Hi, as we can see on the picture, there is no drainage devices. The water is just collect but the gutters and go directly in the downspout and is spray in the ground right next to the foundation. We all know that gutters and downspouts should direct roof water ot appropriate drainage areas, which is absent in this situation. On top of that, the drain surface water is heading toward the house instead of away from the foundation with a minimum of 6 inches in the first 10 feet.
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I just finished the course and choose to focus on this service connect. It is fed underground so the connectors are not visible from the outside, however they are from the inside of the service main disconnect. The grounding connector is visible and appears to terminate into the foundation. It also appears to be of antiquate size and within distance requirements.
Starting now and enjoying the courses.
Attached is a picture of a P Trap. The P trap is installed properly. It does have a slight leak. You can see by the brown stain. There is also a Dishwasher that drains into the drain Pipe. This is also in the proper location. Before the trap for suction.
Short Essay Assignment #1
10 Easy Ways to Save Money and Energy in your home.
Making your home more energy efficient helps save the home owner money and is very beneficial to the environment. Most home owners are unaware of how easy it is for them to save money on there energy bill. There are simple changes they can do themselves.
Some simple changes to reduce the amount of energy include the heating and cooling system. Periodically changing the air filter on the furnace, set the thermostat to appropriate temperatures. Install programmable thermostat will help save money when you are not home.
Installing a tankless water heater to help save save hot water usage. Replacing incandescent light bulbs to CFLS or LEDs light bulbs. Alternative to more light bulbs may be to use more daylight lighting instead of electricity.
Sealing and insulating your home will insure the heat doesn’t escape or let the cold air inside your home. Including windows and doors.
Make sure all the showerheads and toilets are working efficiently. Making sure all appliances are energy efficient. If homeowners need assistance in becoming more knowledgeable about energy efficiency, InterNACHI can perform in-depth testing to find the best energy solutions.
Essay Assignment #2
Attached Garage Fire Containment
As everyone knows, attached garages are very convenient. Easy access to your vehicle, safety from weather, Protecting against break ins. What home owners do not usually think about is the fire hazards that are in their attached garage.
Some of the items most commonly stored in garages are as follows;
Paint, Oil, Lighter Fluid, Gasoline. These are all Flammable in their liquid form and some or all of these can emit vapors. On top of all of this, the home owners vehicles could also leak oil or gasoline on to the garage floor.
These vapors or flammable liquids can be ignited by faulty wiring, a heat source in the attached garage, a spark while working on a car, welding, using a torch, or an extension cord that is twisted or frayed.
In all attached garages there are standards set for fire barriers between the garage and the living areas connected to it. The wall between the garage and living area should be at least 1/2" Gypsum Board. Garages beneath Habitable rooms should have no less than 5/8" Type X Gypsum Board. If a garage is detached but with in 3’ of a dwelling it must have at least 1/2" Gypsum board on the interior of that wall closest to the dwelling. These regulations will give the home owner more time to get out of the dwelling in case of a fire.
There are also other ways fire can move in to the dwelling. Duct work, Doors and any holes for wiring.
Duct work that is running through the wall between the garage and the dwelling should be #26- gauge Steel Sheet or other approved material and have no openings in the garage. There should never be a pet door between the dwelling and the garage. This makes for a breach in any fire protection.
Some easy steps a home owner can take to help protect themselves are;
Make sure all flammable liquids are labelled properly, keep them in a sealed container,Keep only small amounts, Never keep propane tanks inside (they are made to be in the weather) Keep the floor clear of debris, clutter and matches.
The home owner should also make sure that they use the proper watt bulbs, do not overload circuits and tape down cords so they do not get tangled or yanked.
Here is an image of an electrical panel. There is an adequate work space provided for it. The width of the area is greater than 30" and the headroom is over 6.5’. The front of the panel is free from obstructions.
The house in which I live in now has utilized studer valves in a variety of places; including the kitchen, bathrooms and the laundry area. This has eliminated the need for penetrations through the roof which minimizes the opportunity for water leakage.
This a picture of the tpr valve on the water heater for my apartment.
One of the issues I see is that there are too many elbows in the drainline and it should run straight down to the floor.
Also it is tied into the units on the two floors above me which is a major concern.
Tonite I chose to learn about something not all that common in the US and that is the bidet.
They are far more common in Europe and Asia and are generaly used to promote posterior hygiene.
One common misconception is that a bidet is a toilet. This is not the case and the person using a bidet will have done the dirty work in an adjacent toilet.
Bidets are very helpful to people with hemmoriods and whom have just undergone any kind of rectal surgery. Hospitals are a place that a bidet can be found.
Despite being a European odditie bidets are gaining popularity because many believe they are more sanitary,comfortable, and effective than toilet paper.
Hi Ben Ed Tennyson here Just signing in for the 25 steps… course
Upon visual inspection this roof was found to be in serious need of replacement. First let me say that, with the exception of the patched areas, this roof is the original roof on this house and is 29 years old. While it was obviously an excellent original installation the roof is simply worn out. Shingles are thin and many are broken, nail pops are obvious in several areas and the sheathing needs to be replaced on approximately one half of the roof. Vents should be replaced also. Thanks, Ed Tennyson
Hi it’s Ed Tennyson
I read the articles on the ten ways to save energy and the 15 tools every home owner should have.
When you read these articles you may think that most of the items covered in both articles are just common sense. They are but it seems that a lot of homeowners still need to be educated. I feel that’s why it’s a good idea to be current in any knowledge concerning saving energy , as well as tools and there proper use. That way we can pass along that knowledge when a homeowner can benefit from it.
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This an AO Smith Model # XCVL-50 water heater. It is a 50 gallon 40K BTU water heater.It is a natural gas fired water heater. Install date March 2008 and the last service date 4/14. It appears the water heater has a TPR valve installed.
The water heater appears in serviceable condition.
Garage safety
A good home inspector must act like a private detective and be concerned with safety at all times
Inspecting a garage carries a whole different knowledge base as it is more prone to fires than any other part of the house.
Door leading to the house must be at least 1 3/8th thick, must have a 20 fire-rated and tight sealed. If there is a step leading to the door is even better as the step slows down the gas fumes from entering the living area. All outlets in the garage must be GFCI circuits.
Walls and ceilings must have at least ½” thick and garage beneath any living space must be at least 5/8” Type X gypsum board. Ducts shall have no opening in a garage and be constructed with 26 gauge steel sheet. Any sort of open penetrating in the walls and ceiling on the side of the house must be must be sealed up.
PTL I passed the HVAC and I have now completed
Code of Ethics for Home Inspectors
Safe Practices for the Home Inspector
Attic, Insulation, Ventilation and Interior
How to Inspect the Exterior
How to Inspect HVAC Systems
Now I have started ‘Introduction to InterNACHI’s Standards of Practice’
Just beginning my journey here with my classes.
Here I am inspecting Attic Access. The access hole is located in the master bedroom walk in closet. The access opening is 20" x 30". Inside the access opening there is a switch for the attic service light, along with a receptacle for ease of servicing the radon exhaust fan. There is an adequate hard wood flooring path towards the mechanical unit. However, blown in insulation does cover said path to radon fan. Attic access door closes with ease and with out gaps.
Welcome to InterNACHI Paul! We hope you enjoy your journey with us and we are glad to have you! Here is a link to a list of every InterNACHI course for your furture studies: Free Home Inspector Training Courses & Online Classes - InterNACHI®.