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When is a vent a vent but not a vent? Not trivia, just the facts.

By
Home Inspector with Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections 10072923

When is a vent a vent but not a vent? Not trivia, just the facts.

When inspecting homes for Desert Sun Home inspections in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

There seems to be one re occurring theme with builders and home owners that want to do the "Do it yourself jobs". More commonly known in the Real Estate world as the "DIY".

Any builder building a home today must know the codes. They should know how to build a home the right way.

So many times I find very little venting for the attic spaces. Next time you are talking with a builder ask them this.

"What is the free air space in square inches for that can vent you use"? This could be used for any vent they install in the home for venting.

I will guarantee that 99 out of 100 builders will say "I have no idea what the square inches of free air space is". Maybe they should visit this website that spells it out for them.

http://www.airvent.com  This is just one site of many available for contractors and home owners.

When vents are covered or obstructed.

This means the vent will not be as effective as a open un obstructed vent. As seen in this photo here.

Obstructed venting.Obstructed venting.

On this home every single one of the can vents were obstructed in one way or another.

The hole for the vent was too small and the vents were obstructed by a truss right through the center of the vent.

So the next time you have a home inspected. Mention to the inspector on how the condition of the attic venting is.

There are a large number of inspectors in my opinion that do not inspect for un obstructed clear air space.

I have asked a bunch of local bilding inspectors that tell me the same thing every time. They cite the codes. They know the codes. But when it comes to calling the codes out. They don't.

But isn't that their job?

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.

Posted by

 

Clint  McKie

Owner of Desert Sun Home Inspections Carlsbad, New Mexico. Eddy County's only certified home inspection service WITH OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE. Serving all of South East New Mexico. We inspect the homes entire structure from the roof to the foundation, and everything in between. Most reports within 4-24 hours from time of inspection completion. We issue a PDF report with pictures Starting at $250.00 for each home inspection. Why settle for less when you can have the best?

Also included is a Appliance recallcheck and a 90 day warranty with all full home inspections.

When it comes to Quality home inspections. Simply put, we are the best.

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Comments (35)

Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

HA!  It doesn't take a Rhodes Scholar to know that an obstructed vent isn't going to vent.

Mar 10, 2014 10:06 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Raymond,

As with inspecting. Those are mitigating factors when ever I try to get into an attic as well.

Have a great day in Rochester.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 10, 2014 10:13 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Lenn,

At least not venting correctly. They will still vent, just not in the capacity they were intended to work.

Have a nice day in Loudoun County.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 10, 2014 10:15 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Not a clue Clint that I leave to people like you I've got enough on my plate.

Mar 10, 2014 11:23 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

It seems that a vent, by definition, needs to be unobstructed Clint!  :)

Mar 10, 2014 11:26 PM
Jeff Stevens
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New Mexico Properties - Las Cruces, NM
Jeff Stevens, Associate Broker/REALTOR

Good post, Clint. Kind of off subject here but the inspectors in our area approved a house being built with the wrong set backs. So, last count...that was three different people that "inspected" the set back and decided it was okay. Turned out to be 8' off! How do these folks remained employed?

Mar 11, 2014 12:29 AM
Donald Hester
NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA
NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Clint, Some vent are more like ornaments.  Just got to wonder sometimes. Of course you could always just cut the the truss or rafter ;)

Mar 11, 2014 02:14 AM
Adrian Willanger
206 909-7536 AdrianWillanger-broker.com - Seattle, WA
Profit from my two decades of experience

Clint-it almost seems like these vents were put in as afterthoughts. Not very well planned.

 

Best-Adrian

Mar 11, 2014 05:28 AM
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Clint: What is the use of having codes if builders are not going to be held to the standards...this has to be very frustrating!

Mar 11, 2014 08:18 AM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi James,

Good call. I would not want to do the paperwork end of a home sale but you could.

Have a good night in Rogers.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 11, 2014 08:36 AM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Tom,

So true. If blocked off then there is an issue. These are about 1/3 blocked.

Have a great day back from San Diego.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 11, 2014 08:38 AM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Jeffrey,

Because it is who they know and the don't cause any waves for anyone in the office. That is my opinion.

Have  great day in Las Cruces.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 11, 2014 08:40 AM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Donald,

As you know cutting the rafter would take more work. How about just placing the vent correctly? What a concept.

Have a great day in the Great Northwest.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 11, 2014 08:42 AM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hello Adrian,

That was a thought. Never seem to be installed correctly or even cut out correctly or... the list goes on and on.

Have a good evening in the Seattle areas my friend.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 11, 2014 08:43 AM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Anita,

Then I become the bad guy in this situation. I tell the buyer the buyer tells the agent the agent tells the owner the owner calls the contractor and say's....Your inspector is off base on this one. The vents are right.

Have a good night in Warner Robins.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 11, 2014 08:47 AM
Rob Thomas
Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN
Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro

Clint ...You should do just a chapter on the sellers response to some of your findings ....I'm sure it would be a great read!

Have a great night in Carlsbad!

Mar 11, 2014 08:59 AM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Rob,

There are a lot of them. Never know what the sellers or the buyers will say.

Have a good night in Tennessee.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 11, 2014 09:12 AM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Good evening, Clint. I see that you are venting again...

Mar 11, 2014 10:44 AM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Michael,

Yes I am. LOL They being the builders just can't seem to get it right.

Have a nice day in Bentwood.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 11, 2014 08:17 PM
Joe Graham
Graham Real Estate Group - Naperville, IL
Naperville Real Estate Marketing Specialist

Interesting post. Hard to believe that most builders and inspectors aren't aware of what could be a huge problem. Thanks for sharing!

 

Chicago2NapervilleRealEstate.com

Mar 12, 2014 03:24 AM