hidden problems: Sneaky, Just Not Sneaky Enough - 06/20/16 09:03 PM
Sneaky, just not sneaky enough.
Some sellers who move out of the house and have it painted and nice leave the place looking nice. 
And some sellers do things to try to hide problems that are being pushed off onto someone else.  When I see sneaky in one spot, I suspect sneaky elsewhere.
In the corner of the main level, under the master bathroom shower, I saw a painted area about 6'x4'.  The paint matched, just not close enough.  You can see it for the most part in the photo beside.
So I ran the water in the bathroom for a while. I like to … (62 comments)

hidden problems: Missing Or Completely Hidden Water Heater - 01/09/13 06:18 PM
I could see from the fancy laundry room that this was a well thought out house, but wondered if there was a missing or completely hidden water heater.
I say "fancy" laundry room, but it was pretty basic!
We are only assuming that it is in fact a laundry room.  Color-coded hose handles serviced with water exit the wall, there is a dryer receptacle and a power strip coming out of the wall under that receptacle.
There is no dryer discharge, no drain for the washing machine and something unknown is plugged into that power strip.  I think that strip must … (39 comments)

hidden problems: Jay's School of Inspectology - We Investigate Completely! - 08/20/11 10:58 PM
This is a 42 year old house with a clue outside that would lead a home inspector to think things before he goes inside!  And, as with so many things, in Jay's School of Inspectology - we investigate completely!
What's the teensy clue outside?  A four foot wide window well.
And just what is so exciting about that?  This is a 42 year old house.  In those days window wells were not connected to drains or sump pumps, as they are now.
And this is uncovered, meaning it has been a conduit for water flow against the foundation wall.  The wall … (55 comments)

hidden problems: All I Needed Was A Hint ... Please? - 01/16/10 11:23 PM
On the inspection of the historic Manassas VA house, I encountered a new, very-well-done metal roof.  It was framed all around with a very nice cap.  At first I wondered where the gutters were, since I saw them around the front porch roof.  Then I realized that the main roof did in fact have gutters.
They are hidden.
I really like the look.  But there are disadvantages.
For example, it is very hard to tell if the gutters are clogged. 
And it is similarly hard to tell if the gutter is inclined properly, cracked or leaking - it is very hard … (14 comments)

hidden problems: Do You Have A Mattress In Your Living Room? - 10/19/09 09:51 PM
I am not a termite inspector.  There may be some, but personally I don't know any home inspectors in Virginia who are.  The home inspection and termite inspections are usually done at different times in Virginia, by two different companies.
If I see evidence of termites I mention it in the report.  But if I was to see a 300 pound termite, and said so, it would be poo-pooed as "well, he is just the home inspector."
Outside a house recently I noticed this on the front porch, directly under a window.  It is rotting wood siding and sawdust coming from … (13 comments)

 
Jay Markanich, Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC)

Jay Markanich

Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Bristow, VA

More about me…

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC

Address: Bristow VA 20136

Office: (703) 330-6388

Mobile: (703) 585-7560

An experienced home inspector's look at current home inspection events and conditions along with his useful recommendations.


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