inspecting houses in connecticut ct: Fireproof Wood? - 12/01/13 08:16 PM
When one thinks of fireproof materials, metal, stone and brick readily come to mind. Wood definitely would not. So one has to wonder, why would anyone build part of a fireplace using wood. There is no doubt wood belongs in the fireplace. But as a part of the structure?

While inspecting a not very old colonial style house, about 45 years, I arrived at the second fireplace in the house located in the family room above the garage. The smoke stained mantel grabbed my attention first. Often a sign of venting issues. I snapped a picture and moved in closer.
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inspecting houses in connecticut ct: Obvious. Apparently Not So Much - 12/13/12 09:08 PM
Older houses or I should say antique homes usually have an expected amount of settling. Some call this charm. I for one find it hard to the see the charm in having to shim the legs of the kitchen table to keep your eggs from sliding to one side of the plate, but to each his own.
When inspecting an older home, I do not get overly alarmed when the floors are out of level or there are cracks in the walls. I do however take mental notes about these conditions as I inspect. Often the buyers are my reminders of … (26 comments)

inspecting houses in connecticut ct: Flue Season - 12/11/12 09:42 PM
Tis the season once again; sniffles, coughs and colds that is. Did you think I was talking about another season? If you have children, the illnesses begin not long after the first day of school, continuing it seems to just about June. Of course it is another season now too; fireplace. There is nothing like nestling down in front of a crackling fire to melt the chill from ones bones.
Many houses in Connecticut have a fireplace. A few more than one. It can be said a fireplace is a fixture as old as houses themselves. They were not only the … (8 comments)

inspecting houses in connecticut ct: A Plethora of the Unwelcome - 02/14/12 11:03 PM
There is no question about it; there are some things one does not want to find during a home inspection. Now I am not speaking as a sissy home inspector who doesn’t want to run up against a big ugly spider in a crawl space or a beady eyed rat in an attic, I for surely don’t. Little friends that drop by unexpectedly are part of the job. What I am speaking of are certain “biggies” that send chills down the spine of an agent and can send a buyer running, not walking for the door.
What can be worse is … (19 comments)

inspecting houses in connecticut ct: Oops, I Forgot - 10/01/11 02:32 AM
We ALL forget things every day, so we write stuff down on a calendar, sticky note or in an iPad. When doing a task it can get a little more complicated. If it’s a one off deal, like putting together your kids new super triple decker alien blasting space station, it come with directions. Not that they’re any help lying under all the pieces you have scattered about in a feeble attempt to intuit the assembly. When it comes to repetitive tasks, most people are pretty good, after a short time of remember how all the pieces should go together. But … (13 comments)

 
James Quarello, Connecticut Home Inspector (JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC)

James Quarello

Connecticut Home Inspector

Wallingford, CT

More about me…

JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC

Address: Wallingford, CT, 06492

Office: (203) 887-4782



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