panama city: Lead Facts
- 07/05/09 12:02 AM
Lead Facts for Inspectors Lead is a poisonous metal that was once commonly used in the manufacture of paint, gasoline, and plumbing. While U.S. law has banned the use of lead in new construction, existing lead-based paint and plumbing in homes may present a significant health hazard, especially for children. Inspectors who are not trained in lead detection should not perform lead inspections due to potential liability issues. They can, however, learn the basic facts about lead so they can answer questions from concerned clients. A few interesting facts about lead and lead poisoning: Before 1955, paint in homes was composed … (0 comments)
panama city: Garage Doors and Openers Inspection & Testing
- 07/01/09 12:09 AM
Garage doors are large, spring-supported doors. Garage door openers control the opening and closing of garage doors, either through a wall-mounted switch or a radio transmitter. Due to the strain that garage door components and openers regularly endure, they may become defective over time and need to be fixed or replaced. Defective components may create safety hazards as well as functional deficiencies to the garage door assembly. The following facts demonstrate the dangers posed by garage doors: Garage doors are typically among the heaviest moving objects in the home and are held under high tension. Injuries caused by garage doors account … (0 comments)
panama city: Deck Receptacles
- 06/28/09 01:25 PM
Are exterior receptacles required at decks? The 2008 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) describes two requirements for locations of outdoor receptacles in one- and two-family dwellings. The previous edition (2005) includes only one of these requirements, and inspectors should be aware of this change and understand the reason it was made. The NEC also describes how to achieve adequate weather protection for exterior receptacles. Two Requirements for Locations of Outdoor Receptacles:1. As of 2005, the NEC required at least one outdoor receptacle in the front and in the rear of the house, not more than 6½ feet from the ground. … (0 comments)
panama city: Carpeted Bathrooms
- 06/26/09 12:07 AM
Carpeted Bathrooms Carpeted bathrooms are bathrooms that have carpeted floors instead of traditional floor surfaces, such as tile or vinyl. Despite their tendency to foster mold and bacteria, carpets are sometimes installed in residential bathrooms for aesthetic purposes. Carpets should never be installed in bathrooms in commercial buildings. Advantages of carpets in bathrooms: They make bathrooms appear more warm and inviting. They are softer than tile and many people find them comfortable on bare feet. Bathroom slip hazards are reduced. It is easier to slip on hard bathroom surfaces, such as tile, than on carpet. Installation is generally quick … (0 comments)
panama city: Kick-Out Flashing (Roof)
- 06/18/09 11:07 PM
Kick-out flashing, also known as diverter flashing, is a special type of flashing that diverts rainwater away from the cladding and into the gutter. When installed properly, they provide excellent protection against the penetration of water into the building envelope. Of all of the factors that typically result in rainwater intrusion, a missing kick-out flashing will lead to the most concentrated area of damage. Inspectors should make sure that kick-outs are present where they are needed and that they are installed correctly. Water penetration into the cladding can occasionally be observed on the exterior wall in the form of … (0 comments)
panama city: Mortar Joints (Bricks)
- 06/16/09 12:00 AM
Although good-quality bricks may outlast civilizations, the mortar that bonds them can crack and crumble after a number of years. Water penetration is the greatest degrader of mortar, and different mortar joints allow for varying degrees of water-resistance. Mortar joints in brickwork also take up a surprisingly large amount of a wall's surface area and have a significant influence on the wall's overall appearance. Some joint profiles accentuate their individual designs, while others merge the bricks and mortar to form a flush, homogeneous surface. The following are the most common mortar joints: Concave JointThis popular type of … (0 comments)
panama city: Window Falls. (SAFETY)
- 06/14/09 01:28 AM
Every year, roughly 2.5 million children are treated in the United States for fall-related injuries. Of these, falls from windows tend to be the most serious and fatal, especially among male toddlers. Older children are more likely to be seriously injured by window falls as summer approaches and they spend more time around the home. This problem is heightened by the fact that windows are left open for ventilation more often during the summer months than the rest of the year. Inspectors should be ready to field questions from concerned clients, especially those with small children, about the dangers posed by … (1 comments)
panama city: Hearths and Hearth Extensions
- 06/12/09 05:41 AM
A fireplace hearth is the floor area within a fireplace. It is made from noncombustible materials, such as brick or stone. The hearth extension is the noncombustible material in front of and at the sides of a fireplace opening. Hearths and hearth extensions are designed to prevent sparks from leaving the fireplace and igniting nearby combustibles. Guidelines for sufficient thickness and size of hearths and hearth extensions can be found in the International Phase I Standards of Practice for Inspecting Fireplaces and Chimneys and in the manufacturer's instructions. The following is from the International Phase I Standards of Practice … (0 comments)
panama city: Firestops (safety)
- 06/08/09 11:12 PM
A firestop is a passive fire-protection method designed to diminish the opportunity for fire to spread through unprotected openings in a rated firewall. Such openings are found around the perimeter of pipes and wiring that penetrate firewalls. Places where firestops are required:Firestops must seal all unprotected openings in firewalls. In homes, firewalls are found in the following locations: between the garage and the living space, including the overhead ceiling; between the attic and the living space. Inspectors should be on the lookout for fireplace and wood stove flues that lack adequate fire-rated sheetrock or metal flashing firestopping, as in the … (0 comments)
panama city: Anti-Tip Brackets for Freestanding Ranges (STOVE)/Safety
- 06/02/09 12:39 AM
This is an issue found in older homes, especially when the appliances have been updated.Anti-tip brackets are metal clamps designed to prevent freestanding ranges from tipping. They are normally attached to a rear leg of the range or screwed into the wall behind the range, and are included in all installation kits. A unit that is not equipped with these devices may tip over if enough weight is applied to its open door, such as that from a large Thanksgiving turkey, or even a small child. A falling range can crush, scald, or burn anyone caught beneath. Bracket Inspection Inspectors can confirm the presence of … (0 comments)
panama city: Backdrafting
- 05/30/09 10:10 AM
Backdrafting is the reverse flow of gas in the flues of fuel-fired appliances that results in the intrusion of combustion byproducts into the living space. Many fuel-fired water heaters and boilers use household air and lack an induced draft, which makes them especially vulnerable to backdrafting when indoor air pressure becomes unusually low. Inspectors should try to spot evidence of backdrafting in homes. How does backdrafting happen? Fuel-fired water heaters, boilers, wall heaters, and furnaces are designed to exhaust the byproducts of combustion to the outdoors through a flue. These hot gases rise through the flue and exit the … (1 comments)
panama city: Winterized Home????
- 05/30/09 08:26 AM
The issue with winterized foreclosure properties is that they might have lot's of concealed defects and issues that are concealed and when the home inspector is asked to turn on the water at the meter the answer should be a big NO! If the house does not have the water, gas and electricity ON No inspection shall be made period. Check this out it might clear will mind....
For more info please visit: HOMEINSPECTORUSA
… (0 comments)
panama city: Chinese Drywall
- 05/29/09 01:41 PM
Amidst a wave of Chinese import scares, ranging from toxic toys to tainted pet food, reports of contaminated drywall from that country have been popping up across the American Southeast. Chinese companies use unrefined "fly ash," a coal residue found in smokestacks in coal-fired power plants in their manufacturing process. Fly ash contains strontium sulfide, a toxic substance commonly found in fireworks. In hot and wet environments, this substance can offgas into hydrogen sulfide, carbon disulfide, and carbonyl sulfide and contaminate a home's air supply. The bulk of these incidents have been reported in Florida and other southern states, likely due to … (2 comments)
panama city: Swimming Pool Barriers
- 05/25/09 01:19 AM
An outdoor swimming pool barrier is a physical obstacle that surrounds an outdoor pool so that pool access is limited to adults. "Pool," in this context, includes outdoor hot tubs and spas. This barrier is often referred to as "pool fencing," although walls made from brick or stone can be acceptable as well. Children should not be able to get under, over, or through the barrier. Why are pool barriers important? According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), approximately 250 children drown every year in residential swimming pools. In states where swimming pools are open year-round, such … (0 comments)
panama city: Garbage Disposals for Inspectors
- 05/18/09 01:52 PM
Garbage disposals are residential and commercial appliances designed to shred food waste so that it can fit through plumbing. They are usually electrically powered (although occasionally powered by water-pressure) and are installed beneath sinks. Despite the convenience afforded by garbage disposals, the strain they can place on septic systems should be weighed against any potential benefits they might provide. Why Use a Garbage Disposal When food waste is discarded into the trash it will place an enormous burden on waste management systems and harm the environment. Garbage disposals reduce the severity of these problems by routing food waste into septic … (0 comments)
panama city: Chinese Drywall "Issues"
- 05/17/09 10:03 AM
Amidst a wave of Chinese import scares, ranging from toxic toys to tainted pet food, reports of contaminated drywall from that country have been popping up across the American Southeast. Chinese companies use unrefined "fly ash," a coal residue found in smokestacks in coal-fired power plants in their manufacturing process. Fly ash contains strontium sulfide, a toxic substance commonly found in fireworks. In hot and wet environments, this substance can offgas into hydrogen sulfide, carbon disulfide, and carbonyl sulfide and contaminate a home's air supply. The bulk of these incidents have been reported in Florida and other southern states, likely due … (0 comments)
panama city: Modular vs. Manufactured Homes
- 05/14/09 12:43 AM
While the terms "modular home" and "manufactured home" refer to two very different things, they are sometimes used interchangeably. Perhaps some of this confusion stems from the fact that modular homes are, in fact, manufactured ("manufactured" might be an unfortunate label.) Also, traditional "site-built" homes are not necessarily better than modular homes, despite the stigma associated with their assembly-line origin. There have been cases where Realtors and builders of manufactured homes have misrepresented manufactured homes as modular homes, and buyers were not informed enough to know the difference. Everyone (especially inspectors, who make their living examining residences) should understand the distinguishing features of … (0 comments)
panama city: Home Winterization
- 05/14/09 12:37 AM
Winterization is the process of preparing a home for the harsh conditions of winter. It is usually performed in the fall before snow and excessive cold have arrived. Winterization protects against damage due to bursting water pipes, and from heat loss due to openings in the building envelope. Inspectors should know how winterization works and be able to pass this information on to their clients. Plumbing System Water damage caused by bursting pipes during cold weather can be devastating. A ruptured pipe will release water and not stop until someone shuts off the water. If no one is home … (0 comments)
panama city: Sump Pump Operation and Inspection Guide
- 05/14/09 12:34 AM
Sump pumps are self-activating electrical pumps that protect homes from moisture intrusion. They are usually installed below basement or crawlspace floors to remove rising groundwater and surface runoff before it has a chance to seep into the home. Accumulated water can cause interior damage and encourage the growth of mold, mildew, and fungus. Pumps should be maintained and equipped with all necessary components in order to ensure their reliability. How a Sump Pump Works A pit, known as a sump pit or sump trench, can be dug at the lowest part of the basement floor to capture and contain any flowing … (0 comments)
panama city: Lock Box Key, Supra Key???
- 04/23/09 12:41 AM
The Supra Key Lock Box and the Lock Box Combination Key Holder has become quite popular for many Realtor's. The issue with the Supra key is that it is set up on a time set. Most of the Supra key is activated either at 8:30AM or at 9:00AM. Quite convenient for the Realtor but not for the early bird Home Inspector, many times when the house is vacant we want to start early (7:30AM) because of a full day with three or more inspection. Guest what? If the house is on a Supra Lock Box you will have to wait........:( While … (2 comments)
Lead Facts for Inspectors
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