Research & Writing Assignment:
Double pained windows. seal failure can be caused by thermal cycling, batch failure particularly in vinyl windows. The silica gel in the window spacer reaches its limit of absorption allowing condensation to form. Most windows can be repaired by replacing the the thermal unit.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
How to Inspect the Attic, Insulation, Ventilation & Interior Course- Windows.
This is a typical double-paned window within an exterior door. I have noticed that the stiles and muntins are intact, but there is condensation within the two panes of glass. The continual pressure fluctuations caused by the heat and cold have stressed the seal. This window has lost its integrity and needs to be repaired or replaced for continual energy efficiency.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Home Buyer Mistakes. It is very important to avoid these three mistakes when deciding to purchase a home. #1. Thinking that you cannot afford it. The value of real estate continues to rise. Chances are, you are already paying more in rent than you would a home that will build equity. #2. Not hiring a buyer’s agent. Financially speaking, this is your best protection. A buyer’s agent will be familiar with the area, as well as the laws involved. #3. Getting a cheap inspection. Do not scrimp on this area. It is extremely important to know what condition the home is in and if it is worth your time and money. ‘Cheap’ inspectors typically will not be as knowledgeable or take enough time to properly inspect your home.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
the image provided shows an attic and its insulation. this attic shows proper insulation. attic insulation is a key element in the attic. it keeps the attic warm or cold depending on the season. Although this is just one factor it is important for a home to have the proper insulation depth. Without proper insulation a home can rapidly cool and warm during season change.
Research & Writing Assignment:
i read an article on deck receptacles and the ways to keep them hazard free. a couple of factors i learned were that All 15- and 20-amp, 120/240-volt receptacles installed outdoors must have a weatherproof enclosure. also an important factor is that GFCI protection is required for all exterior receptacles.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The picture shows the window seal is failing. Several windows in the home displayed this characteristic. This was taken from a recent inspection I conducted. There was also slight damage to the interior of the window sill due to condensation.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I viewed a picture from the “Illustration Gallery” concerning stairs. I have seen many open stairwells that allow the passage of an object greater that 4 inches. This is due to do-it-yourself projects that do not follow safety guidelines. I’ve seen many unsafe stairwells and guardrails that were deemed deficient.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This door is the garage door I chose for my inspection.there is no manual release on this particular door.The panels on the inner side of the door look good ,but it appears that someone pressure washed one of the outward panels.The door had spring and general warning labels ,but was missing a warning label on the wall control. The spring containment looked good.The wall control was out of the reach of children at least five and a half feet off the floor.The photo electric eye worked,the eye passed the no contact reversal/2x4 test.I would add a warning label but the door is in good shape for the most part.
Research & Writing Assignment:
In the diagram “Air Flow Through Insulation” we see an example of heat exchange, which can be reduced by insulation, versus heat and air exchange. Air exchange may not be properly controlled with insulation itself. As we see in this diagram, an air barrier is required to inhibit air exchange. This is an important concept when considering water vapor, or moisture exchange between interior and exterior spaces. An air barrier can reduce the amount of water vapor that enters or exists a space, whereas insulation by itself, may not.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Noted missing and insufficient insulation in the attic. Attic spaces represent the most likely areas of heat loss in a home. Heated or cooled air passes into the attic and exists the thermal envelope of the home. Proper insulation limits this loss, creates a more comfortable living environment, and lowers heating and cooling costs.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I selected the foreclosure inspection to write about.The foreclosure market is very popular because of the myriad of properties you can pickup for a fraction of there asking price. The foreclosure market may be a good investment ,but you should be educated. Real estate agents generally frown on hiring a home inspector because they find not hiring an inspector makes it easier to deal with the bank. Banks also like not hiring an inspector because this makes it easier to sell a home as is.Banks can also get around any legal liabilities by not hiring a home inspector.It is a mistake for the buyer to forgo a home inspection though it may be good for the bank and the realtor ,the buyer may end up with a damaged property. Realtors who advise you against home inspections are being ignorant or dishonest to the fact that the pryor owner may have damaged the property , or the property may have consequences from being abandoned for a long length of time such as infestations or even looting.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Picture shown is in the bedroom of a home built circa 1900. It is a single hung, single pane non-insulated glass window with wood sashes. There is a storm window installed as well. Due to the warm air travelling through the window, it is getting trapped in the space. This warmer, moist, air is then able to condense on the colder storm window component. This leads to the frost forming inside the cavity between the interior window and storm window.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Installing Attic Insulation
by Nick Gromicko and Barry Fowler
A well insulated home is key to cutting energy costs associated with the heating and cooling of the home. Done properly, the living spaces within the home will be insulated while keeping the attic space around the same temperature as the outside ambient air. This will prolong the life of the roof decking and shingles, while working to prevent ice dams that can cause damaging water intrusion. The key is proper ventilation of the attic space. The most effective strategy being to provide full eaves and ridge venting.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Upon the visual inspection of the attic the insulation appears to be loose fiber blown in rockwool insulation, the depth of the insulation averaged 5 inches which leaves the truss chords exposed increasing heat loss thru what is known as thermal bridging, to find the R-value of rockwool it is multiplied by 2.8 giving us an insulating value of 14. DOE (dept. of energy) has r-value recommendations for new and existing homes which exceed the current insulating value of this attic. Recommend further action be taken past this inspection with a qualified insulation specialist.
Research & Writing Assignment:
When inspecting attic pull down ladders you should take into consideration that often times these units are installed by the home owner themselves and not by a licensed contractor. The biggest clue is shoddy work, some of the things to look for include cut chords on the truss system, number of fasteners at attachment points, correct fasteners, compromised firewall if installed in the garage, make sure ladder contacts floor but should not be to long where excess strain is applied to the hinges. For safety sake it should be recommended to the client if the ladder is wooden upgrading to an aluminum ladder is advised, note also the lanyard length for the stair pull down should be of a length so children cannot access the pull down ladder.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope fully tempered glass is approximately four times stronger than annealed glass of the same thickness and configuration. Double pane for thermal insulation and clear, no cloudiness. This tempered and tinted glass meets all safety glazing standards including the federal safety glazing standard, CPSC 16 CFR 1201 (see label).
Research & Writing Assignment:
Open Stair Risers. Child Unsafe Image. Often outside stairs do not have the gap between the treads of the riser in-filled and a child (or pet) could fall through with potential injury. I DIY rebuilt some stairs on the outside of my house and the building inspector failed the project (although had approved the plans) due to this 8 gap and I had to install 1x3 trim toe kicker to fill the gap.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The inspection of attic area revealed condensation forming on the foam insulation with evidence of mold developing. Further evaluation is necessary to review entire attic area for areas of air infiltration of moisture infiltration resulting in excessive moisture in attic area and needs to be corrected. Foam insulation requires an air tight seal area to remain conditioned air.
Research & Writing Assignment:
10 Tools Every Homeowner Should Own
Owning a home is a big responsibility and requires some basic tools to maintain it.
Below is a list of items that at the minimum you should consider having on hand to take care of common everyday issues.
First and very important a Toilet Plunger for each bath, Combination Wrench Set (metric and english sizes), Slip-Joint Pliers, Adjustable Wrenching, Caulking Gun and Multi Purpose Caulks,Flashlight, Tape Measure, Hacksaw, Torpedo Level, Safety Glasses / Goggles, Claw Hammer, Screwdriver Set (a small and large version of both a flathead and a Phillips-head screwdriver), Wire Cutters,Respirator/Safety Mask, and lastly lets not for get about the master of all fixers, Duct Tape.
