anacortes inspector: Mount Vernon WA Home Inspector (King of the House): Inspecting in the Rain
- 01/25/08 07:58 AM
As an old radio guy, way back when Marconi and I were buddies, I cannot help but to sometimes tie a streaming tune in with some of my blogs. This one has to be a classic and ties in well with the theme here. The last couple weeks in the Pacific Northwest have been cold, cold, cold. I almost hate going out on the job somedays but one makes hay when the sun is shining and the sun is shining even if it is cold. A few weeks back, instead of cold it was rain, rain, rain. The photo below, in all honesty, … (3 comments)
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anacortes inspector: Lake Samish Home Inspector (King of the House): Trip, Stumble and Fall
- 01/20/08 01:40 AM
Sometimes, as a home inspector, I feel like I am living the lyrics of the popular old tune from the Haight-Ashbury days. I will tell you one thing, the theme sums up the kind of hazards inspectors see at many properties, both outside and inside. The photos below are typical and, believe it or not, they are not all that unusual. The things we inspectors see range from sidewalks and driveways with surfaces of different heights that are trips waiting to happen, to extension cords or downspouts extended across sidewalks or even steps. The risk is a trip, stumble and fall. Below, … (7 comments)
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anacortes inspector: Your Vents Are Below Grade!
- 01/09/08 02:12 PM
With an unconditioned crawl space an inspector does not want to see the vents below grade. When vents are below grade, rain and runoff water are likely to run into the crawl space -- which is something you do not want. Also, if they are far enough below grade, the dirt can actually block the vents so air will not circulate. When home inspectors see this condition, they usually recommend vent wells. Sometimes people do not know what vent wells are. The most simple vent wells consist of frames made from pressure-treated lumber. However, vent wells, specially made for the purpose, … (9 comments)
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anacortes inspector: Wiring Concerns
- 01/08/08 04:50 AM
The photo below gives you a pretty quick idea that a non-professional has been working on the wiring. Electrical connections are designed to be inside junction boxes, not hanging out the side. This was a high fan and the other thing you have to wonder about is how well is it attached to the ceiling. It looks suspect, especially when you realize probably the person who wired it also made the connection above. There are guidelines on attaching ceiling fans and it is improbable that this one would meet any of those standards.
Bellingham Home Inspector
www.kingofthehouse.com
Steven L. Smith
… (2 comments)
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anacortes inspector: Bellingham Home Inspection (King of the House): Exposed Structural Lumber
- 12/31/07 06:56 AM
Over time, lumber that is needlessly exposed to rain will decay. The most common example of this is usually fascia or rafter tails that extend out from, and are exposed, at the roof. In my experience, quality roofers will put a small piece of shingle, sometimes a flashing, over the exposed wood so rain is carried out over the wood and then it harmlessly drains below. If that has not been done, I would say at least half the time in my experience, the structural lumber has signs of or serious decay. In the photo, you see a piece of exposed structural lumber … (4 comments)
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anacortes inspector: Ferndale Home Inspector (King of the House, Inc): Beyond a Reasonable Expectation
- 12/30/07 06:35 AM
A detail-oriented and thorough home inspector tries to look at as many standard components and systems in a home as is possible. This includes flipping the light switches and those that run fans, disposals, etc. Sometimes, even though the inspector has noble intentions, it is not possible to test, or even decipher, all of the switches and what they do, or might, do. Even with fairly simple lighting arrangements figuring this all out that can be a real problem. For example, if some outdoor lights are on motion sensors or photo-cell sensors so they come on after dark, it is … (4 comments)
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anacortes inspector: It's The Law: In WA State This MUST Be Reported
- 12/29/07 10:33 AM
In Washington State, any for fee home inspection, involving a structure and a real estate transaction, must have a complete wood destroying organism inspection. This must be performed by a state tested, licensed and financially responsible (bond or insurance usually) structural pest inspector. If that inspector fails to call out conducive conditions in the crawl space it is a violation of state law.
This photo has great examples of conducive conditions. This is classic earth to wood contact. To the right is a structural member that has soil piled up at the footing. To the left of that is old form wood. … (5 comments)
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anacortes inspector: Bellingham WA Home Inspection (King of the House): Leaky Roof
- 12/23/07 10:21 AM
The photo below was quite an opportunity for a home inspector. Frequently an inspector sees a roof that has seen better days. If a composition roof, such as the one at this home, that can include missing granular material, tears, holes and penetrations, moss, debris, tar repairs, bad flashings or just plain lousy installation. Even though an inspector often sees those problems, it is not often the case that one actually sees a significant leak below the roof. Heavy rain was coming down and first I noticed a large damp spot on the sheathing used as an attic floor. When I looked … (0 comments)
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anacortes inspector: Mount Vernon, WA Home Inspection (King of the House): Failing Windows
- 10/02/07 07:51 AM
As I inspect around the Pacific Northwest, even in the older homes, I usually see newer windows: thermal pane vinyl or sometimes aluminum. But, sometimes at older homes, the inspector will find old single pane glazed windows. Obviously, such windows are not as energy efficient as newer windows. However, often the bigger problem is plain and simple -- a lack of maintenance. The window below is an example. The glass is about to fall out and if it is held in by anything it would have to be a few old metal glazing points. A buyer, who wishes to repair … (2 comments)
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