There are certain natural laws that exist on Earth and every where in the universe. One of these is gravity. Now physicists tell us that gravity is a weak force compared to the other known natural powers that exist such as magnetism, but in my world I would beg to differ.
When any home inspector performs his or her inspection they likely have a set routine. I am no different. A standard approach to each house helps avoid missing things. A routine is honed over time through trial and error to virtual perfection.
One way it seems that I differ from the majority, at least in my talking with other inspectors, is my method of inspecting the homes interior. I start at the top of the house, the attic, and work my way down to finish with the basement.
This was not always the way I did my thing. I was taught to begin in the basement and finish with the attic. But like swimming starting at the bottom, I found was not an effective approach. I discovered this one day while in a basement. As I was making my way around something hit me on the head. What was that I wondered? I looked up and saw a plumbing leak. A hit on the head can sometimes trigger a brain storm or unconsciousness; it all depends on the size and consistency of the object.
What I realized a la Sir Isaac Newton was that gravity works. Then and there I decided to change my routine.
The other day again while in the basement I spied a small wet spot on the floor. Staring a little drop of water fell and splashed into the center of the spot.
A leak!
Looking up I saw a little rivulet descending from the floor joist above. This area was below the kitchen. I had started the dishwasher a little while before coming down to the basement and now could hear it running up stairs. Going into the kitchen and checking the dishwasher I found it was in fact the source of the drip in the basement. There wasn't much water apparent at the front of unit as can be seen in the photo. I may have missed this if I hadn't been moving from the top down.
James Quarello
SNEC-ASHI President
NRSB #8SS0022
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC
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