The article, Attic Pull-Down Ladders by Nick Gromicko, is great at explaining some of the pitfalls associated with pull down ladders. However, one of the items I feel is missing in the article, is the need to ensure to check the weight limit before climbing. Not everyone is “average” in build. Muscle is heavier than fat and since I push the limits on most items, checking those limits is critical!
This is a picture of blown in insulation.The person doing it is doing it properly with a mask on and spraying back and forth so not to overfill or under fill areas, which is common for this type of installation of this insulation.
Insulation is an important component of the home as it protects the energy effectiveness of the homes energy effectiveness.Proper insulation will pay for itself in a short amount of time. This area of them home is important to be inspected and reported on.
Water can move into a home three ways. Water can move by air transportation, diffusion through materials and thermal diffusion. Diffusion is a slow process compared to air transportation. Air can move freely carrying large amounts of water. All air leaks should be sealed to avoid excessive moisture in the home.
Water can cause damage and decrease the value of a home. Home inspectors should look at windows, doors, roofs, foundations, plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning for possible moisture intrusion. Proper flashing, vapor barriers and siding should installed. Grading of the soil should be away from the home and slope down six inches in ten feet. Plumbing should be checked for any leaks and the HVAC system checked for any condensation.
Double-Hung
A double-hung window has two operable sashes that move. Many older and historic homes have double-hung windows. This window is a traditional style of window in the U.S. The window has two parts or sashes that overlap slightly and slide up and down inside the frame. Most new double-hung sash windows use spring balances to support the sashes. Traditionally, counterweights were used. The weights are attached to the sashes using pulleys of either a cord or chain.
This is a photo of an attic space. This attic space has loose fill fiberglass insulation. There is a measurement marker that the installers used to ensure consistent thickness. The approximate depth of the insulation is 10-12 inches throughout. My estimated R-Value for this attic space is 25-30. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends a ceiling have an R-Value of 49 for our region. Adding more insulation could improve heating and cooling efficiency and could lower heating and cooling costs. I recommend consulting a contractor before adding more insulation.
Inspections of interior include a visual inspection of ceilings for signs of moisture intrusion and damage. In addition, cracks on ceilings should be evaluated for size and direction. When you are inspecting the attic, visualize the area of the ceiling stain and cracking to determine the cause of the moisture.
Because most heat loss in a home is through the attic, increasing attic insulation is one of the most cost-effective steps homeowners can take to improve their home’s energy efficiency. High-efficiency and ultra-efficient insulation meets the insulation levels required by the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
High-efficiency and ultra-efficient attic insulation systems include:
-vented attics that are insulated over the ceiling deck with increased amounts of blown fiberglass or blown cellulose;
-unvented attics that are insulated on the underside of the roof deck with blown spray foam; and
-vented or unvented attics that are insulated above the roof deck with rigid foam.
Ensuring success. A very high degree of airtightness can be provided with a continuous membrane adhered to the top surface of the structural roof deck, along with a layer of rigid insulation over it to provide condensation control. The spray foam itself can provide adequate airtightness when it is applied under the roof decking between framing elements; however, all wood-to-wood joints in the framing must still be sealed.
The roof must be kept dry before the spray foam is applied. A fully adhered roof membrane will protect the roof before the cladding is installed and provide a secondary layer of drainage protection.
The ceiling plane must be air sealed, and openings around penetrations through the ceiling plane for ducts, flues, wiring, soffits, etc., must be sealed to prevent warm, moist air from entering the attic space.
The following conditions should be met to prevent the risk of moisture damage to the roof when applying spray foam under the roof decking:
-the installation complies with the latest International Residential Code;
a fully adhered, leak-free roof membrane is installed;
-the roof sheathing and framing are dry (below 18% moisture content) before the spray foam is applied; and
-when using open-cell spray foam, a low-perm Class II vapor retarder is installed where required.
Bathroom ventilation is important for removing odors and moist air. Signs that ventilation isn’t proper includes staining of the ceiling and rusting of register and other metal components. Proper ventilation can be achieved with the use of ventilation fans. The exhaust ducts for the ventilation fan should terminate outside of the home.
Inspecting A Roof
As I walk the exterior I will be inspecting the roof for damage shingles, Fascia and skylight the soffit,Flashing,Gutters and Drains and the Chimney. I will check for leaks because that’s the most important part from keeping the water from entering your home.
Heat transfer starts by making sure that the home is air tight. The insulation is installed the right way. Making sure there are no holes in the wall, etc. R-Value insulation if installed properly can control heat transfer. Caulking around windows also can help with heat transfer.
10 ways to save energy in your home. What i learn is that you need to properly seal your home look for any holes check the sockets have a certain temperature number on your thermostat. Change your light bulbs to CFLs you can install a tank less water heater and efficient shower heads. use energy saving appliances. And cook smart and how you do your laundry.
Gas Shutoff valves are in place in case an emergency breaks out like a hot water pipe burst. The first thing to do is to locate the turn-off valve. It is very important to learn where all cut-off valves are located on the hot water heater or any other cut off valve around the home. It can save you money.
The photo shows a concrete roof with #5 rebar projecting vertically from first floor CMU wall assemblies as structure for a second story which was never built. The rebar presents problems relating to oxidation down into the slab and if not to be used should be cut below surface, rust treated with a surface epoxy patch. Additionally, roof cracks should be noted and as well as the presence or absence of a water proof membrane or treatment to prevent water infiltration into roof slab.
Sediment Trap photo at gas water heater. Illustration shows the connections for water and gas to the hot water storage tank. It also shows the assembly for a sediment trap for the gas supply line which attaches at the valve/thermostat control. The trap has a removal cap at the bottom for maintenance.
Attic insulation is an extremely important aspect of your home. Insulation protects your home from heat loss – aiding in the comfort of your home. Not only that, but it also helps keep your electric bill lower in the summer time.
I selected a photo of an infrared camera viewing an electrical panel. This photo clearly shows the heat differential in the electrical breakers and one breaker and connected wire is much hotter than the rest of the breakers. I would recommend a licensed electrician.
The photo above is of the handrail going from the first floor to the second floor via the u-shaped stairs. The elevation of the handrail from the stair nosing is only 24". Modern building practices suggests that for safety reasons the handrail should be between 34"-38"". This is being called out as it represents a potential safety hazard.
“Doing Damage During an Inspection: It’s Your Job” by Nick Gromicko and Kate Tarasenko
I chose this article based on the statement made by Nick Gromicko during one of his training videos. I completely understand that the client should be appreciative of the fact that the problem was discovered by the inspector and not the client. The part that still raises question to me is how the seller reacts since I am not working for them but for the buyer and the burden of repair falls on them. I have worked with the public enough to know that the seller will over-react and not be in the least bit thankful that a part of their house just got broken.