Proper testing of the overhead garage door opener should include testing and verification of both of the reversing sensors. Check the optical sensor to verify the door reverses when and object breaks the plane of the door opening and verify that the door also reverses when the resistor on the motor detects that the door travel is obstructed.
Testing the reversing sensor on a automatic garage door opener can be accomplished with a 2x4, but I prefer to use a foam pool noodle which provides ample resistance with out the danger of causing damage to a metal door.
When inspecting the garage doors, I observed a crack in the center of the overhead garage door. Although the garage door was still functional and opened and closed properly, I could see the door was buckling at the center as the door was being opened. Informed the buyer of this situation for them to monitor and be aware that this door will need to be evaluated and repaired/replaced at some point by a qualified door contractor.
One of the main things Im checking for when testing out receptacles in homes is to ensure they are wired properly. By using an approved receptacle tester, Im can tell whether the hot and neutral wires are reversed, and if the receptacle isnt grounded properly. This is a safety hazard, that I would have a licensed electrician correct if either of these conditions exist.
Loose Hose Bib. Here I was directing the owners attention to the unsecure Hose Bib for the reasons of Possible Water intrusion, and also from the pulling on the water hose over a period of time could increase the chance’s of a possible plumbing pipe damage.
Attic Pull Down Stairs. As an inspector I practice safe Entrance in Attics. So I’m careful to view the installation of Attic Stairs. Some Homeowners have installed their own and do so improperly. There are Manufacturers instructions determining the amount of and size of nails or screws to be used. Also there should not be any structural member cut and or Modified without an Engineer’s approval.
The wood stove pipe and thimble are too close to flammable wooden trim used to close gaps in the ceiling drywall. Recommend the wooden trim be removed and gaps taped and sealed with drywall mud, or the chimney installation be removed and the opening properly closed.
Garage doors are the largest moving object in the house. Garage door opener electric eyes should be located not more than 6" above the garage floor. Garage door openers manufactured after January 1 1993 are required to have electric eye sensors as part of the installation.
Hello everyone,
A few weeks ago I inspected a home with two garage doors. The first one was in good working condition. The second one had a few problems. Problem number one was the reverse sensors where missing. Problem number two is the rail was bent and out of shape.
Hello everyone,
Today a did some research on mobile home tie-downs. This straps are designed to stabilize the home during high wind speeds. There are a few different types starting with drive anchor, hard rock anchor, auger anchor and anchor in the concrete slab. All of them are used in different types of soils. Depending on the location.
Home inspectors are prohibited from moving any homeowner’s stored personal items. Many times there are defects in the garage and other storage areas that are impossible for the home inspector to access or view at the time of the inspection. Highly recommend re-checking any concealed areas once stored items are removed prior to closing.
Many times I inspect steel columns in older homes that have some rusting at the bottom where it was installed before the concrete floor was poured. I do recommend adding an adjustable steel column right beside the existing column as a precaution. The footing for the existing column should be at least twice as big as the column diameter and adding the new post right beside it should still be resting on the footing.
This is a picture of a garage door which will be inspected with the whole garage. The garage door is usually the largest moving object in the house. The wall-mounted controls are at least 5’ from the garage slab floor. The photo-electric eyes are within 6" from the floor. The door opened normally and all springs and brackets are tight and appear to be working properly. The garage door works on a counter-balance system with a torsion spring mounted above the door header. Containment of the springs is good. The non-contact and 2x4 reverse tests worked good. There is also a red manual release cord that was in good working condition. The only thing I see is that there are no warning labels on the door. Other than that the garage door is in proper working condition.
I read the article titled Grading and Drainage: Gutters and Maintenance. Gutters are an important part of the drainage system. Having gutters on all appropriate roof slopes will channel and direct any rainwater away from the structure, help reduce any moisture-related deterioration at the eaves, and any splash back moisture at doors and frames. Gutters should be securely fastened to the fascia and downspouts should have splash blocks or extensions to direct drainage away from the structure. Homeowners should clean out their gutters twice a year.
Residential garage doors can be very dangerous, they cause close to 20,000 injuries per year. Things to inspect on a garage inspection would be the emergency pull-cord. It should be red, and not more then 6 ft off the ground. In the closed position, pull the cord and attempt to open the door. The door should be easy to open fully. Then use the push button to have the door lock in place.
This is a garage inspection. The garage door was lowered and raised without an issues. The photo electric eye worked great and was less then 6 inches off the garage surface. The garage pull cord was not pulled, this inspection was of a fire department.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The attached photo shows a garage with the gypsum drywall missing in the front part of the garage above the overhead door. This wallboard is required to provide a fireblock between the garage and the attic and any living spaces.
Research & Writing Assignment:
A Garage Inspection. In this article, Kenton Shepard summarizes some of the issues we read about in this course. Such as the defective truss alterations, the improper installation of truss hangers, and the use of improper fasteners to install the truss hangers.
Research & Writing Assignment:
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission injuries caused by garage doors account for About 20,000.oo home injuries per year. Doors should be equipped with manual, (emergentcy), handles, colored red, and be no more than 6 feet above the standing surface. Specific warning lables should be attached to sping assembly, back of door panel, in the vacinity of wall control and the doors bottom bracket. As of 1991 automatic reverse systems are required for garage doors. These safty devices can help prevent injury operating electronically controlled garage doors.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Spring supported garage doors are opened either through a wall mounted switch or a radio transmitter. Wall mounted devices must be at least five feet above the standing surface. Inspectors should make sure to disable the manual lock on the garage door prior to activating the switch. As of 1991, garage doors are required to have a mechanism to automatically reverse the door if it comes in contact with an object.
