Barn inspections are common in rural areas. One thing an inspector should take into account is the intended use of the building by the new home owner. Barns designed to house animals that will be used for something like storage may present some issues worth investigating. Livestock animals can give off enough heat to stop freeze thaw cycles that can do damage to foundations and the structure.
This natural gas fireplace insert is installed to manufacture’s specifications. The flexible, stainless steel supply line has a shut off valve. The shut off valve is located behind the decorative grille. The grille is removable by the homeowner without the use of tools.
The attached picture shows a properly installed water heater. You will notice the gas line so this water heater’s fuel is natural gas. Further, there is a properly installed sediment trap and you’ll note that the TPR discharge pipe is installed properly as well.
Polyethylene was made until 1995. They stopped making it because it leaked and caused water damage in many of the 10,000,000 homes that it was installed in. It is usually grey colored. It is identified by “pb####”. It should be replaced.
I read the article titled “Burglar-Resistant Homes”. It was interesting to learn that over one-third of burglars enter the home through the front door. In addition, in almost one-quarter of burglaries, the burglar enters the home through a first story window.
Dryer exhaust system.
The air must be vented to the outside. It must not be discharged into an attic or crawlspace because wood structural members could be adversely affected by excessive moisture, and the accumulation of lint could pose a fire hazard.In this picture we can see the dryer exhaust into the attic and this is a fire hazard.
Dip Tube Hole Insidee.
The tube directs the cold water to the bottom of the tank. At the top of the tank, a hole is installed in the dip tube to prevent water from being siphoned from the tank through the tube. The hole is required to be located within 6 inches of the top of the tank. A vacuum relief valve may be installed in lieu of an anti-siphoning hole in the dip tube.
This is a hot water heater that has been secured with straps for earthquake’s. The heater is in good condition. It is a gas powered hot water heather. It sits on a solid floor,and has its proper covers. The hot water heather has proper ventilation.
This picture illustrates a water heater that has recently been replaced. As you can see there’s some corrosion and rust build up on the unit. The water was taking a long time to heat up which may suggest some build up of sediment within the unit.
In the section “Sewer gases in the home” it talks about the dangers of sewer gases being allowing through the piping into the home. Methane and other deadly fumes could be a result of this taking place and could cause major health issues or even death.
The inspector noted a continuous water leaking on the faucet in the back of the garage. It will cause moisture intrusion to the foundation and exterior wall. It needed to be fixed. Suggest repairing or replacing the leaking faucet by a qualified personnel.
The water heater pictured is a gas fired water heater. The maker of the water heater is Rheem and the capacity of the water heater is 50 gallons. The water heater is located in the basement and does not have a drain pan.
The article I chose was titled “Clothing Moths”. Moths can lay 40-50 eggs every two to three weeks. They are attracted to animal hair fibers and can destroy clothing. Moth balls are a way of preventing moths from destroying your clothes. Good housekeeping can help eliminate/reduce moths as well.
Water heaters supply lines are of importance. Connections should be free of any signs of corrosion and signs of minuscule leaks. When mister home owner installs his own water heater, I have found he attaches CPVC directly into the tank couple instead of a 4" to 6" pipe as needed. I write this up as an incorrect plumbing hook up. Signs of corrosion and signs of small leaks I write up as a defect because in the real world leaks never get better.
This is a picture of an American Water Heater. It is a gas fueled unit with the shut-off valve clearly visible on the left side of the unit. From the name plate it is determined that the age of the water heater is 9 years old. It was manufactured in March of 2009. It has the required TPR valve with a drain that drains into the floor drain. The unit is properly vented to the outside of the home. Copper piping is the material used for water transmission. This water heater is nearing the end of its useful life. No signs of water or gas leakage were found.
Asset Protection for Inspectors
An asset is anything of value in your name, such as a house, a vehicle, your business, and even your bank account. In order to protect your home and personal property from being exposed to such liability, along with your business assets beyond your E&O insurance, its important to safeguard all your assets. To be effective, asset protection should be performed years before you find yourself in financial trouble. Any transfer of ownership of property after the emergence of a significant claim may be deemed fraudulent, which can result not only in seizure of the asset anyway, but significant civil penalties.
Dryer vents should not terminate into an attic or crawlspace. The vent can add excessive moisture to area, granting the potential to leak. Also the lint will increase the fire hazard danger within the confined area. Recommend a qualified HVAC contractor.
It is very important to have carbon monoxide detectors in a home. Carbon monoxide is the silent killer. In 2003, the death toll for carbon monoxide poisoning within a household was close to 500. This is a rather easy install and cheap piece of equipment that is definitely worth the investment in the long run.
The picture shows the garbage disposal underneath the sink. The pipe connected to the p trap appeared to be connected with duct tape which is not the proper procedure. It is recommended that the pipe be resealed by a licensed plumber.
I read the article on how to inspect toilets. I got that the main defects of toilets are cosmetic damages, leaks, and how well the toilet flushes out waste. I also learned that you can find out if the toilet is leaking in itself by buying dye fills and placing one in the tank. If the dye’s color finds its way into the toilet bowl then the inspector can conclude that the toilet is continually running and would be able to recommend that the toilet be replaced or fixed by a licensed plumber.