I think I am starting a new series on construction defects that are very common here in North Central Washington.Let us start with one that is super simple to fix but is almost always missing. Enter the “Intersystem Bonding Terminal” or IBT as required by NEC 250 94. The intersystem Read more…
Stone veneer is a beautiful product but improper installation can lead to costly repairs and in this case replacement. Below is a brief and installation document on how to have this properly done to save you money in the log run. Briefing Document: Adhered Natural Stone Veneer Installation Source: Excerpts Read more…
If you live in an older home you may likely have some cast iron for the drain, vent and waste system (DWV) of your plumbing. One of the common items with these systems was what is called oakum which was used to seal the joints between the pipes. The oakum 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…
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…
Many of us as home inspectors know building codes, whether you actually know you know building codes or not. Almost all of the home inspection courses and instruction that I have seen will have code information in them. Many times they may be the most common practices, but much of Read more…
Often in during a home inspection I will find some odd bug that I do not quite know what it is. In most cases it does not bother me because as a structural pest inspector as well as a home inspector what I am most concerned about is insects that Read more…
This is a question that come up from time time. For aluminum conductors is Anti-Oxidant grease required on the terminations? A- Yes B- No For the answer we refer to section 110.14 of the NEC 110.14 – Electrical Connections Because of different characteristics of dissimilar metals, devices such as pressure Read more…
Often in older homes basements are taken advantaged of to create new or expanded living space. With these changes comes requirement for emergency escape and rescue (EERO Requirements). One important item when making these changes to the window is designing a proper well. As you can see in the image Read more…