What is behind the Ocean?

     The other day, we went to the ocean. 

     What do you expect to look at when you go to the ocean?

     The ocean, of course. 

     When we look at the ocean we look at it from all angles----with the sun setting over it----or the fog rolling in.  We might even get a glimpse of it through a hole in a rock.  But the ocean can be distracting.

     Home Inspectors have to deal with all kinds of distractions when they are doing their job.

    There are the cats trying to escape, the clients with good questions that come at the wrong time, and any number of other things.

     Another distraction that happens is being so focused on what we are inspecting that we miss something unrelated that is nearby.  In other words we are “distracted” by the very thing we are inspecting.  This kind of tunnel vision can allow us to run the garage overhead door through all its tests and not notice that the access to the attic is above the door when it is in the open position.

     When we have such a specific focus, such single-minded focus, we might miss something right behind us that is just as important----perhaps even more important.

     It is one of the challenges of the job that every Home Inspector must come to terms with.  Hopefully “experience” cures a lot of this issue. 

     We learn to focus----but not with blinders on.

     It is the same when we are at the ocean.

     If we get distracted by the ocean we might miss what can be seen through the same hole looking the other way.

Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector