Research article essay - Bats - Sarasota/Manatee county areas
It seems that this is the year of the Bats !!! I’ve been a home inspector since 2005 and until this year I have encountered Bats only once back in around 2009. This year I have inspected 4 separate houses in which bats were present. Twice I found bats in the attic and twice I found bats under a section of the barrel tile roof…in these cases the bats were getting under the tiles where the bird stop mortar was damaged. In one instance I was leaning over to take a picture of a damaged lead boot around a plumbing vent and heard what I thought was ringing in my ears…so I stood up and the ringing stopped…bent down again and could just hear the bats making their squeaky bat noises. The smell that the bats create in attics is very strong…similar to rodent infestation smell but 10 times stronger. The NACHI article on Bats was definitely helpful as it describes how to differentiate between Bat & Rodent droppings. I’m sure most of the other inspectors know this already but Bats are a protected species so they can only be removed during certain times of the year…your buyers should be aware that they may have to live with a few Bats for a period of time…this being said I typically leave this bit of bad news to a licensed pest control professional.
As part of the examination final on mobile homes I have posted a picture off a water shut off on a small hot water
I just did some research on garage inspections as im finishing up the mobile home inspection exam I came across an article about altered trusses which I found interesting.
While Inspecting a mobile Home I tested the water pressure and found the pressure to be around 120 psi. I found no pressure reducing valve. Reported it as a defect and that a pressure reducing valve should be installed.
Since most Manufactured homes are basically placed on a crawl space type foundation I read the article Crawl Space Hazards and Inspections. The article mentioned many hazards one could encounter when entering a crawl space. Hazards such as pests and standing water to name a few. The same care entering underneath a manufactured home should be taken as you would a crawlspace of a stick built home
I found this course very informative and easy to follow, well prepared.
The images I took are of a Trane Air Conditioning System, the first image is of the condensing unit which is located outside the home, this piece of equipment houses the compressor, condenser, accumulator and fan/motor. The second image is of the evaporator side of the system, this houses the blower/motor, evaporator cooling coil. The evaporator side of the system also carries a heating coil for the heating side of the system, some systems have what is called a Heat Pump which is located in the condensing side of the system, it is a solenoid coil that switches the system from cooling to heating by way of the t-stat.
I have researched different issues regarding manufactured homes such as in 1976 new standards for construction and safety have been adopted. 1980 the term manufactured home was adopted and the term mobile home is not used as much for the fact that less than 5% of manufactured homes ever move off the land they are placed on. All manufacturers have different warranty packages that vary from manufacturer to manufacturer; length of time and services provided. Local and state both have specific requirements for utilities.
The supports beneath the main beams of this manufactured home are welded metal stands. The stands are load rated and designed for this purpose. Unfortunately this stand has been placed well away from the beam’s web and off the edge of the flange. The flange of the beam appears to have been deflected slightly by the misplaced support. The load intended for this support is now being shared by the adjacent supports with the possibility of over-loading them. Additionally, the span for that section of the home’s main beam has lengthened and the stress increased.
Thomas W Nason, PE
Good Friend Inspections, LLC
Straps / tie-downs appear to be a little rusty but in good shape over-all; see photos 22-23.
Installation standards for hurricane straps / tie-downs and anchors very according to the manufacturer’s installation specifications &/or county / city building department. These systems are assumed to be done by a professional, to industry standard & building code at time of installation. Therefore this inspection concentrates on the existence and condition of such systems. The specific installation standards may not be noted unless they are obviously incomplete or sub-standard.
These tie-downs appear to meet FBC 320.8325 Mobile homes, manufactured homes, and park trailers; uniform installation standards; injunctions; penalty. &/or Admin Code 15C-1.0104 Installation Standards for Anchors and Tie-downs.
My research backs-up what I know from experience.
It is quite likely that inspectors looking at mobile or manufactured homes will come across rubber membrane roofs. Inspectors are advised against attempting to walk on these surfaces, as old rubber membranes tend to get very brittle and are easily damaged. Any prior failures of the roof covering will have turned the sheathing into something with the tensile strength of wet cardboard. Therefore we inspect these types of roofs from a ladder - we look for the following common issues:
1.) Tears or cracking in the surface
2.) Deficient flashings around the vents
3.) Signs of ponding
4.) Ripples in the roof covering
5.) Signs of the covering shrinking and pulling away from the sides of the roof
Tie-Downs for Manufactured Homes – describes some approaches that have been used to protect manufactured homes from uplift due to wind loads. The design of the restraints will be driven mainly by two factors: The wind loads anticipated at the home site (as defined by HUD and local building departments), the size and shape fo the home, and the manufacture’s guidelines. There are also proprietary strut systems that meet the requirements with for some application with cross braces from the ground to homes lower frame.
Thomas W Nason, PE
Good Friend Inspections, LLC
Hello everyone,
The photo is of a small
Hello everyone,
The photo is of a hot water heater installed in the laundry room of a mobile home. The water heater was enclosed in a wall with a removable panel marked “water Heater”. The water heater had been recently replaced. It had the flexible copper water lines in the top as well the TPR Valve which had equal sized drain pipe extended to six inches above a metal catch pan that drained under the mobile home.
Hello everyone,
The article I researched was on crawlspace hazards and inspections. There are many potential dangers an inspector might find in a crawlspace. Some of those dangers are as follows:
Mold & Fungus: They can cause health problems and wood decay. Molds can produce allergens and even toxic substances called mycotoxins. Allergens can trigger many physical reactions to people and remediation can be costly.
Pests: The dark dirt environment in crawlspaces is an excellent ground for insects such as ants, termites and numerous other pests. Termite mud tubes may be visible on wood framing and piers. Snakes, spiders, bees, and scorpions can also be found.
Hantavirus: Another concern in crawlspaces that causes headaches, fever, breathing problems, and even death in some cases.
Asbestos Insulation: It is still found in crawlspaces under older homes.
Standing Water: Standing water can be found in crawlspaces and is excellent breeding ground for bacteria and other microbial growth.
Structural Collapse: Always a danger if the home is in bad enough shape.
Improper Wiring: Danger of loose unprotected wires, open junction boxes, or wiring that broke loose from the flooring and is hanging down.
In summary crawlspaces can be a dangerous place for inspectors. Proper protective gear should be worn. Inspectors should be alert and watching for potential hazards and should always have a plan for a hasty retreat if necessary.
Great course. Have learned much. Also have been looking at the library and there is a wealth of info there. Thanks
Dryer hook ups are very important in a home. Moving the wet damp air to the exterior of the home can present some problems. Where the dryer is situated makes all the difference. Some washer dryer rooms are located in the interior of the home away from he exterior walls which puts you in a situation where you have to vent up into the attic than out. Should you need more than twenty five feet of hose you will be required to add a electric inline booster fan in the system. For each 90 degree elbow you add you must subtract five feet from the total twenty five feet you started with and a forty five degree angle will cost you two and a half feet subtraction from your original twenty five feet. The way in which this hose is run is very important. If you lose velocity in your discharge hose to the outside it greatly degrades the efficiency of the dryer which will have to run longer and hotter. One of the main fire hazards in the home is the dryer hose due to lint buildup. This installation must be done correctly on many levels.
Back drafting is the reverse flow of gas in the flues of fuel-fired appliances that results in combustion by products in the living space. Water heaters that use gas as a combustion source can cause this to happen. Heaters boilers wall heater and furnaces which have an exhaust stack can be the cause of back drafting if the atmosphere in the home becomes a lower pressure than the outside air. The air in the exhaust stack will reverse direction causing back draft. A home inspector can release smoke or powder into the draft diverter in order to test for back draft. A smoke pencil or chemical puffer can simulate this. Combustion gases that back draft into a house will leave a dark residue on top of the water heater. A carbon dioxide analyzer can be used to test for back drafting that gas. When performing these tests turn on all of the appliances that suck air from the house (Cloths dryer, Kitchen and bathroom fans).
I just read the article “Manufactured Housing and Standards.” This article is directed at homeowners. It is very informative. It goes over everything from warranties, to site preparation, to transporting your home. A lot of people probably don’t realize how much their is to purchasing, transporting, and installing their home.
