I just started this course and am very excited.
I know I should study very hard to be a good inspector
Conflict of interest:
Upon doing a home inspection I found a deficiency and the Realtor and Seller wanted to downplay it so as to not lose the buyer. Ethically I had to decline and disclose it and the importance of it, regardless if the Seller agreed with my findings or not.
Code of ethics essay
I am a certified journeyman electrician. During my inspection I see a dangerous electrical condition where there has been double tapping in the main electrical panel. It would be unethical for me to offer my electrical services for a fee to repair this dangerous situation. This would be a conflict of interest. In the inspection report it should be stated that the work should be completed by a qualified certified electrician.
During my Home inspection today I noticed the main sanitary branch had improper slope for 25Ft. The client’s than asked myself if I would be able to repair this issues as your a lincensed plumber as well. I explained to the home owners that this would be against InterNachi rules and regulations . Any repairs made would have to be done after a 12 month window.
Asbestosis is a micro fiber shaped as a hook and can only be seen under a microscope. Asbestos can lay dormitory for 20-30 years in our lungs. Inhalation damage from asbestosis can lead to mesothelioma. A house built in the 1930-1960 has a chance of have some sort of asbestosis fibers inside.
When doing an inspection of decks, I learned to pay close attention to the components of the deck, joist hangers, diagonal bracing, and stair stringers, just to name a few. Stair stringers in particular, need 5" minimum between the back and the cut out.
Hypothetical Essay of Conflict of Interest
To Whom It May Concern:
After completing a home inspection it was determined that a problem existed with the electrical outlets in the kitchen counter area. The outlets where not of the GFCI type as required by local code for all outlets located on a kitchen counter or workspace. Per the Real Estate agent this would have to be corrected prior to submitting the report to homebuyer. The Seller and their agent offered substantial compensation if I would both replace the existing outlets with the correct GFCI and reflect in my report that all outlets were correct from my initial inspection.
I informed both Seller and Agent that I could not do either of their request as my responsibility is to the buyer, my client. Even though they threatened to have me removed from this inspection and the Realtor said “ you will never work in this town again” I held fast to my “Code of Ethics” and refused to falsify my report and perform work that I was not only unlicensed to do but had agreed with interNACHI not to perform.
Respectfully,
Vernon Lipscomb
velipscomb@gmail.com
808-796-1290
Vernon Lipscomb Library of Inspections - Stair Cases
While performing an inspection on staircases you need to verify Rise and Run are within the code allowances as many trip hazards are attributable to this as well as more deaths occurred in 2004 from stairway accidents than swimming pool and bathtub combined.
I am a certified journeyman electrician. During my inspection I see a dangerous electrical condition where there has been double tapping in the main electrical panel. It would be unethical for me to offer my electrical services for a fee to repair this dangerous situation. This would be a conflict of interest. In the inspection report it should be stated that the work should be completed by a qualified certified electrician.
AFCI indicators
AFCI indicators are very similar to their counterpart the GFCI tester. They both are plugged into a receptacle and operate in a similar manner. The AFCI indicator is an arc fault circuit interrupter which produces wave forms similar to an actual electrical arc to try and determine if the fail safe of the breaker is working. Though not as reliable as the test button on the breaker, the AFCI indicator can assists in determining the proper operating parameter of the breaker.
My essay for this course:
I inspect a home for John Smith. With the client’s permission, I email a copy of the report to his realtor. His realtor calls me and says that he has a few questions. The realtor says that he is concerned that I pointed out so many major issues with the home and was wondering if I would change some of the wording in my report to so that it would be viewed more positively by his client. I explain to the realtor that if I report anything dishonestly, that would be a code of ethics violation. I respectfully decline to change the report.
Ceiling fan inspection essay summary:
The article gave useful information about the history of the ceiling fan, components and defects.
According to Myth Busters, a ceiling fan cannot decapitate a person. This would be fun to share with a client if they ever asked! Also, the ceiling fan has been in use since the 1860’s and were powered by a stream of running water.
The article is also a good reference for minimum distances from the floor and walls. Also, to remind clients that ceiling fans are not for cooling, they are only for air circulation within the room.
I come from a background in mechanical engineering. I have recently decided to do handyman work on the side to keep my hands busy in my spare time. I have a handyman business and now that I am pursuing my inspector license realize that I have a direct conflict of interest if I inspect and bid to repair that same house within a 12 month period.
Pricing and Billing Article
This was very interesting as I am still staring my business. I have done enough market research to have an idea of what I should charge for an inspection, and about how may i want to perform in a year. This article helped determine some loose ends and items that I never considered before when it comes to pricing. Additionally the calculator is a great tool.
In the library, I read interesting articles regarding Dryer vent safety which I think is very important even though sometimes it can be highly overlooked. According to the statistics from the National Fire Protection Agency, dryers caused nearly 14,000 house fires, 418 injuries, 15 deaths and $196 million in property damage (based on 2005 statistics). The incidents are mostly caused by improper maintenance and lint clean up of the unit which can be highly preventable with proper education and care.
Here are some recommendations for installation and maintenance:
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Airflow restrictions should be avoided. This may be hard to do in small spaces, but try to avoid having the dryer vent be crushed or bent. When the airflow is restricted, it can become a hazard due to the fact that the exhaust stream carries lint which is highly flammable. If a dryer overheats, it can trigger sparks which can cause the lint to burst into flames.
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Lint should be cleaned out of the air vent periodically.
In one of the inspection one of the agents ask me to point only some of the small problems with the property to the client, to be able to close the deal,
on 12/1/16 I was contacted to do a home inspection for a realty. I arrived at the address and the realtor was already there. I introduced myself and showed him my identification. I then opened my notebook to reveal my checklist I then started my inspection. After a few hours inspection was complete, I had a few items that did not meet inspection standards. As I started to put my equipment away and write my report I was stopped by the realtor as he replied before you fill out report I want to read it. I showed it to him, he took a minute to read it, then said what can we do to make this part about a roof replacement go away? I explained that I have to report exactly what my findings are. His response was how about a hundred would that help? I said no and told him I couldn’t believe he asked me that. I wrote my report honestly and accurately. A few months went by when I was asked to inspect a property for the same realtor, this time I wrote the report and nothing was said about any special treatment.billracine62@gmail.com
when dealing with the residential home industry one of the most asked about and feared issues is mold. No one wants anything to do with it or be around it. The thing people don’t realize is you can control it. first thing is to find the source of moisture and fix it. then you remove or treat areas affected you do so by applying a 1 to 10 ratio of bleach and water mixture then scrub and let dry. You may not have a leak but just excessive humidity in which case a dehumidifier is needed to bring humidity down to 30 to 60% the key to mold control is to watch it and not let it get to bad before addressing it.
I recently experienced a seller returning to the home early as I was loading my van after a home inspection. Normally, not many words are exchanged except greetings. However this was the first time she had sold a home and had many questions about the inspection my client secured. I informed her I could not discuss with her information related to her inspection. I was able to share with her the process of how she should find that information out. I informed her of my association, Internachi code of ethics we go by. She appreciated it so much two weeks later I performed her home inspection with the same professionalism supplied to my former client.
Conflict of interest
My wife is a Licensed Realtor. It would be unethical for me to preform a home inspection for one of her buyers as I have a financial interest in my wife earning a commission for the sale of the property.