ARCHIVED BLOG POSTS
2017
32
Comments
Pressure-treated wood can rot!People think their pressure-treated wood decks will never rot.Another urban legend rears its ugly head.The first pressure-treated wood was invented by Dr. Karl Wolman in the early 20th century. He developed a water-based process to infuse salts into the wood that w...
04/27/2017
When sharp screws are used in electric panel boxes.I see it all the time. The original screws that came with an electric panel box have been removed and replaced with different screws not meant for the box.Why can different screws be "not meant" for the box?For a couple of reasons at least:> Th...
04/26/2017
25
Comments
'Tis the season for poison ivy to start.And you have to look for it! It is easier to remove when it's small.Poison ivy and poison oak are very common in this area. They are similar in that they have three equal-sized, and shiny, green leaves.The shine on the leaves comes from an oil that when to...
04/23/2017
13
Comments
I would not walk out onto this deck!Why? Because it looked to me like it would collapse at any minute.These are only a couple of the problems with this deck.Ledger beams are the long boards that attach to the house. In this era ledger beams were lag bolted onto the house, and every 24". That i...
04/22/2017
During this inspection I would not walk out onto the deck.Why? Because it looked to me like it would collapse any minute! A couple of problems can be seen in these photos.Ledger beams are the long boards that attach to the house. The deck joists are attached to the ledger beam with straps. ...
04/22/2017
The coolest plumber's tool kit I have ever seen!On this pre-drywall inspection the builder was installing CPVC plumbing, which is the most common plumbing product in this area.This is the only time I can see the house in a skeletal condition. A pre-drywall inspection is an important opportunity ...
04/21/2017
7
Comments
When a dryer vents through the roof.I see it all the time, and for about 20 years now. Dryers that vent through the roof.To me it is not a smart installation.And problems are inherent for any homeowner with dryers that vent through the roof.Builders will say it isn't a problem because clogs happ...
04/20/2017
A passive radon mitigation system installed in new construction.One thing I am seeing more and more in new construction is the installation of a passive radon mitigation system which would only need a fan should a house test positive for radon.Not all the builders do this.But when I see it I poin...
04/18/2017
Should a builder change an installation to accommodate a buyer?This is a good one. The buyer of this house wanted a basement laundry room in addition to the normal one on the bedroom level. The builder said fine.This is what we found on the pre-drywall inspection.But when the installation was c...
04/17/2017
The great reveal of this new home was ... revealing.When a final walk through is scheduled on new construction, to happen a week or so before closing, the idea is to show the house off! And let the buyer see the features, and get a feel for the depth of craftsmanship and construction.This was a ...
04/15/2017
Rainmaker
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2,017,731
Jay Markanich
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia
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An experienced home inspector's look at current home inspection events and conditions along with his useful recommendations.