sequim: It just makes sense... at least to me.
- 10/28/10 04:01 PM
Inspecting older homes is always interesting. It seems I inevitably come across original construction, repairs or remodels that make me scratch my head. While inspecting a "super cute 1940's home" in Port Angeles today, I came across an interior staircase with a few safety issues. First off, the stairs had no handrail on the room side. While this may or may not have been allowed when the home was built, this is a pretty big safety concern, especially for small children. Secondly, the ends of the graspable handrail installed on the wall side of the stairs did not terminate into the … (7 comments)
sequim: Troublesome Traps
- 04/28/10 07:05 AM
Whether we realize it or not, plumbing traps are an extremely important component in not only the plumbing system, but the health of the structure as a whole. If traps are installed incorrectly or if they are an older style they can sometimes prove to be troublesome. Plumbing traps are specially designed to prevent sewer odors from wafting up into house through the plumbing fixtures-that is, sinks, bathtubs and showers. The traps accomplish this by providing a water seal that is created by waste water. Every time the fixture is used, the old water in the trap is forced out and … (7 comments)
sequim: Inspecting Beyond the Standards of Practice
- 12/09/09 11:00 AM
Like many home inspectors in Washington State, I am required to follow three separate Standards of Practices (SOPs): (1) as a state licensed Home Inspector (HI), (2) as a Structural Pest Inspector (SPI), and (3) as an associate member of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). These three SOPs dictate what I must inspect and report upon with every inspection. And they cover about 90% of what I typically inspect. The remaining 10% or so are made up of what I'll refer to as "industry standards." These are things that may not be required by the SOPs but that the … (8 comments)
Inspecting older homes is always interesting. It seems I inevitably come across original construction, repairs or remodels that make me scratch my head. While inspecting a "super cute 1940's home" in Port Angeles today, I came across an interior staircase with a few safety issues.
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