Premier Home Inspection serving Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, Grant and Kittitas Counties.
As with many things necessity will drive the codes on how to handle them. Enter the loft sleeping area or as the code states “Sleeping Loft”. With the advent of the “Tiny House” craze the model code bodies are now trying to grapple with the issues of these type of Read more…
Sometimes you have to wonder if those who are building our home are properly trained or ever read installation guidelines. With this said I know a lot of very good builders out there but I also see many poorly executed portions of the home that really should just not ever Read more…
Often many do not think of that innocent extension cord as a potential safety issue. From the Electrical Safety Foundation they estimate that roughly 3300 fires in homes are attributed to the use of extension cords. Here are some things to remember when using an extension cord: Use one design Read more…
Heat pump water heaters are going to be much more commonplace. With the new energy codes in place in Washington State, if you apply for a building permit and it is submitted after February 1, 2021 you will be required to meet the 2018 Washington State Energy Code (WSEC). This Read more…
Service conductors, or in this case overhead service drop which is from the pole to the splice where they become the service entrance conductors. Need to be installed in a manner that is safe. These conductors from the pole are using a rock to protect the conductors from contact the Read more…
Common for homes built around 1962 and earlier there will not be any grounding conductors to the receptacle outlets in the home. The Equipment grounding conductor (the third prong on the receptacle outlet) provides extra safety to the circuit by creating a low resistance path back to the electrical panel Read more…
When evaluating older homes often you will find remnants of electrical systems past. On this home inspection it was just that case. Here is an example of a old fused panel with what is referred to as “Edison” style fuses. The issue with “Edison” style fuses is they cannot be Read more…
With composite architectural roof shingles designed to last upwards of 50 years and cost more it seems just silly that we often rely on the old traditional plumbing vent boot that is designed to last about 12 to 15 years.We still use those traditional boots have a thin rubber collar Read more…
Stairs, they are everywhere, yet for so many they never give it much of thought…till. We all seem to have this little built in stair-o-meter when we climb or descend a flight of stairs. We seem to be able to feel, very quickly, if the stairs are not built correctly Read more…
You have to sometime wonder if people actually understand what and why they are doing something. When we build homes there are rules and they have reasons. Here is a great example. This was a new construction home and we have a duct penetration in the ceiling of the garage. Read more…