Research & Writing Assignment:
I read an article about easy ways to save money and energy in your home. I read the part about on demand water heaters. They save you money by heating water when needed instead of having to keep a storage tank warm at all times.
Research & Writing Assignment:
After reading the article “Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)”, I have learned that GFCIs are safety devices that disconnect a circuit when there is an unbalanced current detected. These have become safety standards for new home constructions, as one of the major causes of home fatalities is electrocution. They should be tested monthly to ensure proper operation and may be done so without any professional electrical knowledge or expertise.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
In this photo there is a receptacle extremely close to a kitchen sink without a GFCI installed. This is considered a safety hazard and should be corrected by a qualified licensed electrician as well as further inspection of the entire electrical system.
Research & Writing Assignment:
A proper installation of the plumbing system is essential when attempting to prevent back flow, for example proper slant, supports, material used, traps, and venting. To add to the prevention double check valves may also be included in the plumbing system and although these are not regularly used for residential properties it is a useful piece of information to know.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Displayed is a properly installed p-trap on a bathroom sink. There is no evidence of any leaking or corrosion of the pipes and all sills are intact. Water pressure consistent with use of other fixtures simultaneously and drains with ease.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is an image of a deck beam approximately 6’ off the ground. The beam is leaning away from the house and is only braced with a post/beam connector on one side and toe nailed at the top. This is a potential safety hazard and needs to be further evaluated by a qualified contractor/profesional.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
There are several areas around the house where the soffits are damaged or missing.
Recommend repair or replace by a qualified contractor. If the soffits are not repaired flying insects or birds could build their nests in the attic causing serious infestation issues as well as further damage. An inspection of the attic area showed no current signs of infestation or damage.
Research & Writing Assignment:
As a new inspector within the industry that has chosen to go it alone and open my own business, the question has frequently come up…Corporation or LLC? While I see the pros and cons of both, and LLC seems to be the way to go for a single inspector business (just starting out) in my opinion. The main benefit I feel is the legal seperation between myself and the entity. As I am responsible for my own personal debts and obligations, the LLC is responsible for its own debts and obligations for the business alone. LLC’s also have many tax benefits along with flexibility with ownership and management structure.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The soffits are damaged or missing in several areas of the house.
I recommend that they be repaired or replaced by a qualified contractor. If they are not repaired further damage could be caused by flying insects or birds building their nests in the attic. A visual inspection of the attic showed no current damage caused by this issue.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Ghosting is the discoloration of the walls or other sufaces in the home. Ghosting caused by small particulates from a variety of sources sticking to the surface or “plating out”. When enough particulates build up you will be able to see the ghosting effects.
Common causes are from cooking, burning candles, animal dander and fine dust.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is a picture of a residential roof with multiple vents. The metal chimney for the fire place shows signs of rust. The base flashing of the chimney and the powered attic vent have become unsecured and are raising the shingle tabs. Additionally al raised shingle tabs are noted across the roof. Noted areas should be evaluated and repaired as necessary.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Captured in this photograph is a bathroom sink which appears to be properly put together. The handles function and correlate with their respective temperatures and the drain has no issues to report. Plumbing seems in tact as well in this fixture.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I have learned a vast wealth of information pertaining to the structural integrity of a home and general cues as to any issues currently existing within the structure of the home that give away clues as to the status of the structure and foundation.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
while inspecting the bathroom I found that some trim molding around the wainscoting by the sink had termite damage. It was in plain sight. I would call attention to this fact and begin tapping around with a tool that, if necessary, could penetrate any material that I could identify as having termite damage around the vicinity of the sink. I would pay close attention to the wall and any close, fixed materials and state my process within my report.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I read an article about pull down attic ladders. I found it kind of funny that a lot of home owners put these in on their own and don’t pay attention to the types nails and screws needed for a safe ladder. I also read that length cuts in the ladders can cause stress on the ladder connections and could break the ladder causing injury. The article stated that I should use cation when inspecting these due to fast falling ladders and ladders may have debris on it and to place some plastic or something to catch any materials the fall from pulling down the ladder.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is a picture of a stained floating hardwood floor in a condo. I noticed it as soon as I walked in. According to my moisture meter, the floor contains a high level of moisture.
Turns out the cleaning service had been there a couple of days ago. They mopped the floor with water and left a puddle.
Not a good idea using water to begin with.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Pull down attic stairs are extremely dangerous if not installed correctly and with the right hardware. I would say about 90% of the inspections Ive done,
Installers never bother to cut the bottom to meet the floor correctly. One time on my way up the ladder, the bolt holding the spring in place, broke in half and sending the spring about a inch away from my face! The bolt was a cheap replacement for the one that was missing in the original hardware kit.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The air conditioner for this home is functioning properly. However, the insulation on the suction line is ripped and needs to be replaced. The condenser is also not installed on a concrete pad, and is only sitting on bare dirt. It is recommended to have the condenser installed onto a concrete, permanent pad.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
In my essay, i chose to write about roofing and its importance. As an independent feature of a house i believe the roof is one of the most important features of a property, the roof provides shelter from the elements, prevents water and debris from entering the home, potentially causing massive amounts of damage to a property. A proper roof sheds moisture and debris down to the gutters and eventually to the ground using various pre-engineered paths. The roof should be free of any large debris like tree limbs, leaves, dirt, ect, a proper roof will allow water to leave the house instead of leaking into the attic or down walls causing mold and damaging major components, potentially large damage like the structure of the house itself. Shingles not properly attached should be replaced, and the roof should be replaced pending a major storm that likely damages the structure of the roof.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The three types of furnace efficiency.
There are three levels of efficiency for a home furnace. Low efficiency, mid efficiency, and high efficient.
Low efficiency furnaces are older and are no longer available. They use draft to move the air, have to fans and are lit by a pilot light. Low efficiency are o lynx about 60 percent efficiency.
Mid efficient furnaces usually are above 80 percent efficient. They use fan forces air, and are ignited by a glow plug. They usually do assist if about 3 or 4 chambers that the gas is lit in.
High efficient furnaces can ge in the high 90’s of efficiency. You can tell a furnace is high efficiency if the combustion is sealed and isolated. Because of the high efficiency, the exhaust vent can be made of PVC rather than metal because the temperatures are much lower for the exaust.
