Regarding the article on Green Home Inspection: An inspection that goes into more detail than the typical Standards of Practice regarding energy efficiency, the use of sustainable materials and/or practices, and the features of a home that promote human and environmental health. Confirmation of these green features at a property can allow the inspector to fill a special niche in the business.
The attached picture is of a gas fired hot water heater. The inlet / outlet hose attached to top of unit has defect. The right side connection does not have tape / paste to seal connection at the threads and there is also corrosion present.
Gas fired appliances (hot water heater / furnace) should have the proper sized flue pipe with the minimum air gap / spacing near combustible materials. The flue pipe section should be mechanically fastened with proper screws and the addition of tape to fully seal the seam is helpful when the pipe runs horizontal.
Hello, I am beginning: How to Inspect Water Heater Tanks Course for my Florida Cert.
Thanks & I hope everyone is having a great day!
TM
I inspected the propane on demand tank-less water heater in my house. I verified the presence of a thermal expansion valve, fuel shut off valve, water shut off valve, drain valves, and the exhaust vent. There are also two valves to the feed and output over allowing the unit to be descaled.
This house is located in Miami Fl, and was built 17 years ago. The water heater is of electric type is located in the garage. Water heater is past the end of its typical service life. Highly recommend replacement. Water heater, the life expectancy is 10 years.
Expansion tank are considerably smaller than water heaters, usually holding about two gallons in residential systems, although tank sizes vary in relation to the water volume of the hot water supply system they serve. The design pressure for which a tank is rated is marked on a label on the tank.
I chose the article on fireplace fuels due to the fact that we have two fireplaces in our home. I found it very informative such as using softwood to start the fire and adding hardwoods once the chimney is preheated. This dispels what is typically said that you cant burn softwood. I would recommend this article to anyone who has a fireplace in their home and had been hesitant to use it or have limited knowledge on choosing proper fuels.
The items above have been reviewed and found to be operating correctly with no issues reported. All pipes and fittings are correctly fastened and mounted. No further evaluation on this subject needs to be documented. If any issues were to arise I would advise contacted a certified professional in plumbing
The components of the water heater appear to be in proper working order. Would advise periodically monitoring unit for leaks. Contact a professional contractor if any issues should arise. Water heaters can be a major hazard if not properly maintained and visible Inspection need to be done.
This home has a 50 gallon 240volt electric water heater. It has plenty of access and plenty of room in the garage. There is no expansion tank. The heater is sitting 5" above the floor, which is adequate as there is no igniter. The serial number shows it was manufactured 19 years ago.
Truck signage is very important when it comes to advertising your company. Just by driving around with a good clear sign on a work truck means your company name and number could be seen by thousands of people per day. Even when the truck is parked while the inspector is on a job it could be seen my other people in the neighborhood. It is important to make the most of marketing wherever you go.
The expansion tank shown is turned at a 90 degree angle. The proper straps should be placed in to be sure to hold the tank in place in the top and bottom third of the area of tank. Recommended evaluation by qualified specialist.
ON chimneys, there are multiple times of flashing needed to ensure no moisture intrusion getting into the house. These flashings include step, head, apron, and counter flashing. All preform in different ways to be sure no water gets in. Proper flashing is crucial in the chimney
More often than not we all forget that our water heaters require some maintenance too. It’s important to drain the sediment from the bottom of the tank carefully of course and by the manual. It’s also a good idea to periodically test your pressure relief valve to ensure it still works. If not it’s important to get a professional out to fix it immediately. Also never never ever store flammables around the unit.
In the attached picture you can see the TPR valve for my water heater. This is the most important safety feature on the unit. There is a pipe attached to the valve that goes almost to the ground in case of need to discharge. This should be tested manually once a year at least.
As you can see this water heater has no access, the cabinet beside is not a permanant fixture and can be moved. Since this is an electric water heater combustion space does not apply. Notice the TPR drain, it goes right into the pan. This wtaer heater has many defects that should be reported.
In the article on anti-scalding valves I learned how they operate and the importance of having them installed. A anti-scald or also called a mixing valve , mixes cold water into the hot water supply to control hot water variations and can be adjusted to maintain a temperature within a few degrees.
The following items are essential tools, but this list is by no means exhaustive. Feel free to ask an InterNACHI inspector during your next inspection about other tools that you might find useful.
- Plunger
A clogged sink or toilet is one of the most inconvenient household problems that you will face. With a plunger on hand, however, you can usually remedy these plumbing issues relatively quickly. It is best to have two plungers – one for the sink and one for the toilet.
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Combination Wrench Set
One end of a combination wrench set is open and the other end is a closed loop. Nuts and bolts are manufactured in standard and metric sizes, and because both varieties are widely used, youll need both sets of wrenches. For the most control and leverage, always pull the wrench toward you, instead of pushing on it. Also, avoid over-tightening. -
Slip-Joint Pliers
Use slip-joint pliers to grab hold of a nail, a nut, a bolt, and much more. These types of pliers are versatile because of the jaws, which feature both flat and curved areas for gripping many types of objects. There is also a built-in slip-joint, which allows the user to quickly adjust the jaw size to suit most tasks. -
Adjustable WrenchCaulking gun
Adjustable wrenches are somewhat awkward to use and can damage a bolt or nut if they are not handled properly. However, adjustable wrenches are ideal for situations where you need two wrenches of the same size. Screw the jaws all the way closed to avoid damaging the bolt or nut. -
Caulking Gun
Caulking is the process of sealing up cracks and gaps in various structures and certain types of piping. Caulking can provide noise mitigation and thermal insulation, and control water penetration. Caulk should be applied only to areas that are clean and dry.
- Flashlight
None of the tools in this list is of any use if you cannot visually inspect the situation. The problem, and solution, are apparent only with a good flashlight. A traditional two-battery flashlight is usually sufficient, as larger flashlights may be too unwieldy.
- Tape Measure
Measuring house projects requires a tape measure – not a ruler or a yardstick. Tape measures come in many lengths, although 25 feet is best. Measure everything at least twice to ensure accuracy.
The following items are essential tools, but this list is by no means exhaustive. Feel free to ask an InterNACHI inspector during your next inspection about other tools that you might find useful.
- Plunger
A clogged sink or toilet is one of the most inconvenient household problems that you will face. With a plunger on hand, however, you can usually remedy these plumbing issues relatively quickly. It is best to have two plungers – one for the sink and one for the toilet.
-
Combination Wrench Set
One end of a combination wrench set is open and the other end is a closed loop. Nuts and bolts are manufactured in standard and metric sizes, and because both varieties are widely used, youll need both sets of wrenches. For the most control and leverage, always pull the wrench toward you, instead of pushing on it. Also, avoid over-tightening. -
Slip-Joint Pliers
Use slip-joint pliers to grab hold of a nail, a nut, a bolt, and much more. These types of pliers are versatile because of the jaws, which feature both flat and curved areas for gripping many types of objects. There is also a built-in slip-joint, which allows the user to quickly adjust the jaw size to suit most tasks. -
Adjustable WrenchCaulking gun
Adjustable wrenches are somewhat awkward to use and can damage a bolt or nut if they are not handled properly. However, adjustable wrenches are ideal for situations where you need two wrenches of the same size. Screw the jaws all the way closed to avoid damaging the bolt or nut. -
Caulking Gun
Caulking is the process of sealing up cracks and gaps in various structures and certain types of piping. Caulking can provide noise mitigation and thermal insulation, and control water penetration. Caulk should be applied only to areas that are clean and dry.
- Flashlight
None of the tools in this list is of any use if you cannot visually inspect the situation. The problem, and solution, are apparent only with a good flashlight. A traditional two-battery flashlight is usually sufficient, as larger flashlights may be too unwieldy.
- Tape Measure
Measuring house projects requires a tape measure – not a ruler or a yardstick. Tape measures come in many lengths, although 25 feet is best. Measure everything at least twice to ensure accuracy.