Research & Writing Assignment:
For this section I am choosing the plumbing inspection photo. This picture shows an inspector under a kitchen sink. It is important to check under the sink for leaks. Check the cabinet floor for water stains and the surrounding walls for water marks. Checking the pipe connections for leaks is also needed.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
When providing a waste line for a washing machine, a couple factors need to taken into account. For instance, the proper placement for the trap weir and arm should be between 6 to 8" from the ground. Apart from than, a stand pipe need be provided 18 to 42" above that with the discharge hose placed inside with an air break. This will allow for proper discharge of any non-potable water.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Familiarizing yourself with zoning laws will help you and your client inspect and maintain structures accordingly. They are divided into 3 categories: residential, commercial and industrial and some may have a combination of the two. Although some zoning laws can be stringent, they can help in the aesthetics and value of a neighborhood. Ensuring before you buy a home that the previous owners did not violate any zoning laws is best practice but beyond the scope of a home inspector.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
In this picture you will see an Electric Solar Water Heater. The water heater is a SunEarth water heater that was manufactured by RHEEM. You can clearly see two copper pipes, and also two insulated pipes up against the wall. The TPR valve can be seen in between the copper pipes. The first copper pipe is where water first enters the the tank. The water is then pumped from the bottom of the water heater through the left insulated pipe that leads up the wall and outside to the roof. The water is then heated by the solar panels and runs back down through the right insulated pipe back in to the water heater. The second copper pipe is the outlet pipe that supplies hot water to the home.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The use of teflon tape in your homes plumbing system is a sign of good workmanship. Teflon tape is used to create a tighter seal in threaded connections. It helps prevent water, air and gas from leaking through threaded connections in your households pipes. Teflon tape is chemical resistant and can also be used in hot and cold temperatures.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
It is important to understand the components of the hot water tank. A hot water tank is the least most efficient yet one of the most dangerous appliances in the house. The inspector must make sure the TPV is present. There must be a safe discharge pipe that is visible and releases water no more than 6 inches about the ground. We must make sure dielectric unions are in place where needed. The inspector should also recommend that the client service the unit once per year.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I’ve learned about about the Water heater both Tankless and Tank. It is important to understand the components of the hot water tank. A hot water tank is the least most efficient yet one of the most dangerous appliances in the house. The inspector must make sure the TPV is present. There must be a safe discharge pipe that is visible and releases water no more than 6 inches about the ground. We must make sure dielectric unions are in place where needed. The inspector should also recommend that the client service the unit once per year. We must check for leaks, smelling of gas, etc… Do not test the TPV valve or verify the service life of the appliance.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Oil is often used as the fuel for boilers,heaters and the hot water systems in homes.
Oil is stored in tanks, usually made of metal,above or beneth the ground which should not exceed a storage capacity of six hundred and sixty galleons.
Generally,home owners do not pay enough attention to the condition and maintenance of tanks and its components as depicted in the photograph above. This often has disasterious effects,causing damage to both life and property.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Storm drainage is a crucial aspect in the protecting the structure and the home from moisture intrusion due to the elements.
The landscaping should be designed to allow storm water to drain away from the house, (minimum fall of six inches in the first ten feet),gutters should collect storm water run off from roofs and led away from the house, all waste from the house should be collected and piped and disposed appropriately.
It is essential that the foundations be kept as dry as possible and the settlement of water is never allowed along foundation walls and basements as this could result in the undermining of the foundations resulting in Structurial failure.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This toilet flushes well, but has a very slow refile. This should be checked. The anchor bolts are exposed and show some corrosion. The toilet is not securely fastened to the ring, allowing some movement and possibly allowing leakage past the wax ring. No leakage was evident at time of inspection.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Bathroom fans are recommended to allow removal of excess moisture and fumes from a bathroom. They may be either intermittent or continuous flow. Intermittent flow fans should be at least 50 cfm flow and continuous fans should be 20 cfm. Bathroom fans must discharge outside the home, not into a attic space, ridge vent, crawl space or other inside areas.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Knowing that every trap and trap fixture should be vented is a very important aspect of the home inspection. The vent system protects the trap seal by reducing pressure differences in different types of drainage systems. There should be at least one vent pipe that extends to the outdoors of a dwelling.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I have gathered from the material that s traps are not to be used, P traps on the contrary should be looked for. A p trap should be a maximum of 24 inches in height, 30 inches in length and the trap must have a liquid seal of not less than 2 inches and not more than 4 inches. Knowing what to look for and the size requirements will definitely benefit ne in the future.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
drainage for a home, whether it be for site drainage or the actual drain system, is a very important system to the homes well being, as gutters and downspouts keep water away from the foundation, the drain system of the home carries waste water to its final resting place whether that be a city sewer or septic system.
Research & Writing Assignment:
drainage for a home, whether it be for site drainage or the actual drain system, is a very important system to the homes well being, as gutters and downspouts keep water away from the foundation, the drain system of the home carries waste water to its final resting place whether that be a city sewer or septic system.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Shower/Shower Drainage: This is a guest room full-bathroom shower. The shower does not show water in the tub (inspection report should have water), but it drained successfully. The shower wall tile is sufficient and doesn’t have cracks or weak points. Sealant around the tub is also in satisfactory condition.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Ventless Fireplace Inspection: People are jumping on the ventless fireplace due to 100% efficiency heating, release of less harmful gasses, not many architectual constraints. But, many people are worried about CO gas coming into the house when the unit burns due to a design flaw. An inspector needs to be wary of any gas leaks when looking at a ventless fireplace.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Inspection &n Writing Assignment:
This image depicts the plumbing connections, TPR valve, and power disconnect for an installed electric water heater. The cold water inlet pipe has a gate valve. The hot water line, cold water line, and TPR valve discharge line are of a braided stainless steel hose designed for this purpose. The TPR valve discharge is piped through the wall directly outside to a readily visible and identifiable area. I observed no indications of any corrosion or leaks on the water heater or plumbing. I noted there was no installed thermal expansion tank on this installation. I recommend having an expansion tank installed by a qualified plumber.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Research & Writing Assignment:
After reading both the information included in this course and the article Inspecting The Dryer Exhaust, I found that recommendations/requirements for dryer ductwork have changed since the construction of my home. My home has a spiral bound metal flexible duct in the wall to vent the dryer exhaust through the roof. Upon inspecting it, I found the ductwork has separated from the roof vent. The current requirement is for a 28 gauge, 4 inch metal duct with a smooth interior finish and no protruding attachments, such as screws. All joints may be air sealed using foil tape.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Although this water heater appears safe and ready to perform, there are a few issues that need to be addressed. 1) missing the extension on for the T&P valve, 2) missing the drip leg at the gas connection and 3) the most important is the bollard/ protection from a moving vehicle due to the fact that it’s located in the garage. The stand is only 16" off the ground, but the burners themselves are at the minimum of 18" off the ground. Appears safe, but could be deadly.
