Robert Armacost's (robertarmacost) Blog

What You See Is Not Always What You Get

Robert Armacost (Armacost Home Inspections) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 01:13:44 -0800

During a recent home inspection in Conroe, TX I came across the access panel for the tub/shower plumbing, wanting to inspect that area I proceeded to take off the access panel only to find that it accesses nothing,just more wall. It is this kind of workmanship that fuels the need for home inspections. This home was built in 2006,well within the time frame that home inspections became mandatory during transactions. Maybe it was inspected, and if it was this issue got looked over twice.once after drywall was installed and again at the final walk through. This kind of laziness on the contractors part is to be expected, afterall there not going to remember this home when they go next door to build it to, most likely in the same fashion, the builder was responsible for hiring the inspector,and he may have under good intentions, either way the inspector did not due his part in either locating and/or reporting this issue. When Armacost Home Inspections does an inspection we look for everything that could effect the home buyer and there family. Now I am concerned about what is taking place behind that wall and why they covered it up doesn't seem so important anymore

Was Your Heater Inspected

Robert Armacost (Armacost Home Inspections) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:35:51 -0800

Was your heater inspected for the coming colder days? like most people, I take for granted that my gas furnace is working just fine, after all it worked last season. After taking a course in green building verification I am now more aware of and interested in making sure the furnace is running more efficient to cut back on heating cost,but heating cost shoudn't be your main concern. Carbon monoxide, that colorless, oderless gas and accounts for about halph of all poisoning fatalities in the U.S,. By installing CO detectors in the home you improve your chance of detecting the poisonus gas. A qualified technician should inspect heat exchanger's, gas regulator's, etc. Even if the unit is new there could be installation problems, in which case the company is obligated to fix the situation. At Armacost Home Inspections we have seen various installation problems (usually piping, and venting). The inspection will only take a few minutes and will be well worth it.

New Home Inspection Conroe,Tx

Robert Armacost (Armacost Home Inspections) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 03:40:22 -0700

New home inspections in Conroe Tx are very important and can save you allot of money and hastle. I often hear from clients how there family members and friends ask why they are having a new home inspection done on a home that is less than a year old. The answer is pretty simple when you have done new home inspections and see that they also have issues some of which are safety concerns you would require it of any one who bought a new home.For example, The last new home inspection i did had a flexable gas line under the range top, the bottom of this line was conceale d under the cabinet then was pinched right at the exit point, to top it off there was a shutoff valve above the damage then another stretch of flex tube. The implications of course is once the gas started leaking from the pinched area (and it will) there would have been no way to shut the gas off at that point, turning the gas off to the entire house is the only option. Besides all these concerns, that should tell you that a new home inspection at all levels needs to be performed. Generaly you have a new home inspection on a new home before the builders warranty expires, but because this client had the foresight to have a new home inspection it saved them from the inconvenience of dealing with a gas leak in the first place. That's not to say there won't be other issues as the home settles and is put through the rigors of home owners and there families and friends. Well, I would tell you how the perception of home inspectors by the general public needs to change (but who am I) . i just do new home inspections in conroe TX, and save home owners time and hastle by catching small problems before they become major repairs. www.armacosthomeinspections.com