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Making changes could cost you. Desert Sun Home inspections Hobbs, N.M.

By Clint Mckie

Home Inspector with Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections 10072923

February 04, 2014 10:39 PM

So you want to heat the garage. What do you want to heat it with?

In this home the owners added a space or wall heater in the garage. I think it was for using the garage more and having heat would be a great benefit for the owners wanting to be in the garage more.

But this is an issue when I inspected this home.

The owners added a space/ wall heater in the garage. But they placed the heater in the side wall. Not at the end or face of the garage.

This now needs to be protected from being hit by the car when that teenager comes home. Or the owner after a few adult beverages.

Here is what I saw when inspecting this home.

Wall heater in garage.

The heater as installed correctly, just that the location was wrong. There are no bumpers for the heater protection.

Plus another issue is the paneling the owners installed after the heater had been installed.

This paneling is not a fire rated paneling. Thus eliminating the fire rating for the garage side wall.

You have to think things through when making improvements to your home. I really don't think a permit was pulled for this wall heater installation either. But that would not surprise me either. Nearly half of the furnaces and water heaters I inspect have never been permitted.

This is why you always get a "FULL Home Inspection" by a certified inspector. For the peace of mind.

Call Clint at 1-575-706-5586

Have a great day every one.

If you are buying a home and want a very good home inspection. Call Clint McKie at 1-575-706-5586 Desert Sun Home Inspections can and will find the issues if there are any. We service Eddy, Lea and Chaves Counties in Southeast New Mexico.

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Anne Hensel

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals - Saint Petersburg, FL

Realtor - Broker - St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island

Never a dull moment, guess you see a lot of things that are not OK.

Feb 06, 2014 10:10 AM

Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP

DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX

Selling Homes Changing Lives

Very interesting Clint! You raised issues that even I wouldn't think of, except of course, I wouldn't want a heater in my garage in the first place. But, if I was selling a home that had one installed, I'd be very scared about not taking care of the safety concerns.

Feb 06, 2014 07:03 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Richie,

That's not the only issue. There are several that stand out. One is the standing pilot in the front of the unit. Gas or other fumes could ignite if present.

Have a good day in Riverside California.

Best, Clint McKie

Feb 06, 2014 08:29 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Gerard.

Codes are in place for a reason. If not followed a home burning down could be the result of non compliance.

Thanks for the comment and have a great day.

Best, Clint McKie

Feb 06, 2014 08:32 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hello Georgio,

Here is a quick run down on the home.

Built in 1979, furnace in gargae added 1999, standing pilot and not a sealed combution unit. No bumpers and combustion chamber too low for the heater install for a garage.

That sums it up.

Thanks for the comment.

Best, Clint McKie

Feb 06, 2014 08:36 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Charles,

It is. Only 14 inches to the standing pilot. The exhaust is correct through the roof. But an open pilot light and height is a major no no.

Have a very nice day in the Seattle areas my friend.

Best, Clint McKie

Feb 06, 2014 08:39 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Debbie,

The paneling is the least of the worries. It is not fire rated, but the open flame of the pilot is a really major issue.

Have a great day in Clarksville.

Best, Clint McKie

Feb 06, 2014 08:41 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Jack,

The way to remedy the situation is to remove the paneling and the furnace. Close up the wall and repaint the garage. Problem solved.

Have a nice day and thanks for the comment.

Best, Clint McKie

Feb 06, 2014 08:43 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hello Anne,

There are so many things we inspect for. Safety being number one priority.

There are just too many homes without the proper safety features in them.

Have a nice day at St, Pete beach , Florida.

Best, Clint McKie

Feb 06, 2014 08:46 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Patricia,

I like your new profile picture. Safety is the number one thing I inspect for. As a buyer or seller. This should be their number one concern as well.

Have a nice day in Flower Mound Texas.

Best, Clint McKie

Feb 06, 2014 08:49 PM

Ginny Gorman

RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI

Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Hmm Clint, more than the heater the fire rating of the garage would concern me as a homeowner as priority 1...then buffer that heater...don't you think.

Feb 06, 2014 09:00 PM

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks, Clint, for sharing this home inspection. It should be a good lesson for many home owners.

Feb 08, 2014 07:19 AM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Ginny,

This home had more issues than just the furnace in the garage. I hope the buyers consider the real issues before they close.

Have a good day in North Kingstown.

Best, Clint McKie

Feb 10, 2014 08:55 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Roy,

I would think so. But the agents have a lot of influence with the buyers. Only time will tell.

Have a good day in Gaithersburg.

Best, Clint McKie

Feb 10, 2014 08:56 PM

Manuela Baginski

Coastal Properties Group/Christie's International Real Estate - Tierra Verde, FL

bilingual Real Estate Professional in Tampa Bay

Thanks for the great tips for improvements and inspections!

Feb 11, 2014 01:07 AM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Manuela,

Just trying to help spread the news about inspecting and the results of home owners doing the wrong thing just to be found by the inspector when they decide to sell the home.

Have a good day on the South Beaches.

Best, Clint McKie

Feb 11, 2014 02:20 AM

Gita Bantwal

RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA

REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Clint, I agree with you. It is important to get a home inspection when buying a house.

Feb 12, 2014 07:37 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Gita,

Why in the world would you not get a home inspection? Even on a new home that as a one year warranty? The warranty only covers what you as a home owner can see. Us inspectors inspect everything. This mans all the places the home owners would not look or test get's inspected. Now that is protection for the buyer.

Have a nice day in Bucks County.

Best, Clint McKie

Feb 12, 2014 08:17 PM

Conrad Allen

Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA

Webster, Ma, Realtor

I do know what you mean Clint