home inspection: More Than Meets The Eye - 05/05/10 05:38 AM
As a home inspector, our eyes are one of our most valuable tools, of course. Sometimes there are things we just cannot measure, for whatever reason, so we have to rely simply on what we see. However, when possible, it's nice to use some type of measurement to verify what we see.In this video blog I wanted to verify what I saw, so I got creative and was able to do so. I hope you enjoy it:
 
 
 
I hope this gave you a little more appreciation for a professional home inspection and its value.  Be safe out there.
 

Posted by Joseph … (2 comments)

home inspection: What's on Your Roof? - 03/25/10 08:15 AM
Roofs are one of the most important components of a house, I think everyone can agree on that.  I see some pretty weird and ugly things on top of roofs, so I thought I'd share some with you.  I hope you enjoy it.  As always, your feedback is welcomed and appreciated.
 

 

So... What's on your roof? 
I hope this brought you some laughter and gave you a little more appreciation for a professional home inspection.  Be safe out there.
 

Posted by Joseph Lang of Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection
                    


(c) 2010 Joseph Lang … (6 comments)

home inspection: Home Inspection Video Blog - Interesting Findings - 03/11/10 06:38 AM
I seem to come across pretty interesting things every day during home inspections.  But of course some things are much more interesting than others.  I usually just have to enjoy or be amazed at what I find by myself.  But I decided to change that and share some of the more interesting findings with you.  So this home inspection video blog has a lot of laughter for you...  I hope you enjoy it.
 
 
I hope this brought you some laughter and gave you a little more appreciation for a professional home inspection.  Be safe out there.
 

Posted by Joseph Lang of Pillar … (3 comments)

home inspection: Home Inspection Video Blog - Infrared Thermometers - 03/04/10 12:10 AM
This home inspection video blog shows the value of using an infrared laser thermometer while operating the heating system to make sure it's operating properly.  Infrared thermometers are not required by any home inspection association and not every home inspector carries one.  Please view the video blog for an example:
 
 
I hope this gives you a little more information about a professional home inspection and its value.  Be safe out there.
 

Posted by Joseph Lang of Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection
                    


(c) 2010 Joseph Lang dba Pillar To Post
Follow me … (1 comments)

home inspection: Home Inspection Video Blog - Bathroom Exhaust Fans - 02/24/10 08:17 AM
This home inspection video blog shows an example of a house built in 1988 that does not have a bathroom exhaust fan even though there is no window that opens in the bathroom.  Please take the time to watch it for a little more info:
 
 
I hope this gives you a little more information about a professional home inspection and its value.  Be safe out there.
 

Posted by Joseph Lang of Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection
                    


(c) 2010 Joseph Lang dba Pillar To Post
Follow me on Facebook and Twitter be clicking … (3 comments)

home inspection: Home Inspection Video Blog - Safety Egress - 02/17/10 04:02 AM
This home inspection video blog is about safety egress.  In a bedroom, two exits are needed in case of a fire.  One exit is usually the door to the room, and the other usually an open-able window or another door.  This video shows a safety hazard that did not follow the rule.  I hope you enjoy it:
 
 
I hope this gives you a little more information about a professional home inspection and its value.  Be safe out there.
 

Posted by Joseph Lang of Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection
                    


(c) 2010 Joseph Lang … (0 comments)

home inspection: Home Inspection Video Blog - Weatherproof Covers - 02/11/10 05:49 AM
I wrote about weatherproof covers back on 11-28-07 ... WOW, that's been while.  Hoewever, this time I did a video blog and not only explain weatherproof covers for exterior receptacles, I also show how to install one.  I hope you enjoy it:
 

I hope this gives you a little more information about a professional home inspection and its value.  Be safe out there.
 

Posted by Joseph Lang of Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection
                    


(c) 2010 Joseph Lang dba Pillar To Post
Follow me on Facebook and Twitter be clicking on the clicking on the … (3 comments)

home inspection: Home Inspection Video Blog - Scary Door - 02/01/10 05:18 AM
Some things I find in the field while performing home isnpections are down-right scary.  So you've read the title and are probably thinking to yourself, "How can a door at a home inspection be scary?"  Well, you'll just have to watch the video and see for yourself.  To give it a dramatic effect, I added a "scary" voice in the video (my own voice).  So this home inspection video blog is a little scary and hopefully a little funny (my 6-year old really laughed at it).
 
 
I hope this gives you a little more information about a professional home inspection … (13 comments)

home inspection: Home Inspection Video Blog - Laser Sensors - 01/19/10 03:17 AM
This home inspection video blog in Chino Hills, CA is about garage door laser sensor eyes.  Most people know they provide safety for small children, but they forget they can protect pets also.  I sometimes hear, "But I don't have kids," well what about the neighbor's kids, relatives' kids, your pets, neighbors' pets, etc?  All garage doors should have laser sensor eyes for safety.  I hope you enjoy the home inspection video blog below:
 
 
I hope this gives you a little more information about a professional home inspection and its value.  Be safe out there.
 

Posted by … (0 comments)

home inspection: My 1st Home Inspection Video Blog - 12/01/09 01:15 PM
I have attempted my first home inspection video blog.  Well, okay, it looks as if it is my 2nd home inspection video blog, that's because I just figured how to post a video here on AR, so I ended up posting my 2nd home inspection video blog first.  That makes perfect sense... right.  Okay, now that I have you totally confused, hopefully you'll watch the video below and have some enjoyment, it's not as confusing as my intro paragraph here.
I was at a vacant house and decided to do a video blog, so it is unscripted.
 
 

 
… (7 comments)

home inspection: Getting Dirty (A Home Inspectopn Blog) - 09/11/08 04:35 AM
One of the most important items during a home inspection is the foundation.  Most of the homes in my local area have a slab on grade foundation, which means there is a concrete slab on top of the soil.  That means you cannot get underneath the foundation and most of it is not visible.  You have to use other clues when evaluating those foundations.
But there definitely are homes that have a raised foundation (maybe 20% of the homes I inspection) and some with basement (maybe 2-5% of what I inspect.  It is critical that a home inspector always enters the crawlspace … (10 comments)

home inspection: Does the Right Hand Know What the Left Hand is Doing? - 04/02/08 04:17 AM
I came across this the other day during a home inspection.  Air Conditioning condensers have a data plate which has various information on it.  One part being the maximum and minimum breaker or fuse size allowed.  This particular data plate indicated the minimum size was 30-amps and the maximum size was 50-amps.  So what did the builder do?
 
The builder put in a 50-amp breaker.  No problem, right?
 
 
However, as can be seen better at the A/C disconnect box, the wires are only rated for a maximum 30-amp breaker.  What happened?  Maybe one contractor started the job and another finished it (improperly), thus the … (11 comments)

home inspection: A Slippery Slope... - 03/25/08 11:51 AM
I saw this at a home inspection yesterday.
 
So what's he problem?  Look closely...
The problem is that the window well is sloping towards the window, and not away.  So what's that mean?  That means that when it rains the water will run towards the window and possibly enter the house.  Ouch!  The house was built in the 1950's but had been remodeled...  Unfortunately not properly.  Obviously the contractor didn't notice.
I hope this gives you a little more information about a home inspection and its value.  Be safe out there.
 
… (7 comments)

home inspection: A Contractor Hiring a Home Inspector? - 03/24/08 12:10 PM
Why would a licensed contractor hire a home inspector?  I thought being a contractor automatically qualified you to be a home inspector?
Well, last week I was hired by a licensed contractor for a home inspection.  You see he specializes in paving roads and parking lots.  So he hired me to inspect his home.  Most people don't think about the fact that many contractors have very specific knowledge.  They might specialize in plumbing, heating/cooling, roofing, etc.  Also, most contractors are contacted when a problem is known.  However we as home inspectors are hired to find problems that no one knows exists.  Finally, many contractors are … (13 comments)

home inspection: Twas the Day of the Home Inspection - 03/18/08 12:51 PM
Twas the day of the home inspection
and all through the house
not a creature was stirring
not even a mouse (he already left his mess in the insulation in the attic).
The buyer was nestled all snug in their thoughts
thinking and planning where to put all the furniture that will be bought.
The home inspector moved through the house with care
making sure to note all the items the buyer should be aware.
Electrical, plumbing and HVAC galore,
The roof, the exterior, the interior and more.
A couple of hours of inspecting had passed
and now the home inspector looked up at the ceiling for the last task.
He got out his ladder and … (15 comments)