Attached is a photo of a stackable, front loading clothes washer. The unit was less than 6 months old but displayed a deficient condition when it leaked while in operation. Active leak was noted during operation and unit was referred to appliance specialist for determination of cause.
This is a picture my dish washer, it is properly attached to the counter, it was run through a wash cycle and properly drained all the water in the unit. After it drained I checked under the sink to see if there were any leaks. The power supply is a 3 prong grounded outlet. And I also want to note that the dishwasher feed into the disposal.
The two articles that I read were on: “Increasing Home Energy Efficiency” & “Pricing and Billing for Home Inspectors” The first one talked about ways in which to make your home more energy efficient by adding insulation, insulate heating ducts, utilize ceiling fans, and by installing programmable thermostats just to name a few. The 2nd article was on figuring out how to come up with a pricing strategy, and the article touched on 2 options. The first being billable hours, and the 2nd is based upon local market, meaning what the market demands.
This is a Maytag dishwasher. The model# MUB7749AWB1 Upon operating the dishwasher i noticed that it was leaking from the right corner of the door. The unit is also un-level with the water moving towards the front of the dishwasher. Leveling is vital to the removal of the water used to clean the dishes. Door gaskets can be easily replaced and are a common repair for dishwashers. Suggest that it be repaired by a qualified appliance repair man.
Ceiling fans are a good means for saving energy. Ceiling fans move air across the skin causing us to feel 10 to 15 degrees cooler. With this in mind you could foreseeable turn the thermostat to a higher temperature when cooling with a central heating and air system. Its also beneficial to change the direction when cooling or heating. The fan should blow down during the heating season sense heat rises to mix with the heavier cold air near the floor. The fan should blow against the ceiling when cooling to cool the warmer ceiling and mix the warmer air with the cooled air to condition and remove the humidity.
Photo shows an older dishwasher. There is no rust on the interior. The door gaskets are in good condition. The dish racks are undamaged and operate fully.
They move easily on their rollers. The dishwasher was installed securely to the cabinet and showed no movement. The connection from the dishwasher to the drain line (not shown in the photo) was in good condition and had a backflow preventer loop in the flexible drain line.
Lumber Grade Stamps
Each piece of commercially produced lumber in the US has a grade stamp. These are put on the lumber at the production plant by inspectors. Builders and building inspectors can check these stamps to insure the grade required for a particular application is used. Engineers and architects consider these grades during the design process may specify certain grades be used at certain applications. These grade stamps will typically include the type of wood (S-P-F for spruce-pine-fir, etc.), clear wood specification (#1, #2, Constr Grade, Utility Grade, etc.), and moisture content (S-Grn, S-Dry, MC15).
Paperless Drywall
In order to reduce the problem of mold forming in drywall, paperless drywall have been developed and is now available. Instead of a paper coating on either side of the gypsum interior, paperless drywall is made with a fiberglass outer covering. The result is not a product that is mold-proof, but it is much less susceptible to mold growth as compared to standard drywall. Some downsides to the new paperless drywall are: shortage of supply, higher cost, more difficult to install and finish. As this new product becomes more widely used, we may see improvements, lower cost, and increased protection from mold.
This is a picture of a brand new range. This appliance has a 4-prong plug on a 40 amp breaker. This appliance also has an anti-top bracket installed. It is a smooth surface cooktop.
The name of the article I read was Anti-tip Brackets for Free Standing Ranges. Anti-tip bracket is a metal device that prevents the range from tipping forward. Inspector can confirm the installation of the anti-tip bracket by looking over the rear of the range or removing the bottom drawer to see if a floor mounted bracket is installed. The inspector can grip the upper rear section of the range and try to tip it forward. The unit will not tip more than several inches before coming to a halt.
Microwave Oven Inspection
This is a photo of a built in microwave oven. The door pulls down to open rather than being hinged on the side like most microwaves. I placed a cup of water inside and set to heat for 1 minute. Microwave heated the water very well. The turntable was rotating as it should, microwave light was working, and the microwave was vented properly. There were no noticeable dents or cracks anywhere on th face and all controls were operational. The microwave was also firmly mounted into place.
Garbage Disposals for Inspectors
When inspecting garbage disposals the inspector should should use only water down the disposal such as by filling the sink full of water first. The inspector must ensure nothing is inside the disposal but never by putting a hand or other object inside the disposal. While running water make sure there are no leaks and all connections are in place. The drain for the disposal must be 1.5 inches or greater. The garabage disposal will have vibration but this should not be so excessive it would cause damage or loosen connections. The disposal does not need to be plugged into an GFCI plug.
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The disposal operated very quietly and with no vibration. It is an older unit and could malfunction in the near future. The splash guard was in place and in good condition. I also advised client that the filters on the RO drinking water system should be replaced annually to provide reliable service.
https://www.nachi.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=134119&stc=1&d=1462321805
This is a dishwasher installed in a home that is approximately four years old. The dishwasher was operated through a normal cycle and appeared to be in serviceable condition at the time of the inspection. There were no visible defects on the exterior or interior of the unit. Water supply piping and drainage piping is appropriate and in good condition.
Electrical Service Panel
Electrical service panels are boxes that house circuit breakers, which are safety devices designed to interrupt electrical current when it exceeds a safe level. Adherence to safety procedures and the use of personal protective equipment are important steps to keep the inspector safe. There are many defective conditions to check in an electrical service panel. Aluminum branch wiring, circuit breakers not properly sized, evidence of electrical failures or water damage are all conditions to that should be reported as defective.
Home Winterization
Winterizing a home is the process of preparing a home for the harsh conditions of winter. Preparing a home in fall for these conditions can save the homeowner thousands of dollars in repair and save on energy costs. A homeowner should always insulate exposed water pipes in cold areas as well as drain any exterior pipes. Caulking around windows, doors, and electrical outlets, along with confirming adequate attic insulation, can reduce heating costs. Chimneys, fireplaces, and heating units should all be inspected and gutters should be cleaned out. A little work in the fall can save the homeowner big headaches in the cold of winter.This is an image of a GFCI located in a bathroom, this one is in good working condition as we can tell by the test light that is on, and goes off when I press the reset button. Wall screws are tight and surface is solid with no obvious cracks or other defects.
This is a second stoce in the vasement. The gas shutoff for the stove is located directly behind and in the same room as the stove. This appliance is in good working condition
Anti-Tip Brackets for Freestanding Ranges
by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard
Anti-tip brackets are metal brackets designed to prevent free standing ranges from tipping. They can be mounted to the rear leg or attached to the wall. The best way to test for an anti-tip bracket is to physically tip the unit. If a bracket is installed properly it should not tip more than a couple of inches.
Anti-Scald Valves
by Nick Gromicko
Anti-scald valves mix cold water with outgoing hot water so that the water leaving the fixture is not hot enough to scald a person. Anti-scald valves mitigate the danger of pressure fluctuations in the water supply by maintaining a safe temperature level at the fixture. These are relatively easy to install and may be installed at individual fixtures or on the main hot water supply line to protect the entire house.
I inspected my refrigerator. It is a Whirlpool model manufactured in 2003. The refrigerator was functional. The ice maker on the freezer side is not functional.
I read the article on central vacuum systems and hand dug wells. The central vacuum article talks about how early vac system were made and that they are becoming more popular in new homes. The hand dug well article talks about the advantages and disadvantages of hand dug wells.
