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Be Safe ~ Not Sorry...

Reblogger Gloria Todor
Real Estate Agent with Premier Property Sales & Rentals RS284559

If you looking to buy a home be sure you get a home inspection before the purchase is final.  Please take a moment to read this post by Michael a Home Inspector, he points out important things.

Thanks Michael.

 

Original content by TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc. TN Lic#050

Be Safe ~ Not Sorry...
     When potential buyers look at a property, they are looking at the aesthetics not the functionality or safety features. When the untrained eye looks at the photo below, one sees a sees a cool looking stairwell, loft and a nice clean open space.

What the average consumer sees


However, the trained eye of the home inspector sees something different.

What the home inspector sees


     1. Even though this is an older property, the balusters (spindles) on the guardrail and handrail exceed the current 4” spacing required for child safety.
     2. The placement of the smoke alarms on both levels of the property are incorrect. Typically, they should be place within 12" of the ceiling.
     Properly placed smoke alarms are vital for the safety of you and your family. In most states, properties that have been rehabbed need to be brought up to current standards of safety. These are some of the issues found with this property:
     1. The alarms were not wired together – when one-alarm signals, all should signal.
     2. The alarms were not installed in the bedrooms. Current safety standards require all smoke alarms to be placed in each bedroom and hallway of in each level of the property.
     3. There was no function smoke alarm in the basement or the garage.

Did you know...

     · Smoke alarms monitor the air 24 hours a day, every day. After 10 years, it's been on the job for over 87,000 hours. At this point in its life, it stands a 50/50 chance of failure. Do you want to trust your life to an aged device?. If you don’t know how old your alarm is, or if it is more than 10 years old, replace it.
     · The battery back up in all alarms needs to be replaced annually.
     · Smoke alarms need to be tested monthly.
     · Vacuum the outside covers periodically to remove dust, dirt particles and insects.

For all your inspection needs in the Brentwood, Franklin & Nashville TN real estate markets
Call us today:
Complete Home Inspections, inc.
The guys with the hats...
615.661.0297
Brentwood, TN

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Comments(3)

Teral McDowell
Referral Patners LLC - Murphy, TX

Here I was just fussing about a pesky chirping of a smoke detector because the battery back-up needed replacing but I'm glad that's all it had to say.

Jan 28, 2012 09:31 AM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Doug & Gloria,  Michael does know what he's talking about.  I don't think many people consider smoke or carbon monoxide detectors as long as a detector is in place and it's not Chirping.  As for the railings...it's just not something that the average person would know about...definitely need a home inspector.

Jan 28, 2012 09:56 AM
Gloria Todor
Premier Property Sales & Rentals - Springfield, PA
& Doug Durren (484) 431-3686 in SE PA

Hi Teral, Yes they are good to have around.  And they talk to each other if the batteries are all replaced at the same time.

Hi Nick, Yes Home inspectors are valuable.  

Jan 30, 2012 01:42 AM