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To successfully complete this course, you must write two essays.
This course page contains instructions for the first essay, which involves performing a home inspection, taking inspection images, using checklists, and writing a report.
This assignment may take 8 hours to complete.
The second essay is described on the next course page.
Instructions for this inspection and writing assignment:
- Perform an inspection related directly the systems and components covered in this course.
- Take an image of that system or component. It can either be in good condition or have a defect.
- Make observations and take notes.
- Write and submit a short essay describing your inspection image and upload the inspection image with the essay.
For example, you may inspect an area of a house that may be affecting the occupants with indoor air quality issues such as the common areas of a house that contributes to indoor humidity and moisture problems. Take inspection images while performing the inspection. Observe. Take notes. Then prepare to communicate your observations in written form. This will be your essay.
This inspection and writing assignment is very similar to what a home inspector does during a home inspection--performing an inspection, taking inspection images, making observations, evaluating, writing notes, formulating opinions, and communicating observations in written form.
Your essay must the following criteria:
- It must be written in English.
- It must be at least 80 words in length.
- It must be written at a minimum 4th-grade level.
- It must sufficiently comment upon the system or component inspected.
- It must be submitted with an inspection photo.
You will submit your essay in the box that is titled “Your Essay”. You will also upload your inspection image. Once you submit your essay, it will reviewed and marked by staff.
Please continue with the course after submitting your essay. If the essay does not meet the criteria, you'll be notified by email to rewrite the essay.
For this insepction I chose to write about my own personal experiences with blower door testing. Over the years myself and my dad specialized in histoirc remodels. Our goal was always to maintain the historic look as much as possbile while bringing the houses in the modern era insulation and function wise. We hand built double pane windows, replaced single pane leaded glass in doors, sealed floor edges from crawl spacews etc. We always tested our jobs before and after to see how much we imporved the condtion of the indoor air and isulation of the homes. There are multiple areas home allow infiltration through that you simply are unaware of until one of these tests is perfromed.