CODE SCHMODE!

It don't take no freeking code to tell me when a stair case is DANGEROUS.

Common sense and experience teaches us before we can read the freekin' CODE.

What's the matter with people who spend their lives looking for ways to avoid responsibility.

If a person falls down those stairs and breaks their neck, is the owner going to prevail in a lawsuit simply because the FLIPPER said the stairs met CODE????

HA!

Don't even think of showing me that basement.  I'm not risking my neck to go down those steps.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Via Jay Markanich - Northern VA Home Inspector (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC):

It isn't hard to do and it's always something to post after finding fun flipper fodder.

Going downstairs I immediately noticed that the staircase was sans handrail.

Mentioning that to my clients they said when they asked about one Flipper (not his real name) told them he had looked up the code.

The code told him that the requirements said this staircase was not "wide" enough for a handrail.

To that I said, "Ummmm..."  Direct quote.

This staircase is actually wider than a lot at 38". 

It certainly requires a handrail.

So I had a little fun with it.

On the report I included links to local County and International Residency Code (IRC) mentions as regards handrail installations and requirements.

Let's just say that those links virtually inundate people with information!

There are requirements about everything!  When one is necessary, how high, its thickness and how far from the wall, shapes - it goes on and on!

There are diagrams showing measurements, specificity as to strength, continuity along a wall, where on the wall it should end (top and bottom), well, you name it, the many, many codes show it.

I can only hope Flipper felt pure gratitude at my helpfulness!

Yes, I'm sure he did!

My recommendation:  your home inspector is likely to be just as helpful with information and instruction as you go about understanding the needs your house, even your NEW house, must satisfy.  And remember, the code requirements represent a MINIMUM standard and there is no reason your builder, or Flipper, can't exceed them!

 

 

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC  

Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia

www.jaymarinspect.com



_______________________________________________________________________________________________________


Want to learn more about Loudoun County, VA? Join Loudoun County, VA on Facebook!

 

9 Comments on Finding Fun Flipper Fodder

JUL
15
280,196 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I was at a new construction with a family and 2 stories, open staircase that scared me and I told the agent they need to get something installed there asap and she just shrugged saying it had been that way since it was built so I told her to ask their lawyers to come check out the house maybe they would care...
5:43am • #1
1,950,835 Points 478 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Mark.

If OSHA visited that site, they'd shut it down and fine that builder about $250,000.

It happened here to a builder.
6:21am • #2
466,893 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

At the municipality I work at our department is responsible for inspections so that code is followed and code enforcement. ADA will find them soon enough that or a lawsuit.
6:36am • #3
1,950,835 Points 478 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sussie.  Hopefully before someone is seriously injured.
6:47am • #4
405,185 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Good morning Lenn. You are so right. When did we stop using common sense and spend our day looking for the easy way out. A couple of bucks on a handrail could save a life there. I guess that's why for the price of an inspection it is ALWAYS a good idea.
6:50am • #5
975,584 Points 350 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

That guy was full of baloney when he said he "looked it up."  Of course a rail is needed!  Thanks for the reblog Lenn!
12:41pm • #6
1,950,835 Points 478 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Randy.  You bet it is.  Never know what the inspector will find.

Jay.  No question in my mind.
3:12pm • #7
1,360,436 Points 244 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Lenn that stairway looks plenty wide enough to me for me to go flying down on my butt.  No way that house gets an FHA loan without handrails.
5:19pm • #8
JUL
16
1,950,835 Points 478 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

George.  FHA, VA or for anyone with a brain.
3:06am • #9

Login or register to leave a comment
 


Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog