Research & Writing Assignment:
I read an article on ant inspection in your home. I learned how to tell the difference between an ant and a termite. The article showed homeowners way to store food and other helpful hints to keep ants from invading their home.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This photo is of a water heater that someone has plugged the TPR valve. This is a very serious and dangerous defect, and should be taken out of service until repairs or replacement can be performed. It is also noted the rust on the housing indicating the presents of moisture.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I observed an image of a leaking hot water tank. This is a dangerous defect. Not only can the water escaping the tank cause other moisture issues in the surrounding areas, but the tank has an increased risk of rupturing.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
If this water heater in the photo was in a home during an inspection I would need to report the missing discharge pipe as a defect. Not only is this a major defect it is also a major safety hazard because the discharge port of the TPS valve is aimed directly at the access door.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Water heater expansion tanks and TPR valves are crucial to the successful and safe operation of residential potable water systems. An expansion tank will absorb some of the expansion of the water heaters pressure. As long as it does not exceed the expansion tanks maximum pressure rating. The TPR valve should open if the pressure of the water heater rises to an unsafe level.
Research & Writing Assignment:
An expansion tank is a metal tank connected to a buildings water heating appliance designed to accommodate fluctuations in the volume of a buildings hot water supply system. These fluctuations occur because water expands in volume as it gets hot and loses volume as it cools.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This hot water tank was free from any defects. The hot water tank was 9 years old. The typical life expectancy is 8-12 years. The inspector should tell the client that the hot water heater is near the end of the expected life.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
In this picture we have a new gas water heater. It has copper piping, the TPR valve seems good and the expansion tank appears to be properly installed. However, the tank is not strapped down. There sould be straps in the upper and lower third to prevent tipping.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Looking at Sediment Trap. This is a good picture for remembering where a sediment trap is supposed to go. After the gas valve, below the gas pipe. Also, the sediment trap should be capped. Here, sediment can fall into the trap to be cleaned out later.
Research & Writing Assignment:
There are Fifteen items that every homeowner should have and know there purpose. Plungers are used to unclog. Combination Wrench Set is used for nuts and bolts that can be metric or standard sizes. Slip Joint Pliers can grip screws, nuts and bolts. Adjustable Wrench is used when you need two wrenches the same size. Caulking Guns are used for sealing up cracks and gaps. Flashlights are used to visually inspect areas that are hard to see. Tape Measure of 25 feet and always double check you measurement. Hacksaw is used for cutting metal objects and make sure and buy a quality frame for the hacksaw. Torpedo Level is used to check horizontal and vertical levelness and 45 degree angles. Safety Glasses or Goggles should always be worn when hammering, using power tools, or mixing chemicals. Claw Hammer is used for driving in nails and removing nails. Screwdriver Sets are best if you have a large and small of both Phillips Head and Flathead to get to those hard spots. Wire Cutters are made to cut wires and little nail heads. Respirator or Safety Mask should be worn when painting, and in dusty or dirty areas. Duct Tape is water resistant, very sticky which makes it a must for a home emergency kit.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Here is a picture of a hot water tank in the laundry room. The tank is correctly strapped down on both the top third and bottom third of the tank. The tank also has a drip pan underneath it incase of an leaks.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Here is a picture of a hot water tank in the laundry room. The tank is correctly strapped down on both the top third and bottom third of the tank. The tank also has a drip pan underneath it incase of an leaks.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is a Reliance 606 hot water heater. The hot water heater is in good condition and functions properly. The location, however, is a violation due to the fact it is located in a closet located in the master bedroom.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Inspecting the Dryer Exhaust by Nick Gromicko and Ben Gromicko. While reading this article I learned that inspecting the dryer exhaust is a requirement per InterNACHI’s standard of practice. I believe the dryer exhaust is an area that is probably often overlooked by inspectors.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
In this particular home it has a nice floored walkway to the gas water heater. In my observation it has a missing drip leg. A drip leg is very important to catch the sediment before it gets in the burner.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is a photo of a water heater in a 12 year old home. The water heater is original to the home and was found to be in overall serviceable condition. The current home owners are using the top of the water heater for storage and have placed insect repellent (which contains highly flammable chemicals)and paper in close proximity to the flu connection. Storage of these items presents a potential hazard and should be removed and stored in a safe location.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Mold remediation and media blasting- In this article I learned of new technologies aimed at mold remediation with the intention of making the process less time consuming. Media blasting can be effective on variuos types of surfaces and projects and has been used on restoration projects as large as the statue of liberty.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Upon inspecting the water heater I discovered it was an electric water heater. It has a 40 gallon capacity and was manufactured in 2015. It has the appropriately rated TPR valve and seismic strapping. Placement of water heater in dwelling was in a confined space which could make it hard to service.
Research & Writing Assignment:
In the article, Water Heater Expansion Tanks by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard, they explain the purpose and proper installation techniques to look for. A water expansion tank is purposed with providing a space for expanding heated water to transfer to. Thus helping take stress off of the water heater.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Here we have a 28 gallon USCraftmaster water heater with a working pressure of 150 p.s.i. and was tested to a pressure of 300 p.s.i… it was manufactured in 2003 and has a limited warranty of 6 years for parts and inner tank.
Do to its age i would recommend a licensed professional take a further look.
