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A lot of sweat and the "AH HA" moment. A look in a homes attic.

By Clint Mckie

Home Inspector with Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections 10072923

July 28, 2012 02:06 AM

A lot of sweat and the "AH HA" moment. A look in a homes attic.

A lot of sweat was right. As soon as I got the access open to enter the attic at a recent home inspection, I could feel the intense heat. All 144 degrees of it.

Out side temps were hovering around 103 degrees. So I knew the attic would be really hot and toasty.

The first thing I saw when I got into the attic was this first shot of the A/C lines that were sweating and I mean a lot of sweat.

A/C line connections and no insulation.

You can clearly see the green and blue streaks down the side of the furnace "A" frame housing.

These were made from the A/C lines that have no insulation on them for the entire length of the pipe.

Not only was the A/C line missing insulation, but there was damaged pipe insulation along the length of the line in the attic. You can see the "WET" insulation just below the exposed pipe.

By now I'm really sweating my rear off. I had sweat running into my eyes and onto my glasses.

I decided to call it a day and get out of the attic when a junction box caught my eye.

Open electrical junction box in attic.

By this time I am really burning up. As you can see my shot was a little off. I took the shot shook my head and made a hasty retreat for the inferno.

I wish everyone to have a really cool weekend. I really mean it.

If you like this post please hit the like button. Thanks you everyone in advance.

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Toni Weidman

Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL

20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Clint - we are glad you survived that ordeal and hope you don't have to do that again soon. Have a really cool day!

Jul 28, 2012 10:33 PM

Wayne Martin

Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL

Real Estate Broker - Retired

Clint - you should do a video for the "Uncle Bob's" called, the "Junction Boxes used correctly." It would be an eye-opener and someone might just get the message! Stay cool, my friend since you have earned it!

Jul 28, 2012 10:57 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Anita,

Lots and lots of water. I carry a cooler in the truck this time of year with lots of liquids.

Have a good day in Georgia,

Best, Clint McKie

Jul 28, 2012 11:15 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Randy,

Against the advice of myself and other energy auditors. The mechanical "experts" are installing furnaces in the attics at an alarming rate.

Now it seems just about every new home has the furnace in the attic.

Take care in Big Rapids.

Best, Clint McKie

Jul 28, 2012 11:24 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Jay,

I believe it. You guys have been in a drought and a heat spell. Then add the humidity and it can get really bad really fast.

I hope it cools for you and you start to get some rain really soon. Stay cool my friend.

Have a great day Northern Virginia.

Best, Clint McKie

Jul 28, 2012 11:27 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hello Conrad,

Your wrong as could be. I have "SIX" extra ounces, it was seven till the attic heat got to me. LOL

Have a good day in Webster, Massechusetts.

Best, Clint McKie

Jul 28, 2012 11:29 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Vince,

They did use the junction box. But in many cases they forget or just plain did'nt install the cover. It was'nt up there either I looked for it.

Thanks for the comment. I do keep an extra change in the truck. I have for years.

Have a good day.

Best, Clint McKie

Jul 28, 2012 11:32 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hello James,

The wife has been talking about getting me one of those wet and wear things. Supposed to keep you cool for hours. "That's a big I doubt it thing".

Have a great Sunday off today in Northwest Arkansas my friend.

Best, Clint McKie

Jul 28, 2012 11:35 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Toni,

Yes, I survived the ordeal, but there are more to come this week.

It never ceases to amaze me how much stuff you can find wrong in an attic.

That's why we inspect the way we do.

Have a great day in New Port Richey, Florida.

Best, Clint McKie

Jul 28, 2012 11:38 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Wayne,

That's a good idea. I just have to get the proper video camera. I really don't want to use my phone.

It's not one of those "fancy dancy ones". LOL

Have a great day in Fort Myers, Florida.

Best, Clint McKie

Jul 28, 2012 11:41 PM

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks, Clint, for sharing your experience and your photographs.

More very good reasons to have a professional home inspection. I will post this on my Facebook page.

Have an outstanding week with your camera in hand.

Jul 29, 2012 12:08 AM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Thank you Roy.

I need all the exposure I can get. This week I'm going to try what I think is the impossible. I'm going to attempt to create my company FaceBook page. Wish me luck my friend.

Best, Clint McKie

Jul 29, 2012 01:16 AM

Adrian Willanger

206 909-7536 AdrianWillanger-broker.com - Seattle, WA

Profit from my two decades of experience

Clint-I wounder how long this condition has existed? Sounds like you've done everyone a favor by detecting it.

Have a cool one my friend-Adrian

Jul 29, 2012 04:46 AM

Rob Thomas

Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN

Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro

Clint...

Hope you didn't step on your cape getting out of that attic...to these people or anyone you inspect a house for -sounds like you are a super-hero!

Have a great (and cool) night!

Rob

Jul 29, 2012 05:41 AM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Adrian.

I tend to think the problems are from the get go. Looks like someone was walking on the A/C lines.

Have a good day in Washington State.

Best, Clint McKie

Jul 29, 2012 07:02 AM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hello Rob,

No super hero here, just doing my job. I like to think of it as helping the buyer make an informed decision. This way it's their call not mine. They can take the report and do what ever they want. But they have it to refer to.

Have a great day off in Bristol, Tennessee my friend.

All My best, Clint McKie

Jul 29, 2012 07:05 AM

Chris Smith

Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON

South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

Clint, this looks to have been a problem for a long time. I guess they were waiting for you to find the problem...

Jul 29, 2012 09:08 AM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Chris,

They never go in an attic. At least that's what the owners always tell me. Then I see this, but then the owners would'nt know what they were looking at in the first place.

Thanks for the comment.

Have a nice evening in South Simcoe.

Best, Clint McKie

Jul 29, 2012 09:46 AM

Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP

DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX

Selling Homes Changing Lives

Clint,

I like this post! I would hate to have to do your job. Mine is hard enough but at least I don't have to crawl around in attics. I am beginning to believe home owners should do their own Home Inspections on an annual basis when the temperature is bearable and if there are violations, they get reported if the owner doesn't fix it.

Your pictures turned out great and I learned a lot from you. Thanks for all that you do for all of us in the Real Estate Industry.

Jul 30, 2012 05:06 AM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Thank you Patricia,

I try and put out a good post. Most post's are just everyday things that need to be addressed by the owners. Everyone should get a home check up inspection at least every Five years.

Have a great day in Flower Mound, Texas.

Best, Clint McKie

Jul 30, 2012 05:25 AM