Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The photo shows a clip, properly nailed with at least 3 nails. This would qualify for the clip credit and not the strap credit since it does not go up and over the truss. The other form of attachment is toe nails.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Here is an example of the roof deck attachment to the truss beam that has a section of four or more missed or splitting fastener nails in a row. This information should be recorded on the report as this section is now weakened by the missed fasteners.
Research & Writing Assignment:
GFCIs are recommended anywhere within 6 feet of a water source to include the exterior. Current code changes have required not just within 6 feet of a water source in the kitchen, but now any outlet in the kitchen. So, if the kitchen has been remodeled in 2018, all outlets in the kitchen, must be on GFCI protection.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is an image of 6" spacing of 8D common nails attaching 3/4" plywood decking. This was a Wind Mitigation that I was training on. I have my tape out showing that the nails are on a 6" pattern with the correct nails so that the home owner will qualify for some type of credits on their insurance.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Fiberglass Insulation, it is glass woven into small amounts of coarse fibers, this has been going on for centuries. It has an R value rating and the higher the rating the higher the resistance. You should always wear a mask around insulation to avoid breathing in those harmful glass fibers floating around. Cellulose is an alternative that is a plant based insulation, some people will use this to avoid what could be possible health risks from the traditional fiberglass insulation. This product comes in many forms and helps increase energy efficiency if installed correctly.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The electrical sub panel is a Zinsco brand panel. Zinsco panels and breakers were a widely-distributed electrical brand throughout the United States. Field reports of circuit breaker burn-ups and very extensive electrical panel damage have been reported and attributed to this product. Zinsco-brand circuit breakers and electrical panels are likely to be at significantly greater risk such as burn-ups, fires, and failure to trip in response to over current. The panel and main breakers should be evaluated by a qualified electrician to determine if replacement is required.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Using an IR camera for home inspections can add insight to the condition of the home. As the cost of IR camera technology comes down it is accessible to the home inspector and can provide a new tool to evaluate insulation performance and moisture management. An IR camera can quickly show insulation voids along ceiling and vaulted pony walls by detecting large temperature differences displayed with a simple color gradient picture. Voids will show up as brite hot spots. These IR pictures will also show moisture leaks which will be indicated as cool spots in the IR gradient picture.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Though it may be hard to see in this photo this is a stamped corrugated shutter from a home built in 1980 with upgraded shutters I recently took from an inspection showing the Miami Dade product code pressed directly into the metal.
Research & Writing Assignment:
After reading the wind mit. article I learned that an Ins. company may count the home a total loss if the roof has been removed or destroyed, particularly the roof decking by a hurricane or other natural disaster, I find that to be scary.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Inspections and wind mitigation…here in Jax Florida. This picture is fitting I think. Hurricane IRMA went thru this area and flooded the place. Homeowner was told all is well just needed a little drying (FEMA rep) anyway I was called because of a weird odor developing. I used and IR camera and then confirmed the anomalies with a moisture meter, said we need to remove some wall comports and wa-laa this ugly creatures and a very foul smell followed. Well you know the rest of the story, full blown remedial activities. All went well and its now back to normal odors…Moral of story…always find out what is causing the stink in a building, or you will possibly get very sick.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Abrasion blasting for Mold Remediation, I like to call it now Media-Blasting. The reason I have been performing media blasting now for over 3 decades and a lot has evolved, especially to MOLD. I really appreciate the part in the article about HEPA vacuuming at the end, this is very-very necessary for several reasons. 1. is the media itself is very fine and will need bulk removal usually with a shovel, and then you HEPA vacuum. 2. MOLD itself, though it will not like the environment you introduced in the killing zone of the blasting, but it will be there still, not as happy as it once was or in larger numbers, but none the less still present, this is when the HEPA vacuuming will finish the job. Great article gentlemen…
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This house was built in 2001 and it has a very cost effective feature which is the hip roof. A hip roof is self-bracing, requiring less diagonal bracing than a gable roof. It is also much better suited for hurricane regions than gable roofs. In Addition, a better rate on the Insurance premium.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This house was built in 2001 and it has a very cost effective feature which is the hip roof. A hip roof is self-bracing, requiring less diagonal bracing than a gable roof. It is also much better suited for hurricane regions than gable roofs. In Addition, a better rate on the Insurance premium.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is an image of a crawlspace in a home built in 1977. The duct work and insulation are intact. There are several unprotected splices in the attic needing electrical junction boxes. Recommend inspection and repairs by a licensed electrical contractor.
Research & Writing Assignment:
When I perform a Wind Mitigation Inspection I start by researching the county website for permits pertaining to the inspection. When I arrive at the residence, I take pictures of each side of the house as well as the street address on the house or mailbox. I enter the crawlspace an measure the thickness of the roof deck. Then I search for a missing nail or staple for the roof deck attachment and measure it. Next, I measure the spacing of the nails in the field. After that I look for and photo the roof to wall attachment. When I finish that I complete the form for the home owner.
Research & Writing Assignment:
In taking the wind mitigation inspections course I learned a lot of new information including some things I did not have clarity on. I have seen several roofs with multiple missing roof deck nails or “shiners.” Now I know to take a closer look at those areas and look for signs of repair and if there are four or more missing in a row that it should be documented.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
In a recent inspection, the seller of this home indicated they had complete “A1” opening protection all around the home. Upon arrival I discovered a mixture of impact rated hurricane panels & older pre-1988 panels that are not impact resistant. I informed the buyer that they would not qualify for the A1 until the older hurricane panels are replaced.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
These accordion shutters were found on a recent inspection I did. The home was built in 2003 and no labeling or documentation could be produced. If a shutter or opening protection can not be identified, it should be marked as “N1”.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The attached photograph is of a roof overhang from the underside at a 2nd floor balcony. When inspecting the roof surface, it was revealed that this small area over the balcony is an attached fiberglass flat section, and is not part of the main roof deck or system. This added piece of flat roof area is already deteriorating at the attachments to the wall and has leakage at the edges. This added roof area appears improper and is not known to be approved in Miami-Dade county as an envelope component. We recommend further evaluation by a licensed roofing contractor to determine the actual repair / replacement / removal scope and the actual costs.
