Ladder safety: Collapsible ladders have a certain amount of flex in them so heavier inspectors will feel this the most. Due to the flex of the ladder there is a chance the inspector can have the feeling that they are falling which can cause them to actually lose their balance and fall. Use these ladders cautiously, I use them to access secondary roofs if needed.
Slate repair - One method for repairing damaged slate is with the use of stainless steel or copper tabs. The fastener edge of the tab is nailed 3" from the bottom of the replacement slate. The slate is slid up over the hook and seated.The
Ladders: Attic pull-down ladders should be inspected carefully as most have not been professionally installed. Fasteners should be sturdy and easily identifiable. If the ladder is too dangerous, access to the attic might not be possible. In this situation a secondary ladder may have to be used as not accessing the attic could be a concern for your client.
This use of a step ladder is improper and is unsafe. Step ladders are designed to opened up completely with the spreader bars locked in the fully extended position. Climbing a unopened ladder should never happened. At least the ladder appears to be on level ground.
Fire blocking is an important part of the construction of the house. When properly applied, there should be no gaps that could allow fire to spread or to be fed air that could grow the fire. Some fire blocking materials are color coded to more easily discern them from non-fire rated fire blocking materials.
The ladder in this picture is a type 1 step ladder. The type 1 rating means it has a load capacity of 250 pounds. Step ladders are self supporting and are not adjustable in length. You should never climb past the second rung from the top or step on the rear section of a step ladder.
The ladder in the attached photo is designed to be used up to the second step and no father. The black shelf is to hold tools and/or a paint bucket only and is not to be used for standing on.
Notice the area below the ladder is cluttered and has an extension cord around the leg of the ladder. This is a clear safety hazard. The area around the legs of the ladder should be clear of all trip hazards and objects tht could cause a fall.
for my assignment I chose the article titled “Private Water Wells”.
In my rural area here in Texas many homes have their own water wells. This article points out the need for testing water well periodically to insure the safety of the water supply for their family and others.
Consideration must be given to the location, design and installation of the various parts of a water well to prevent ground water from seeping into the well.
The article was very complete pointing out the numerous sources for well contamination that a home owner may not have considered a hazard. Examples would be the location of the septic system or the well’s proximity to a cattle feed lot.
In short there are numerous ways a well can be contaminated and the home owner should have his well tested to insure the safety of the water.
Improper ventilation in a bathroom can cause a number of problems for a homeowner. The most serious being the growth of mold. Bathrooms should have a ventilation fan installed to keep humidity levels low. Proper termination of the ventilation ducts is important. Ducts should terminate at the exterior of the house. Ducts should be insulated to ensure that condensation does not build up. It is also extremely important that the ductwork is air tight so that no moisture is expelled into the attic space.
To raise the ladder into place, lay it on the ground with the feet braced against the side of the house, then walk it upright hand over hand. Once the ladder is as close to vertical as possible, walk the base out to create the proper 75-degree angle.
Be sure the ladder extends 3 feet above the point of contact. Hold the ladder securely with both hands and swing one leg around to step off onto the roof. When using a ladder safety is always very important first.
A step ladder has a folding design usually made with light design and primarily for indoor use. The ladder pictured has a weight limit of 300 lbs. The rubber steps are an advantage against slipping. Note the ladder not appearing to have levers for an uneven surface.
My photo essay is about ladder safety and a few rules to live by when using a ladder for a home inspection. never use a ladder that is broken in any way. ladders should be inspected before every use . always tie off a ladder that is leaned up against house to gain access to roof.
Saving Energy in Your Home. Saving energy saves money along the ability to receive tax breaks. Ways to save energy are installing ceiling fans, replacing filters, turning down thermostats which may be programmable, drawing curtains at night and drawing curtains at night.
my writing essay is on an article by osha about ladder safety. falls from portable ladders (step, straight, combination and extension) are one of the leading causes of occupational fatalities and injuries. the article covers a long list of ladder safety rules including how to climb and decend a roof properly using a ladder.
I selected a picture showing two different men standing on top of step ladders, working on the exterior of a home. They were using the step ladder incorrectly on several points.
The ladder was not locked into place and was no longer self-supporting. One should never stand on top of a step ladder or any ladder for that matter. The ladder did not appear to be tied off at the top or anchored at the bottom. Very dangerous!
What I learned from the article was that trusses cannot be altered in any way without the approval of a structural engineer. Trusses are designed to bear loads at very specific points Typical roof trusses should not touch any interior walls and should bear only on the exterior walls These trusses would have best been supported by bearing directly on wall framing.
I have found that telescoping ladders do not hold up very well over the long term. The couplings seem to get stuck very easily, and like the instructor said, can cause it to collapse under load. I would like to see this improved because these ladders are so versatile and easy to transport.
I chose to discuss banded wood piling foundations. This has become the new standard of construction to save cost in the southern part of the country. We are hearing that the life span of these foundation system probably won’t outlast the 25 year mortgage the homeowner is paying on it due to rot and termite damage.
This is my articulated-type ladder manufactured by Little Giant. I’ve found it to be particularly useful when reaching high locations when ascending from uneven ground or roofs. It is particularity bulky and somewhat awkward so I avoid bringing it inside homes to be inspected. This model can be separated into two smaller step ladders and can be fitted with a scaffolding between them for a stable platform.
