Infrared (IR) cameras have come a long way and can be a handy tool during a home inspection. Here we have a section of a vaulted ceiling wall that has not been insulated. The IR camera quickly shows the deficiency. This will lead to higher cooling cost and most likely Read more…
During a home inspection I found this Alate stuck on a sticky trap in the attic. ” Carpenter ants are members of the genus Camponotus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae). The name “carpenter ant” comes from the nesting habits of many species, which excavate wood to construct nests for the queen, workers, and brood. Read more…
I run into this from time to time during a home inspection. A water heater that has been installed using a cord and plug. The issue is that I cannot find for these electric water heaters that any instruction from the manufacture allows it. Some of the installation manuals are Read more…
From a recent home inspection. Here we have an improper trap installation. The trap seal is too deep and the actual trap is installed backwards. Both “Model Plumbing Codes” (UPC/IPC) specify that the trap seal should be between 2 to 4 inches (with exceptions). Because of the increased depth and Read more…
During an inspection I spotted this in the yard. A spider attacking a grasshopper.
Flowers are beautiful but probably should not be growing out of your door threshold. Due to a missing capillary break from the concrete the wood is now rotting and deteriorating. This is creating an environment that even a flower can now take hold in.
As you can see from this joint that the siding installation was less than desirable. James Hardi recommends a joint flashing for their installation, unfortunately they do not require it, it is the recommend joint treatment. With this large of gap the caulking will not fair well and will be Read more…
As a home inspector and instructor I always think it is good to know what is the normal for installation in a given area. Armed with this information you can help your clients with the best information possible on their purchase. This is where a little code knowledge can help Read more…
I am always keeping my out for new products and instillation. On a recent new construction inspection I ran into a Rheem Water Heater Booster. The Rheem Water Heater Booster installs directly on a tank’s hot water line to provide more hot water than the tank alone can provide. The Read more…
Sometime you are just being watched during a home inspection. Here was a Yellow-Pine Chipmunk who was very curious as what I was up to. But he was not the only one who was curious. I see chipmunks all the time but rarely think about what exactly they are. So Read more…