1

Steven

Just a safety tip from an electrical engineer / electrician, always use the screwdriver, make sure it is insulated, to probe for that ground wire.  If the ground wire has a break or bad connection, you could become the ground and find yourself getting hurt.

Stay safe out there.

Lee
10:49am • #2
1,152,005 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Lee,

That is a good tip. My probe is insulated but I will put that info above as a clarification.
10:52am • #3

Steve

Great.
11:27am • #4
452,806 Points 81 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Steven - Sometimes it't the seemingly insignificant, "little things" that can be a big issue. Keep probing!
1:39pm • #5
925,961 Points 185 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Steve, wouldn't Nutsy be good at doing that for you?
4:57pm • #6
1,152,005 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Charlie,

He is pretty much tops and anything he chooses to do.
6:37pm • #7
998,219 Points 363 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Is that wood siding?
8:30pm • #8
MAR
29
2010

Thanks for the tip.  Very interesting.
10:19pm • #9
JUN
18
2010
234,717 Points 3 Featured Posts

Before digging call Locator. I've learned this lesson the hard way.
7:56pm • #10
1,152,005 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Sandy,

I learned that same lesson with a gas pipe a decade ago. The topic of the blog is not digging so deep as that however.
8:04pm • #11
JUL
15
2010
Attended Rain Camp

Always interesting what comes up in inspections.  Everytime I attend one with my clients, I learn something new.  Thanks for sharing Steven.
1:48pm • #12
SEP
27
2010
557,602 Points 31 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Steven,

You are a thoroug inspector.

Thanks for the post

Phil
12:25am • #13

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Steven L. Smith, Bellingham WA Home Inspector (King of the House Home Inspection, Inc) Rainmaker_large

Steven L. Smith, Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Bellingham, WA

More about me…

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

Email Me

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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