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…
I know I am wired a bit differently when it comes to insects. But I often find insects interesting.So I was doing a little cleaning and saw this cool looking bug crawling around and I had to investigate. What I find is a larva just meandering about and I take Read more…
You own a home and you want to do some of the repairs, home improvements or upgrades. Can you do it when it comes to contracting, electrical and/or plumbing?Well this depends. If you live in the home or you own but you are not renting, leasing or planning on selling Read more…
Well buyer beware or marketing groups should be slapped. I have just become aware of an issue with a product from the Oatey company.When installing a plumbing trap you must ensure the trap has a properly placed vent. In some situations this can become very difficult so there is an Read more…
The decline of Craftsmanship
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…
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…
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…