carbon monoxide: Furnace Safety: The Fact It Runs Is Not Enough!
- 10/08/15 04:22 AM
Sometimes, the fact a component or system in the house runs at the time of a home inspection is not enough. For example, the inside of this Carrier furnace is afflicted with rust. The manufacturer's label, just barely shows up in the photo at the right, was illegible but, based on resources available to me, it is months shy of 30 years old. Estimated design life of a gas furnace is only 15 to 20 years.
This is a situation where, even if the system blows some heat, it is going to be a problem for the client in the future -- … (2 comments)
carbon monoxide: A Tip for Professionals -- Testing the Carbon Monoxide Detecting Meter
- 11/29/08 04:16 PM
This article has content intended to be of interest to the professional home inspector, who uses a sophisticated carbon monoxide (CO) detection meter, and also the consumer. I learned of this means of testing my CO meter from technicians at the factory. I thought that other inspection professionals, who might not be aware of this simple test, would find the information useful. And, of course, regarding other portions of the article, it is important to make consumers aware of the dangers of CO. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a danger that we read about but not something any of us expect to … (52 comments)
carbon monoxide: Bellingham Home Inspector (King of the House) -- The Furnace Requires Service
- 03/12/08 11:52 AM
Gas and oil furnace manufacturers recommend that a furnace have professional service by an HVAC professional each year. That applies to a new furnace, after it has been in for a single year. That does not mean that it should be run for the first five years, then it gets on a regular maintenance schedule. If a home inspector is pretty sure that a furnace has not been serviced in the past year, he or she will recommend that the furnace be serviced by an HVAC professional. I have had people (sellers) say: "why should I pay for a guy with … (4 comments)
carbon monoxide: Lynden Home Inspection (King of the House) -- Carbon Monoxide: The Odorless, Silent Killer
- 02/08/08 10:46 AM
You might think, from the title of this blog, that I am planning to write about high blood pressure, diabetes or another one of the well publicized medical conditions that we hear about on a daily basis. However, this article specifically refers to a serious condition that can exist in homes -- homes that you as realtors sell and homes that we home inspectors inspect. That condition is dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a by-product of combustion and can come from defective, improperly installed or worn out appliances or flues. Wood burning devices can be a source of … (7 comments)
Steven L. Smith, King of the House Home Inspection, provides information for real estate buyers, sellers and real estate industry professionals.
Blog posts emphasize issues commonly found in Bellingham, WA and Whatcom County. Smith is Washington State Licensed Home Inspector #207, a state licensed structural pest inspector, ASHI certified inspector #252760 and one of the most experienced inspectors in the northwest corner of the Pacific Northwest.
Steven L. Smith is lead instructor of home inspection at Bellingham Technical College and teaches classes for Washington State University and the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Steve was a two-term member of the state licensing board.
Sometimes, the fact a component or system in the house runs at the time of a home inspection is not enough. For example, the inside of this Carrier furnace is afflicted with rust. The manufacturer's label, just barely shows up in the photo at the right, was illegible but, based on resources available to me, it is months shy of 30 years old. Estimated design life of a gas furnace is only 15 to 20 years.
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