In my last blog I wrote about the myth that home inspectors are making sure the home meets code. This time I would like to give an example of why we as home inspectors need to write up certain things regarding safety that might have been up to code when the home was built, but have since been found to be a safety issue. As I said, codes change all the time and the reason they change is that new information has surfaced indicating the old way was not as safe as previously thought. New technologies come along that appear to be safe and later are found to have problems not brought to light until being in use for a while. A common complaint home inspectors get from agents and builders is that "it was up to code when the house was built, or it was approved by the AHJ" I agree that sellers are not necessarily responsible to bring a home up to code (at least not here in OK) however, it is my responsibility to let my client know everything I know about the house and the systems involved. Especially when it comes to safety.
Many of you have probably heard of CSST (Corrugated Stainless Steel) gas piping from a home inspection report. This is a good example of a system that was approved and later suspected to be dangerous. Most new codes require new methods of installing these pipes so as to reduce the risk involved. I am not one to make a mountain out of a mole hill, but there is growing concern about these pipes causing fires after lightning strikes. Click this link to watch a recent story aired on our local news channel. Http://www.mefeedia.com/entry/video-home-gas-pipe-causing-house-fires/12172707
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